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.
Before we begin, I just wanted to let everyone know that the grab bag is taking a short hiatus – returning on February 5th, and encourage you to submit a proposal for CLiC’s 2021 Virtual Spring Workshop! 2020 taught us some things about ourselves, our libraries, and our communities. Whatever you learned, consider sharing it with your colleagues. The best ideas can be easily scaled for small & rural libraries (think small staff and smaller budgets). Even better, ideas that have proven successful in a small or rural library! Dates for Virtual Spring Workshop are: April 22 from 3:00-5:00 pm and April 23, 8:30 am-3:00 pm. The submission deadline is February 25 at 11:55 pm. Submit your proposal today! Questions? Just ask at clichelp@clicweb.org.
Now into the bag…
Wellness Practices
With heaps of homework, a global pandemic, and the endless scroll of social media, developing and maintaining self-care habits is vital to surviving (and thriving in) your teen years. But what if you aren’t into inspirational posters, vegan smoothies, or bubble baths (no shade!)? Join Basalt Regional Library for Self-Care for Teen Skeptics, a three-week program beginning January 27 at 4:30 pm, focusing on developing evidence-based habits and skills that help teens reduce their stress in fun and creative ways. Participants will also receive self-care kits with treats and tools to help them relax to the max. Click HERE to register.
Denver Public Library invites adults to Qi Gong Exploration and Practice on January 26 from 10:00-10:45. Qi Gong is the cornerstone of traditional Chinese medicine. Sometimes called “meditation in motion”, Qi Gong includes slow, dance-like movements to improve breathing, reduce stress, and gently move and stretch the body. It can be done standing or in a chair. Research shows that it has great benefits for promoting health and wellness and longevity in older adults. All levels are welcome. Registration required.
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused us to question how we are living and everything we hold dear. Join Pine River Library and Dr. Brian Burke, on January 25 from 6:00-7:00 pm for How to Find Happiness in the Age of COVID-19. Dr. Burke will unpack the psychological science regarding what we know about how to live a good life for the era we are living through. What might psychologists know that might help us to live our best life? Email darcy@prlibrary.org for virtual event login information.
Explore basic Pilates and Slings exercises with Arapahoe Libraries on January 27 from 10:00-11:00 am. Learn to move with intention and strengthen your existing abilities, integrating your physical, emotional and mental wellbeing. Drop in once or join us weekly through March for this fitness at home series. Each class explores a unique movement focus with the overarching aim of enhancing the quality of life. You will need an exercise mat and a bath towel. You will need an exercise mat and a bath towel. Registration required.
Grants & Funding
Rural Libraries and Social Wellbeing
The Rural Libraries and Social Wellbeing project is seeking applicants for the Tools in Action micro-grant program (application). Participants work through five weeks of social wellbeing resources with a personal rural librarian guide, will receive a stipend and seed money to be used to extend library service.
Libraries Transforming Communities: Focus on Small and Rural Libraries
This grant from the American Library Association (ALA) provides community engagement resources and opportunities specific to the needs of library workers serving small and rural communities. Community engagement is the process of working collaboratively with community members – be they patrons, faculty, students or partner organizations – to address issues for the betterment of the community.
Funds for Literacy Programs in Company Communities
The Dollar General Literacy Foundation provides support through the following grant programs: Adult Literacy Grants, Family Literacy Grants, Summer Reading Grants, and Youth Literacy Grants. Visit the Foundation’s website to access guidelines for each grant program.
Pick ‘n’ Mix
Tweens are invited (all ages welcome) to join Arapahoe Libraries on January 30 at 2:00 pm for The Incredible Cave Rescue of the Thai Boys’ Soccer Team. Hear about the world’s most daring cave rescue during this virtual book talk. Author Christina Soontornvat will discuss her tween book All Thirteen: The Incredible Cave Rescue of the Thai Boys’ Soccer Team. The author will talk about her research and the science involved during the rescue, followed by a Q&A session. Registration at least 30 minutes prior to the event is required. Click HERE to get your seat!
Have questions about your housing situation? Learn about your rights with Jefferson County Public Library’s Know Your Housing Rights – People with Disabilities workshop on February 3 at 6:00 pm. Walk away with a better understanding of specific housing rights for people with disabilities, your options and community resources. Co-presented by the Colorado Poverty Law Project and Jefferson County Public Library.
What steps are energy companies taking to reduce their impact on climate change? What steps can consumers take to save energy and money? Join Garfield County Libraries on February 3 at 3:00 pm for Future of Energy: Reducing Impact and Saving Money, featuring insights from representatives of local energy companies on what each company has achieved and is planning on to help our environment. CLEER and CORE will also share information on their programs and DIY tips that both residential and commercial customers can use to decrease energy use and save money on energy bills.
Join High Plains Public Library District for Digital De-Cluttering on January 28 from 6:30-7:30 pm. Find out why regularly clearing out your digital items helps your device run optimally, and develop new, better habits when it comes to organizing and storing your digital items. Click HERE to register.
Museums & Libraries in the News
Pueblo library district drops overdue fines for some items | KOAA News5
At the new year, Pueblo City-County Public Library dropped overdue fines for some items to remove financial barriers and help give equal access to residents.
Thinking of eliminating some fines or going fine free at your library? Check out these Eliminating Fines Resources and Eliminating Fines FAQs from the Colorado State Library.
The Learning Council Donates ‘Diversity Library’ to Delta County Schools | KVNF
Reporter Kori Stanton speaks to The Learning Council’s Executive Director Alicia Michaelson and Delta County School District superintendent Caryn Gibson about the donation of over 150 books to build a “diversity library.”
What is a museum? Maybe not what you think. | The Know
The newly published book Black Cube, 2015-2020 documents Black Cube’s mission – to bring art to the people, via street corners, alleys and public parks; construction zones, historic sites and ghost towns; and public libraries, warehouses, rooftops and other museums.
Nederland Community Library: The Early Years | The Mountain Ear
Teamwork makes the dream (of a community library) work in this tale of what a group of determined library advocates can do in a short amount of time.
What’s New at the Colorado State Library
Learning Opportunities
Virtual Learning for Library Trustees
There are plenty of opportunities for library trustee learning in early 2021 and we’ve rounded up a few for January-March.
Free Online Training Opportunities for January
With the new year come some exciting (FREE) training opportunities for January!
Library Research Service
Ready to meet your (data) match? Introducing number data and story data
What kind of data should you collect? Explore two very broad categories of data – quantitative (numbers data) and qualitative (story data) and meet your data match!
Colorado Virtual Library
Welcoming New Public Library Trustees: Orientation Tips & Resources
We’ve rounded up resources for orienting incoming library trustees.
January 2021 SWIFT Migration Project Update
Progress update and next steps for 2021 on the SWIFT migration to the Prospector Interlibrary Loan service.
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.
- Senior Library Associate – Young Adult Services: Pikes Peak Library District / Colorado Springs, CO
- Librarian – Youth Services: Durango Public Library / Durango, CO
- Technical Services & Facility Supervisor: Estes Valley Library / Estes Park, CO
- Program & Outreach Services Supervisor: Estes Valley Library / Estes Park, CO
- Collection Resources Manager: High Plains Library District / Greeley, CO
- Youth Services Librarian: Lyons Community Library / Lyons, CO
- Creative Technology Manager: Mesa County Libraries / Grand Junction, CO
- Youth Services Assistant: Basalt Regional Library / Basalt, CO
- District Director: Delta County Public Library District / Delta County, CO
- Librarian – Cataloging Coordinator: Aurora Public Library / Aurora, CO
- Creative Lead – Writer/Editor: Anythink Libraries / Brighton, CO
- Education and Outreach Student Assistant: Auraria Library, University of Colorado Denver / Denver, CO
- Library Associate – Adult Services (Part Time): Louisville Public Library / Louisville, CO
- Library Associate – Youth Services (Part Time): Louisville Public Library / Louisville, CO
- Customer Experience Associate: Douglas County Libraries / Castle Rock, 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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