Friday Grab Bag, July 25, 2025

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

So Long, Summer!

Montrose Regional Library District is wrapping up summer learning with a Messtival on July 31 at the Montrose Library East Lawn. Get ready to get messy with arts, crafts, activities, and snow cones.

Alamosa Public Library invites families to 50 Things Collections – Show and Tell on July 30 at 10:00 am. Kids will have the opportunity to share their favorite collections—rocks, shells, stickers, toys, or anything they’ve gathered over the summer.

Pine River Library’s final summer party is a Color Run on August 1 at 10:00 am. Wear something white and get ready to run, walk, or dance your way through a rainbow of fun, followed by popsicles and prizes.

Ridgway Library District is hosting a Youth Garden Club Taste Test on July 31. Come sample a variety of vegetables during this end-of-summer celebration.

Learning for Fun

Boulder Public Library invites kids to SPLASH! An Underwater Adventure on July 26 at the Main Library. Learn about oceans through scientific information, stories, songs, dances and crafts.

Learn what pairs well with a good book at Silverton Public Library’s Read It and Eat It on July 30. Each session features a book-inspired dish, treat, or snack to enjoy while you chat about stories, characters, and themes.

High Plains Library District invites kids to join their Kazoo Choir on July 25 at Carbon Valley Regional Library. Make your own kazoo, learn the science behind how they work, then perform some songs together.

Amateur Art

East Morgan County Library District invites adults to Explore Drawing on July 31 at 5:30 pm. You’ll learn the basics of pen and pencil drawing using supplies provided by the library.

Aurora Public Library will host an educator from the Aurora History Museum for Paleo Art, July 31 at Hoffman Heights Library. Children will learn about drawing prehistoric plants and animals.

Garfield County Libraries invites beginning artists to Urban Sketching Made Simple: A Starter Guide for Creative Minds on July 31 at the Rifle Branch. You’ll learn techniques to capture everyday moments through art.

Broomfield Library is hosting a Blacklight Painting Party for teens on July 25. Create a piece of art that glows under UV light using fluorescent acrylic paints.

What’s New from the Colorado State Library

Learning Opportunities

All events are online except where a location is noted.

• Balancing the Books: Addressing Economic Insecurity Among Library Workers
  • August 6, 1:00 – 2:00 pm
• Illuminate Colorado – Stewards of Children (Colorado Only)
  • August 28, 1:00 – 4:00 pm
• Illuminate Colorado- Lines in the Sand (Colorado Only)
  • September 9, 1:00 – 3:00 pm
• The Colorado Information Analysis Center (CIAC): Department of Public Safety
  • September 15, 1:30 – 2:30 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.

• Bibliographic Services Supervisor – Douglas County Libraries
• Library Manager 3 – Pikes Peak Library District
• Outreach Librarian – Town of Eaton Public Library
• Full-time 40 hour Support Services Guide (Spanish speaking candidates preferred) – Anythink Support Services in Northglenn
• Anythink Manager-Experience Expert (Spanish speaking preferred) – Anythink Wright Farms
• Children and Teen Services Library Technician – Longmont Public Library
• Collection Operations Coordinator – University of Colorado Boulder Libraries
• Young Adult Services Specialist – Pine River Library

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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.