Before we dive into the Friday Grab Bag, we have a new entry in our Pandemic Practices Series for you. The latest edition covers Virtual Library Strategy, featuring input from staff at Pueblo City-County Library District. We would love to hear more about what you are doing, how you implemented it, and any lessons that you’ve learned or best practices you’ve established thus far. If you have information that you would like to share with the Colorado library community, please reach out to me, Marisa Wood, at mwood@coloradovirtuallibrary.org.
And, did you know that there are three new annual Colorado Association of Libraries (CAL) Awards this year?! And that it is easier than ever to nominate? Let’s celebrate who we are and what we do. The Award Lunch is planned for Friday, Sept. 11th at this year’s CALCON in Loveland. Find out more at CALCON – Awards Committee.
Now into the bag…
Documentary Now
While staying safer at home, Bud Werner Memorial Library is organizing special opportunities to share some of the newest documentaries you might have seen in Library Hall by watching them at home instead, and then coming together for community conversations. Watch The Story of Plastic using the special community link between May 3 and May 7, and then join the virtual Community Film Discussion on May 7 from 5:30-6:30 pm.
Join Denver Public Library for Doc & Talk, a weekly documentary and discussion series. Each week’s film selection will be available to stream on kanopy.com. First, view the film anytime during the week. Then, join the online discussion each Thursday. Next up, Oscar nominated Loving Vincent on May 14 at 6:00 pm.
Quarentainment
Arapahoe Libraries invites kids ages 5-8 to find out What Does a Pirate do in Quarantine? on May 6 from 2:00-2:30. Join a real life pirate (via Zoom) to see how he’s coping wiht quarantine, sing pirate songs, learn some pirate words and have a sword fight. Dressing up is encouraged.
Make the most of another night in by joining Douglas County Libraries for their first ever Quarantine Quiz Show – Virtual Harry Potter Edition TODAY from 7:00-8:00 pm. This live, hosted virtual event will feature three rounds of Harry Potter-themed questions covering the first three books. So grab the family and a six-pack of butterbeer and join in the fun!
Mental Health Awareness Month
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and this year we’re all facing challenges that make resiliency more important than ever. Jefferson County Public Library invites you to join them on May 8 from 10:30-11:00 am for Mental Health Fridays. Jefferson Center for Mental Health staff will provide strategies for Staying Connected while Social Distancing during this difficult time.
Arapahoe Libraries hosts Guided Mindfulness Meditation Drop-In on May 5 from 6:00-6:30 pm. Mindfulness meditation has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety, improve sleep and have positive effects on immune function. During this 30-minute session, Jill Zastko, Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction teacher, will provide a guided meditation and share ways to apply mindfulness to better cope with challenges during COVID-19. No prior meditation experience is needed.
Museums and Libraries in the News
Measuring SEL Competencies in a Summer Learning Program | School Library Journal
Denver Public Library (DPL), in collaboration with Library Research Service (LRS), shares the outcomes of the evaluation of DPL’s summer learning program and use of data to inform programmatic decision making.
Museums of Western Colorado providing online tools to learn area’s history | The Daily Sentinel
The Museums of Western Colorado have been updating lesson plans and developing video content from other curators from the Museum of the West, Cross Orchards Historic Site and Fruita’s Dinosaur Journey.
Longmont library to hold Peeps diorama contest online after coronavirus cancellation | Colorado Daily
The Longmont Public Library’s Peeps literary diorama contest will continue online after being canceled due to the coronavirus outbreak and resulting statewide stay-at-home order.
As Doors To The Arts Stay Closed, Colorado Museums Swing (Virtual) Windows Wide Open | KUNC
Longmont Museum has virtual 360 tours available online, including Terry Maker’s exhibit ‘Because the World is Round.’
Lafayette library staff 3D printing face shield components to help health care providers during coronavirus pandemic | Colorado Daily
Lafayette Public Library staff members are trying to help those in health care during the coronavirus pandemic by using their 3D printers to make face shield components. Go team!
Learning For All
Maximizing and Measuring Virtual Programs | May 13 @ 12:00 pm MDT
As libraries are expanding their online efforts in response to COVID-19, the design and outcomes should also shift in order to build the strongest and most impactful programs. In-person opportunities often bring with them advantages of seeing patrons’ reactions to learning and subsequent micro-improvements that can be made to improve a program.Without “seeing” a full room, presenters are more limited in their ability to understand how participants are responding. This webinar is designed to help libraries develop targeted outcomes to use when designing online programs to maximize the learning opportunities and measure the resulting value of them from attendees.
What’s New at the Colorado State Library
Learning Opportunities
Webinar: Libraries and Vroom- A Natural Partnership
- May 7 @ 12:00-1:00pm
- Free! No registration required
- Join online
Webinar: Creating Accessible Online Library Experiences for All
- May 7 @ 2:00-3:30 pm
- Free!
- Email Christine Krieger to register
State Publications Blog
Library Research Service
Habits of Mind for Working with Data
Habits to employ when data overload is melting your brain.
Colorado Virtual Library
Pandemic Practices: Virtual Library Strategy
We talked with Nick Potter, Director of Community Relations and Development at Pueblo City-County Library District about the creation of The Library @ Home, a hub for virtual library services.
Register Now for Curious About Library Supervision
Wondering if a supervisory position is right for you? Register now for Curious About Library Supervision.
Touring Colorado’s Collections: Shadows on the Plains
This spring, Burlington Public Library launched a digital collection – Shadows on the Plains, in partnership with the CSL’s CVL Collections program.
Learning Edge: April 2020 #2
The Learning Edge April 2020 #2 rounds up resources and news from the education field.
Are you thinking of making a change this year in your job? Check out Library Jobline for hot new library employment opportunities.
- Community Engagement Coordinator: Garfield County Libraries / Rifle, CO
- Technology and Innovation Manager: Garfield County Libraries / Rifle, CO
- Manager of Special Collections and Museum Services: Pueblo City-County Library District / Pueblo, CO
- Communication Specialist: Clearview Library District/ Windsor, CO
- On Site Librarian: Action Staffing Solutions / Lakewood, CO
- Library Collections Manager: Garfield County Libraries / Rifle, 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.
- Friday Grab Bag, December 17, 2021 - December 17, 2021
- Friday Grab Bag, December 10, 2021 - December 10, 2021
- Save the Date – Successful Supervision 2022! - December 10, 2021