Friday Grab Bag, October 2, 2020

Rock the Vote

Election season is upon us! Join Boulder Public Library on October 2 from 5:00-6:30 pm for a Fake News Panel with Q&A – Election Edition. Learn to spot what’s factual and what’s not, how to sift through the flood of information–promotions, social media screeds, conspiracy theories–to get to the facts. Streaming at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21uX2GfI14w; no registration required!

Poudre River Public Library District hosts the Larimer County League of Women Voters for Election 2020: Ballot Initiative Presentation on October 14 from 1:00-2:30 pm covering the ballot initiatives you can expect to see during the 2020 General Election. This program will be recorded and made available after the event.

Join Jefferson County Public Library and Active Minds on October 10 at 2:00 pm for Colorado Ballot Issues 2020. This objective review will cover current initiatives and referenda on the Colorado statewide ballot this fall. Review each proposal will be reviewed with arguments on both sides – review the referendum and initiative process in Colorado, including its history, pros and cons, and significant legislation that has resulted from this process in the past.

The League of Women Voters of Larimer County and Loveland Public Library will host a Virtual Candidate Forum with the candidates running for Senate District 23, House District 49, and House District 51 at 7:00 pm on October 8. Get to know the candidates, and be an informed voter this election season!

Offline/In-Person

Join High Plains Library District Teen Outdoor Movie Nights in front of the library! Snacks and drinks will be provided. Bring your own blanket to sit on. Movies will start promptly at 6:00 pm! Weather permitting! Grades 6-12 only. Registration required – click HERE to register.

• 10/13/20 – Hotel Transylvania
• 10/27/20 – Nightmare Before Christmas 

Tired of looking at your computers? Jump up and come on down to Garfield County Libraries’ Glenwood Springs Branch for a fun, active, socially distanced Outdoor Fun and Games on Wednesdays at 2:30 pm. Kids: grab your parents and join your friends (K-5th grade) for fun and games on the plaza or nature walks around town. Rain or shine. Masks required.

Mesa County Libraries invites all ages to join them for Neighbors Night at 6:30 pm on the first Thursday of every month. Each month will feature a community guest who will share a presentation or performance for kids and their families. Families with children of all ages are invited to connect with neighbors while sharing in fun, engaging learning experiences!

Pick ‘n’ Mix

Tarot has been used for centuries to reveal hidden truths. Unlock the power of your inner wisdom with Arapahoe Libraries’ Tarot for Beginners on October 3 at 2:00 pm.In this fun and informative workshop you will gain a solid introduction into tarot, discover ways to quickly understand the meanings of the 78 cards, and learn the basics of giving a reading.

Is your sewing machine giving you problems? Skipping stitches? Making terrifying noises? Join Denver Public Library on October 10 at 1:00 pm for Sewing Machine Troubleshooting to learn some common troubleshooting tips and get some advice on how to tune up your machine. Have your machine handy so you can show us your issue. This is a casual community conversation, and makers of all skill levels are welcome.

Pikes Peak Library District invites you to an analysis of Mid-20th Century Advertising for and About Women in Colorado Springs on October 10 at 11:00 pm. This virtual panel with history and communication scholars offers interpretation and analyses of the messages, meanings, and influences of mid-20th-century advertising on American domestic and economic culture, as represented in Colorado Springs.

Learning for All

Introduction to Marketing: It’s More Than Emails, Newsletters, and Social Media | October 6 @ 12:00 pm MDT
The word “marketing” refers to a three-step process: listening, responding, and communicating. It starts with listening: the ongoing conversations you have with your library’s customers and stakeholders, from chats at the circulation desk to community-wide surveys, from focus groups to analyzing usage figures. Then, it’s about the changes the library makes in response to feedback and new information, impacting decisions about staffing, collections, services, and programming. Finally, it’s communicating the benefits of the library to current, former, and future customers, as well as decision makers and supporters.

Library Engagement: What Your Community Needs and How to Respond | October 13 @ 12:00 pm MDT
What your community needs and what your library can do to address those needs can be analyzed many ways. Do you start by talking about your current services and programming, and what materials to add to your collection? Should you focus on interviewing the leaders who run agencies to help particular neighborhoods and underserved populations? What if the people who might need your library’s help are different from the staff members of the library? How will you know what they need if they aren’t coming to the library?

Advocacy: Promoting the Value of Your Library | October 21 @ 12:00 pm MDT
Many advocacy campaigns for libraries fail because library lovers forget that not everyone has an unquestioned love of libraries. Saying someone should use and support libraries “just because” is not enough. Are community members  interested in economic development or educational achievement? Are they worried about making ends meet on a tight budget, remodeling a home, finding a job, surviving as a single parent?

Library Journal Virtual Summit 2020 | October 6 @ 10:30 am – 4:40 pm
In this free, day-long, virtual event, Library Journal will convene leaders at every level to share their learnings from the first phase of the crisis, how they’re preparing for the multiple possibilities of the medium term—and beyond—and positioning themselves to come out of the recovery strong.

Museums & Libraries in the News

Governor’s Art Show at Loveland Museum Gallery to welcome limited guests, host online sale | Colorado Daily
Despite COVID, the Loveland Museum Gallery hosts its 29th annual Governor’s Art Show with an in-person component featuring diverse work from nearly 60 artists and purchase pieces via online sales.

The library’s online catalog: A love story  | Sky-Hi News
A love letter to the Grand County Library District’s online catalog and the Marmot consortium.

Beloved children’s librarian leaves behind legacy of literacy, fun and community | Steamboat Pilot
Sarah Kostin passes the youth services torch after 16 years of service at Bud Werner Memorial Library.

Back In Time: Women laid the foundation for Cañon City Library | Canon City Daily Record
1886 a group of women spearheaded the effort that became known as the Cañon City Ladies Library Association, but their dream of a library for their community did not come without a lot of hard work.

Grant & Funding Opportunities

Max and Victoria Dreyfus Foundation
The purpose of the program is to support museums, cultural, and performing arts programs; schools, hospitals, educational and skills training programs, programs for youth, seniors, and the handicapped; environmental and wildlife protection activities; and other community-based organizations and their programs. The Foundation provides support for specific projects or activities of an organization, as well as for operating support.

Learning Opportunities

Preserving Colorado History: A virtual conference for small rural Colorado museums and libraries

• October 9
• Registration: $15/Free for Students
• Click HERE to register

CSL in Session: Level It Up: Evaluating Beginning Readers

• October 27 @ 12:00 pm
• Free, no registration required!
• Join Online

State Publications Blog

• Future Avoided Cost Explorer (FACE:Hazards): A New Community Risk Assessment Tool
• Fall Elk Viewing

Colorado Virtual Library

The Learning Edge
The Learning Edge Sept. #2 eatures resources for educator self-care (so important), and much, much more.

Free Online Learning Opportunities for October
An extensive list of fabulous, free learning opportunities compiled by the Wyoming State Library.

Library Research Service

42: The answer to every bad evaluation question
If you want a useful finding, you have to ask the right evaluation question. The latest blog post from LRS provides simple steps for crafting questions that will focus your study, clarify outcomes, and authenticate your work.