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 dive in, I wanted to share that the Colorado State Library is hiring! If you love data, statistics, and evaluation, we’ve got the job for you! The Library Research Service (LRS) Director manages the State Library’s Library Research Service, and provides leadership about statistics and evaluation for the state library and the Colorado library community. This position sits on the Senior Leadership Team at the State Library.
Check out the full job description here:
https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/colorado?keywords=9011
Now let’s open the Friday Grab Bag!
Community Services
Help Delta County Libraries prepare for the seed library for the 2021 growing season with Take Home Seed Packaging Kits! Seed library enthusiasts and volunteers can contribute to the program from the comfort of their own home. Interested participants can visit any branch to pick up a kit by January 23. After the enclosed seeds are packaged and labeled, the kits can be returned in the book drop of any library. All packaged seeds will be available for checkout beginning in March 2021.
Please join Aurora Public Library for a DRMAC Free Travel Training on January 13 from 3;30-4:30 pm. Learn how to ride RTD train’s, buses and LYFT’s bike and scooters, and how to download the apps and apply for income-based discount programs.
Are you a Colorado resident who has welcomed a new baby into the family? Congratulations! The Broomfield Public Library wants to help give your little one the best start in life. Stop by the Children’s Library Desk to request a Baby Welcome Bag for babies up to 12 months old that contain some special gifts for your little one and great resources for caregivers. Supplies are limited. Funded by the Broomfield Library Friends Foundation.
Resolutionary Kits
Looking to better organize your life in 2021? Pine River Library is offering free “Bullet Journaling” kits during the month of January! Bullet Journaling is a simple and customizable system that helps you organize your life, stick to your goals, and increase your productivity! The kit includes a journal and all you’ll need to get started. Request one via curbside service and then join “Introduction to Bullet Journaling” via Zoom on January 13th from 6:00-7:00 pm.
Pick up your Kindness Kit for kids from High Plains Library District throughout the month of January and spread some kindness around! Included in this kit you’ll find some goodies to make and share: a Kindness Rock, a Kindness Catcher, and more! While supplies last.
Make room for your dreams! Join Arapahoe Libraries to put 2020 behind and start anew with Grab & Go: Vision Board kits and virtual session with Certified KonMari consultant Kate Tidy on January 10 at 2:00 pm. Kate will guide us through the process of creating a vision board for yourself. Pinning the goals that speak to your heart will get the ball rolling in the direction of the new you!
Now that it is 2021, it’s time to set some new goals and Pueblo City-County Library wants to help you do just that. Pick up a Planner/Goal Journal Kit in January and get started on setting your goals and plans for the new year.
Learning for All
Tiny Spaces Bring Big Opportunity | January 13 @ 9:00 am MT
Modern libraries can be created anywhere, in any space — even a small, unused 453 square foot room in a public housing complex. Learn how Fort Worth (Texas) Public Library created the perfect storm of political support, private funding, and fulfilling an equity need in one tiny space.
Media Literacy for Adults: Meeting Patrons Where They Are | January 12 @ 12:00 pm MT
People who need media literacy skills may not be eager to sign up for a program or class on the subject; in fact, they may not know their skills are lacking at all.This webinar will cover how library workers can meet the needs of their adult patrons and how to incorporate media literacy practices in existing programs and at the reference desk.
Leadership Skills for New(er) Supervisors | January 12 @ 10:00 am MT
Being a new(er) supervisor can be challenging. Instead of being measured on what you can achieve personally, you’re now measured on what you can lead your team to achieve. Effectively leading others requires the development of new skills as you take on new leadership roles. This program provides new supervisors and managers the skills they need to be successful in leading others and accomplishing the goals of their workgroup or department.
Museums & Libraries in the News
CHECKED OUT: Aurora library books a banner year during the pandemic | Sentinel
Aurora Public Library had its highest ever amount of ebook checkouts this year and by the fall more than 1,000 people had applied for a virtual library card.
Garfield County Libraries Go Fine Free to Start the New Year | Western Slope Now
Garfield County Libraries will ring in 2021 by eliminating charges for overdue materials! Thinking about eliminating fines at your library? Check out these resources and FAQs.
BV Library joins state’s largest lending libraries | Chaffee County Times
Buena Vista Public Library joined the Prospector network for interlibrary loan with support from the Colorado State Library’s SWIFT program in December – yay!
US Olympic & Paralympic Museum named country’s Best New Attraction in USA Today | KOAA News5
The U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum in Colorado Springs announced Thursday it has been named the country’s Best New Attraction in 2020 in USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards.
What’s New at the Colorado State Library
Learning Opportunities
Libraries Serving Older Adults During COVID: A Facilitated Conversation
- January 13 @ 11:00 am
- Register by email to Christine Kreger at kreger_c@cde.state.co.us
Executive Function: Building Core Capabilities for Life
- January 12 @ 12:00 pm
- Free, no registration required!
- Join Online
SAVE THE DATE FOR: Growing Readers Together in 2021
- January 19 @ 12:00 pm
- Free, no registration required!
- Link to access coming soon
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!
Colorado Virtual Library
Colorado and Wyoming Launch New Historic Newspapers Collection Online Database
The Colorado State Library, in partnership with the Wyoming State Library and the University of Wyoming Libraries , are excited to announce the launch of the Plains to Peaks Historic Newspapers database!
Colorado State Library announces 5th year of Growing Readers Together
We’re excited to announce a 5th year of funding by the Buell Foundation for Growing Readers Together!
A Window to History: New Year’s Resolutions in Old Colorado Newspapers
What’s your resolution for 2021? Check out some oldies for inspiration from the Colorado Historic Newspapers Collection.
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.
- Director, Library Research Services: Colorado State Library / Denver, CO
- Librarian II – Public Services Supervisor: Broomfield Library / Broomfield, CO
- Librarian I – Children’s Services: Eagle Valley Library District / Eagle & Gypsum, CO
- Head of Adult Learning: Mesa County Public Library District / Grand Junction, CO
- Youth Collections Librarian: Mesa County Libraries / Grand Junction, CO
- District Director: Delta County Public Library District / Delta County, CO
- Youth Services Assistant: Basalt Regional Library / Basalt, CO
- Creative Technology Manager: Mesa County Libraries / Grand Junction, CO
- Director – Public Relations & Marketing: Pikes Peak Library District / Colorado Springs, CO
- Library Manager 3: Pikes Peak Library District / Colorado Springs, CO
- Library Service Lead: Pines & Plains Libraries / Elizabeth CO
- Youth Services Librarian: Lyons Community Library / Lyons, CO
- District Manager: Northern Saguache County Library District / Saguache, CO
- Creative Programming Manager: Northern Saguache County Library District / Saguache, CO
- Technical Services Manager: Northern Saguache County Library District / Saguache, CO
- Youth & Family Services Librarian: Douglas County Libraries / Castle Rock & Castle Pines, CO
- Library Director/Librarian: Town of Akron / Akron, 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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