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 as well as images from the Colorado Historic Newspapers Collection. Let’s open the Friday Grab Bag!
Library Events & Programs
Celebrating Mothers
Join Garfield County Libraries for their second annual Mother’s Day Celebration on May 9 at the Parachute Branch. Decorate a special cupcake with frosting, sprinkles, and more.
Estes Valley Library invites kids and teens to make a Mother’s Day Card on May 9 in the Makerspace. Use fun stamps and other stationery tools to create a one-of-a-kind card.
High Plains Library District is adding some sparkle to their Shimmer & Shine Mother’s Day Tea on May 9 at Fort Lupton Public & School Library. Enjoy sweet treats, charming photo opportunities, and a dazzling craft in a festive, welcoming atmosphere. Wearing sparkles is encouraged!
Jefferson County Public Library invites kids to Create a One-of-a-Kind Mother’s Day Card on May 9 at Express Library West Arvada. Library staff will assist kids in using the Cricut machine to make a beautiful and unique expression of their love.
Fun and Engaging
Arapahoe Libraries and their community partners invite kids to Touch-A-Truck on May 20 at Smoky Hill Library. In celebration of National Public Works Week, construction trucks, and other cool vehicles will be available for kids to explore.
Berthoud Community Library’s Master Gardener Sustainability Series continues on May 12 with Companion Plants for Roses. Learn about the characteristics that make certain perennials work well with roses.
On May 17, Englewood Public Library will host a member of the Denver Audubon Society for Intro to Birding. Learn tools and tips for getting into this wonderfully rewarding hobby.
Gilpin County Public Library welcomes the Peak to Peak Chorale for their spring performance, “Rock Around the Peaks,” May 9 at 3:00 pm. Their show will include hits from the 50’s, 60’s, and 70’s.
Join Pikes Peak Library District for their 20th Annual Mountain of Authors on May 16 at Library 21c. This free event includes keynote speaker and author Randi Samuelson-Brown, plus author panels, workshops, and a Local Author Showcase.
At Pine River Library’s Japanese Tea event on May 16, registered participants will watch a tea ceremony, learn how to make matcha tea properly, and enjoy a Japanese sweet with matcha.
Pueblo City-County Library District is hosting an Asian Spice Mixing Class on May 14 at Pueblo West. Explore and create several different spice blends from Asian and Pacific Island countries and cultures.
America 250 – Colorado 150 Celebrations
Grand County Library District’s Fraser Valley Library is going on a cross‑country adventure—no suitcase required! They’re creating a colorful felt map of the United States to display in their branch, and they are asking for help to fill it with library love from coast to coast. They’re inviting libraries nationwide to send them physical library cards (not linked to active accounts) so they can place one on each state and celebrate libraries across America in honor of America 250. Visiting patrons can also get in on the fun by photocopying their out‑of‑state library cards to add to the map! Their goal is to start collecting now and unveil this collaborative, nationwide display in July. Wish them luck as they library‑hop across the U.S.!
Is your library planning any 250-150 events? The Colorado State Library would love to feature them in the Friday Grab Bag. Email Amy Hitchner with an event link or the details.
What’s New from the Colorado State Library
Book Club Sets
Book Club Author Suggestion: David Grann. Grann is known for his narrative nonfiction, like Killers of the Flower Moon; several of his titles are available for libraries to check out for their book clubs.
Colorado Historic Newspapers
The United Farm Workers in Colorado: Huelga! The Colorado Historic Newspaper Collection has recently expanded with publications that championed civil rights and fair labor standards for migrant workers in Colorado and beyond.
Learning Opportunities
All events are online except where a location is noted.
- Talking Teen Services: Books UnBanned – The Freedom to Read
- May 21, 10:30 – 11:30 am
- HESTL EdCON
- June 9 at the DCSD Campus in Lone Tree
- Find even more learning opportunities:
- Libraries Learn
- Maine State Library’s Continuing Education Calendar (note: all MSL events are listed in Eastern time). A different view of these events is available at Free Online Learning Opportunities for May 2026.
Library Jobline
Are you considering a job change this year? Check out Library Jobline for hot new library employment opportunities, like this selection from around Colorado.
- Library Page – High Plains Library District
- Librarian, Teen Focus – High Plains Library District
- Library Materials Supervisor – High Plains Library District
- Full-time 40-hour Eco Guide (Bilingual Spanish speaking preferred) – Anythink Nature Library
- Full-time 40 hour Youth Services Guide (Bilingual Spanish speaking preferred) – Anythink Nature Library
- E-Resources Licensing Practicum – University of Colorado Boulder Libraries
- Student Success Librarian – Public Services – Western Colorado University
- Licensing and Acquisitions Librarian – University of Colorado – Denver
- Specialist- Technical Services – Eagle Valley Library District
- Office Manager – Colorado Alliance of Research Libraries
This post is part of the Spotlight on Sharing initiative, which aims to increase the visibility of Colorado library programs and resource sharing.
Do you have a story from your library to share? Email Amy Hitchner, [email protected].
All images are from the Colorado Historic Newspapers Collection, a service of Colorado State Library.
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