What's New!

Watch this project at: https://youtu.be/C1oVgbWPcIQ?list=PLMEg2Dd0dSFctLfDQxsL5SmuE8zkwQFmu

Supplies:

• Paper star
• Large craft stick
• White paper to cut out a snowflake
• Silver sequins
• Glue
• Scissors
• Markers
• Tape
• Other decorative bling

Directions:

1. Glue your craft stick to the back of your star so it looks like a wand. Add a piece of tape to keep it extra secure.
2. Using the white paper, cut out your own snowflake to glue onto your star (you might need to cut your paper into a square first and you might need a grown up’s help with this).
3. Decorate the craft stick with markers and add sequins and any other decorations to your wand that you would like.
4. Make some wintery magic.

Enter your creations in our PPLD Challenges! Randomly selected entries will be featured on PPLD’s websites and social media accounts and one randomly drawn entry will receive a gift certificate and prize pack of curated craft books from the Friends of the Library.

Love Letters to the Library

February is Library Lover's Month! Show us your love by writing us a love letter or note. Post a photo of your note on Facebook or Instagram any time from Mon., Feb. 15 - 28 and make sure to include the hashtag #ppldchallenge and tag @ppld to be eligible to win. Alternatively, you can send your photo to ppldchallenge@ppld.org and we will post it to social media for you! Want to post anonymously? Use the webform here.

1. Please participate in good faith.
2. Keep competitions civil and fun!
3. PPLD reserves the right to remove inappropriate content, including but not limited to obscene or offensive statements or personal attacks. Learn more about our policies here.

Talk builds babies' brains! 

Have you ever wondered how much you talk with your baby/toddler?

LENA Start is an 8-week program that helps parents with children 0 - 32 months increase back-and-forth talk. Weekly sessions combine videos and group discussion to build knowledge and skills that you can put into practice with your child.  
 

How does LENA Start work?

• Attend weekly, hour-long sessions (in-person or virtually on Zoom) * 
• Complete one LENA Day per week with the LENA device (Read more about the LENA device here: https://www.lena.org/technology/)  
• Upload LENA device using your home computer OR by exchanging at a library  
• Receive a detailed report of the amount you talk with your child and track your progress through the program 

At the end of the program, qualifying families ** receive: 

•    8 children’s books    
•    $20 gift card    
*Your child does not have to attend sessions with you to participate in the program.   
**Participants must attend 7 sessions, complete 6 recordings, and return their LENA device.

LENA Start is open to residents of El Paso and Teller counties only and registration is required.  
One child per family may participate. If you have previously completed the LENA Start program, you are not eligible to participate again.  
If you are registering for a virtual LENA Start series, it is mandatory to attend the in-person orientation to participate in the program. 

PPLD is offering TWO virtual sessions in Winter 2025! Registration is open Dec. 30, 2024 - Jan. 10, 2025.
 

Virtual Evenings

• Tuesdays, Jan. 21 -  March 12, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. Register for Tuesday evenings here.
• Wednesdays, Jan. 22 - March 12, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. Register for Wednesday evenings here.

The final class for both sessions is an in-person graduation on Wed., March 12, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.

Future Session Dates 

• Spring 2025: April 15/16 - June 4 (Registration opens March 24.)
• Summer 2025: July 1/2 - Aug. 19 (Registration opens June 9.)