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.
Survey
Please help us improve the Friday Grab Bag by taking a short survey. Your response is anonymous. Thank you in advance for your feedback.
Now, let’s open the Friday Grab Bag!
Out & About
Lamar Public Library invites you to get outdoors and get reading with a Story Walk @ Willow Creek Park on September 25 at 2:00 pm. In addition to getting in some steps, enjoy activity packets, tree bark rubbings, and more!
Join Clearview Library District every two weeks beginning September 14 and ending December 20 to Find Page the Pelican in store windows around town. Clues will be posted on the event calendar and on social media that lead to a store in the library district. If you see Page at that store, stop by the library and tell us for a small prize. Kids who find Page at all the stores will receive a yard lawn sign! For ages 2-6 and their grownups.
The Mesa County Libraries Discovery Garden will host a spring bulb-planting event from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm on October 10. About 700 daffodil and crocus bulbs will be planted in specific areas of the garden, and individuals and families are invited to help. Plant just one bulb, or stay and help plant all of them! A limited number of trowels will be available, but those who wish to help are encouraged to bring their own trowel and garden gloves. When you get tired of digging, check out the rock-painting station in the children’s garden. Registration is required for this event.
Families, get your ticket to Outdoor Movies at the LIbrary! Garfield County Libraries will show the movie Goosebumps on September 30 at 7:00 pm on the plaza at the Glenwood Springs Branch Library. Since seating is limited be sure to grab a ticket to this spooky event ASAP! Costumes are encouraged, and don’t forget a blanket or chair to sit in, and of course your mask!
Museums & Libraries in the News
Library lessens digital divide for Pueblo students | The Pueblo Chieftain
To help bridge the digital divide, the Pueblo City-County Library District distributed 300 internet hotspots to Pueblo School District 60 and Pueblo County School District 70. Funding for the project was provided through grants from Kiwanis of Pueblo and the Sperry S. and Ella Graber Packard Fund for Colorado.
Small museums around Denver team up for block party | 9 News
Small museums in the Denver area work together to try and overcome the fallout from COVID-19.
Fort Collins Book Fest kicks off in October with virtual offerings | Greeley Tribune
The Poudre River Public Library District hosts the Fort Collins Book Fest (virtually) on October 9-11, and October 16-18. The book fest includes a variety of interviews with authors, book talks, readings, panels and writers workshops.
Longmont Public Library is too small, study says | Colorado Daily
The study conducted by an independent consultant retained by Longmont Public Library “to conduct a feasibility study to discover the community’s desires for a 21st century library and recommend sustainable funding models to offer desired services and facilities,” concludes that the single location is too small to serve a community of Longmont’s size.
No internet, no problem. New Pikes Peak Library District programs offer internet free activities | Fox 21 News
Pikes Peak Library District is offering two new programs that don’t require internet access: Dial-a-Story, and Take-and-Make activities and craft kits.
School Daze
Expand your child’s learning with Homeschool Collective take-home kits from Clear Creek Library District! Simply contact the library to register, pick up the supplies, take them home, play, learn, and enjoy. September features an Egg Drop Challenge, but hold onto your cookies because October will find you Dissecting Owl Pellets. Contact caitlin@cccld.org for more info and to reserve your kit.
Every Friday, Poudre River Public Library District’s Teen Librarians will be providing study tips to help you make it through this crazy school year. On September 25, join Nicole for Study Tips: Writing Resources Save the Day! Featuring online resources you can use to make writing awesome papers easy as pie. These resources are all free to use, and you might even have some fun trying them out. And, if you happen to LOVE writing you might discover a new source of inspiration for your stories!
Calling all fans of The Babysitter’s Club! Actress Malia Baker, who plays Mary Anne Spier on the Netflix adaptation, will be joining Arapahoe Libraries on September 25 at 6:00 pm for a virtual Q&A session about her acting career, role on the show and more. Read the original book series the show was based on or the graphic novel reboot, available for checkout from our library locations or our downloadable eBook collection. This event will be hosted through the Zoom platform. You will be able to see and hear the presenter, but they will not be able to see or hear you.
K-5th graders are invited to Summit County Library on Wednesdays during the school year from 3:30-4:30 pm for Funky Fall STEAM fest. Each week will feature a different activity including, arts and crafts, Legos, science experiments, games, and more! Registration is limited to 10 students to accommodate social distancing protocols.
Grant & Funding Opportunities
Grants Enhance Rural Communities in Targeted States
The Laura Jane Musser Fund encourages collaborative and participatory efforts among citizens in communities in Colorado, Hawaii, Minnesota, and Wyoming, as well as parts of New York and Texas.
Youth Organizations in Company Communities in the U.S. and Canada Funded
The Nordstrom Corporate Giving Program supports nonprofit organizations in the communities where company stores are located, including locations in the U.S. and Canada.
Learning for All
Pat Wagner of Pattern Research will offer a free Everyday Library Leadership webinar series on September 21 from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm MDT. Sessions include:
- The Organizational Map: What’s Different About Leadership @ 10:00 am.
- Positive Influence: Earning Trust and Respect @ 12:00 pm
- Library Leadership Ethics @ 2:00 pm
CLEL Leadership Institute and Conference
The Colorado Libraries for Early Literacy (CLEL)‘s Leadership Institute and Conference (10/8-10/9) registration deadline has been extended to 9/23. Register today for this one of a kind conference!
What’s New at the Colorado State Library
Learning Opportunities
Preserving Colorado History: A virtual conference for small rural Colorado museums and libraries
- October 9
- Registration: $15/Students are free
- Click HERE to register
CLEL Leadership Institute and Conference
- October 8-9
- Registration: $20 Leadership Institute/$25 Conference/$45 Both
- Click HERE to register
State Publications Blog
Library Research Service
The Logic Model: Take it one step at a time
If you’re taking on (or thinking about taking on) Library Evaluation, then the latest from LRS on the Logic Model is for you.
Are you thinking of making a change this year in your job? Check out Library Jobline for hot new library employment opportunities.
- Library Page – Various Locations: Jefferson County Public Library / Various Locations, CO
- Library Associate at Parachute: Garfield County Libraries / Parachute, CO
- Projects and Data Manager: Jefferson County Public Library / Lakewood, 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