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
Fun & Games
Boulder Public Library hosts a weekly Family Math Night with fun, hands-on activities for children in grades 3-5 and their families. Join their next meeting on September 4 at Reynolds Library.
Anythink invites their community to play Bingo for Books on August 30 at Anythink Thornton Community Center. This event is appropriate for all ages.
Clearview Library District hosts Family Bingo the first Wednesday of the month at Windsor Library. Bring your family for fun, prizes, and light refreshments.
Aurora Public Library invites tweens to get creative at In-Be-TWEEN: DIY Your School Supplies on August 29 at Central Library. Start the school year in style by personalizing supplies with collage, stickers, and bedazzling.
Arapahoe Libraries is throwing a Karaoke Party on September 5 at Southglenn Library. Enjoy some pizza and a lively evening of singing the hits with family and friends.
Explore the Land
Lyons Community Library invites you to Fall in the Foothills with Boulder County Parks & Open Space, September 4 at 6:30 pm. Explore the beauty of Boulder County’s open spaces virtually and discover the best spots to enjoy the vibrant colors of this season’s beautiful plants.
West Custer County Library welcomes participants to the Custer County Forestry Academy on September 2 from 10:00 am to noon. Derek Lowstuter, Agricultural and Natural Resource Specialist from CSU, will cover topics including tree selection, soil health, and regenerative farming.
Learn the benefits of Vermicomposting—composting with worms—at Westminster Public Library on August 30. Denver Urban Gardens will lead this workshop covering everything you need to get started.
Join Estes Valley Library for Soil: An Evening with Camille T. Dungy on September 5 at 7:00 pm. Her presentation will be followed by a book signing.
Community Connections
Bud Werner Memorial Library is hosting the Yampa Valley Crane Festival Photo & Poster Contest Awards on August 30 at 1:00 pm. Winners will be announced along with a slideshow of all the 2025 Photo Contest submissions.
In preparation for their Costume Swap on September 27, Broomfield Library is accepting Costume Donations from September 2-26. Donate your clean, gently used costumes, then pick up something new-to-you on the 27th.
Garfield County Libraries’ Pioneering for the Modern Day is a monthly series that seeks to reclaim the forgotten wisdom and timeless skills passed down through generations. Join the next meeting on August 30 at the Silt Branch.
Visit staff from High Plains Library District at the City of Fort Lupton Tomato Fest at Trapper Days on September 5. They will be at the Street Dance for the first night of Tomato Fest.
What’s New from the Colorado State Library
Colorado State Publications Blog
Twenty years of building Safe Routes to Schools
Continuing Education
Learning Opportunities
All events are online except where a location is noted.
- 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
- Leveraging Annual Data with the LRS Report Template
- September 18, 1:00 – 2:00 pm
- Unraveling Legacy Toxicity: Navigating Dysfunctional Environments in Leadership
- September 23, 1:00 – 2:00 pm
- Youth Services Regional Learning Community Workshops – Paonia Library (Delta County Libraries)
- September 24, 9:00 am – 3:30 pm
- Talking Teen Services – Understanding Teens: Intersectional Factors (part 1 of 3)
- October 1, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
- Youth Services Regional Learning Community Workshops – Alamosa Public Library
- October 8, 9:00 am – 3:30 pm
- Unmasking Imposter Syndrome: Navigating Anxiety, Uncertainty, and Systemic Challenges in Librarianship
- October 14, 1:00 – 2:00 pm
- Talking Teen Services – Understanding Teens: Biases and Stereotypes (part 2 of 3)
- October 15, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
- Talking Teen Services – Understanding Teens: Building Positive Relationships (part 3 of 3)
- October 29, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
- Youth Services Regional Learning Community Workshops – High Prairie Library (PPLD)
- October 30, 9:00 am – 3:30 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.
- Teaching & Learning Librarian – University of Colorado – Denver
- Outreach Manager – Boulder Public Library District
- Library Associate Substitute – High Plains Library District
- Part-time Youth Services Library Technician – Louisville Public Library
- Librarian II – Programs & Outreach Manager – Lafayette Public Library
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.
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