The Friday Grab Bag is a weekly series that highlights fun, unique, and interesting happenings in Colorado libraries, and includes news from the Colorado State Library. Let’s open the Friday Grab Bag!
Library Events & Programs
Hands-On Fun
Pikes Peak Library District welcomes you to All Pikes Peak Makes 2025 on April 26 from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm at Library 21c. Explore the junction where technology, science, and creativity meet—from high tech to low tech to no tech, from art and fabrication to software, and beyond.
High Plains Library District invites you to discover the secrets of Fermentation and Kimchi Making on April 22 at Centennial Park Library. You’ll learn the science behind fermentation and get firsthand experience making kimchi.
As part of their Bookbinding series, Pitkin County Library is offering a Paper Making class on April 19. Participants will learn the basics of making paper using materials provided by the Library.
Meeker Regional Library District invites kids to make a Teacher Appreciation Day Craft on April 24 at 4:00 pm. The Library will provide all the crafting supplies for kids to make a special gift for their teacher.
Mesa County Libraries will host Master Gardener Angeline Barrett for a Container Gardening Demonstration on April 22 at Central Library. Participants will get their hands dirty while learning the basics of how to start a container garden.
West Custer County Library is hosting a Solar Telescope Viewing on April 22 at 10:00 am. The event will be led by Chuck Jagow, president of Dark Skies.
Join Lyons Community Library for Stargazing at the Library on April 22 at 8:00 pm. Participants will gather on the patio for a chance to see planets, star clusters, galaxies and more through a telescope.
Games & Contests
Aurora Public Library is holding a Hot Wheels Tournament for kids ages 3-12 on April 25 at Chambers Plaza Library. Find out whose car will take the checkered flag, then stay for some free play.
Do you have what it takes to win Silverton Public Library’s Bad Art Contest? On April 19, enter this competition of creativity gone wrong, where having no artistic experience gives you an edge.
Salida Regional Library is holding a Dewey Decimal Scavenger Hunt for kids on April 21 and May 12. Come learn about the Dewey Decimal system and gain more confidence and autonomy in navigating the library.
Meet the Experts
Broomfield Library welcomes Dr. Mohammad Mahoor, Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Denver, for Tech Talk: AI and Robotics on April 19 at 10:00 am. Participants will get to experience a hands-on demonstration with Ryan, the AI companion robot created by Dr. Mahoor to offer social and emotional support to individuals with Alzheimer’s disease.
Jefferson County Public Library is hosting a Romance Author Tea Party on April 19 at Belmar Library. Participants will meet local romance authors while sipping tea and enjoying tasty treats at this unique speed-dating-style tea party.
Lafayette Public Library invites you to Building Community Resilience: Firescaping Your Garden on April 22 at 5:30 pm. At this expert-led workshop, you’ll learn about fire-wise landscaping in residential areas by selecting native plants with low flammability.
Buena Vista Public Library will kick off the start of their Library expansion and renovation project with a Groundbreaking Celebration on April 24 at 3:30 pm. Enjoy light refreshments while you meet the architects and learn about the construction site.
What’s New from the Colorado State Library
Adult Services
Program Spotlight: Broomfield Library’s Memoir-Writing Workshop Series
Learning Opportunities
All events are online except where a location is noted.
- 2025 Colorado Resource Sharing Conference (virtual)
- April 23, 9:00 am – 4:30 pm
- Spirituality in the Library Workplace: Bringing Your Whole Self to Work
- April 23, 1:00 – 2:00 pm
- 2024-25 Youth Services Learning Community (Central Region)
- April 24, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
- Castle Rock
- Medicare 101 with Benefits in Action
- April 30, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
- Turn the Page to Health: Diabetes Education Opportunities for All Coloradans
- May 8, 12:00 – 1:00 pm
- CLEL BELLS: What are they and how do I use them?
- May 8, 1:00 – 1:45 pm
- Social Security 101 with Benefits in Action
- May 12, 2:00 – 3:00 pm
- Really Useful Library Evaluation
- May 21 & 22, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Adams State University, Nielsen Library (Alamosa)
- Adult Services Regional Workshop – Durango
- May 28, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
- Durango Public Library
- Find even more learning opportunities:
- Libraries Learn Calendar from Colorado State Library
- Continuing Education Calendar from Maine State Library (note: all MSL events are listed in Eastern time). A different view of these events is available at Free Online Learning Opportunities for April 2025.
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.
- Associate Director Library Operations – Arapahoe Library District
- Assistant Branch Manager – Arapahoe Library District
- Human Resources Manager – Jefferson County Public Library
- Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Outreach Librarian – Jefferson County Public Library
- Full-time Facilities Manager (Spanish speaking candidates preferred) – Anythink Support Services
- Full-time 40 hour Guide (Spanish speaking candidates preferred) – Anythink Thornton Community Center
- Plaza Library Programming Associate – Denver Public Library
- Library Supervisor – Central Library – Denver Public Library
- Community Technology Center Library Program Associate – Denver Public Library
- Children’s Literacy Assistant (Temporary) – Boulder Public Library District
- Library Media Specialist – Teacher on Special Assignment – Thompson School District R2-J
- Library Technician – Bilingual Outreach Services – Longmont Public Library
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, hitchner_a@cde.state.co.us.
All images are from the Colorado Historic Newspapers Collection, a service of Colorado State Library.
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