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!
Books & Authors
Arapahoe Libraries invites adults, teens, and tweens to Meet Astronaut Abby on March 26 from 5:30-6:30 pm. Abigail Harrison will talk about her career path as an aspiring astronaut, the co-founder of the nonprofit organization The Mars Generation, and her new book, Dream Big! How to Reach for Your Stars. After the 30-minute presentation, there will be a 30-minute Q&A session. Registration required.
Teens, do you like to be the first to read a new book? In exchange for a short book review, Clearview Library District will give you an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of a book that isn’t available at libraries or stores yet. Then, when you return the book review as well as the ARC book, you can pick up a new ARC. Register online for this program and we’ll have an ARC book ready for you to pick up at the Windsor-Severance Library during the week of March 29.
Bud Werner Memorial Library invites you to spend an evening with acclaimed science journalist Michelle Nijhuis on March 22 at 7:00 pm as she shares Beloved Beasts: Fighting for Life in an Age of Extinction, a vibrant history of the modern conservation movement told through the lives and ideas of the people who built it.
If you or a loved one are facing financial instability as an older adult, you are not alone! It is a misconception that the retirement income crisis is only a problem for low wage workers, or is caused by poor planning and irresponsible behavior. The truth is millions of boomer age Americans are facing a massive retirement savings shortfall.
Join Denver Public Library on March 24 at 12:00 pm for 55 And Faking Normal: with Author Elizabeth White, an open conversation about the financial vulnerability many older adults are experiencing, and about workplace age discrimination.
Learning for All
Inclusive Data and Community Engagement: New Roles for Libraries to Shape Knowledge Creation and Use | March 24 @ 11:00 am – 12:30 pm MT
In this webinar, participants will take an in-depth look at the need for inclusive data and the role libraries could play in supporting it. Participants will learn tools for assessing marginalized voices in data, share insights from their experiences working with their communities, and begin creating plans to engage their communities to address social problems through getting better and more inclusive data.
Strengthening Communities: Food Access at Your Library | March 24 @ 1:00-2:00 pm MT
Libraries across the country are increasingly working to address food insecurity in their local communities. Presenters will provide examples of library food access initiatives including seed libraries, community gardens and farmers markets. Guidance will be provided on how to start food access initiatives with limited local partnership options, few staff and limited resources in rural, urban and suburban settings. The session will also explore how two statewide organizations support local libraries in this work through technical assistance and funding.
Seeds & Spores
Antsy for the gardening season to start? Try growing fungi instead! Anything Libraries’ Grab-n-Go Mushrooms kit includes the required materials to grow your own tasty mushrooms at home. Supplies are limited; registration required to reserve your kit. Registered participants will receive a phone call or email with pick-up instructions in advance.
Bring a seed, take a seed at the Mesa County Libraries Spring Seed Exchange on March 20 from 1:30-3:00 pm! Gardeners are invited to bring portioned seeds and take seeds left by others. Please divide your seeds into individual-sized, labeled packets before arriving at the exchange. There is no charge to participate.
Learn how to start seeds outside in the winter by making mini-greenhouses out of old containers with Pine River Library’s Program in a Bag: Winter Seed Sowing. This kit includes soil, a recycled container, and seeds! Kits will be distributed on a first come, first served basis both inside the library and via curbside service.
Delta County Libraries invites you to join in the seed-saving and sharing fun at the 2021 North Fork Valley Seed Swap on March 20 from 1:00-3:00 pm at Paonia Town Park. Browse seeds, take seeds home to plant in your garden, and bring seeds to share if you have an abundance! This event is presented by VOGA and The Learning Council.
Museums & Libraries in the News
Stroll-a-Story invites children to read stories on windows in downtown Colorado Springs | The Gazette
The Pikes Peak Library District project Stroll-a-Story promises fun stories in shop windows and at Penrose Library.
Broomfield Library removing six Dr. Seuss titles from collection | Colorado Hometown Weekly
The Broomfield Library is in the process of removing the six Dr. Seuss titles from its shelves that Dr. Seuss Enterprises announced that it will no longer be publishing or licensing.
Mesa County Artists Sought for Juried ‘Recycled Book Art Show’ | KOOL 107.9
Do you know a Mesa County artist 16-years-old or older that would like to showcase their work in a juried show? Now’s the time to get registered for the Mesa County Libraries Recycled Art Juried Art Show!
Cheyenne Mountain Library branch manager focuses on connection, lifelong learning and kindness | Cheyenne Edition
Human connection and lifelong learning are at the heart of Tiffany Paisley’s work as the Branch Manager of the Cheyenne Mountain Library branch of the Pikes Peak Library District.
How library closures have affected the Denver community | DU Clarion
Despite the efforts to adapt, the effects of Denver Public Library’s (Colorado’s largest urban library system) closure have still been detrimental, especially for people who rely on the library for internet access, unemployment assistance, child-care or simply a welcoming place of shelter.
What’s New at the Colorado State Library
Learning Opportunities
Apply Now for Successful Supervision 2021!
Applications are being accepted until March 24, 2021.
Trustee Talk: Building Community Support for the Library
- March 23 @ 2:00 pm MT
- Registration required, click HERE to register
52nd Annual Colorado Resource Sharing Conference
- This year’s conference is all online, and FREE!
- April 29 @ 9:00 am-3:30 pm
- Registration required, click HERE to register
Colorado Virtual Library
CSLP Teen Video Challenge is Back for 2021
Looking for an easy program to share with your teens that they can do at home, at your library, or outside this summer? The CSLP Teen Video Challenge is back for 2021!
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.
- Library Page: Jefferson County Public Library / Golden, CO
- Part Time Youth Services Coordinator: Lake County Public Library / Leadville, CO
- Part Time Desk Clerk I: : Lake County Public Library / Leadville, CO
- Adult Services Librarian: Montrose Regional Library District / Montrose, CO
- Youth Services Librarian: Montrose Regional Public Library / Montrose, CO
- Operations Page – Belmar Library: Jefferson County Public Library / Lakewood, CO
- Library Director: Spanish Peaks Library District / Walsenburg, CO
- Library Instruction Assistant- LIS Grad Students Only: Red Rocks Community College / Lakewood, CO
- Public Services Librarian I: Broomfield Library / Broomfield, CO
- Library Assistant/Adult Programming: Dolores Public Library / Dolores, CO
- Circulation Supervisor: Poudre River Public Library District (Council Tree Library) / Fort Collins, CO
- Library Associate: Lyons Regional Library / Lyons, CO
- Director of People & Culture: Jefferson County Public Library / Lakewood, CO
- Learning Coach/Librarian: Weld RE-4 School District / Windsor, CO
- Head of Collection Strategies: Colorado State University Libraries / Fort Collins, CO
- Branch Manager: Garfield County Libraries / Silt, CO
- Technical Services Guru: Northern Saguache County Library District / Saguache County, CO
- Part-time 25 hour Concierge – Anythink Bennett: Anythink Libraries / Bennett, CO
- Part-time 25 hour Concierge – Anythink Commerce City: Anythink Libraries / Commerce City, CO
- Creative Lead – Writer/Editor: Anythink Libraries / Brighton, CO
- Educational Technology & Systems Librarian (Assistant Professor of Library Services): Colorado State University – Pueblo / Pueblo, CO
- Outreach & Web Communications Librarian/Liaison Librarian (Assistant Professor of Library Services): Colorado State University – Pueblo / Pueblo, 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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