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
Experience Something New
Discover rich local history at Boulder Public Library District’s Remember When: Gunbarrel on January 27, 2:00 pm, at Gunbarrel Library. Sherlene from BPLD’s Carnegie Library for Local History archive will share stories and archival photographs of Gunbarrel’s complex and colorful past.
For aspiring bakers: Aurora Public Library is hosting a Sourdough Starter class on January 22 at Hoffman Heights Library. Participants will make a starter and learn valuable bread baking tips.
Basalt Regional Library recently announced their 2026 Concert Series, starting with Baroque Rendezvous on January 29 and continuing with different ensembles and genres each month.
Louisville Public Library welcomes Boulder Open Space for Birds of Prey on January 25. During this slideshow presentation you will learn to recognize birds of prey—including hawks, eagles, and falcons—that fly in the skies above Boulder County.
Life Meets Tech
Gilpin County Public Library will host AI 101 on January 20, presented by local resident Kristina Colson. Participants will learn about this new technology and see live demonstrations of popular tools like ChatGPT and Claude.
Mesa County Libraries is offering a class on Internet Safety and Privacy on January 22 at Clifton Branch Library. Gain peace of mind and learn new skills to protect yourself from fraud, scams, and identity theft while using the internet.
Poudre Libraries welcomes their community to a Virtual Reality Showcase for Beginners on January 21 at Old Town Library. Library staff and volunteers will guide participants through their first VR experiences in immersive new worlds.
Reflect and Engage
On January 15, Lone Cone Library will continue Journal Your Way, a weekly introduction to journaling hosted by Hollie Marble throughout January. Participants will use prompts and explore different ways to use journaling to document and process their lives.
Garfield County Libraries welcomes seniors to their Golden Years Social on January 22 at the Silt Branch. Enjoy some ice cream with friends at this drop-in event.
West Custer County Library, in collaboration with SAG and Mt. Carmel, is offering a Free Art Class for Veterans and their adult family members on January 20 at the 3rd St. Gallery. Instructor Julie Hutslar will lead this class suited for beginners.
High Plains Library District’s Roaming Readers Walking Club helps readers tackle their reading list while getting some exercise. Participants receive a map of the library’s walking path, a pair of earbuds, and a monthly list of recommended e-audiobooks to enjoy during their walks. Join the next meeting on January 20 at Riverside Library and Cultural Center.
What’s New from the Colorado State Library
Resource Sharing
New Year, New Colorado Resource Sharing Best Practices!
Colorado State Publications Blog
Digital Top 5: the most popular digital publications of 2025
Learning Opportunities
All events are online except where a location is noted.
- 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
- The Reading Culture Advantage: Assessing Opportunity for Change and Impact
- January 28, 4:00 – 5:00 pm
- The Reading Culture Advantage: Partnering with Families & Caregivers
- February 10, 4:00 – 5:00 pm
- The Reading Culture Advantage: Cracking the Code on Reader Engagement
- February 26, 4:00 – 5:00 pm
- Find even more learning opportunities:
- New Year, New Learning
- 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 January 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.
- Full-time 40 hour Generalist Guide (Spanish speaking candidates preferred) – Anythink Nature Library
- Full-time 40-hour Eco Guide – Anythink Nature Library
- Anythink Manager-Experience Expert (Spanish speaking candidates preferred) – Anythink Commerce City
- Creative Lead – Writer/Editor (Spanish speaking candidates preferred) – Anythink Support Services at Wright Farms Branch
- Library Director – Denver Public Library
- Library Clerk – Aurora Public Library
- Librarian I – Teen Services – Westminster Public Library
- Distance Education Coordinator II – Mesa County Libraries
- Safety Specialist – Arapahoe Libraries
IMLS Grant Opportunities
IMLS Opens FY26 Grant Funding Cycle, Encourages Library and Museum Applications. Visit Grant Programs for the listing of grants, descriptions, and deadlines.
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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