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 open the Friday Grab Bag, take a moment to consider nominating a person, a library, or a program for a Colorado Association of Libraries award. It is for all sizes and shapes of libraries and library adjacent companies and folks. If you’ve never nominated before or have any questions, contact Katherine Weadley, at kweadley@clicweb.org. For a list of 2019 Award Descriptions click HERE. Awards will be presented at CALCON 2019, Sept. 19-21. For the nomination form click HERE (you may need to scroll down a bit). Deadline for nominations is June 15th.
Don’t hesitate — nominate! Now into the bag.
Summer Reading: A Universe of Stories
Summer reading is right around the corner, and libraries around the state are getting ready to party!
Fort Morgan Public Library’s Youth Summer Reading Launch takes place on June 6, at 1:30 pm and will feature a very special guest: magician The Great Loudini! Youth Summer Reading will be held every Thursday thereafter at 1:30 pm through July 25, with the exception of July 4.
Launch into Summer Reading with Garfield County Libraries on May 31 at 11:00 am at the Rifle Branch Library. Sign up for the Summer Reading Program, play games, make a craft, and get your picture taken in outer space.
Join Broomfield Library on June 1 from 9:00 am – 3:00 pm for the SUMMER LIBRARY ADVENTURES KICKOFF PARTY!! Start your summer off right by signing up for the reading program as you enjoy music, outdoor activities, art, the CSU STEM trailer, and more! All Ages welcome. Online registration is open! Click here to register.
All ages are invited to Durango Public Library’s “A Universe of Stories” Summer Reading Kick-Off Party. Family fun for all ages will take place on June 1 from 11:00 am – 1:00 pm and features games, foot, and other great activities to start off the summer of reading, as well as a special performance by local favorites, Six Dollar String Band.
Start your summer with Westminster Public Library and an alien dance party at the Summer Reading Kickoff on June 1 from 11:30 am – 2:30 pm.! Register for Summer Reading and receive your reading punch cards, create your own succulent garden, and put on your best alien themed costume for an out of this world dance party. The Friends of the Westminster Public Library sponsor FREE Kona Ice from 12:00-1:00 pm. All ages welcome.
Pine River Library’s Summer Reading Program is expanding to new universes this year– it’s now a S.T.R.E.A.M. (Summer Technology Reading Engineering Arts Math) Program! All Ages are welcome to the Summer S.T.R.E.A.M Program Sign Up and Blast Off Party in the Park on May 31 from 2:30-7:30 pm. Sign your family up and enjoy games in the park, a free BBQ dinner for all, and balloon animals from Ruby Balloon!
Join Boulder Public Library for Summer of Discovery: Outer Space/Inner Space Kickoff Party on June 1 from 10:15 am – 12:15 pm. Enjoy space-themed storytime and a party to celebrate reading! Sign up for Summer of Discovery and then design and create your own alien spaceship–complete with alien!
Museums and Libraries in the News
5280 reports that The Denver Art Museum’s Latest Exhibition Is Serious Fun. On view now, Serious Play: Design in Midcentury America examines the influence of play in postwar American homes.
According to the Daily Camera New wall banner highlights value of Longmont library to patrons, community.
Organizers hope that the United States Olympic Museum (currently under construction in Colorado Springs) will be a major draw for the city, and one of the most accessible museums in the world for folks with disabilities.Find out how in this piece from KRCC: At U.S. Olympic Museum, Accessibility Is Paramount.
Space Out
If all of the summer reading parties are not enough, give these galactic programs a flyby.
Pines & Plains library invites you to Exoplanets with Todd Thalimer on June 1 from 7:00-9:00 pm to discuss one of the biggest questions in astronomy: Are there other planets like ours? Learn how planets outside of our solar system were discovered, if they can support life, and how many are out there. Following the presentation, attendees will have the opportunity to view the night sky via telescope.
Elementary-aged kids are invited to join Anythink Libraries on May 29 from 4:00-5:00 pm for Close Encounters of the Anythink Kind. Have fun at different activity stations and learn about possible UFO sightings in Colorado, design our own UFOs, look at constellations, discuss what aliens may think of human beings and learn words to the song “Purple People Eater.”
Join Loveland Public Library for A Sky Full of Stories: Constellations with a NASA Ambassador from 4:00-5:00 pm on June 6. All ages are welcome to explore the stories of summer constellations with a NASA ambassador, then create your own star wheel and learn to use it!
Blast off on a journey of discovery with Jefferson County Public Library for a Mission to Mars on June 3 from 1:00-1:45 pm. Use teamwork, critical thinking and creativity to solve problems and design the future of space travel. Your Mars-mission takes science to a new stratosphere, as human ingenuity and the universe inspire junior astronauts. Presented by the Denver Museum of Nature and Science.
21 and Over
Join Pueblo City-County Library for a Mixology Workshop on June 26 from 7:00-8:00 pm. Learn how to mix summer cocktails with Keith Avery and Brian Palomar owners of the Downtown and The Spirit House Cabaret. Registration is required. Must be 21+ with a valid ID.
Wilkinson Public LIbrary invites bibliophiles to the West End Bistro at The Hotel Telluride on the second Thursday of every month for Booze and Books. Discuss what books you are reading, have read, or would like to read while sipping on libations. Get 10% off your drink when you show your library card!
Join Pitkit County Library’s Books & Brews book club when they meet on June 3 at 5:30 pm to discuss Normal People by author Sally Rooney. This book club is for lit-lovers 21 and older who get thirsty from reading; reading does not have to be a solitary experience, make it social!
Learning for Everyone
Free Archives and Digital Collections 101 Workshop (in person at UNC campus in Greeley, CO)
- June 27 & 28
- Free!
- Register by June 15th!
What’s New at the Colorado State Library
Learning Opportunities
CSL in Session: Welcoming Transgender Customers at your Library
- June 11, 2019, 12:00 to 1:00 pm MT
- Free! No registration required
- Join online
Colorado State Publications Library Blog
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.
- Library Security Assistant: Denver Public Library (Ross-Barnum Branch) / Denver, CO
- Library Media Specialist:Woodland Park School District Re-2 (High School) / Woodland Park, CO
- Temporary Employee-Access Circulation Department: Strauss Health Sciences Library (CU Anschutz Medical Campus) / Aurora, CO
- Head of Sciences Spaces & User Experience: University of Colorado Boulder / Boulder, CO
- Collection Development Librarian I: Durango Public Library / Durango, CO
- Circulation Coordinator: Garfield County Libraries / Rifle, CO
- Librarian – 20 hours per week: Denver Public Library (Central Location) / Denver, CO
- Teen Services Librarian – Belmar Library and Kids and Families Librarian – Golden Library: Jefferson County Public Library / Lakewood and Golden, CO
Have a great weekend everyone!
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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