Library happenings in December 2023

Community support for the Library, engaging local homeschool youth, opportunity for teen artists, the Jean Ciavonne Poetry Contest, and holiday fun at the Library

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:

Holiday donations help the Library continue to support the whole community
Annual giving campaign
December
More info: ppld.org/foundation/donate

Libraries are a lifeline for job seekers, parents, students, readers, and anyone who calls El Paso County home. Pikes Peak Library District provides resources, services, education, and enriching programs and events for the entire community. The Pikes Peak Library District Foundation invites El Paso County residents to make a difference to their community with a donation to support the Library District this season. Donations are a vital part of Library funding that allows the Library District to purchase materials and plan programs for the community. Donations can be made to the PPLD Foundation.

Homeschool Book Blast keeps homeschool students engaged in literacy
Homeschool program
Fri., Dec. 8 from 1 – 2 p.m.
East Library
More info: ppld.org/homeschool-book-blast

Pikes Peak Library District has an engaging educational opportunity to support local homeschool students in grades K - 8. During the upcoming Homeschool Book Blast, homeschool students will present creative book reports to other homeschool families in an informal presentation setting at East Library on Fri., Dec. 8 from 1 – 2 p.m. Participants chose their own books and project ideas, and had 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. Homeschoolers who are not presenting are invited to attend and browse the presentations to get project ideas and discover new books.

The 17th Annual Teen Art Contest encourages young artists, open for submissions
District-wide art contest; open to teens ages 12 - 19
Submissions open Fri., Dec. 1 – Tue., Feb. 13
More info: ppld.org/teenartcontest

The Library’s 17th Annual Teen Art Contest supports young artists by engaging them with a unique creative challenge. Teens ages 12 – 19 can create an art piece based on the theme of Balance and submit their work to the Library for a chance to win a prize. Submissions are open from Fri., Dec. 1 – Tue., Feb. 13. The art can explore Balance in many ways, including examining how the artist balances the responsibilities in their life, how they balance their needs and wants, and even physical forms that balance takes in their life. Any form of 2D art form is eligible for entry as long as it can hang on a wall. Entries will be judged by other teens and by Library staff and displayed at either Penrose Library, East Library, or Library 21c in April. An awards ceremony will be held at East Library on Tue., March 19 at 6 p.m.

4th and 5th grade students explore poetry through the Jean Ciavonne Poetry Contest, submissions now open
District-wide poetry contest, open to 4th and 5th graders
Submissions open now through Fri., March 1
More info: ppld.org/poetrycontest

Poetry creates opportunities for children to explore a variety of topics and emotions through writing. The Library seeks to engage 4th and 5th grade poets with its annual Jean Ciavonne Poetry Contest. Submissions are open from Fri., Dec. 1 – Fri., March 1. This year’s theme is Lost & Found: Poems of Importance. Young poets can consider things they have lost or found over the last few years, and what made those experiences important as they work with poetic devices like imagery, form, meter, and rich vocabulary to create an original poem. Six winners will receive a book and $50 each. Last year, participants explored what it meant to be a hero. Students submitted poems about curing illness, acts of kindness, the healing power of nature, and other topics. The 2022 winners came from different schools around the area, and their poems can be read on the Library’s website.

Holiday Fun at the Library
District-wide festivities
More info: ppld.org/celebrate-holidays

The winter holiday season is a busy time for many people, and Pikes Peak Library District offers a variety of seasonal programs, classes, and resources to support holiday preparations. The Library’s collection of cookbooks and craft books take the stress out of DIY gifts and holiday meals. Anyone can visit the Library and make DIY gifts using the makerspaces as well. A host of eLibrary resources like Hoopla, Kanopy, Libby, and Freegal provide no-cost access to holiday movies, books, magazines, and music. Some festive programs coming soon to the Library include a series of makerspace holiday open houses; a concert from the Forté Handbell Quartet; holiday craft programs; the annual Yule Ball; and baking classes. Fun seasonal resources and program information can be found on the Library’s winter holidays page.