Friday Grab Bag, August 30, 2024

The Friday Grab Bag is a weekly series that highlights fun, unique, and interesting happenings in Colorado libraries, and includes news from Colorado State Library.

Let’s open the Friday Grab Bag!

Make & Create

As part of their Creative Endeavors series, Clearview Library District presents Miniature Figure Painting for teens and adults on September 3 at Severance Library. Explore your creative side as you paint animals, fantasy heroes/villains, and mythical creatures.

Write Your Story is Broomfield Library’s 4-week writing workshop series from September 6 – 27. Older adults of all writing backgrounds are invited to explore different types, styles, and techniques for writing their memoir.

Registration is already full for Lyons Community Library’s Tea Blend Workshop on August 31. Local gardener Jessie Berta-Thompson will lead the lucky participants in a presentation about how to incorporate fresh and dried herbs into a variety of tea blends.

Submissions for Penrose Community Library District’s 2025 Calendar Photo Contest are due by September 13. Contact the library for submission guidelines.

Pikes Peak Library District welcomes the El Paso County CSU Extension for Introduction to Water Bath Canning on September 5 at Sand Creek Library. Water bath canning is a safe preservation technique for high acid foods like salsa, pickles, peaches, and jams.

Music & Arts

High Plains Library District invites tweens and teens to create their own unique musical sound at Creation Studio: Music Production on September 5 at LINC. Bring home your recording to share with family and friends.

Pueblo City-County Library District invites you to join Jody and Clare from The People’s Choir of Southern Colorado for a sing-along on August 31 at Rawlings branch. All ages and singing abilities are welcome.

Award-winning singer-songwriter, composer, and arranger Patsy O’Brien will lead a 4-week Creative Songwriting Series at Salida Regional Library beginning September 7 at 10:00 am. No previous musical experience is needed to participate in this unique opportunity.

Jefferson County Public Library is issuing a Call for Artists to tweens/teens in Jefferson County to display their art at Golden Library during the month of October. Artwork on any theme and in any medium is acceptable. Submit an image of your artwork by September 24 for consideration.

The Written Word

Arapahoe Libraries invites you to the Meet Colorado Young Adult Authors panel on September 17 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at Koelbel. Authors Olivia Abtahi, Byron Graves, Crystal J. Bell, and Meg Long will share their books and writing journeys. A book signing will follow the panel presentation with books available for purchase.

Louisville Public Library welcomes Louisville resident and typeface designer Steve Matteson for Lafayette Learns: History of the Ampersand on September 5 at 6:30 pm. Steve will speak about the 2,000 year history and development of the ampersand (“and” symbol) from its origins in calligraphy to computer font software.

Drawn to a book by its captivating cover? Join Denver Public Library for an engaging talk by acclaimed book cover designer John Gall on September 5, 6:00 pm, at RedLine Contemporary Art Center. Gall, known for his iconic designs, will share insights into his creative process and showcase notable covers. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to discover the art behind book covers and how they influence our choices and perceptions. This event is supported by Strong Library, Strong Denver, and the DPL Fund.

Accessibility Corner

News, tips, and resources to support technology accessibility

• Accessibility Quick Tip: What is Meant by Fundamental Alteration for Your Library’s Accessibility. Will it still do what is needed if it is made accessible?

What’s New at Colorado State Library

Colorado State Publications Blog

• Colorado’s Scenic and Historic Byways: Frontier Pathways

Special Program Spotlight

• Hispanic Heritage Month 2024 at Arapahoe Library District

Learning Opportunities

• Summer Drop in Chats
  • September 10, 11:00 am
  • September 24, 11:00 am
  • October 8, 11:00 am
  • October 22, 11:00 am
  • No registration required
• CALCON 2024
  • September 4-6, Beaver Run Resort in Breckenridge
• Pride In Practice: LGBTQ+ Library Workers Perspectives on Mental Health
  • September 10, 1:00 – 2:00 pm
  • Registration required
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness: It Is For You!
  • September 19, 12:00 – 1:00 pm
  • Registration required
• CSL in Session: Seeing the Unseen; Raising the Visibility of Equity Work
  • September 25, 12:00 – 1:00 pm
  • Registration required
• Balancing Act: Navigating Mental Health as Parental Caregivers in the Library Profession
  • October 16, 1:00 – 2:00 pm
  • Registration required
• Adult Services Regional Workshop – Lamar
  • October 18, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm, in person
  • Registration (free) required
• Find even more learning opportunities by browsing the Libraries Learn Calendar from Colorado State Library or the Continuing Education Calendar from Maine State Library (note: all MSL events are listed in Eastern time).

Library Jobline

Are you considering a job change this year? Check out Library Jobline for hot new library employment opportunities, like this selection from around Colorado.

• Career & Workforce Development Librarian – High Plains Library District
• Café Manager – Boulder Public Library District
• Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Coordinator Sr. – Spanish Services – Jefferson County Public Library
• Public Services Supervisor – Golden Library – Jefferson County Public Library
• Technical Services Supervisor – Bemis Public Library
• Librarian I – Teen Services – Eagle Valley Library District
• Librarian I – Childrens Services – Eagle Valley Library District

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This post is part of the Spotlight on Sharing initiative, which aims to increase the visibility of Colorado library programs and resource sharing. Do you have a story from your library to share? Email Amy Hitchner, ahitchner@coloradovirtuallibrary.org.

All images are from the Colorado Historic Newspapers Collection, a service of Colorado State Library.