In the old days, entering the Manitou Springs Carnegie Library felt like a sort of coming home. There was an ambiance rather like being in a friend’s living room, remembered Rob Danin, a Manitou resident and former UCCS professor. Danin and others of like mind hope to return the cozy feeling to the current library. They propose to do this, Danin said, under the auspices of the Friends of the Pikes Peak Library District – a nonprofit dedicated to supporting the library system through their bookstores, programs and events thanks to the help of volunteers and book donations. But, there is a catch.
According to Denise Abbott, chief communications and marketing officer for PPLD, while Friends of the Library may fundraise, PPLD administrators determine where donated money is spent.
Neither the current Manitou Springs library supervisor Taryn Malila nor Laura Foster, the executive assistant for PPLD, responded to Bulletin inquiries about the possibility of restoring the old library decor on the second floor. The room is currently set up as a meeting room with hard tables in the center and chairs stored along each wall.
Rita Jordan, President of the Friends of the PPLD, shared that there has already been a Manitou Springs Friends of the Library volunteer presence since the fall of 2024.
“Our need at this time is for Manitou Springs Friends of the Library volunteers who are able to sort donations and keep shelves stocked,” she said.
Adding furniture, according to Jordan, would have to be done through the PPLD.
The Manitou Springs Public Library joined the Pikes Peak Library District (PPLD) in 2013. Danin, the library board of trustees president at the time, supported joining. Before the collaboration, Danin explained, the MS Carnegie Branch library relied on the Manitou Springs City Council for funding approval. As a member of the PPLD, the Manitou branch now receives funding through a citizen-approved tax initiative.
There is also room for some comfortable chairs and lamps. – Rob Danin
“I thought stability in funding was important for our library,” Danin said. “As an educator, I have always felt libraries are the hub of a community’s voice. After the recent election, using our voices is especially important for Manitou residents.”
While longtime Manitou locals are nostalgic about the aura of the former library, Abbott reminded me that the Manitou branch has only been reopened since Feb. 7.
“I can only speak about what is in the library now,” Abbott added. “I know the community and the manager of that location asked for space where the community could meet.”
She said the current configuration matches the requests for program and meeting space, and she cannot comment on changes that might be made to the Manitou library in the future.
“A lot of programs happen on the second story of the library,” Danin agreed. “But there is also room for some comfortable chairs and lamps.”
“I know the community wanted a community room,” Abbot emphasized. “That community desire speaks to the current configuration.”
Currently, it seems unlikely that comfortable chairs and homelike lamps will be added to the Manitou branch anytime soon.
Ambiance aside, the Manitou branch library is open daily and Friends of the PPLD is seeking volunteers from the Manitou community. Visit FriendsOfPPLD.org to volunteer.
