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!
Pick ‘n’ Mix
Books are magical because they are like doors that open on exciting new worlds – and libraries are where those magical worlds are preserved, says DD Everest. Summit County Library director Stephanie Ralph explores why the magic is important and the many ways libraries help us expand and grow in her recent Tedx Summit County talk: The Magic of Libraries. Check it out!
Join Bud Werner Memorial Library throughout January and February for Shakespeare Reading Group: Othello. Led by William Shakespeare aficionado Carl Steidtmann, this seven-week reading group is for both first-time and experienced Shakespeare readers. As 1.5-hour participatory discussions, this group is for anyone who might like to do some reading aloud, acting or presenting. The overall emphasis is on enjoyment of Othello as the group discusses the play, reads brief excerpts together, studies a theatrical presentation, and learns about the playwright and his world.
There have been several important changes in the past year to the law concerning: evictions, a landlord’s obligation to maintain a residence, late fees, rent increases and unlawful evictions. Get some clarity with Mesa County Libraries’ Renters’ Right Workshop on December 4 from 11:00-12:30 pm. This presentation aims to educate tenants on what their rights are under the new laws as well as include an overview on the eviction process in Colorado. Please be aware that we will not be able to provide case specific answers or case specific legal advice to individuals.
Holi-YAY Spaces
Celebrate winter and all that it has to offer with Broomfield Public Library on December 4 from 10:00 am – 1:00 pm! All ages are welcome and there will be a variety of activities for the entire family to enjoy. No registration—just drop in anytime during the open house!
On a tight budget this season, or just need a place to secretly wrap your presents? Check out Clear Creek County Library District’s gift wrapping stations! Wrap your gifts at the Idaho Springs or John Tomay libraries between November 29 and December 20. Note that this is not a gift wrapping service – just the supplies and workspace.
Embrace the spirit of the season at Jefferson County Public Library’s Holiday Open House on December 4 from 2:00-4:00 pm! Refreshments, children’s crafts and a live performance from Celtic guitarist Jerry Barlow will be on offer. No registration necessary; come as you are and leave as you please!
Museums & Libraries in the News
A rare piece of plundered art sits in the Denver Art Museum. Should the museum give it back? | The Denver Post
“Benin Bronzes” were dispersed to hundreds of institutions around the world — including the Denver Art Museum. Amid a worldwide reckoning over colonial history and a racial justice movement, pressure is mounting for art collections such as Denver’s to give the relics back to their rightful owners.
New Poudre Libraries Executive Director Announced | North Forty News
The Poudre River Public Library District and its Board of Trustees have announced Diane Lapierre has been named as its new Executive Director.
How a new cohort of young, Black historians plan to preserve and tell Colorado’s story | The Denver Post
Recent arrivals at History Colorado, Denver Public Library and CU Boulder aim to celebrate Black lives in Colorado.
Grand County Library District adds winter benefits | Sky Hi News
This year, Grand County Library District will offer one free day pass to Winter Park Resort per season.
Indy Give! 2021: Pikes Peak Children’s Museum opens permanent location | Fox 21 News
After 16 years as a mobile museum, the Pikes Peak Children’s Museum (PPCM) finally has a location for the organization’s permanent home.
Dolly Parton’s book-gifting program to expand across Colorado | 9 News
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library program, which gives books to children from birth to age 5 free of charge, will expand across all of Colorado. In the first year of the expansion, the program plans to form partnerships with community organizations to promote the program and build statewide partnerships.
Learning for All
Telehealth in Libraries: The Future of Healthcare (Infopeople) | December 8 @ 1:00 pm MST
Public libraries are no longer just about books. They are transforming into community centers that are striving to meet the diverse needs of all patrons. The next big thing is discovering an effective way to integrate direct healthcare services into our libraries’ existing infrastructure, particularly for the uninsured, underinsured, and undocumented patrons.
Other Duties As Assigned: Plunger Provided | December 6 @ 9:00 am MST
Every library job description seems to have those four famous words- other duties as assigned- but what exactly are those other duties? Come prepared to laugh, cry, and commiserate with Bailee Hutchinson as she outlines just a handful of the “other duties” she and thousands of other librarians are assigned on a daily basis.
What’s New at the Colorado State Library
Colorado Virtual Library
Announcing our Collaborative Conversations Cohort!
Are you eager to take community engagement to the next level? In partnership with Loveland Public Library and the Interactivity Foundation, we are excited to announce our new Collaborative Conversations Cohort!
19th Century Colorado Feminist Newspapers, The Antelope and The Queen Bee
Looking back on the “wittiest, spiciest, most radical little sheet published in the United States,” 101 years after women’s suffrage.
Learning Opportunities
Upcoming CSL in Session: Why Teams Fail (and How to Foster Success)
- December 16 @ 12:00-1:00 pm MT
- Free! No registration required!
- Join Online
Online Learning Opportunities in December 2021 for Library Staff
State Publications Library
Are you thinking of making a change this year in your job? Check out Library Jobline for hot new library employment opportunities.
- IT/Technical Services Manager: Clearview Library District / Windsor, CO
- Library Supervisor 2: Pikes Peak Library District / Colorado Springs, CO
- Circulation Supervisor: University of Denver / Denver, CO
- Executive Director: Mancos Public Library / Mancos, CO
- Technology Arts Librarian: Estes Valley Library / Estes Park, CO
- Adult Services Librarian: Estes Valley Library / Estes Park, CO
- Reference Librarian, Westminster Law Library: University of Denver Sturm College of Law / Denver, CO
- Safety Specialist: Arapahoe Library District / Centennial, CO
- Electronic Resources Librarian: Strauss Health Sciences Library, CU Anschutz Medical Campus / Aurora, CO
- ideaLAB Library Program Associate: Denver Public Library / Denver, CO
- Cataloging & Metadata Librarian: Basalt Regional Library / Basalt, CO
- Scholarly Communication Informationist: CU Anschutz Medical Campus Strauss Health Sciences Library / Aurora, CO
- Outreach Library Program Associate: Denver Public Library / Denver, CO
- Teen Librarian: Denver Public Library / Denver, CO
- Customer Experience Manager: Auraria Library, University of Colorado Denver / Denver, CO
- Part-time 25 hour Concierge – Anythink Commerce City (Spanish speaking candidates highly preferred): Anythink Libraries / Commerce City, CO
- Collection Services Supervisor: Jefferson County Public Libraries / Denver, CO
- Customer Experience Associate: Douglas County Libraries / Lone Tree, CO
- Emergency Management for Cultural Organizations: Database Development (internship): Cultural and Historic Resources Task Force Steering Committee / Boulder, 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.
- Friday Grab Bag, December 17, 2021 - December 17, 2021
- Friday Grab Bag, December 10, 2021 - December 10, 2021
- Save the Date – Successful Supervision 2022! - December 10, 2021