What Pikes Peak Library District does

Pikes Peak Library District (PPLD) is a political subdivision of the State of Colorado, operating as a public library system serving El Paso County and Teller County since its founding in 1885. Governed by a Board of Trustees and headquartered in Colorado Springs, PPLD operates 14 to 15 physical branch locations plus Mobile Library Services, providing free access to physical and digital library materials, programs, and community resources to all residents within its service area. The organization segments its services across six age groups (Kids, Tweens, Teens, Adults, Seniors, and Families) and runs major signature programs including Summer Adventure, All Pikes Peak Reads, All Pikes Peak Makes, Mountain of Authors, and the History Symposium.

PPLD's technology stack is an integration rather than a proprietary platform. The online catalog runs on IIIVega for authentication; the eLibrary aggregates content from third-party vendors including OverDrive/Libby (eBooks, audiobooks, magazines), Hoopla (streaming media), Kanopy (streaming video), Freegal (music streaming), and Freading (eBook lending), with Adobe Digital Editions for DRM-managed downloads. Regional History & Genealogy materials are served through a recollect-powered digital collections portal. Makerspaces, studios, and circulating studio/technology equipment support the All Pikes Peak Makes program.

Revenue is sourced primarily from local public taxes within the library district service area, supplemented by the PPLD Foundation (a 501(c)(3) nonprofit) which raises funds through donations, grants, memorial gifts, and events such as Night at the Library and Pickleball for a Cause. All core services are free to library card holders, with no disclosed pricing tiers; late fees may apply for overdue materials. PPLD earned the Candid GuideStar Gold Transparency 2025 designation for nonprofit disclosure practices, and the Foundation receives corporate sponsorship from entities including Comcast, iHeartRadio, El Pomar Foundation, and Air Academy Credit Union.

Name

Pikes Peak Library District

Legal name

Pikes Peak Library District

Website

https://ppld.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1885

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Pikes Peak Library District is a Colorado political subdivision operating 14-15 public library branches and Mobile Library Services across El Paso and Teller Counties, providing free physical and digital materials, programs, and community resources to residents of all ages since 1885.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Library Services

NAICS

Libraries and Archives (51921), Libraries and Archives (519210)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Libraries & Information Services (BPAIACAO)

Keywords

• Public library services
• Digital lending
• Community programming
• Research databases
• Interlibrary loans

Headquarters

HQ city

Colorado Springs

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices16 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Public Tax Funding: PPLD receives public funding from taxpayers within the library district service area. While the funding covers essential operations, supplemental funding through other sources is needed for creative and meaningful programs.
2. Donations and Grants: The PPLD Foundation (501(c)(3)) accepts donations and grants to financially assist the district in filling funding gaps. Individual donations, stock gifts, memorial gifts, and planned giving options are available.
3. Event Fundraising: Foundation-organized fundraising events including Pickleball for a Cause tournaments, Night at the Library immersive experiences, and other community events that generate proceeds to support library programs and services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Pikes Peak Library District provides free public library services to residents of El Paso and Teller Counties in Colorado through 14 physical branch locations plus Mobile Library Services. Its offering includes a circulating physical collection (books, audiobooks, movies, music, video games), a digital eLibrary (eBooks, audiobooks, streaming video, music, magazines via Libby/OverDrive, Hoopla, Kanopy, Freegal, and Freading), research databases, a non-circulating Regional History & Genealogy collection, makerspaces, meeting rooms, and signature community programs such as Summer Adventure, All Pikes Peak Reads, and All Pikes Peak Makes.

Product overview

Pikes Peak Library District (PPLD) is a public library system serving El Paso and Teller Counties in Colorado through 15 physical branch locations, a Mobile Library, and an extensive online presence at ppld.org. The District operates a dual-format collection: a broad physical circulating collection (books, media, video games, studio equipment) distributed across all branches via a floating collection model, plus a digital eLibrary platform integrating third-party services — Libby/OverDrive, Hoopla, Kanopy, Freegal, Freading, and Gale — for eBooks, eAudiobooks, eMagazines, eComics, streaming video, and music. PPLD's special collections include a non-circulating Regional History & Genealogy archive covering the Pikes Peak region, accessible through a digital collections portal (recollect). The District's programming portfolio includes major signature programs (All Pikes Peak Makes, All Pikes Peak Reads, Summer Adventure, Winter Adult Reading, Mountain of Authors, History Symposium) alongside adult education, career services, children's programming, and community outreach via Mobile Library Services. PPLD Foundation (a 501(c)(3)) supplements public funding through donations and fundraising events. Patrons access services through an online catalog (IIIVega-powered), mobile apps, in-person branch visits, and digital resource portals.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Physical Library Collection (Books, Media & Materials)

Quantifiable outcome

• Free access to all library services removes financial barriers to information and education
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration10 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Friends of the Pikes Peak Library DistrictcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerVolunteer nonprofit organization that supports PPLD through fundraising, advocacy, and volunteer coordination. The Friends organization helps raise funds and awareness for library programs and services, functioning as a key fundraising partner.
• PPLD FoundationcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial 501(c)(3) nonprofit foundation dedicated to raising funds to support the Library's programs, services, and growth. Accepts donations, grants, and memorial gifts to fill funding gaps beyond public tax support.
• OverDrive/LibbycoreTechnology or IntegrationThird-party digital platform providing eBooks, eAudiobooks, and eMagazines through the Libby app and OverDrive website. Integrated into PPLD's eLibrary offerings.
• Hoopla DigitalcoreTechnology or IntegrationDigital media platform providing access to streaming video, music, eBooks, comics, and audiobooks. Offers instant streaming or temporary downloads for library patrons.
• KanopycoreTechnology or IntegrationStreaming video service featuring over 30,000 films including award-winning documentaries, indie films, and classics. Integrated as part of PPLD's eLibrary video offerings.
• Freegal MusiccoreTechnology or IntegrationFree music streaming and download service providing access to 16 million songs from over 40,000 labels including Sony Music's catalog. Patrons can stream or download music with library card.
• Moody Insurance AgencyminorOthersCorporate sponsor of PPLD Foundation events including Night at the Library, supporting library fundraising initiatives.
• James & Helen McCaffery Charitable TrustminorOthersCharitable trust providing grant funding to support PPLD programs and services through the Foundation.
• Investment Trust CompanyminorOthersCorporate sponsor of PPLD Foundation events supporting library fundraising initiatives.
• El Pomar FoundationminorOthersRegional foundation providing grant funding to support PPLD programs and services in the Pikes Peak region.
• ComcastminorOthersCorporate sponsor supporting PPLD Foundation events and library programs.
• CRP ArchitectsminorOthersCorporate sponsor of PPLD Foundation events supporting library fundraising.
• Air Academy Credit UnionminorOthersCredit union sponsoring PPLD Foundation events and programs.
• iHeartRadiominorOthersMedia sponsor providing promotional support for PPLD events and programs.
• Colorado Springs Urban Renewal AuthorityminorOthersPartner organization co-sponsoring Night at the Library event supporting library district initiatives.
• Springs PickleballminorOthersVenue hosting the PPLD Foundation's Pickleball for a Cause fundraiser event.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Douglas County Libraries: Library district serving Douglas County, Colorado, with multiple branches and digital services. Comparable as a suburban Colorado library system with similar funding structures (property tax) and program offerings.
• Denver Public Library: Colorado's largest urban public library system, operating multiple branches and an extensive digital platform. Directly comparable as a Colorado-based public library district serving a similar population profile with overlapping digital content partnerships (OverDrive/Libby, Hoopla, Kanopy, Freegal).
• Aurora Public Library: Public library system serving Aurora, Colorado, with branches, digital services, and community programming. Directly comparable as a Colorado municipal library district serving a similar metropolitan population.
• Anythink Libraries: Adams County library district operating multiple branches in the Denver metro area with a strong digital catalog and community programming model. Comparable as a similarly sized Colorado library district with a horizontal, experience-focused service approach.
• Boulder Public Library: Municipal public library serving Boulder, Colorado, offering comparable physical and digital collections including streaming, eBooks, and community programming. Comparable peer within Colorado's public library ecosystem.
• Jefferson County Public Library: Public library system serving Jefferson County, Colorado, with a comparable multi-branch footprint and digital services. Similar scale and service area demographics to PPLD.

Regional players

• Mesa County Libraries: Colorado library district serving the Grand Junction/Mesa County area with branches and digital offerings. Comparable as a regional Colorado library system, though serving a different geography than PPLD.
• Pueblo City-County Library District: Southern Colorado library district operating branches and digital services. Comparable as a similarly structured Colorado library district though geographically separated from PPLD's service area.

Others

• El Paso County (Government): The county government whose taxpayers fund PPLD's operations. Adjacent as the political/jurisdictional context in which PPLD operates, though not a direct competitor.
• Colorado State Library: State-level library agency providing coordination, training, and resources to Colorado public libraries including PPLD. Comparable as an adjacent ecosystem participant rather than a direct competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ppld
• Facebookfacebook.com/PikesPeakLibraryDistrict

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Pikes Peak Library District