Friday Grab Bag, July 12, 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!

Outdoor Learning

Join Alamosa Public Library for a Family Birdwatch on July 20 at Cole Park. You’ll start by making a birdhouse, then embark on a birdwatch walk.

Delta County Libraries invites teens to a Cyanotype Workshop on July 12 at Cedaredge Library. Using the unique process of light-sensitive chemistry, teens will create stunning blueprints on paper, coasters, and bookmarks.

Poudre Libraries invites kids ages 6-10 to Harness the Sun: Sun Prints, Solar Ovens and S’Mores on July 18 at Harmony Library. The library will provide all the materials needed to craft a solar oven and cook some tasty s’mores.

Trinidad Public Library is hosting an Archery Class for teens on July 17 at Holy Trinity football field. The class is offered as part of their summer learning events.

Summit County Library welcomes Erica Davis, AKA Wild Food Girl, for An Introduction to Mushrooms of Colorado and the Rocky Mountains on July 17 at South Branch. Her presentation will cover how to identify edible and non-edible wild mushrooms, and where to forage for them.

Grand County Library District is hosting an RV Campers’ Roundtable on July 16 at Kremmling Library. Be a part of this roundtable discussion and learn from one another about topics such as parking, maintenance, cooking, organization, and more.

Play Time

Registration is already full for Louisville Public Library’s Teen Chocolate Olympics on July 25. Best of luck to the contestants as they compete in sweet challenges that are chock full of chocolate.

Lamar Public Library is celebrating the end of their summer reading program with a Pool Party on July 22 at 6:30 pm. Join them for pizza, awards, and fun in the pool.

Jefferson County Public Library invites tweens to their three-day Chess Champs Camp from July 16-18 at Standley Lake Library. Master strategic moves while developing friendships within a community of players.

Pick ‘n’ Mix

Basalt Regional Library announces their first ever Aspen Film Teen Festival on July 19. They are partnering with Aspen Film to offer a special film program featuring a selection of short films from their Oscar-qualifying Aspen Shortsfest for middle and high school students. The festival will include a Q&A with filmmakers and a filming workshop for students.

Pine River Library welcomes the San Juan Basin Archaeological Society for Intro to Archaeology, part of their Summer Learning Program, on July 24 at 6:00 pm. Learn about what archaeology is and is not, where to find publicly accessible information, and how to make paleo tools.

Join Lyons Community Library for their Eco Chic Fashion Showcase on July 13 at 7:00 pm. The evening will include a live-streamed runway show and a Q&A for each outfit.

Accessibility Corner

News, tips, and resources to support technology accessibility

• Accessibility Quick Tip: July is Disability Pride Month! Learn about the history of the month and its purpose: to honor the achievements, identities, and contributions of people with disabilities.

What’s New at Colorado State Library

Colorado State Publications Blog

• Finding gold on the Fourth of July

Learning Opportunities

• The Importance of Alternative Literacy: What is It and Why is it Important to Implement in our Libraries, Classrooms and Lives
  • August 1, 1:00 – 2:00 pm, online
  • Registration required
• The Ins and Outs of Check Out Colorado State Parks for Libraries
  • August 8, 10:00 – 11:00 am, online
  • Registration required
• Drop-In Q&A for Check Out Colorado State Parks for Libraries
  • August 8, 1:00 – 2:00 pm, online
  • Registration required
• Drop-In Q&A for Check Out Colorado State Parks for Libraries
  • August 13, 10:00 – 11:00 am, online
  • Registration required
• Summer Drop in Chats
  • August 13, 11:00 am, online
  • No registration required
• 2024-25 Youth Services Learning Community (Northeast Region)
  • August 15, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm, Yuma Public Library
  • Registration required
• Adult Services Regional Workshop – Grand Junction
  • August 16, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm, Mesa County Central Library
  • Registration required
• Drop-In Q&A for Check Out Colorado State Parks for Libraries
  • August 19, 12:00 – 1:00 pm, online
  • Registration required
• PHPR Collaborative and Libraries – Like French Fries and Frosty’s (Strange? You mean GREAT!)
  • August 20, 12:00 – 1:00 pm, online
  • Registration required
• Summer Drop in Chats
  • August 27, 11:00 am
  • No registration 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.

• Senior Library Associate – Pikes Peak Library District
• Public Services Administrative Specialist – Pikes Peak Library District
• Activity Services Guide – 20 Hours – Pines & Plains Libraries
• Patron Experience Associate – Arvada Library – Jefferson County Public Library
• Bilingual Patron Experience Associate (English/Spanish) – Columbine Library – Jefferson County Public Library
• Youth Services Manager – Boulder Public Library
• Government Documents/General Collections Cataloging Specialist – University of Colorado Boulder Libraries
• Teaching and Learning Student Assistant – Auraria Library / University of Colorado Denver
• Branch Manager – Eagle Valley District Library
• Department Head, Education and Research – Strauss Health Sciences Library, CU Anschutz Medical Campus

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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.