Friday Grab Bag, July 12, 2019

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!

Moon Landing

On July 20, 1969, Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins boldly went where no human had gone before. Fifty years later, libraries are celebrating Apollo 11’s achievement.

Crew of Apollo 11: Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins
The “stars” of Footprints on the moon – the flight of Apollo 11. [Image courtesy of Golden Transcript, Volume 103, Number 122, July 11, 1969. Accessed via the Colorado Historic Newspapers Collection.]
What was the sequence of this incredible mission? Where on the Moon did they land? And how did they return safely to Earth? Dolores Public Library hosts all ages for the Apollo 11 Moon Landing Broadcast on July 15 at 2:00 pm. This guided recreation of Apollo 11’s journey demonstrates how this mission was executed by crew members and mission control in Houston.

All ages are invited to celebrate the 50th anniversary of man walking on the moon for the first time at Aurora Public Library’s 1960s-themed Moon Landing Party on July 20 at 2:00 pm. There will be a brief presentation and discussion, archival footage of the event on the big screen projector plus fun activities.

Dress like it is 1969 and Prepare for lunacy at Nederland Community Library’s Apollo Moonlanding Celebration on July 20 at 6:00 pm. This family friendly event will feature documentary footage, DIY rocket launches, and a moonwalking competition.

Bring your dancing shoes and out of this world moves to Longmont Public Library on July 20 at 1:00 pm for a Dance Party on the Moon featuring special moon-themed playlists and glow sticks.  No registration required; families and children of all ages are welcome.

Natural Interest

Red Feather Lakes Community Library hosts Project Pine Cone and the Natural History of Pines with Renee Galeano-Popp on July 20 from 3:00 to 4:30 pm. Renee will share her knowledge about the natural and cultural history of pines from both a global, national and local perspective. She will bring her pine cone collection of about 75 species.

Join Anything Libraries on July 13 from 2:00 to 4:00 for Connect to Nature: Native American Medicine and Meditation. Connect with nature through stories, herbs, music and stones.  Native American storyteller and singer-songwriter Red Feather Woman, a member of the Ft. Peck Tribes, will lead a medicine and meditation workshop using Native American teachings and philosophy. Participants will enjoy nature stories that correlate with teachings and visualizations. All supplies will be provided, but space is limited, so click HERE to register.

Looking for a true wilderness experience? Durango Public Library’s  Off Trail Wilderness Navigation and Staying Found course (July 16 at 6:00 pm) will help you successfully navigate off trail, regardless of the weather. When visibility is on your side, you’ll learn how to find your location on the map using known features on the ground and on your map. You’ll also learn how to make adjustments due to avalanche danger, high water and other formidable obstacles. This course is a great way to improve your navigation skills and confidence. The event is FREE, but space is limited. Please register for the event here.

Past is Present

Families with kids grades K-5 are invited to join Louisville Public Library for Talk to the Future on July 16 from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm. Visit the Tomeo House – Louisville’s life-sized time capsule at the Louisville Historical Museum and find out how past Louisville residents left a message for us today about their lives, friends, and families by exploring the everyday objects they used. Create a time capsule of your own to send a message to future Louisville families. Click HERE to register, and make sure to register all attendees, including parents and caregivers.

Join Mesa County Libraries on July 23 at 3:00 pm for Mesa County Ghost Towns. Discover some of the many abandoned towns and communities in Mesa County through photos and maps. Mesa County Libraries’ in-house historian, Ike Rakiecki, will be guest speaker for this fascinating look back in time.

Science Fiction

Amazing!  Astounding!  Join Montrose Regional Library District for How We Conquered the Galaxy on July 17 from 7:00-8:30 pm.  In this program, Colorado Mesa University professor John Nizalowski traces the development of science fiction—in print and media–from its pulp origins in the 1920’s and 1930’s, through the Golden Age of the 1940’s & 1950’s, to the New Wave movement of the1960’s and 1970’s.

Kids and families are invited to join Garfield County Libraries on July 18 at 11:30 am for Indiana Bones: Keeper of Legends. Indiana Bones combines archaeology, action, adventure, ancient legends, mythology, and folklore to thrill and educate audiences. With his unique storytelling abilities, Indy weaves stories for children, families, and sci-fi lovers alike.

Can you survive in space without a spacesuit? Can dinosaurs be cloned from insects trapped in amber? Are asteroids the size of Texas lurking just outside our orbit? These questions and more will be addressed by Poudre River Public Library on July 20 at 1:00 pm with the Science of Science Fiction. Explore what is realistic, what is extrapolated, and what is simply a plot device through the use of science demonstrations and an interactive discussion.

Museums and Libraries in the News

Journal Advocate | EDITORIAL: Bookmobile served important purpose for decades. It’s time for it to take its place in history.

The Journal-Advocate Editorial Board makes a case for diverting funds that Logan County has contributed to the Northeast Colorado Bookmobile Services program in the past to supporting small local libraries in the county, to help them link rural and small-town Coloradans with the wonders of online library services.

Pine River Times | Art installation at Bayfield library offers glimpse of ‘Chaco and Beyond’

Pine River Library’s newest art installation brings some of the Four Corners’ most iconic images to Bayfield through thousands of tiny pen strokes.

Gary Gackstatter’s drawing of a ladder in a kiva at Mesa Verde National Park. Image courtesy of the artist.

What’s New at the Colorado State Library

Learning Opportunities

CSL in Session: 2020 Census + Libraries = Complete Count in Colorado

  • July 18, 2019, 12:00 – 1:00 pm
  • Free! No registration required
  • Join online

State Publications Library

Colorado Blue Spruce Award

If you work with teens, please encourage them to vote for the Colorado Blue Spruce Young Adult Book Award! It’s fast and easy:

For ideas on promoting the Colorado Blue Spruce Young Adult Book Award, please visit https://www.coloradobluespruceaward.org/promote

Library Related Employment:

Are you thinking of making a change this year in your job? Check out Library Jobline for hot new library employment opportunities.

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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