Community group bands together to save Rockrimmon Library
Nov 11, 2024
(COLORADO SPRINGS) — Some chapters are meant to be closed, although some refuse to not have their happily ever after, and that is the case with the tale of the Rockrimmon Library.
In a turn of events, a community group is willing to fight for another chance at a sequel and continuation of the library's services. On Tuesday, Nov. 12 at 1 p.m., the 'Save Rockrimmon Library' group will rally together at City Hall, located at 107 North Nevada Avenue, for a chance to save the library.
Rockrimmon Library will close Dec. 1
Rumors of the library closing became known earlier this summer, with the Rockrimmon and Ruth Holly branch earmarked for possible closures.
Many community members voiced their opinions over the proposed closure, taking their words online and in person. However, in a 5-2 vote, the Pikes Peak Library District's (PPLD) Board of Trustees decided to not renew the lease of its Rockrimmon branch during a meeting on Oct. 16, choosing to close the location.
“There is no YMCA, there is no community center, the Rockrimmon library is it for the northwest side. That is all we have, it is the heart of the northwest side,” said one community member who spoke at the October meeting.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: PPLD board votes to close Rockrimmon library branch
Earlier in October, the board said the decision to not renew Rockrimmon's lease was a difficult one but was made with a focus on helping the entire library district financially. According to the President of the Board of Trustees, Dora Gonzales, Rockrimmon was one of the costliest libraries.
"Rockrimmon has the most expensive lease, we currently pay $242,000 a year in the rent and then about $25,000 in utilities,” Gonzales explained previously. “We know that we’re going to be able to save money from not renewing this lease and as our preliminary budget sits right now, we have very little money. We have $0 set aside for anything that needs to be fixed in any of our facilities.”
Future of Pikes Peak Library District, preliminary report released
'Save Rockrimmon Library' plans to call on City Council to use "its power to hold the PPLD Board accountable and to ensure all other budgetary solutions are fully explored before libraries are closed."
"With strong concerns about data transparency, budget priorities, and the future of public library access, the group will be urging City Council to allocate $200,000 to keep the Rockrimmon Library open for another year, providing time to explore sustainable solutions," a spokesperson with Save Rockrimmon Library said.
Tomorrow's rally is expected to draw a 'large' crowd of community members with signs and neon colors to emphasize their unity in opposing the library's closure.
As for the fate of the Ruth Holly branch, there are currently no plans to get rid of it.
The community's last chance to visit the Rockrimmon branch is Saturday, Nov. 30. Individuals are invited to visit nearby locations like the Pikes Peak Library District – East Library or 21c Library, which are further away but could still serve the community.