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
Feeling Festive
Poudre Libraries invites kids to go on a Candy Cane Hunt from December 16 to 23 at Council Tree, Harmony, and Old Town Libraries. Find all 12 hidden candy canes and receive a surprise.
Mark your calendar! Pines & Plains Libraries will host the Elbert County Artists Guild for a Holiday Art Festival at the Elizabeth Library on December 21 from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm. This winter holiday art show will feature a gallery of original works by local artists, family-friendly activities, and pictures with Santa.
Garfield County Libraries invites families to an educational afternoon and up-close encounter with Reindeer on December 14 at Silt Branch Library and Parachute Branch Library. Come learn about these amazing creatures with Noel Productions.
Lyons Community Library welcomes you to a Family Fireside Festival: A Cozy Winter Party on December 19 from 3:00 to 5:00 pm. Enjoy seasonal crafts, snacks, and games, and bring a wrapped book to participate in the book swap.
Westminster Public Library is hosting a Toy Exchange to promote generosity and sustainability. Drop off your gently used toys at College Hill Library from December 11-13, then shop the swap on December 14. Donations are not required to participate.
Cozy Eats & Treats
Estes Valley Library invites teens and tweens to a Hot Chocolate Art & Tasting on December 18 at 10:30 am. Create hot chocolate art using marshmallows, whip cream, sprinkles, and more.
Gingerbread Spice & Everything Nice is Pueblo City-County Library District’s annual gingerbread house making program. Start your next family tradition on December 20, 2:00 pm, at Rawlings Branch Library.
Nederland Community Library invites you to their first Nochebuena “the good night” MiniFeast on December 14 at 5:00 pm. The event will feature traditional foods like tamales and salsa, plus crafts and storytime.
Pikes Peak Library District is whipping up Eggnog at their next Seasonal Cooking class on December 13 at Library 21c. You’ll learn the proper technique for creating this comforting treat perfect for chilly winter days.
Entries for Wilkinson Public Library’s Tween Gingerbread House Competition are due on December 13 at 3:30 pm. The winner will receive a prize.
In a Melodius Mood
High Plains Library District invites you to experience the sights and sounds of Dickens Carolers for Winterfest on December 14 at LINC. The carolers will be dressed in their Victorian best and will even take requests.
Alamosa Public Library invites you to enjoy an evening of Dulcimer Music with Lance Cheslock on December 19 at 5:30 pm.
Jefferson County Public Library welcomes the ShakaduGAT Woodwind Quintet for a Holiday Woodwind Quintet Concert on December 16 at Lakewood Library. Bring your questions for the musicians at this interactive event.
The Smithtonian Handbell Ensemble Holiday Concert will feature seasonal favorites at Bemis Library on December 14 at 1:00 pm. Get in the spirit with arrangements from “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” “The Nutcracker,” and more, all played on a new five-octave set of handchimes.
What’s New from the Colorado State Library
Accessibility Corner
What is Universal Design and how does it relate to accessibility?
Colorado State Publications Library
Colorado’s Scenic and Historic Byways: Gold Belt
Book Club Resource
Book Club Author Suggestion: Fredrik Backman
Learning Opportunities
All events are online except where a location is noted.
- Summer Drop in Chats
- December 17, 2024, 11:00 am
- January 14, 2025, 11:00 am
- January 28, 2025, 11:00 am
- Bridging the Divide: A Panel Discussion on Library Workers Loneliness
- December 18, 2024, 1:00 – 2:00 pm
- The Power of Mental Health First Aid
- January 9, 2025, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
- Colorado Family Affordability Tax Credit Info Session
- January 9, 2025, 1:00 – 2:00 pm
- RA for All: Flip the Script and Think Like a Reader (Colorado Library Staff Only)
- January 15, 2025, 2:00 – 3:30 pm
- Building Equity-Based Summers Cohort – Colorado Only
- January 16 – May 1, 2025
- Working in the “Gray Area:” Determining Healthy Boundaries When the Best Choice Isn’t Clear – Colorado Only
- January 21 – January 30, 2025
- Adventures in Library Partnerships
- January 29, 12:00 – 1:00 pm
- Alzheimer’s, Dementia, and Brain Health – What Everyone Should Know
- January 30, 2025, 12:00 – 1:30 pm
- 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.
- Patron Experience Associate (Part Time) – Lakewood Library – Jefferson County Public Library
- Patron Experience Associate – Lakewood Library – Jefferson County Public Library
- Bilingual Patron Experience Associate – Jefferson County Public Library
- Operations Page – Jefferson County Public Library
- Operations Manager – Estes Valley Library
- Research and Instruction Librarian – Regis University
- Adult Services Manager – Denver Public Library
- Technology Education Program Manager – Denver 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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