Program Spotlight: Dolores Public Library’s Books & Bikes Book Club

We’ve asked libraries across Colorado to submit program they’ve run in the last year that they’re proud of and they want the rest of us to see and celebrate. Sharing stories in books is great… but what about our stories? The stories of the ways our libraries bring the community together, enrich the lives of our neighbors, and serve the people who live and work in our cities and towns.

Jillian Rash, Adult Services, Accessibility, and Marketing for Dolores Public Library answered our call and we’re excited to let them tell you about their Books & Bikes Book Club in their own words.

Library Name: Dolores Public Library

City/ Town: Dolores, CO

Program Name: Books & Bikes Book Club

Date/ Date Range of Program: September 5, 2024

Intended Audience: Adults/ working folks

Description:
This is a book club geared towards younger and working folks within our community. We hold the club at the local bike hostel in town, enjoy snack and drinks, and discuss books.

How did you come up with the idea for this program?
I wanted a program that would reach a younger demographic, mostly locals, who are usually unable to attend most library programs. I thought that an off-site program with snacks and drinks might reach the demographic I’m after. I also decided that not having a ‘strict’ book club, but rather ‘share what you’re reading” may additionally help to reach these same folks.

What partners (if any) did you work with in developing or implementing this program?
Dolores Bike Hostel

What about this program did you find successful? How did you measure the success of this program?
I thought this was incredibly successful in terms of achieving my goals. Almost everyone who attended was under the age of 50, everyone engaged, and all planned to attend next month. Folks also offered to bring additional snacks, donate drinks, bring friends, etc… for the next meeting.

Jillian has permitted us to share their contact information so that anyone interested in reaching out to them about their program can do so. It is an incredibly generous offer of which you are invited to avail yourself if you’re inspired by their work and want to celebrate them or if you have questions about ways you can follow their lead.

To reach Jillian, email them at jillian@doloreslibrary.org

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Colorado State Library (and the readers of this point as well, no doubt) understands how time consuming, emotionally draining, costly (in so many ways), and challenging it can be to run a program or project. Sometimes they fail gloriously… sometimes they fail with barely a whisper. It can be hard to recover from that. You’ve worked so hard!… and it just didn’t work out. Be gentle with yourself. Self-reflect. Pick up the pieces. And then get to the next thing. It’ll be worth it.

For all those other times, be sure to celebrate. Brag about it! Feel good about yourself, the team that collaborated on your work, and the community members who participated with it. Celebrate your hard work and the value that you contribute to your community.

Tell us the story of your program just like this library did here. Submit your library’s program for a Program Spotlight featured here and shared as far as Colorado State Library news reaches.