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
Cozy Indoor Fun
Lone Cone Library will host Pancakes, PJs and Polar Express on December 19 from 10:30 am to 2:00 pm. This pajama party will kick off with a reading of The Polar Express, followed by ornament crafting, pancakes, and a movie viewing. Plus, a surprise visit by a very jolly guest!
Jefferson County Public Library invites you to two pizza-themed programs at Belmar Library. On December 22, tweens and their adults are invited to a Home Alone Movie Party with popcorn, pizza, and other sweets. Then on December 23, kids and tweens can participate in Little Nero’s Pizza Shop, a STEAM program with various activities related to making pizza and tasting pizza flavored snacks.
Get cozy for Pikes Peak Library District’s Winter Movie Marathon on January 3 at Fountain Library. It’s the perfect time of year to stay inside with some fun all-ages movies.
Aurora Public Library invites you to their Vision Boards & Planner Party on January 3 at Tallyn’s Reach Library. Start your year with a plan!
Wilkinson Public Library’s Winter Wellness Series explores homemade tonics and elixirs designed to support seasonal well-being. Join them on January 6 as they make Cold-Busting Rosehip Fire Cider.
Frosty and Festive
Celebrate winter at the Frost Festival, December 20 at Anythink Commerce City. Activities include live reindeer from Hahn Reindeer Farm, music, frosted face-painting, cookies, cider, and hot cocoa.
High Plains Library District invites you to add some sparkle to your season with Holiday Nails: Winter Wonderland Edition on December 23 at Fort Lupton Public & School Library. From twinkling snowflakes to candy-cane stripes, you’ll design your own festive nail art perfect for the holidays.
Fort Morgan Public Library is hosting Teen Night Out: Gingerbread House Competition and Holiday Ornaments on December 19. Enjoy time with friends and get creative with crafts and decorating.
Longmont Public Library welcomes all to Best Books of 2025 Storytime with Cocoa & Cookies on December 22. They will share and read from their favorite picture books published in 2025. Book lists will be available to take home.
Winter Game Time
The next meeting of Lake County Public Library’s Adult Game Night is January 8. A new game is featured each month.
Bemis Public Library’s all-ages Board Game Night is January 7. Explore the library’s board game collection while enjoying some pizza and snacks.
Englewood Public Library is hosting a Tween Board Games Bonanza on January 8. Enjoy some casual game time with friends.
Join Eagle Valley Library District for a cozy All-Ages Board Game Night on January 5 at Eagle Public Library. Bring a game of your own or play one of the Library’s. Light refreshments will be provided.
Estes Valley Library welcomes all to Saturday Social: Cards & Board Games on December 20. Bring your friends and family and enjoy an afternoon of classic and newer games.
Pueblo City-County Library District is hosting a Puzzle Swap on December 22 at Giodone Library. Bring a puzzle, take a puzzle; donations are also accepted.
Westminster Public Library invites teens to Games and Hot Cocoa on January 3 at College Hill. Kick off the new year with board games, axe throwing, snacks, hot cocoa, and apple cider.
What’s New from the Colorado State Library
New Cataloger Camp Spring 2026
Registration is open for the Spring 2026 cohort
Colorado State Publications Blog
Colorado’s Scenic and Historic Byways: Lariat Loop
Learning Opportunities
All events are online except where a location is noted.
- Talking Teen Services: Seeing Our Unseen Caregiving Youth
- January 13, 11:00 am – 12:15 pm
- Talking Teen Services: How Could We Serve Caregiving Youth?
- January 20, 11:00 am – 12:15 pm
- Shine a Light on Innovative Practices | Focus on the Spark: Creating Interactive Lessons
- January 21, 4:15 – 5:15 pm
- 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 December 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.
- Bibliographic Services Clerk – High Plains Library District
- Library Cataloging Assistant – City of Aurora, Library & Cultural Services
- Library Director – Denver Public Library
- Digital Librarian Archivist – Pueblo City-County Library District
- Genealogy and Local History Librarian – Pueblo City-County Library District
- Discovery Systems & Metadata Student Assistant IV – University of Colorado – Denver
- Library Specialist, Spanish Speaker – Arapahoe Library District
- Head of Teen Services – Montrose Regional 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, [email protected].
All images are from the Colorado Historic Newspapers Collection, a service of Colorado State Library.
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