Colorado Springs library still closing despite community efforts

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KKTV) – After days of debate at city hall, the Colorado Springs library will still close due to a host of problems they say community efforts have failed to resolve.

This has been an ongoing problem since the Pikes Peak Library District announced it would close the Rockrimmon branch. A group called ‘Save Rockrimmon Library’ is working to raise money to help keep the library open for at least another year.

Some members of the city council assisted in the effort. Four members, including Dave Donelson, who represents the Rockrimmon district, signed a letter urging the library to stay open another year and explore other options. Those efforts culminated in a discussion between the PPLD Board of Trustees and the city council on Monday and a round of public comments on Tuesday.

“I can say that the last few days have been frustrating and disappointing for the citizens of District 1,” said Council Member Donelson. “They did a lot to get the Pikes Peak Library District Trustees to compromise and work with them to keep the library open.”

The citizen-led fundraising effort raised about $70,000, some of which PPLD will need to keep the library open, he said.

“People volunteered to work there, you know, volunteers. The building owner reduced the cost. So we’ve done a lot to show their support and it makes sense to keep it open, but it doesn’t seem like the Board of Trustees are willing to compromise and just sign a one-year contract, which is all we’re doing. ‘We want it,’ he said.

However, PPLD said this decision was the result of a long decision-making process. Earlier this year, the idea of closing the Rockrimmon library was floated as one of several scenarios for next year’s budget. Ultimately, such a decision was made and library officials have defended it so far.

PPLD Board President Dora Gonzales shared the following statement with 11 News:

The passion and love for Rockrimmon Library and the Pikes Peak Library District is admirable. The way the community has come together and engaged is impressive, and their creativity speaks volumes about their commitment to the Library.

However, as the PPLD Board of Directors noted at the outset and in subsequent statements, there are many factors that led to the decision not to renew the Rockrimmon Library lease. The financial burdens facing the district cannot be quickly addressed through fundraising or a slight reduction in rent. And many other issues led to this decision; all of this is outlined in the Facilities Master Plan and made available in the Preliminary Board Packet posted on the ppld.org website for people to review. The solutions presented are not feasible and do not change the situation facing the Library. The sustainability of the Library District while being fiscally responsible as good stewards of our taxpayers’ money is a priority for the Board and PPLD.

This was echoed by board member Aaron Salt on Tuesday. He cited staffing and safety issues as other reasons why the board decided to close Rockrimmon.

But PPLD CEO and Chief Librarian Teona Shainidze-Krebz and CFO Randy Green agreed to a meeting with accountant Chris Johnson and a representative from the Save Rockrimmon Library on Tuesday.

While Save Rockrimmon Library says they hope to discuss how to keep the library open, the group exclusively shared a statement from CEO Shainidze-Krebz via email with 11 News.

“Thank you for your patience with me,” said the CEO’s email, which Save Rockrimmon Library shared with 11 News. “Yes, let’s continue, but I want you to know that Julie Smyth will be there too. “I also want you to know that we will answer your questions within budget, but we will not discuss renewing the lease as it is a board decision.”

The Rockrimmon library is scheduled to close on December 1. But Donelson said efforts to keep the library open before the building’s lease officially ends will continue through December.

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