Driving force behind library's community reading program dies

Calvin Otto died a happy man.

Otto, who died of a heart attack Monday at 79, lived to see the library program he helped create — All Pikes Peak Reads — grow from 25,000 participants in 2002 to 75,000 this year.

And that made him happy, say those who shared his passion for reading and libraries.

“He loved public libraries. He was always challenging us to stretch further and reach higher,” said Dee Vazquez, Pikes Peak Regional Library District’s community relations officer and co-founder of All Pikes Peak Reads. “He was always full of energy and ideas. Every time you had the chance to talk to him, it was an exploration of what’s possible.”

Otto’s death leaves a void in the library district — in addition to All Pikes Peak Reads he served on the board of trustees and was among the founders of the Regional History Symposium and was on the board of trustees.

“I can’t believe he is gone,” Vazquez said. “I can’t imagine doing any of the projects we do without him. It will really be difficult.”

All Pikes Peak Reads promoted reading and community by encouraging area residents to read selected books and participate in discussions. Otto shepherded it from a single book to one that included different ages and multiple discussion groups.

His involvement wasn’t limited to one program; he also attended every children’s summer reading program since moving to Colorado Springs in 2001.

“His indelible mark on us, both organizationally and personally, will last for many years to come,” said Paula Miller, executive director of the library district.

Otto was born in Detroit and served in the Army in the Korean War. While stationed in Colorado Springs, he met and married his wife, Patricia Reed, in 1954. After graduating from the University of Michigan in 1958, he began his career by working for a publisher. In 1970, he wrote a textbook “Management of Training.”

He also purchased a paper mill in England and found others who collected disposable printed items, known as ephemera. He would later become a founder of the American Ephemera Society.

While he lived in Virginia, he became active in library programs and was co-founder of the Virginia Festival of the Book and developed the Virginia Arts of the Book Center, dedicated to printing and print-making.

“There is not much about which Cal was not an expert,” said Tim Blevins, the library district’s special collections manager. “He gave everything his fullest passion and his positive energy sparked enthusiasm in others, and, more importantly, inspired actual results.”

A memorial service will be held Friday, Dec. 4 at 2 p.m. at Broadmoor Community Church, 315 Lake Ave. All Pikes Peak Library District facilities will close at 1 p.m. on Dec. 4 to allow staff to attend. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the PPLD Foundation, PO Box 1579, Colorado Springs, CO, 80901.

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Call the writer at 636-0274.