From the Winter 2024 newsletter
Thanks to a Rotary Club connection and a handy volunteer, the Pikes Peak Habitat for Humanity neighborhood at The Ridge at Sand Creek has a little library.
“We were just talking about ideas we could do in the community, and a little library was brought up,” explains Sam Chapman, a member of the Pi Beta Phi Alumnae Club, Colorado Springs chapter.
Pi Beta Phi is a national sorority that emphasizes literacy.
“The organization itself provides books to be put in the hands of children. We have applied for grants five times in the Colorado Springs area, and we have been able to give 3,000 books to different organizations,” says Judy Gebben, an alumna who also is a retired teacher. “We were kind of at a point where maybe we should try something different, so little libraries came up. ”
In addition to her involvement in the sorority alumnae chapter, Chapman also serves as president of the Colorado Springs Rotary Club—and through that organization, she’d met Pikes Peak Habitat for Humanity CEO Kris Lewis.
“I knew you were building the community out here that had families, so it seemed like a great connection,” says Chapman. “I reached out to Kris, and the rest is history!”
Alumnae club members committed to decorating the library and keeping it stocked with titles for kids—and adults—in The Ridge at Sand Creek. But they felt a bit overwhelmed at the idea of building the free-standing structure.
That’s where Bruce Latimer, who volunteers on our construction site every week, entered the picture.
“We were at lunch, and Eric [Wells, Pikes Peak Habitat construction super-intendent] said, ‘Anybody want to volunteer to make a lending library?’” recalls Latimer. “I was sitting next to him, and I said I’d do it. That was on a Wednesday, and the next Wednesday I brought it in.”
Latimer turned out to be the perfect person for the job. He builds furniture and says “half of my garage” serves as a home workshop. Wells supplied him with plans and marine-grade plywood. Latimer conducted additional research, then purchased hinges and a clasp to make the structure more secure and weatherproof.
“I spent a bunch of time trying to pick up nice hardware that would hold up outside,” Latimer says. He adds, “I’ve got a lot of tools, and it’s fun to use them!”
Completing the library was truly a collaborative effort. Volunteer Mark Martin added the metal roof and installed the structure. The base was fabricated and donated by Anthony Sweet, who used thick metal rather than wood for more durability. Construction supervisor Gary Blake suggested powder-coating the base, and Platinum Powder Coating donated the labor. Red Man Pours donated the concrete pad. After the library was installed, Pi Beta Phi Alumnae Club members painted and decorated the structure.
“It was wonderful to see how excited Habitat for Humanity was and how they just wanted to jump in the project and offered to provide materials,” says Chapman. “I think literacy is so important for kids. It’s the cornerstone and foundation for everything. Being able to provide a place where any child and even adults can have a book—you can’t go wrong with that!”
On Dec. 20, Gebben and fellow club members Kim Hollm and Mary Mardiguian painted the structure.
“I’m excited to see it completed,” says Latimer, who stopped by to meet the sorority alumnae and see them put the finishing touches on his creation. “Really what makes it fun is seeing the end product.”
The next day, Hollm returned, along with Chapman and Ashley Olson, a kindergarten teacher and president of the Pi Beta Phi Alumnae Club Colorado Springs chapter. Chapman had created stencils with her Cricut, and the trio used these to add drawings of books and slogans—such as the sorority’s motto, “Read, Lead, Achieve”—to the structure.
“We had done a lot of literacy projects before COVID, and unfortunately when COVID happened a lot of those programs ceased to exist,” explains Olson. “So we were looking for a way to be able to get books into the hands of kiddos, and when Sam mentioned this idea, it just really seemed like it was something that was feasible and also necessary.”
While the little library concept is based on exchange—a visitor leaves one book and takes another—Olson notes that those most in need of books, especially children, often aren’t able to contribute. The library in front of the school where she teaches is “completely empty,” she says. “So there’s definitely a need for people to adopt [the libraries] and make sure they’re stocked, because a lot of kids can’t donate a book, can’t give a book back.”
The alumnae club plans to maintain the supply. “We just made a commitment that we will have somebody come by and check it on a regular basis, so we will make sure books are available,” says Gebben.
Jessica, Pikes Peak Habitat’s 3rd Interfaith Build for Unity future homeowner, was working on her sweat equity while the library received finishing touches—and she says she’s excited to have this resource in her new neighborhood.
“My own child likes to read—sometimes—but then there’s other times he gets bored with his books,” Jessica explains. “So it’s nice having a miniature library, so you don’t have to travel so far to get to the regular library!”
She also foresees it helping build connections with neighbors. “It’s a way we can come together as a community, and it gives us a reason, you know, meet at the mailbox or the library box,” she says. “I think it’s really awesome!”
Even before its completion, the library was bringing people together—such as alumnae club members and Latimer.
“It’s neat when people are excited about something I made!” he says. “That’s probably the biggest kick I’m getting out of this.”
Both the Pi Beta Phi alumnae and Wells are hoping to add more libraries – in The Ridge at Sand Creek and possibly other Pikes Peak Habitat communities. Wells already has the next location chosen on Bidwell Drive.
“We’re very excited!” says Hollm. “And we’re game for more—more little libraries in communities. Bring ’em on!”
The little library is located by the walkway that runs between Bidwell Drive and Babcock Road in The Ridge at Sand Creek. Although the Pi Beta Phi Alumnae Club, Colorado Springs chapter, is maintaining inventory, anyone is welcome to contribute books by leaving them in the library.
