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.
The Grab Bag is taking a short holiday hiatus and will return on December 6, 2019. I hope everyone has a delicious and relaxing Thanksgiving with family and friends.
Now into the Bag!
Holiday Spirit
Stop into Garfield County Libraries’ Carbondale Branch during the month of December to look for the Elf on the Shelf. The FIRST person to find her each day will win a prize. Keep an eye out for the Elf on the Shelf poster at the library entrance to find out if she’s “Found” or “Hidden.” For more information, stop by the front desk.
Buena Vista Public Library is a stop on the annual Hay Ride/Chocolate Walk and will host a Christmas Opening on December 7. Get your chocolate and card stamped, and stick around for a demo from Vulcan Glass Studio anytime between 10:00 am and 2:00 pm.
All ages are invited to High Plains Library District for a Winter Wonderland Workshop to create your very own family Winter Wonderland. Each family will work together to engineer a shared winter scene. Choose from two sessions starting at 1:00 and 2:30 pm. All supplies will be provided. Just bring your creativity. Registration required; one registration per family.
A well-loved seasonal favorite, Harps for the Holidays, returns to the Longmont Public Library for another performance of delightful holiday favorites by the Colorado Celtic Harp Society. Take a break from your shopping to stop by the library and watch, or just browse and enjoy the music as it fills the space on December 7 from 1:00-2:30 pm. Learn more about the Colorado Celtic Harp Society on their website. No registration required.
Dash to Delta County Libraries’ Hotchkiss Branch for a Gingerbread Festival on December 4 from 4:00-5:00 pm. Enjoy gingerbread stories and crafts, and decorate your own gingerbread cookie to take home! All ages welcome.
Ho, ho, ho! Mrs. Claus is flying down from the North Pole to Pikes Peak Library District to bring you warm winter fun with her bags of stories, songs and poems on December 21 from 2:00-4:00 pm. Stick around after Mrs. Claus’ visit for a holiday movie, cookie decorating, and merriment! For children and their families, no registration required.
Heroines of Page & Screen
Join Bud Werner Memorial Library for The Many Faces of Little Women on January 7 and 14 from 6:30-7:45. Little Women has been captivating audiences since its release as a novel in 1868, yet we never seem to create a film version that we all agree is definitive. Each version is a classic to those who love It. This two-evening discussion-based class will explore the life of Louisa May Alcott and the cultural significance of her most famous work, Little Women.
Calling all reindeer and snowpeople, rock trolls and royalty! Come celebrate the release of Disney’s Frozen 2 at Aurora Public Library’s Frozen 2 Party on November 27 at 3:00 pm! All ages are welcome, but registration is required. Click HERE to register.
Pick ‘n’ Mix
Join Bemis Library on November 24 from 3:00-3:30 pm for Stone Soup with Merry Andrew Afoot where Leroy Leonard, a one-man theatrical hoot, will re-enact the folktale, “Stone Soup.” This well-known story gets a retelling with unusual ingredients, including a hungry tiger fish, a pickle named Ben, and of course, ROCKS!
By now you’ve probably heard of hygge (ho͝oɡə), the Danish word that represents a feeling of well-being enjoyed through the simple and cozy pleasures in life. Embrace the cozy spirit with Jefferson County Public Library at Morning Hygge on Tuesdays from 9:00-10:00 am. Enjoying the simple things and build community over tea, coffee, snacks, and games.
Mesa County Libraries presents a class on Green Screen & Chroma Key on November 26 from 9:30-11:00 pm. Learn the methods used to remove a video’s background and replace it with a different image. Participants will learn the process of using a green screen, including the proper video capture and the post-production process known as chroma key. 970West Studio’s Fundamentals of Videography is recommended prior to taking this class but is not required.
Museums & Libraries in the News
Library Corner: Our fiscal responsibility is important to everyone | Sky-Hi News
Jessi Burns, Director of Public Services at Grand County Library District, describes its stewardship of public funds.
Cripple Creek is more than just mining and gambling. Its museums show off the town’s history | 9 News
Cripple Creek is known for gold mining and casinos. But the museums in town shed light on a colorful history.
New exhibit designed to show what life is like while homeless | KOAA NewsA new exhibit in some locations of the Pikes Peak Library District, “We have a story: Homeless in Colorado Springs,” aims to show what it’s like to be homeless through the eyes of those living on the streets.
Check Out Aurora’s Little Libraries! | Westword
Aurora Public Library has little libraries available for adoption – you know you want one!
What’s New at the Colorado State Library
Colorado Virtual Library
CSL’s Resource Kit Collection Continues to Grow with New Technology Kits
We rolled out two new technology resource kits this week! The Let’s Experience It! Virtual Reality Kit and the Let’s Share! Storytelling Kit were both designed to put new tech in the hands of library staff.
Colorado Literacy Week is in Full Swing!
Lt. Gov. Dianne Primavera and CSL staff hit the road this week for a tour across the state to build excitement for reading.
PDFs and Website Accessibility – Part 2
PDFs give a lot of people that rely on screen readers significant accessibility problems. In part 2 of our series on website accessibility, we’ll explain why this is, and how you can mitigate these issues.
State Publications Library
Learning Opportunities
CSL In Session: Friends with Benefits
- Dec 12 @ 11:00am – 12:00pm MT
- No Registration required
- Join online
Trustee Resources
Not Just Preaching to the Choir: How to Communicate Across Party Lines
Guest post from Diane Lapierre, Director of the Loveland Public Library and co-chair of the Colorado Association of Libraries Legislative Committee.
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.
- Librarian: High Plains Library District (Centennial Park Library) / Greeley, CO
- Library Aide, Adult Services 30 hours: Loveland Public Library / Loveland, CO
- Operations Page – Columbine Library: Jefferson County Public Library / Littleton, CO
- Librarian: High Plains Library District (Kersey Library) / Kersey, 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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