Throughout history poetry has inspired cultures around the world. April is National Poetry Month, celebrating poetry in all of its forms. This diverse art form imaginatively conveys human emotion and experience, captures both epic and quiet moments in concise snapshots, and creates a channel for us to understand the world around us in new and meaningful ways. Songs, poetry epics, haiku, pastoral poems, sonnets, and limericks are just a few poetic forms that you might already be familiar with and enjoy. Discover new poems, poets, and poetic forms while exploring the resources on this page, and don’t miss the special poetry events we have coming up in April!
Programs
Poetry Summit – Sat., April 22, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
The 2023 Pikes Peak Poetry Summit theme is: "Art is a Bridge to New Perspectives." This year we are celebrating poetry across Colorado with features from all over the state. Join our summit and open yourself up to new ideas through powerful artistry.
April is National Poetry Month, and this summit is the perfect way to celebrate whether you are a seasoned poet, exploring the art form, or just a lover of poetry. Get inspired, improve your craft, share your words, and learn more about poetry locally and across the state. Engage with our poetry workshops, share your work on the open mic, and experience amazing poetry and music performances.
Workshops include:
- How to Rhyme?: Songwriting 101 with Dominique Robbins
- Poetry, Pop Culture, and Social Justice with Michael Ferguson
- Building Community, Building a Poem with Poetry Heals
- Becoming Poetry writing workshop.
Shop our art market to support local poets, authors, and artists. The poetic experience in the Pikes Peak Region is phenomenal and we look forward to celebrating with the community. Be curious about the bridge poetry will create for you. All ages are welcome!
The workshops are provided at no cost. All workshops are 45 minutes in duration. Please be aware that you will need coins for the metered parking.
Registration opens soon for all workshops.
Enjoy celebrating Poetry Month with the Library!
Jean Ciavonne Poetry Contest Awards Ceremony – Sat., April 29, at 10:30 a.m.
Celebrate the winners of Jean Ciavonne Poetry Contest, who wrote on this year's theme: "Be the Hero: Empowered and Impactful." Please RSVP to Christa Funke, cfunke@ppld.org, by Tue., April 25.
For 4th and 5th graders and their families and friends
Booklists
- Children's Poetry and Novels in Verse
- Poets to Read for National Poetry Month
- Poetry Books for Teens
Resources
- Poetry and Shorty Story Reference Center
A full-text database containing thousands of classic and contemporary poems, short stories, and more. It also includes high-quality videos and audio recordings from the Academy of American Poets. - PPLD Literature LibGuide
A starting place for discovering literature resources within our collection at Pikes Peak Library District, including information on poetry and poets!
Recommended Website
- Shell Silverstein website
Lots of fun for Shel Silverstein fans, including videos of his poems and activities to try! - The Children's Poetry Archive
Listen to poems read aloud, some by the poets who wrote them. Discover a new favorite poem and learn all about different poets who write for children. - StoryBlocks
Poetry for the very young! Find all sorts of songs and nursery rhymes in multiple languages to share with your child. - The Poetry Archive
The internet’s largest collection of poets reading their work. - Poetry Foundation
The website of Poetry Magazine includes learning resources for multiple age groups, information on poems and poets, and a large variety of podcasts for connecting with poetry. - Writer's Digest University's Write Better Poetry
Looking for inspiration for your next poem? Writer’s Digest has a variety of challenges, writing prompts and articles to help you get started.
We are excited to announce that library card holders can now access no-cost passes to the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Training Center and the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum. These two local attractions are the latest to join our Culture Pass program!
Use your library card to check out passes to visit the museum for an immersive, universally accessible look into the journey of Team USA’s Olympic and Paralympic athletes through interactive exhibits and innovative displays. Or, check out a pass for the training center and take an inspiring guided tour through this elite facility where Team USA athletes train.
Each attraction offers two daily passes, each for two adults and four children 12-years-old and younger.
The U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Training Center rejoins the Culture Pass program after temporarily suspending its participation in 2020 to abide by COVID-19 safety measures to protect Olympic athletes during the pandemic.
These Colorado Springs attractions join current Culture Pass partner organizations, including:
- Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center at Colorado College
- The Money Museum
- ProRodeo Museum and Hall of Fame
- Pikes Peak Children’s Museum
- Rock Ledge Ranch Historical Site
- Space Foundation Discovery Center
- Western Museum of Mining & Industry
- Denver Museum of Nature & Science
These passes are available for checkout, similar to how you would check out an eBook or other electronic resource. Log in to the online reservation page and book a pass up to 30 days in advance. Reserve your pass today at ppld.org/culturepass!
Getting money smart can help you take control of your life and have confidence in the future. Money Smart Week from April 14 - 21 puts a focus on learning life skills to help you manage your personal finances. Learn how to save for your future with programs from the Library and visit other resources on this page to learn more about financial planning for yourself and your family.
Programs:
How To Prepare for Retirement When You’re in Your 20s and 30s
If you consider yourself financially illiterate, you are not alone. It does not matter if you have just started earning an income or have been earning for a long time, every day is a chance to reflect upon your spendings and improve your finances. April is Financial Literacy Month. Join us for this class with Nick Naseman and feel confident about handling your financial future.
- Tue., April 11 from 5 – 6:30 p.m. – Rockrimmon Library
- Sat., April 29 from 1 – 2:30 p.m. – Penrose Library
Booklists
- Business Essentials (Includes titles on Personal Finance) - Overdrive
Resources
Website Links
- Money Smart Week.org
Visit the Money Smart Week page to learn about family budgeting, debt relief, employer retirement plans, and other topics in free virtual sessions. - Want to Teach Your Kids About Money?
It’s never too early to teach kids about money. Parents can listen to this news story or read the article from NPR that discusses how families can talk about financial literacy at home. - 9 Tips for Teaching Kids About Money
Here is some advice from Charles Schwab to help teach kids about money management. - Schwab Moneywise hands-on activities
Here are some activities to do with kids to teach them about successful money habits - Colorado Springs Money Museum
Use your library card to check out no-cost entry passes to the Money Museum right here in Colorado Springs! Through the discovery of money, America’s largest museum dedicated to numismatics brings culture to life. The museum explores art, history, science, and much more to promote the diverse nature of money and related items. Reserve a pass today!