Friday Grab Bag, July 17, 2026

A park ranger dresses up a boy like a beaver. — *Leave it to beaver. The Estes Park Trail, July 23, 1986*

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 as well as images from the Colorado Historic Newspapers Collection. Let’s open the Friday Grab Bag!

Library Events & Programs

Fun & Creative

A man on a unicycle holds on to a lamp post. — *Riding high. Aspen Illustrated News, July 14, 1966*

Longmont Public Library will host the Longmont Symphony Orchestra for a Kids’ Concert on the Patio, July 17 at 10:00 am. The Orchestra’s percussion ensemble will perform works with great rhythm and energy.

Spanish Peaks Library District’s Camp Plushie Carnival is an afternoon of dino-themed games, activities, and a fundraiser cook out. Drop by on July 19 from 2:00 to 5:00 pm.

Garfield County Libraries is throwing a Tie Dye Party on July 22 at the Carbondale Branch Library. Bring your own white cotton shirt, bandana, or other clothing item and create a vibrant, one-of-a-kind masterpiece.

Meeker Regional Library District’s next quarterly recipe swap will focus on BBQ Recipes. Drop by on July 23 at 5:00 pm to share your favorite recipe and gather new recipes in a folder provided by the Library.

Document your summer memories at Englewood Public Library’s Travel Scrapbook Workshop on July 19 at 2:00 pm. Bring your photos and mementos and turn them into pages you’ll be proud to share.

Jefferson County Public Library invites toddlers and preschoolers to Story Time Adventure: Stomp Back in Time on July 28 at Belmar Library. Denver Grounds will present this engaging event filled with dinosaur-themed stories, songs, and movement.

Aim to Win

Aurora Public Library’s Hot Pepper Spelling Bee is a spicy take on the traditional spelling bee, where participants attempt to spell as many words as possible after eating hot peppers. Join the fun on July 21 at Martin Luther King, Jr. Library.

Boulder Public Library invites multi-generational teams of 3-5 members to compete in the Summer of Discovery Spelling Bee, July 22 at Gunbarrel Library. Win a ribbon and bragging rights for the whole year!

Pitkin County Library is hosting a World Cup Final Watch Party on July 19 from 1:00 to 4:00 pm. Celebrate the world’s biggest soccer tournament with fellow fans as you cheer on the finalists, enjoy the match, and share the excitement of the game together.

Outdoor Learning

A father and son descend from a steam train. — *Old-fashioned steam engine ride. Golden Transcript, July 19, 1976*

Durango Public Library’s Great Garden Series continues on July 22 with Native Trees and Shrubs of Colorado, presented by Jennifer Bousselot, Associate Professor of Horticulture, Colorado State University. Learn about the depth and breadth of native woody plant species that exist in Colorado.

Join Lafayette Public Library and volunteer naturalists of Boulder County Parks & Open Space for Amazing Grasses of Boulder County on July 21 at 6:00 pm. You’ll develop a new appreciation for these beautiful plants that sustain people, animals, and the environment.

Mesa County Libraries welcomes Tyler with Meraki Peak for Foraging on the Western Slope, July 17 at Collbran Branch Library. Discover the treasures you can find in your own backyard.

Poudre Libraries, in partnership with the Larimer County Master Gardeners and the Grow & Give project, invites you to Peas and Thank You: Free Produce and Vegetable Garden Share on July 19 at Harmony Library. Bring your garden overflow of vegetables, fruits, and flowers to share with others. Master Gardeners will be on hand to answer your gardening questions and guide you to helpful resources from CSU Extension.

America 250 – Colorado 150 Celebrations

High Plains Library District presents Growing a Nation: America’s 250-Year Gardening Story on July 29 at Carbon Valley Regional Library. The historical character Martha Washington, as portrayed by actress Kathryn Broderius, will explore how gardening has evolved alongside America, reflecting the lives, values, and traditions of its people.

Denver Public Library’s Reference Services Team invites you to peruse a special display of items from DPL’s extensive bound serials and government documents collections honoring the U.S. semiquincentennial. The display features articles, some dating back to the 1800s, from Harper’s Magazine, The New York Times Book Review, Better Homes & Gardens, The Saturday Evening Post, and LIFE. Head to the 3rd floor Reference Room at the Central Library through the end of July to take a look!

A boy's face is painted like the U.S. flag. — *Festival Flag Face. The Vail Trail, July 18, 1986*

What’s New from the Colorado State Library

Learning Opportunities

All events are online except where a location is noted.

Hidden Gems: Colorado Department of Military and Veterans Affairs
- August 11, 11:30 – 12:15 pm
Find even more learning opportunities:
- View CSL events on the Libraries Learn calendar.
- Visit Maine State Library’s Continuing Education Calendar for national events (note: all MSL events are listed in Eastern time). A different view of these events is available at Free Online Learning Opportunities for July 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.