Friday Grab Bag, August 15, 2025

A woman wearing an apron demonstrates a cooking technique to 4 students. — *Sayonara dinner. Journal-Sentinel, August 21, 1975*

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!

Library Events & Programs

Enjoy Nature Together

Boulder Public Library is hosting a Bird Identification class with Front Range Birding on August 16 at Meadows Library. After some general guidance, participants will go into the field to practice identification.

A boy dodges a snowball thrown by his brother. — *Snowballs in August. The Estes Park Trail, August 18, 1995*

Durango Public Library welcomes Colorado Parks and Wildlife for a continuation of their lecture series, Living with Wildlife, on August 18 at 6:00 pm. This month’s subject is ungulates, including deer, elk, and moose.

Lyons Community Library is celebrating the 5th annual Lights Off Lyons with a visit from the Fiske Planetarium Mini Dome. Check out two planetarium shows: Reason for the Seasons and Tour of the Universe.

Montrose Regional Library is offering an Intro to Hiking Safety, presented by Colorado Mountain Club’s Western Slope Group on August 19. Participants will learn the basics of hiking, including safety, how to find trails and public land, and necessary gear.

Wilkinson Public Library is celebrating the Telluride Mushroom Festival by hosting several free events on August 15, including Mushroom Hunting 101 and Cordyceps in Orient and Occident.

Southwest La Plata Library District welcomes community members to a Summer Garden Tour and Pot Luck, starting from Sunnyside Library on August 16 at 4:00 pm. After touring several neighborhood gardens, participants will enjoy an outdoor potluck.

Create & Play

A boy watches two men competing in a chess tournament. — *Silent, masterful moves. Aspen Illustrated News, August 20, 1965*

Broomfield Library’s Writing Historical Fiction workshop series concludes on August 18 with Crafting Believable Characters. Get inspired by your favorite historical novels to bring your characters to life.

High Plains Library District is hosting a Podcasting 101 Workshop on August 16 at the LINC Recording Studio. Participants will learn the basics like choosing a topic, developing a format, how to use the recording equipment, and podcast hosting.

At Nederland Community Library’s Blockchain & Cryptocurrency on August 20, participants will receive an introduction to these new technologies and their potential uses.

At Pikes Peak Library District’s next Summer Kitchen Class on August 18, participants will be cooking up delicious and nutritious Dog Treats made with wholesome ingredients.

Aurora Public Library invites children and tweens to compete in a Hot Wheels Drag Race on August 22 at Chambers Plaza Library. The racing competition will be followed by free play on the course.

Three women react to the news of the end of World War II. — *Three women react to peace. The Rocky Mountain News Daily, August 15, 1945*

What’s New from the Colorado State Library

Learning Opportunities

All events are online except where a location is noted.

Illuminate Colorado – Stewards of Children (Colorado Only)
- August 28, 1:00 – 4:00 pm
The PRISM Project: Findings from impact research in Colorado prison libraries
- August 28, 1:00 – 2:30 pm
Illuminate Colorado- Lines in the Sand (Colorado Only)
- September 9, 1:00 – 3:00 pm
The Colorado Information Analysis Center (CIAC): Department of Public Safety
- September 15, 1:30 – 2:30 pm
Unraveling Legacy Toxicity: Navigating Dysfunctional Environments in Leadership
- September 23, 1:00 – 2:00 pm
Unmasking Imposter Syndrome: Navigating Anxiety, Uncertainty, and Systemic Challenges in Librarianship
- October 14, 1:00 – 2:00 pm
Find even more learning opportunities:
- Libraries Learn Calendar from Colorado State Library
- Continuing Education Calendar from Maine State Library (note: all MSL events are listed in Eastern time). A different view of these events is available at Free Online Learning Opportunities for August 2025.

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 Specialist (full-time & part-time, Gunbarrel) – Boulder Public Library District
Youth Services Coordinator – Buena Vista Public Library
Preservation Technician – University of Colorado Boulder Libraries
Controller – Douglas County Libraries
Librarian – Programming and Outreach (Adult Services) – Bemis Public Library
Library Specialist – Eloise May – Arapahoe Library District
Safety Specialist – Arapahoe Library District
Librarian, Youth Reference Castlewood Library – Arapahoe Library District
Technology Specialist – Arapahoe Library District
Director of External Relations and Brand Strategy (Spanish speaking candidates preferred) – Anythink Support Services at Wright Farms
Access and User Services Department Head – University of Colorado – Denver

Two toddler girls observe turkeys behind a fence. — *Hello to Roasty, Toasty and Smokey. The Louisville Times, August 21, 1985*

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, hitchner_a@cde.state.co.us.

All images are from the Colorado Historic Newspapers Collection, a service of Colorado State Library.