The Friday Grab Bag is a weekly series that highlights fun, unique, and interesting happenings in Colorado libraries, and includes news from Colorado State Library.
Let’s open the Friday Grab Bag!
Authors Aplenty
Join Arapahoe Library District for Conoce a Sanjuanita Mendoza: Una Voz Hispana en la Literatura Contemporánea (Get to know Sanjuanita Mendoza: A Hispanic Voice in Contemporary Literature) on January 27, 4:00 pm, at Sheridan Library. Don’t miss this opportunity to meet Mexican author Sanjuanita Mendoza and learn about her latest title “El diario de Elvira” (“Elvira’s Diary”). Sanjuanita Mendoza will discuss this latest novel and her previous work, narrative and writing techniques, where she draws her inspiration, and the value of embracing her Hispanic heritage and identity. Pan de dulce and hot chocolate will be provided. Books will also be available for purchase and signing. Please note this event will be held entirely in Spanish.
Jefferson County Public Library, in partnership with Second Star to the Right bookstore, announces that #1 New York Times bestselling author Alan Gratz will be at Standley Lake Library on Saturday, February 10 at 3:00 pm. Gratz will discuss his new book, Heroes, an “action-packed, inventive, and powerful take on the attack on Pearl Harbor.”
On January 21, Alamosa Public Library will host local author and historian Virginia Sanchez for her presentation on how New Mexico Territory lost its northernmost area to Colorado in 1861 and the effects on the 7,000 nuevomexicanos living in that area. The event will begin at 2:00 pm.
Hands-On Fun
Estes Valley Library invites you to Pick it Apart: How Locks Work on January 23 at 5:30 pm. In this hands-on class you’ll learn all about how locks, keys, and picks work by testing with clear locks.
All ages are welcome to Lafayette Public Library’s first Puzzle-Palooza group jigsaw puzzle competition on January 28. The afternoon starts with a puzzle swap at 1:30 pm, then the competition begins at 2:00. The first three teams to complete a 500 piece puzzle will win a prize!
Mancos Public Library will host a Digital Camera Workshop, presented by professional photographer Jen Anandi Magnuson, on January 25 at 6:00 pm. Bring your DLSR/mirrorless camera and learn tips for taking better photographs.
Mesa County Libraries’ Audio Production Workshop is an opportunity to learn tips from studio staff and explore cutting-edge recording gear in a hands-on environment. The workshop is on January 20, 9:30 am, at 970West Studio.
Expand your cooking repertoire at Ouray Library District’s Korean Culture Cooking Class on January 26 at 4:30 pm. Contact the library for details.
Security Public Library is holding Hat-a-Thon, a hat-making marathon, on January 20 from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. Bring your own yarn and supplies. All hats will be donated to local food banks and shelters.
Aurora Public Library invites teens to Adulting 101, a five-week series from January 31 through February 28 that explores different adult responsibilities, from money management to basic household skills. Classes are from 4:00 to 5:00 pm at Tallyn’s Reach Library.
A Little Escapism
Learn to create believable fantastical settings at Lake County Public Library’s World-Building Workshop for Young Writers, January 27 at 1:00 pm. Explore the simple details that make a difference in your science fiction or fantasy story.
Gunnison County Libraries is launching their new Page to Screen series—free screenings of movie adaptations of beloved books. The kickoff event is Little Women (2019, rated PG), based on the book by Louisa May Alcott. Join them for the movie on January 26, 5:30 pm, at Gunnison Library.
Douglas County Libraries is hosting a series of Aladdin-themed Fairy Tale Balls every Saturday from February 3 through March 2 at various branch locations. The events are ideal for ages 4-10 and will include crafting, dancing, and activities with fantastical characters. Costumes are encouraged.
Garfield County Libraries is throwing a Fantasy Worlds Festival on January 20, 2:00 pm, at the Grand Valley Recreation Center. This celebration of fantasy worlds will include games, trivia, crafts, snacks, and door prizes. Costumes welcome!
What’s New at Colorado State Library
Colorado State Publications Blog
Book Club Resource
Learning Opportunities
- New Mental Health & Wellness Discussion Group for Library Professionals!
- Registration required by January 26 for this 6-month series
- Effective Library Leadership for Reducing and Responding to Staff Stress and Trauma (Colorado Only)
- January 23 & 30, 12:00 – 1:30 pm
- Registration required
- Adventure Begins at the Library Summer 2024 Workshops
- January 24 & 31, 12:30 pm – 2:30 pm
- Registration required
- Shine-A-Light: Reading Between the Lines of Professional Reviews
- January 24, 4:00 – 5:00 pm
- Registration required
- CSL in Session: Sticky Situations: Patron privacy, and customer service
- January 25, 12:00 – 1:00 pm
- No registration needed
- CSL in Session: Trends & Libraries
- February 8, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
- No registration needed
- Colorado’s Talent Pipeline Report: Workforce Stats and Essential Info for Libraries
- February 9, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
- Registration required
- De-escalation Skills Workshop (Colorado staff only)
- February 22, 1:00 – 3:00 pm
- Registration is full
- Find even more learning opportunities by browsing the Libraries Learn Calendar from Colorado State Library or the Continuing Education Calendar from Maine State Library.
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.
- Senior Director of Human Resources – Pikes Peak Library District
- Programs and Events Specialist – Boulder Public Library District
- Creative Technologist – Boulder Public Library District
- Library Specialist I (part-time) – Boulder Public Library District
- Library Specialist I (full-time) – Boulder Public Library District
- Meadows Library Specialist I (full-time) – Boulder Public Library District
- Acquisitions Specialist I – Boulder Public Library District
- Library Specialist – Eloise May Library – Spanish Speaker – Arapahoe Library District
- Children’s Librarian – Basalt Regional 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, ahitchner@coloradovirtuallibrary.org.
All images are from the Colorado Historic Newspapers Collection, a service of Colorado State Library.
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