We’ve asked libraries across Colorado to submit program they’ve run in the last year that they’re proud of and they want the rest of us to see and celebrate. Sharing stories in books is great… but what about our stories? The stories of the ways our libraries bring the community together, enrich the lives of our neighbors, and serve the people who live and work in our cities and towns.
Raeanne Miller, Adult Services Librarian, answered our call and we’re excited to let them tell you about High Plains Library District – Riverside Library’s Deadly Disinformation program in their own words.
Library Name: High Plains Library District, Riverside Library
City/ Town: Evans, CO
Program Name: Deadly Disinformation
Date/ Date Range of Program: October 7, 2024
Intended Audience: Adults
Description:
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to work a crime scene and solve a mystery? Now’s your chance to channel your inner sleuth and get on the case! Process evidence from a mock crime scene and work in teams to solve whodunit!
How did you come up with the idea for this program?
The Programming Librarian (PLA)/Alicia Deal, Public Services Librarian & Sherry Cortes, Librarian, Dallas (Texas) Public Library
What partners (if any) did you work with in developing or implementing this program?
Kara Cousins
What about this program did you find successful? How did you measure the success of this program?
We had a small, but very invested turnout who really got into the crime solving portion. After the second portion of the program, where we went over mis/disinformation, many asked for copies of the slides and handouts to give to others in their lives.
Final Thoughts:
Kara Cousins created all the documents (all of which are included below in this post) and I created the presentation. She was fabulous to work with!
Raeanne has permitted us to share their contact information so that anyone interested in reaching out to them about their program can do so. It is an incredibly generous offer of which you are invited to avail yourself if you’re inspired by their work and want to celebrate them or if you have questions about ways you can follow their lead.
To reach Raeanne, email them at rmiller@highplains.us
Resources shared in this post include:
Colorado State Library (and the readers of this point as well, no doubt) understands how time consuming, emotionally draining, costly (in so many ways), and challenging it can be to run a program or project. Sometimes they fail gloriously… sometimes they fail with barely a whisper. It can be hard to recover from that. You’ve worked so hard!… and it just didn’t work out. Be gentle with yourself. Self-reflect. Pick up the pieces. And then get to the next thing. It’ll be worth it.
For all those other times, be sure to celebrate. Brag about it! Feel good about yourself, the team that collaborated on your work, and the community members who participated with it. Celebrate your hard work and the value that you contribute to your community.
Tell us the story of your program just like this library did here. Submit your library’s program for a Program Spotlight featured here and shared as far as Colorado State Library news reaches.
