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.
Let’s open the Friday Grab Bag!
Writing for All
Children entering kindergarten can get a headstart on their writing skills with Letter Leaders Handwriting Class. Bud Werner Memorial Library is offering the class every Friday at 11:30 from February 2 through April 27. Registration required.
Spend the afternoon of February 9 enjoying The Lost Art of Letter Writing. Centennial Park Library will supply the writing materials and some examples of Valentine’s Day letters that just might inspire you to pen some lines to your special someone.
JeffCo’s Arvada Library launched their Hard Times Writing Workshop on January 31. This weekly event is a safe, supportive space to process life experiences by telling stories. Writing prompts, tools, and refreshments are provided.
Are you interested in taking your writing to the next level? Attend the Local Author Panel at the Granby Library on February 7 to learn from five authors who will share the trials and tribulations of self-publishing.
Building Strong Communities
Berthoud residents are invited to share their thoughts with Mayor Steve Mulvihill when he visits the Berthoud Community Library on February 2 from 4:00 to 6:00 pm.
Boulder Psychological Services will be at Louisville Library on February 22 to present Pathways to Success: The Roots of Addiction and How to Uproot Them. Attendees will learn how the underlying causes of addiction can impact treatment programs.
The 2018 One Book One Valley title has been announced: this year’s community read is “Underground Airlines” by Ben Winters, a novel set in an alternate-reality America that never fought the Civil War. See a list of book discussions and other library and school events at onebookonevalley.com. OBOV partners include Vail Public Library and Colorado Mountain College.
Pick ‘n’ Mix
REFORMA is hosting their National ALA Midwinter Fundraiser at Museo de las Americas in Denver on February 10 at 7:30 pm. Half of the money raised will help with disaster relief in Puerto Rico. There will be music, refreshments, a silent auction, and a cash bar. Attendees will also be among the first to see the newest exhibit at Museo de las Americas, Pachucos y Sirenas. Tickets are $25 at the door. Feel free to RSVP and invite your fellow ALA Midwinter attendees. More info is available on the REFORMA website.
Celebrate National Library Week by joining Poudre River Public Library District and The Lyric for a screening of the acclaimed documentary “Ex Libris: New York Public Library” by Oscar-winning director Frederick Wiseman. The film takes you behind the scenes of NYPL and its transformation into a more comprehensive community center. Pick up your free ticket at The Lyric with your PRPLD library card.
Receive free help with your taxes at Pine River Library. Every Sunday through April 15, IRS-certified volunteers will be available to assist with preparing and filing taxes electronically. This service is free of charge. Call 970-553-9150 to make a half hour appointment. Tax season is also a great time to attend the Annual Financial Check Up (register), led by Wendy Rice of the La Plata Extension Office, February 8 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm.
Boulder Public Library continues their Adultology series with Soups and Stocks, February 8 from 6:00 to 7:30 at the Main Library. Participants will learn the secrets to making and storing stocks from chef Matt Collier.
Nonprofits new to the field of grantseeking are invited to attend Introduction to Finding Grants, February 28 at Avon Public Library. The class will include tips for identifying and approaching potential funders.
Celebrate the artwork produced during Anythink Brighton’s five-week Artist Portfolio Showcase series during their Reception on February 6 at 6:00 pm. Enjoy live music and refreshments while viewing mixed media displays of original community artwork in their pop-up gallery.
Libraries in the News
The Greeley Tribune reports that the search for the executive director of High Plains Library District has been narrowed to four finalists, two of whom are from Colorado. Read the full story.
Overdue fines are now a thing of the past at Arapahoe Libraries! Read their announcement.
What’s New at the Colorado State Library
Learning Opportunities
CSL in Session webinar: Baby-Friendly Libraries. Feb 20, 2018, 12:00-1:00 pm MDT. Free; no registration required.
Save the Dates! Successful Supervision Workshops with Pat Wagner. April 3 & 4 at Arapahoe Libraries; May 16 & 17 in Pueblo; June 19 & 20 in Rifle. Learn more. Registration coming soon.
Free Continuing Learning Opportunities for February 2018. This list is compiled by our friends at the Wyoming State Library.
Archived Webinar: Healthy Snacks, Healthy Kids at Your Library through CACFP (Child and Adult Care Food Program). Link to archived recording.
2018 Teen Video Challenge
Less than one month to go! The deadline to enter the 2018 Teen Video Challenge is Feb 28; winners will be announced in April.
Colorado State Publications Library Blog
- How to Use the Express Lanes
- Time Machine Tuesday: Colorado Historic Markers
- February is American Heart Month
Growing Readers Together
Learn how to support your child’s social emotional development skills in Getting Ready for Kindergarten with My Library (Part 1).
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 Amy Hitchner, ahitchner@coloradovirtuallibrary.org. Also, be sure to follow Colorado State Library on Twitter and Facebook.
- Friday Grab Bag, November 16, 2018 - November 15, 2018
- Friday Grab Bag, November 9, 2018 - November 9, 2018
- Friday Grab Bag, November 2, 2018 - November 2, 2018