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!
Black History Month
Join Pikes Peak Library District and Soul Food scholar Adrian Miller on February 8 at 12:30 pm to Learn about the History of Soul Food – from its roots in West Africa, all the way to the United States.
Rosa Parks, the civil rights activist who refused to surrender her seat to a white passenger on a segregated bus in Montgomery, Alabama. Her defiance sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott; its success launched nationwide efforts to end racial segregation of public facilities. Join High Plains Library District for Black History Live Tour: Rosa Parks on February 27 from 7:00-8:00 pm to hear her extraordinary stories, as told by Chautauqua scholar and professional storyteller, Becky Stone.
Celebrate Black History month with events throughout February at Denver Public Library!
Thunder Soul: February 9 @ 1:30 pm
- In this film, alumni from Houston’s storied Kashmere High School Stage Band return home after 35 years to play a tribute concert for their beloved band leader who turned the struggling jazz band into a world-class funk powerhouse in the early 1970s.
Growing Rich: Madam C. J. Walker a Self-Made Millionaire: February 15 @ 2:00 pm
- Historical reenactor Lonnie McCabe will bring the story of Madam C.J. Walker to life as we relive her time in Denver during 1905. This story of tenacity, strength and determination of one of America’s first self-made female millionaires will inspire and delight.
I Am Not Your Negro: February 27 @ 7:00 pm
- Special showing of the film I Am Not Your Negro, based on the writing of James Baldwin. Hosted by Jameka Lewis, Senior Librarian at the Blair-Caldwell African American Research Library. Click HERE to register.
Curious about news publications that have been a voice for black communities and shaped Colorado’s printed cultural history? Check out Black History is Colorado History, which provides an overview of the titles found in the Colorado Historic Newspaper Collection.
African Americans made significant contributions to the history of the United States and its westward migration. Travel back in time at Arapahoe Libraries’ presentation of African American Trailblazers of the West on February 10 at 7:00 pm. Terri Gentry, a volunteer docent at the Black American West Museum, will introduce you to the key trailblazers and their unique stories – from black cowboys, homesteaders and miners, to educators, entrepreneurs and medical and military heroes.
From the Heart
Basalt Regional Library presents Love Notes, a special Valentine’s Day Date Night at the Library event, featuring a screening of 80s film classic, Moonstruck starring Cher and Nicholas Cage, and dinner and wine inspired by That’s Amore. Romantic, and as always, free! February 14 from 6:00-8:00 pm.
Celebrate love with Adams County Animal Shelter and some of their Animal Shelter Sweethearts at Anythink Wright Farms on February 13 from 2:00-4:00 pm! Come get some puppy kisses and spend some time in the card creation station. Appropriate for all ages.
Get ready for Valentine’s Day with Crafternoon: Card Making & Chocolate Covered Strawberries at Gunnison County Libraries on February 10 from 4:00-7:00 pm. Card making supplies, creative lettering books and refreshments provided.
Going Green
In collaboration with the Climate Action Collaborative, Vail Public Library invites all Eagle County residents to save money and cut climate pollution with LED Swap @ your library. Residents are encouraged to bring in two incandescent or compact-florescent bulbs and exchange them for two LED bulbs free of charge any time during library hours.
All ages are invited to Boulder Public Library on February 12 from 4:00-5:30 for BeeChicas: Love the Bees Pollinators Flags! Plan a spring perennial and native plant garden, learn about what plants bees love and what plants bloom throughout the growing season spring to fall, and create your own fun, colorful string of pollinator flags for your garden ~ a Pollinator Valentine!
Learning for All
The Future Is Fine Free: How Libraries Are Increasing Equity, Engagement and Access for Their Communities | February 13 @ 1:00 pm MT
Join this panel discussion (featuring Colorado’s own Pines and Plain Libraries) for a big-picture conversation about becoming fine-free libraries.
- Say Yes to Census 2020: February 18 @ 11:00 am MT
- Beyond WordPress: Website Builders for Libraries: March 17 @ 11:00 am MT
- Preserve This Podcast: April 7 @ 11:00 am MT
Museums & Libraries in the News
Fort Morgan Library and Museum preparing for new exhibits, programs in 2020 | Fort Morgan Times
The Fort Morgan Library and Museum is preparing for another year of serving local students, families and anyone else looking to learn more about Morgan County history or discover a new book.
A City Map Made for (And by) Kids | CityLab
Growing Up Boulder created the nation’s first printed kid-friendly city map, designed to help parents and children find their way around Boulder
Librarians Could Face Charges for ‘Age-Inappropriate’ Material Under Proposal | New York Times
Proposed legislation in Missouri would require libraries to create review panels to evaluate “age-inappropriate sexual material,” And a similar bill in Colorado is also getting some traction….
What’s New at the Colorado State Library
Learning Opportunities
Upcoming CSL in Session -Teen Mental Health: In their own words
- February 20 @ 12:00 – 1:00 pm
- Free – no registration required!
- Join online
Library Patron Data and Privacy: Privacy-Centered Library Vendor Management
- March 3 @ 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
- Free – no registration required!
- Join online
Free Online Learning Opportunities for February
Check out all of the FREE online learning opportunities that the Wyoming State Library has curated!
Colorado Virtual Library
Let’s Talk About It: Homelessness Resource Kits are Available for Loan
CSL has resource kits that can help libraries and other institutions deal with homelessness.
Cultivating a Culture of Readers
We’ve got a great roundup of resources and event to help students discover the joy of reading.
State Publications Library
Library Related Employment:
Are you thinking of making a change in your job? Check out Library Jobline for hot new library employment opportunities.
- Training Supervisor: Pikes Peak Library District / Colorado Springs, CO
- Library Clerk – Part Time: Aurora Public Library (Mission Viejo Library) / Aurora, CO
- Library Clerk- Technology Focus: Carnegie Public Library / Trinidad, CO
- Librarian (Teen & Adult) – Various Locations: Jefferson County Public Library / Lakewood, CO
- Senior Library Associate, Adult Services: Pikes Peak Library District / Manitou Springs, CO
- Technology Trainer and Digital Resource Librarian: Pueblo City-County Library District (Rawlings Library) / Pueblo, CO
- CDOC Library Technician II (Denver): Colorado Department of Corrections / Denver, CO
- Library & Cultural Arts Manager: Englewood Public Library / Englewood, CO
- Children and Family Services Librarian: Clearview Library District / Windsor, CO
- Facilities Project Manager: Pikes Peak Library District / Colorado Springs, CO
- Outreach Librarian-Children Services: High Plains Library District / Greeley, 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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