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!
Traditions, New & Old
Looking for a new holiday tradition? Join Pine River Library for Holiday Jólabókaflóð (Yule Book Flood), an Icelandic tradition where you give a book to someone on Christmas Eve. The library will l have FREE books for kids from infancy through fifth grade starting the week of December 14. Request one when you call for Curbside Service!
Going to see The Nutcracker with the whole family has been a tradition in other countries for many years. Now it is a tradition in the Netherlands as well where the Dutch National Ballet put a Dutch twist on its own version of the famous fairytale ballet – The Nutcracker and the Mouse King. It is a magical production that has won the hearts of more than 250,000 people to date, and Bud Werner Memorial Library invites you to join a virtual watch party from December 18 – December 28. See for yourself if the Dutch version is more dynamic, exciting, and less sweet than The Nutcracker you know and love.
Create memories with your canine companion and Clear Creek County Library District’s Furry Holiday Fun! Dress your pet for holidays between December 7 and 22, take a picture on the library steps and send it to hello@cccld.org to enter a drawing for a gift certificate to Dancing Dog. Call the library to schedule your dog’s outdoor treat appointment.
The Nederland Community Library and the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry cordially invite you to a special 2020 Virtual Yule Ball on December 20 from 4:00-5:30 pm. The Magic Portal will allow only 25 to pass, so register early! Please RSVP by December 16 and include your Hogwarts House affiliation.
Grants & Funding
Support for Efforts to Strengthen Colorado Communities and Families
The Anschutz Family Foundation supports nonprofit organizations in rural and urban regions of Colorado that assist people to help themselves while nurturing and preserving their self-respect. The Foundation encourages endeavors that strengthen families and communities and advance individuals to become productive and responsible citizens. There is a special interest in self-sufficiency, community development, and programs aimed at the economically disadvantaged, the young, seniors, and people with disabilities. Grants generally range between $5,000 and $10,000. The Spring 2021 application deadline is January 15. Visit the Foundation’s website to review the funding areas and application procedure.
Libraries Transform Communities Engagement Grant
The American Library Association (ALA) invites library workers to apply for the Libraries Transform Communities Engagement Grant, an annual grant supporting innovative and meaningful community engagement efforts in libraries.Applications will be accepted between Dec. 1, 2020, and Feb. 5, 2021. View the full award guidelines and apply online at www.ala.org/LTCEG. The Libraries Transform Communities Engagement Grant recognizes, promotes and supports innovative and meaningful community engagement efforts in libraries. It provides $2,000 for a school, public, academic, tribal or special library to expand its community engagement efforts.
Book It
Warm yourself up with a good book and win prizes too with Lamar Public Library’s Virtual Winter Reading Challenge. Enjoy weekly drawings, incentives, grab bags, and fun activities when you register.
Join Denver Public Library on January 16 from 5:00-6:00 pm for an evening for Battle of the Books with Author Jim Mustich! In the course of battle, five local luminaries will battle to advocate for their favorite books, vying for the hearts and minds of the audience members (you!). Attendees will then vote to name the champion. A few lucky audience members will even have the chance to win book-themed door prizes! Books will be available for purchase from BookBar.
Cozy up with books and play the Winter Reading Challenge December 20 – February 28 with Boulder Public Library.
- Anyone age 6+ can play!
- Track your reading minutes; books, magazines, audiobooks or reading aloud all count.
- Play online or pick up a bingo card.
Do you need a gift for the book lover in your life? Treat yourself or someone else to a free holiday basket of books and goodies provided by the Friends of the Dolores Public Library. Stop by the library and windowshop and if you see a themed basket you would like, call the library to arrange for curb-side pick up. Donations in exchange for baskets are accepted but not required.
Longmont Public Library’s Book Chatter Podcast premieres on January 8. Join Longmont librarians for a new monthly, interactive book club. Each month, spend 30 minutes to an hour chatting about a different book. And, you can participate! Read the book, send us your thoughts, and then listen in as we share our thoughts and perspectives. Designed for adults. Subscribe now or find Book Chatter on Spotify, Apple podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Museums & Libraries in the News
David Bailey retires as curator of history with Museums of Western Colorado | The Daily Sentinel
David Bailey, who many know as “the Alfred Packer guy” retires as the Museums of Western Colorado’s curator after 28 years.
Coloradan introduces the first Little Free Library to Antarctica | 9 News
The South Pole received a gift of knowledge from Coloradan Dr. Russell Schnell in the form of a Little Free Library to hold novels, science fiction books, equipment manuals and more for Antarctica staff members.
Digitized newspapers yield history and a lost ear | Gunnison Country Times
The Gunnison Historic Newspaper Digitization Team has completed the first phase of its goal to digitize early Gunnison city newspapers for inclusion in the Colorado Historic Newspapers Collection.
Longmont Museum to reopen Tuesday | Times-Call
The Longmont Museum and Cultural Center will reopen to visitors on December 15 subsequent to amended CDPHA orders.
What’s New at the Colorado State Library
Learning Opportunities
Upcoming Quick Bites: STEM with Toddlers: Yes You Can! with Kate Brunner
- December 22 @ 12:00 pm
- Free, no registration required!
- Join Online
Library Research Service
How to conduct a secondary research evaluation in four steps
Conduct an evaluation without ever leaving your desk using these four simple steps from LRS.
Colorado Virtual Library
United for Libraries Self-Paced Learning Pilot
Are you looking for more ways to learn about your role as a library trustee? We’re launching a pilot project in 2021 to provide access to United for Libraries Self-Paced Learning Content for 30 public libraries. Space is limited, so submit an application for consideration ASAP.
State Publications Blog
Are you thinking of making a change this year in your job? Check out Library Jobline for hot new library employment opportunities.
- Education Informationist: Strauss Health Sciences Library, CU Anschutz Medical Campus / Aurora, CO
- Education and Outreach Student Assistant: Auraria Library, University of Colorado Denver / Denver, CO
- Library Associate: High Plains Library District, Outreach / Greeley, CO
- Library Page – Various Locations: Jefferson County Public Library / Denver, CO
- Patron Services Supervisor: High Plains Library District, Lincoln Park Library Innovation Center / Greeley, CO
- Librarian II – Public Services Supervisor: Broomfield Library / Broomfield, CO
- Youth Services Coordinator: Garfield County Libraries, Support Services / Rifle, CO
- Adult Services Assistant: Clearview Library District / Windsor, CO
- Head of Adult Learning: Mesa County Public Library District / Grand Junction, CO
- Librarian I – Children’s Services: Eagle Valley Library District / Eagle, Gypsum, CO
- Library Associate (Multi-Media Specialist): City of Littleton / Littleton, CO
This post is part of the Spotlight on Sharing initiative, which aims to increase the visibility of resource sharing in Colorado libraries. Do you have a story from your library to share? Email Marisa Wood, mwood@coloradovirtuallibrary.org. Also, be sure to follow Colorado State Library on Twitter and Facebook.
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