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
Books-a-Plenty
Join Arapahoe Libraries for an afternoon with Dr. Jewell Parker Rhodes on January 12, 1:00 to 3:00 pm, at Smoky Hill Library. Dr. Rhodes, the New York Times bestselling author of Ghost Boys, will discuss her latest novel, Will’s Race for Home. A Q&A and book signing will follow.
Douglas County Libraries recently announced their 2025 Reading Challenge. During this year-long event, adults and kids can read a book in each of the 12 challenge categories for a chance to win awesome prizes. Select your own titles or choose from staff-recommended reads.
Alamosa Public Library invites you to an Author Talk with Julie Bell on January 11 at 1:00 pm. She will speak about her nonfiction book, Women of the Colorado Gold Rush Era, an exploration of the lives of ten unforgettable women who called Colorado home during the turbulent years of the Pikes Peak Gold Rush.
Summit County Library welcomes all ages to Yeti…Set…Read, their Winter Reading Challenge running now through March 1. Earn virtual badges and complete challenges to receive a prize.
Ruby M. Sisson Memorial Library will host author and playwright Sarah Lawrence for Launch Your New Writing Project 2025 on January 11 at 10:00 am. Bring your ideas or work-in-progress to this all-ages writing workshop.
Learning by Doing
In anticipation of MLK Day, High Plains Library District’s Centennial Park Library in Greeley is having an MLK Service Day on January 16 from 4:00 to 7:00 pm. Patrons of all ages can give back to the community by working on a variety of service projects, including no-sew fleece scarves, cat and dog toys, hygiene kits, and thank you cards for first responders.
Delta County Libraries is hosting a Digitization Primer on January 16 at Crawford Library. Learn how to convert your analog film and VHS tapes to digital formats using the library’s resources.
Montrose Regional Library District’s Tea Blend Workshop is January 16 at 6:30 pm. Come learn about tea blends and ingredients with Denise Short, founder of Teas 2 Please.
Learn to make Traditional Italian Wedding Soup at Pikes Peak Library District’s Cooking Class on January 11 at Library 21c. This delicious and comforting soup will warm you up during the chilly winter days ahead.
Silverton Public Library is hosting a Winter Wellness Workshop on January 14 at 4:00 pm. Learn tips for mental well-being, physical health, and stress management to help you thrive all winter long.
Estes Valley Library is partnering with the sign makers of the Estes Valley to sponsor an Arbor Day Poster Contest. They invite children, tweens, and teens to create a poster for a chance to win a personal tutoring session and a cash prize. Stop by the Makerspace on January 11 from 2:00 to 3:00 to work on a design.
Pick ‘n’ Mix
Clearview Library District invites you to Tea and Online Awareness with Library Technologist Jesse on January 15 at Windsor Library. Learn how to stay safe online while enjoying a cozy cup of tea.
Jefferson County Public Library is accepting Prom Swap Donations now through February 28 at any full-service location. Your gently used and clean formal wear, accessories, and other prom essentials will be shared with local high schools so that everyone can have beautiful prom memories.
La Veta Public Library welcomes geologist Jay Temple for Understanding Plate Tectonics on January 16 at 2:00 pm. Learn about this fascinating geological topic while you enjoy light refreshments.
Author Sarah Scoles will be at West Custer County Library to present UFOs: Sorting Fact from Fantasy on January 14 at 10:00 am.
High Plains Library District is celebrating futuristic fandom with Sci-Fi Day on January 18 at LINC. Earthlings of all ages can set phasers to fun as they enjoy games, crafts, and more.
What’s New from the Colorado State Library
Accessibility Corner
Accessibility Quick Tip: What is a VPAT? What does it do?
Library Research Service
LRS would like your feedback to help ensure that the next iteration of the LRS blog directly addresses the research and data needs and challenges of the library community. Please take this short survey and share it with other interested library staff.
Sunshine & Stories Podcast
Summer, Sunshine, and Stories are for Adults Too!
Learning Opportunities
All events are online except where a location is noted.
- Summer Drop in Chats
- January 14, 2025, 11:00 am
- January 28, 2025, 11:00 am
- 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
- Introduction to Workplace Conflict Resolution (Colorado Only)
- February 4 & 5, 2025, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
- This class is full. Please contact Christine Kreger to be added to the waitlist.
- 2025 CLiC Virtual Winter Workshop
- February 5 & 6, 2025
- Cultivating Empathy, Trust, and Optimism: Strategies for Motivating Demotivated Library Teams
- February 13, 1:00 – 2:00 pm
- Booktalk Your Way to the Friendliest Library in Town (Colorado Library Staff Only)
- February 19, 2:00 – 3:00 pm
- Talking Teen Services: Working with Teen Volunteers Panel
- February 25, 11:00 am – 12:15 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.
- Executive Director – Grand County Library District
- Library Director – Wilkinson Public Library
- Marketing and Outreach Coordinator – Security Public Library
- Supervisor, Branch Kelver and Davies – Arapahoe Libraries
- Library Collections Procurement and Processing Manager – University of Denver
- Administrative Support Assistant V – Denver Public Library
- Youth Strategy Program Manager – Denver Public Library
- Research and Instruction Librarian – Regis University
- Arts & History Manager – Broomfield Library, Arts, History and Extension
- Student Success Librarian – Colorado State University 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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