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
Summer Eats and Smooth Beats
Ignacio Community Library invites you to Make Your Own Horchata and Brazilian Limeade on July 15 at 4:30 pm. Choose one or both of these refreshing summertime drinks.
Rhythm Future Quartet returns to Basalt Public Library on July 12 at 5:30 pm. Enjoy a performance by one of the country’s hottest Django-style jazz bands.
Cool off while you get colorful at Louisville Public Library’s Tie-dye Popsicle Palooza on July 29. Bring an item to tie-dye and enjoy a fun-filled afternoon with storytime, music, and of course, popsicles.
Aurora Public Library invites teens to test their bravery at the Haunted Hot Sauce Challenge, July 18 at Hoffman Heights Library. Watch a spooky movie while you test these terrifying sauces.
Pikes Peak Library District’s Summer Kitchen Class will be cooking up Gazpacho Soup on July 12 at Library 21c. This chilled Spanish soup is perfect for those hot summer days ahead.
Gunnison County Libraries will combine creativity with sweet treats at Sundaes & Sidewalk Chalk, July 13 at Gunnison Library. Reserve a sidewalk square to create your masterpiece, and enjoy ice cream from Spenny’s while the art unfolds.
Alamosa Public Library’s Tween and Teen Karaoke Night is July 11 at 6:30 pm. Join them for a night of music, dance, snacks, and fun.
Lyons Community Library is hosting a Bilingual Potluck on July 15 at 4:30 pm. Bring your crew and a dish to share with your community.
At Anythink’s Creative Cupcake Lab, teens will learn how to decorate cupcakes like a pro with expert decorators from Cake Crafts Denver. Join the delicious fun on July 18 at Anythink Commerce City.
Colorful and Creative
Boulder Public Library will teach tweens and teens to make Ice-Dye Socks on July 16 at the Main Library. The technique involves sprinkling powdered dye over ice, creating geologic patterns that melt into cloth.
Durango Public Library is hosting a Teen After Hours Painting Party on July 18. Spend your Friday evening learning how to make a beautiful painting with a local art instructor.
High Plains Library District invites teens to a Chromatic Heist on July 16 at Erie Community Library. Participants will work to solve the mystery of the missing painting before the entire cityscape fades to gray.
Loveland Public Library is offering Photo Comic Creators on July 15 at 11:00 am. Kids will learn to create their own comic stories using photos, drawings, and more.
Nederland Community Library is hosting an outdoor Tie Dye Party on July 12 at 3:30. Tie dye a book tote while supplies last, or bring your own item to dye.
Pick ‘n’ Mix
Join Akron Public Library for Talon Talk on July 17 at 1:00 pm. Kids can meet a variety of raptors and enjoy a fun show.
Summit County Library is hosting a Mid Summer Celebration at Main with Steve Weeks on July 12 at 11:00 am. Join them for live music while you log your summer reading and learn about upcoming programs.
Get organizing tips from the pros at Bud Werner Memorial Library’s From Cluttered to Clear, July 17 at 7:00 pm. At this practical and inspiring session you’ll learn how to create a clutter-free space that works for you.
Englewood Public Library’s 3rd Annual Cornhole Tournament is August 2 at 6:00 pm. Wind down the end of Adult Summer Reading by competing in yard games like Cornhole, Ladderball, and life-size Connect Four.
What’s New from the Colorado State Library
Colorado State Publications Blog
Celebrating Colorado’s immigrant heritage
Library Research Service
Heat (Map) of Summer Library Hours
Learning Opportunities
All events are online except where a location is noted.
- Talking Teen Services: Strengths-Based Relationship Building Panel
- July 16, 1:30 – 2:45 pm
- Balancing the Books: Addressing Economic Insecurity Among Library Workers
- August 6, 1:00 – 2:00 pm
- Unraveling Legacy Toxicity: Navigating Dysfunctional Environments in Leadership
- September 23, 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 July 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.
- Cataloging & Materials Manager – Pikes Peak Library District
- Colleague on Call Consultant – Colorado Library Consortium
- Library Technician – Circulation Department – Longmont Public Library
- Innovation Technician – High Plains Library District
- Library Associate- Mobile Services – High Plains Library District
- Catalog Librarian – High Plains Library District
- Library Specialist, Part-time – Arapahoe Libraries
- Reference Librarian, Davies – Arapahoe Libraries
- Bilingual Patron Experience Associate (English/Spanish) – Jefferson County Public Library
- Patron Experience Associate – Evergreen Library – Jefferson County Public Library
- Customer Experience Associate I – Douglas County Libraries
- Library Reference Assistant – Arapahoe Community College
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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