Friday Grab Bag, September 7, 2018

Supporting Literacy

Jefferson County Public Library’s call-in series continues on Sept. 20 from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m. Author Margo Catts will talk about her book, Among the Lesser Gods, and her writing process. To join, call 303-502-5189 or visit uberconference.com/jcplhomeservices.

The Reading Buddies program at Eagle Valley Library District starts at the end of September. This program pairs teen volunteers (grades 9-12) with younger kids (grades 1-3) for an hour of one-on-one shared reading, once a week. Sign up today!

Bud Werner Memorial Library’s popular summer Read to Dogs program is continuing this fall. On Sept. 8, Oct. 13, and Nov. 10, kids and/or their parents can read aloud to a dog from Heeling Friends.

Making Music Together

Celebrate the end of summer with Arapahoe Libraries and The Margarita Brothers Band. Enjoy an outdoor concert of beach party tunes at Smoky Hills Library, September 8 from 4:00 to 6:00 pm.

The Longmont Public Library Ukulele Club meets the second Tuesday of the month starting September 11. Kay Miller from Rocky Mountain Ukulele Orchestra will lead this meetup for strummers of all levels, ages 16 and up. Please bring your own instrument.

Pick ‘n’ Mix

Denver Public Library is joining organizations around the country for Welcome Week, September 14-23, which raises awareness of the benefits of welcoming immigrants and refugees. DPL’s lineup of events includes The Immigrant Refugee Experience: A Discussion on Sept. 18, and Voting Rights with the ACLU on Sept. 19.

Are you curious about the potential of space resources? Join Broomfield Library as they host Cosmic Quest, a program about the future of space travel and asteroid mining, presented by scientists, educators, and industry experts. September 13 from 6:30 to 8:00 pm.

Join the Discussion

At the Table Colorado brings together people from all walks of life during the same week to talk about what makes their communities great and what can be done to make them even better. Two Colorado libraries will be participating during the next ATTC event week, Sept. 17-20.

• Mesa County Libraries is hosting a table on the topic “Should local governments be involved in public art?” Sept. 17, 6:00-7:00 pm.
• Jefferson County Public Library is assisting with outreach to increase awareness of the event, has developed a reading resource list for Hosts and Guests, and has meeting space the public can use for Table discussions.

Learn more: watch an archived recording of a recent webinar about At the Table Colorado.

Libraries in the News

The Durango Herald: Libraries can help you realize your dreams, by Sandy Irwin | Durango Public Library

Craig Press: Craig City Council gets updates on Elkhead reservoir, museum, library | Moffat County Library

The College Fix: University library system adds ‘ethical’ search options so students can avoid the term ‘illegal aliens’ | University of Colorado Boulder

Congratulations to Donna Walker, newly appointed executive director of Jefferson County Public Library! Read the announcement.

Get Cookin’

Garfield County Libraries’ Food for Thought: A Cookbook Club brings together adventurous home chefs to make and try new recipes. The next monthly meeting is September 18, 6:00 pm, at Parachute Branch Library.

Improve your cooking skills with Hayden Public Library and Natural Grocers. They are partnering to present  Back to School “Clean & Healthy” with nutritional health coach Alicia McLeod, Sept. 13 at 4:00 pm.

Arts & Crafts

As a part of their monthly “Family First Friday” series, and in celebration of Heritage Days in Bayfield, Pine River Library will host their own celebration of local sheep culture on Sept. 7 from 6:00 to 7:00 pm. Create a woolen craft, learn about the wool-making process, or bring your own fiber arts projects to show off. All ages welcome.

Experience a live glass-blowing demonstration by local artist Jacqueline McKinny, Sept. 22 from 2:00 to 4:00 pm at Anythink Commerce City.

Get tips for creating better costumes at Douglas County Libraries in Parker. They’re teaming up with Colorado Fabrics and members of the cosplay community to offer a special cosplay program on September 8 from 2:00 to 4:00 pm. Registration is required.

CALCON18

Are you going to CALCON18, Sep. 13-15 in Loveland? Visit the Colorado State Library booth and meet some amazing service animals, plus attend a CSL-presented session.

Learning Opportunities

CSL in Session, Getting Unstuck: The Secret Life of Procrastinators, with Jean Heilig & Christine Kreger.

• Sept. 20, 2018, 12:00 to 1:00 pm
• Free; no registration needed; join online

CLEL (Colorado Libraries for Early Literacy) Conference

• Oct. 12, 2018, 8:00 to 4:30
• Arvada Center for the Arts & Humanities

View other upcoming learning opportunities for September 2018. For Colorado-specific events check the Library Learning & Creation Center.

Colorado Blue Spruce Award

Blue Spruce is Colorado’s own young adult book award, selected by teens and educators. Visit the Colorado Blue Spruce Award website for a list of nominees, printable posters and bookmarks, and the link to submit your vote by December 31.

Book Challenges in Colorado

According to the Library Research Service, reported challenges in Colorado’s public libraries nearly doubled from 2016 to 2017, increasing from 22 to 41. It is unclear whether this is due to an actual increase in challenges or if it is the result of more thorough reporting. About half of Colorado’s challenged materials were intended for adults, and nearly three-quarters of all challenges resulted in no change.

Colorado State Publications Library Blog

• Is Your House on Shaky Ground?