Contact:
Carla Bamesberger, PR & Marketing Manager
(719) 412-2646 | cabamesberger@ppld.org
Amy Gillentine, Director of PR, Marketing, & Promotions
(719) 482-5422 | agillentine@ppld.org
LIBRARY HAPPENINGS IN DECEMBER
Parents and Caregivers Learn Essential Communication Skills, Homeschool Students Build Literacy and Career Skills, Annual Poetry and Art Contests Enrich Local Kids and Teens, PPLD Cares Food Drive Supports the Community, and History Researchers and Enthusiasts Invited to Submit History Project Proposals
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Pikes Peak Library District (PPLD) presents many options to engage people of all ages and interests across El Paso County. Here are some upcoming opportunities this month:
El Paso County Parents and Caregivers Learn Vital Communication Skills During LENA Start Program.
Family; Community interest; Early Child Development.
More info: ppld.org/kids/LENAStart
The LENA Start program teaches parents and caregivers of children ages 0 – 32 months essential communication skills to use with their child. Registration is open now through Mon., Jan. 12, 2026 for the next session that starts on Tue., Jan. 20, 2026. Eight weekly online class sessions combine videos and group discussion to help participants build knowledge and skills for improved conversations. This type of interaction helps children build their early communication skills. At the end of the program, qualifying families receive eight children’s books and a gift card.
Homeschool Book Blast Engages Homeschool Students in Literacy and Presentation Skills.
Homeschool program; Education; Community interest.
Fri., Dec. 19 from 1 – 2 p.m.
East Library (5550 N. Union Blvd.)
More info: ppld.org/homeschool-book-blast
Pikes Peak Library District provides an opportunity for homeschool students in grades K – 12 to showcase their literacy and presentation skills during its annual Homeschool Book Blast, and invites the community to attend in support of student learning. Homeschool students will present creative book reports in an informal presentation setting at East Library on Fri., Dec. 19 from 1 – 2 p.m. Participants chose their own books and project ideas and needed to register in advance to be a presenter. The Library provided ideas to spark their imagination such as building a diorama or designing a board game based on their book. Anyone, including other homeschool students, can attend and explore presentations to get project ideas and discover new books.
Annual 4th and 5th Grade Poetry Contest and Teen Art Contest Provide Enriching Experiences for Local Youth
Contests; Children and teens; Community interest
Jean Ciavonne Poetry Contest: Submissions open through Sat., Feb. 28, 2026
Teen Art Contest: Submissions open now through Tue., Feb. 10, 2026
More info: ppld.org/poetrycontest and ppld.org/teenartcontest
Two annual contests at the Library District engage local youth in art and writing. Both contests are themed to Colorado and its past in celebration of Colorado’s 150th anniversary in 2026.
The Jean Ciavonne Poetry Contest encourages 4th and 5th grade students to explore a variety of topics and emotions through poetry. The annual contest continues local educator Jean Ciavonne's legacy of connecting children with poetry and writing. This year’s theme is “Remembering Our Past to Inform Our Future," and students are encouraged to write a poem inspired by people, places, or moments from Colorado’s long history. The contest is open to all El Paso County 4th and 5th grade students, and six winners will receive a book and $50 each. There will be an awards ceremony on Sat., April 25, 2026. Submissions must be postmarked by Sat., Feb. 28, 2026.
The 18th Annual Teen Art Contest is open to El Paso County teens ages 13 – 19 and encourages them to explore expression through visual media. This year’s theme is “Wild Colorado,” encouraging participants to create art that reflects Colorado's rich culture and history. To participate, teens must submit an online entry form by Tue., Feb. 10. Winners will receive a prize, and all submissions will be displayed at PPLD’s Penrose Library, East Library, or Library 21c in April. There will be an awards ceremony on Tue., March 17, 2026.
Submissions for both contests opened on Mon., Dec. 1.
PPLD Cares Food Drive Fights Food Insecurity in the Pikes Peak Region
Food drive; Community interest
Nov. 3 – Dec. 15
All PPLD locations
More info: ppld.org/ppld-cares
Pikes Peak Library District (PPLD) has teamed up with Care and Share Food Bank for Southern Colorado to supplement local food banks in need through the PPLD Cares food drive. During the first two weeks of the program, PPLD patrons donated 8,000 pounds of food and by the end of November, gave more than 10,000 pounds by the end of November. The community can bring non-perishable food donations to any PPLD location through Mon., Dec. 15. The most needed items include canned fruit, canned vegetables, soup, canned meat or tuna, peanut butter, cereal, oatmeal, pre-packaged snacks, and boxed dinners.
Pikes Peak Regional History Symposium Opens for Proposal Submissions
Annual symposium; Colorado history; Call for submissions
More info: ppld.org/history-symposium
Proposal submissions are now open for the 2026 Pikes Peak Regional History Symposium. Scholars, historians, researchers, and history enthusiasts are encouraged to submit project proposals based on this year’s theme, “How the Pikes Peak Region Changed Colorado.” This year’s theme explores the pivotal role the Pikes Peak region has played in shaping the history, identity, and trajectory of Colorado. Submissions may take the form of traditional presentations or short films, and the Library District encourages creative approaches and original research that broadens public understanding of how the Pikes Peak region helped define Colorado’s past and continues to shape its future. Proposals should be submitted to John Jarrell (jjarrell@ppld.org) by Sat., Jan. 10, 2026.