Friday Grab Bag is a weekly Spotlight on Sharing series that highlights fun, unique, and interesting happenings in Colorado libraries. News from the Colorado State Library is at the bottom. Let’s open the Grab Bag!
Creative Teens
The Fanfiction Workshop at the Carbon Valley Regional Library in High Plains Library District is a place where teen authors in grades 9-12 can share their work, develop their writing skills, and meet other fans of the genre. The workshop is on Saturday, July 1 from 2:00 to 4:00 pm.
Teens can personalize their school locker with DIY Locker Bling at the Lafayette Public Library, July 6 from 3:00 to 4:00 pm.
Summer Learning for Kids
Longmont Public Library is hosting a STEM workshop for student designers on Saturday, July 22 from 1:00 to 3:00 pm. Students entering grades 3-5 are encouraged to stop by and build their own light saber. Register online for this event.
Kids entering grades 1-3 can build a WOW! Robot at Broomfield Library on Thursday, July 13. This popular program has two afternoon sessions, 2:00 to 3:00 and 3:00 to 4:00 pm. Kids will work in teams to use plastic building bricks and robot toys to create a robotic structure that moves. Register online.
At Poudre River Public Library District, kids ages 10-13 can Construct Bug Gardens using dirt, plants, rocks, and tiny furniture. Join the fun on Wednesday, July 5 from 2:00 to 3:30 pm. Registration is required.
As part of their summer learning series, the South Branch of Summit County Libraries invites kids in preschool through 5th grade to Build an Outdoor Maze, July 5 from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm.
Library Fun for Everyone
Broomfield Library wants to help you improve your grilling game. Make It Mondays: Dry Rubs will teach participants about seasoning blends for meats, veggies, and fruits. The class is on Monday, July 3 from 6:00 to 7:00 pm. Register online.
Join Clearview Library District Director Ann Kling for some coffee talk on Wednesday, July 12 from 6:30 to 8:00 pm. This is a chance to chat about the new library or the library district in general.
John C. Fremont Library District is starting ‘Storytime at Florence Farmer’s Market’ every Thursday at 10:30 am. Join Ms. Deborah for stories and songs beginning this Thursday, July 8.
Poudre River Public Library District is crowdsourcing a directory of free book exchange locations in the Fort Collins area. If you come across a Little Free Library or other free book exchange kiosk, submit the location via this online form.
Stop by the Anythink York Street Library’s Drop-in Car Check Engine Diagnostics on July 15 from 9:30 to 11:30 am for a free diagnostic test. While you’re there, learn about library resources you can use for DIY repairs.
Mesa County residents: look for the pop-up library in Gazebo Park every Friday during the summer from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm. Check out books, sign up for summer reading, and use the library’s WiFi and mobile technology, all from the mobile library.
Libraries in the News
Merinda McClure, associate professor and health and human services librarian at University of Colorado Boulder, was part of a panel discussion hosted by the Science and Technology Section (STS) of the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL), titled “OER: Science Liaisons Strengthening the Academy with Open Resources.”
The Columbine Courier reports that Jeffco Libraries are improving services, infrastructure, and technology, as well as extending hours, after a recent mill-levy increase.
The Lakewood Sentinel featured a profile of Kira Kloser, library coordinator for the Irving Street Library in Westminster.
What’s New at the Colorado State Library
The CSL social media team is launching #LoveMyCOLibrary, a photo campaign to encourage Coloradans to share how they love their Colorado libraries. Participation is easy: tag photos of library awesomeness with #LoveMyCOLibrary, then share them with the Colorado State Library on Facebook or Twitter. Participation is open to patrons and library staff alike. The campaign will run from July 1 through August 31, 2017.
Are you interested in library data and evaluation? Join the free Online Community of Practice from RIPL (Research Institute for Public Libraries). The Community of Practice includes discussion forums, opportunities for file-sharing (such as infographics, surveys, etc.), and a quarterly webinar series.
Explore historical fiction titles available through the CSL Book Club Resource. In her latest post, Lovely, Lazy Reading Days, Arian lists the relevant titles by time period.
In the latest CHNC: Special Edition, read about Katherine McHale Slaughterback (“Rattlesnake Kate”), an enterprising Weld county resident who fended off a rattlesnake attack in 1925.
New this week on the Colorado State Publications Library Blog:
- New Reports from the Colorado Energy Office – Read new reports on Colorado energy production and consumption.
- Time Machine Tuesday: School District Organization – Learn how Colorado went from 2,076 school districts in 1934 to 178 districts today.
- School and Child Care Immunization Data – Learn about a new website for vaccination data in Colorado schools and child care facilities, and find past vaccination data reports.
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 Amy Hitcher, ahitchner@coloradovirtuallibrary.org. Also, be sure to follow the Colorado State Library on Twitter and Facebook.
- Friday Grab Bag, November 16, 2018 - November 15, 2018
- Friday Grab Bag, November 9, 2018 - November 9, 2018
- Friday Grab Bag, November 2, 2018 - November 2, 2018