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
Spooky Season
Pueblo City-County Library District is hosting a Kids Costume Exchange through October 28 at Greenhorn Valley. Donate your gently used costume or pick up a new costume for this year’s festivities.
Teens are invited to Englewood Public Library for the Teen Creepy Carnival on October 11. This after-hours event will include costumes, games, and snacks.
La Veta Public Library is accepting submissions through October 25 for their Scary Story Contest. Kids and teens are invited to submit stories, poems, or artwork for a chance to win prizes.
Celebrate Autumn
Bud Werner Memorial Library is hosting a Fall Festival on October 5 at 12:00 pm. Dress up as your favorite book character and join them for pumpkin decorating, bookmark making, and fun fall games.
Gilpin County Public Library’s Pumpkin Decorating Contest is open through October 27 on the theme of book or movie characters. Voting will begin on October 30, and winners will be notified on October 31.
Poudre Libraries invites you to Harvest Party: Farm Fun at Old Town Library on October 6 at 1:00 pm. They are partnering with local businesses to bring farm experiences and fun games to Library Park.
Kids 3 and up are invited to Louisville Public Library’s Autumn Craft Fest, October 16 at 4:00 pm. Join them for creative and cozy seasonal crafting.
Biblio-Centric
Ridgway Public Library invites you to their Literary Living Room featuring Jamie LaRue on October 10, 7:30 pm, at The Sherbino. An open mic will follow Jamie’s presentation.
Clear Creek County Library District announces the Idaho Springs Literary Festival, October 4-6 at Idaho Springs Public Library. This three-day extravaganza will feature readings, book signings, story times, special panels, local talent, and more.
Join Durango Public Library for their Page One Writing Contest Reception on October 5 at 2:00 pm. The event will honor local writers who submitted their work to the contest in 2023.
Pick ‘n’ Mix
Basalt Regional Library is accepting donations through October 18 for Swap It Like It’s Hot, their annual clothing swap and fall community event being held on October 19 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. The first 40 people to donate will receive early bird access to shop from 9:00 to 10:00 am. The Lion’s Club will provide coffee and breakfast before the event.
High Plains Library District, in partnership with Leanna’s Closet, is hosting a Pop-up Clothing Expo with free professional clothing for men and women looking to enter the workforce. The event will be held on October 5 from 10:00 to 11:30 at Fort Lupton Public & School Library.
Arapahoe Libraries is issuing a Call for Artists to display their work in art exhibits at Eloise May, Koelbel and Smoky Hill galleries. Applications will be accepted through Thursday, October 31.
Pine River Library welcomes veterinarian Dr. Stacee Santi for a Pet Wellness Class on October 15 at 6:00 pm. Learn helpful tips, like how to spot potential health issues and getting the most out of your vet visits.
What’s New from the Colorado State Library
Colorado Historic Newspapers Collection
Book Club Resource
Colorado State Publications Library
CSL Podcast
Learning Opportunities
All events are online except where a location is noted.
- Summer Drop in Chats
- October 8, 11:00 am
- October 22, 11:00 am
- November 5, 11:00 am
- November 19, 11:00 am
- Virtual E-Resources Conference Series from CLiC
- October 8, 9:00 am – 12:45 pm
- Everyday Evaluations (3-part series)
- Part I – Ethics. October 15, 11:00 am
- Part II – Collection. October 29, 11:00 am
- Part III – Analysis and Visualization. November 12, 11:00 am
- Balancing Act: Navigating Mental Health as Parental Caregivers in the Library Profession
- October 16, 1:00 – 2:00 pm
- Adult Services Regional Workshop – Lamar
- October 18, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm, Lamar Public Library
- The Importance of Monsters: How Engaging in the Horror Genre Sparks Adolescent Bravery
- October 21, 11:00 am
- The Best Professional Learning You’ve Ever Led!
- October 22, 4:00 pm
- De-escalation Skills Workshop – Colorado Only
- October 24, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
- This course is full – email Christine Kreger to be added to the waitlist
- Virtual Partner Forum: Consortium for Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention
- November 12, 1:00 pm – 1:30 pm
- 2024-25 Youth Services Learning Community (Southeast Region)
- November 14, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm, Woodruff Memorial Library in La Junta
- PHPR Collaborative and Libraries – Like French Fries and Frosty’s (Strange? You mean GREAT!)
- November 14, 12:00 pm – 1:00 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.
- Public Library Senior Consultant – Colorado State Library
- Library Service Technician — 11.5 Hours – Pines & Plains Libraries
- Technical Services Manager – Delta County Public Library District
- Library Assistant – Aurora Public Library
- Library Clerk Courier – Aurora Public Library
- Substitute Reference Librarian – Front Range Community College
- Manager of Circulation and User Services – Colorado School of Mines, Arthur Lakes Library
- Resource Sharing Coordinator (Library Technician III) – Colorado School of Mines, Arthur Lakes Library
- Part-time Children’s Library Technician – Louisville Public Library
- Part-time 25 hour Concierge (Spanish speaking candidates preferred) – Anythink Wright Farms
- Library Associate II – Teen/Adult Services – Westminster Public Library
- Chicano Newspapers Grant Project Student Assistant – University of Colorado Denver, Auraria 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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