Friday Grab Bag, June 14, 2024

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!

Community Storytelling

Join Delta County Libraries and the Tri-County Health Network for the Immigrant Heritage Festival, June 22 from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm at Delta Library. People of many cultural backgrounds will be sharing their dance, music, and art throughout the day.

Montrose Regional Library District invites you to the Korean Lotus Lantern Festival & Craft, presented by the Korean Spirit and Culture Promotion Project on June 15 at Montrose Library. Make a lotus flower lantern while you learn about Korea’s unique history and culture.

Pikes Peak Library District invites you to join them for the 18th Annual Mountain of Authors featuring Keynote Speaker Adrian Miller on June 22 at the Venue in Library 21c. Mountain of Authors (MOA) is an annual community program that provides an opportunity for the public and local authors to network, listen to notable authors, as well as learn more about the craft of writing and trends in publishing.

Test Your Mettle

Learn about the history of sword fighting and see live demonstrations of fencing techniques at a presentation by the Denver Historical Fencing Academy, hosted by Aurora Public Library at the Mission Viejo Library on June 22 at 3:00 pm.

Broomfield Library welcomes Colorado Mountain Club educators for a four-part Outdoor Education series this summer, beginning with Wilderness Survival Skills on June 20 at 6:30 pm. Attend all four classes or drop in on the topics that pique your interest.

Westminster Public Library’s RenFaire Olympics is a chance for teens to compete with friends and foes in a series of medieval simulations—from archery to foam swordplay and beyond. Register to attend on June 21 at Irving Street Library.

New Skills

Lyons Community Library is holding a 3D Printing Workshop for teens and adults on June 21. Get hands-on experience with the computer software, mechanics, and electronics used for 3D printing.

Mesa County Libraries invites you to join Zack Freeburg, their Gardener in Residence, for a Tomato Cloning Workshop on June 15 at the Discovery Garden. Zack will show different stages of growth and demonstrate how to clone tomato plants.

If you’re comfortable with basic sewing skills, it’s time for Pitkin County Library’s Sewing 202 Workshops. In these slightly more advanced workshops, participants will take on more challenging projects, like Book Sleeves hosted by local sewing expert Jennifer Hanson on June 20 at 4:00 pm.

Pick ‘n’ Mix

Arapahoe Libraries and the City of Centennial welcome That Eighties Band in Concert, June 14 at Centennial Center Park. Bring your lawn chair and enjoy an evening of iconic ‘80s music, food trucks, and acid-washed jeans.

Alamosa Public Library invites you to Zapata Park on June 17 from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm for Summer in the Park with the Library. The event will include free books, art activities, and games, plus breakfast and lunch for all kids who participate.

Buena Vista Public Library is hosting a Community Showcase and Talent Show on June 22 at 10:00 am. Bring your chairs, blankets, and picnic lunches, and come cheer on their talented community!

Accessibility Corner

News, tips, and resources to support technology accessibility

• Resources shared by CDE’s Accessibility Team for making online documents more accessible:
  • Make your Word documents accessible to people with disabilities
  • Create Accessible Word Docs
  • Tagging PDFs in Adobe Acrobat Pro
  • Creating Accessible PDFs

What’s New at Colorado State Library

Colorado State Publications Blog

• Bears, beetles, and bugling: teaching Colorado kids about nature and the environment

Learning Opportunities

• The Ins and Outs of Check Out Colorado State Parks for Libraries
  • August 8, 10:00 – 11:00 am, online
  • Registration required
• Drop-In Q&A for Check Out Colorado State Parks for Libraries
  • August 8, 1:00 – 2:00 pm, online
  • Registration required
• Drop-In Q&A for Check Out Colorado State Parks for Libraries
  • August 13, 10:00 – 11:00 am, online
  • Registration required
• Drop-In Q&A for Check Out Colorado State Parks for Libraries
  • August 19, 12:00 – 1:00 pm, online
  • Registration required
• 2024-25 Youth Services Learning Community (Northeast Region)
  • August 15, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm, Yuma Public Library
  • Registration required
• Adult Services Regional Workshop – Grand Junction
  • August 16, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm, Mesa County Central Library
  • Registration required
• PHPR Collaborative and Libraries – Like French Fries and Frosty’s (Strange? You mean GREAT!)
  • August 20, 12:00 – 1:00 pm, online
  • Registration required
• Find even more learning opportunities by browsing the Libraries Learn Calendar from Colorado State Library or the Continuing Education Calendar from Maine State Library (note: all MSL events are listed in Eastern time).

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.

• Library Director – Clearview Library District
• Assistant Branch Supervisor (University Hills Branch) – Denver Public Library
• Research and Instruction Librarian – Regis University
• Part-time 25 hour Concierge (Spanish speaking candidates desired) – Anythink Huron Street
• Materials Handler (Part-Time Reynolds) – Boulder Public Library District
• Librarian – Teen Focus – High Plains Library District
• Ask A Librarian Apprenticeship (Virtual) – University of Colorado Boulder Libraries
• Library Aide (Substitute) – Aurora Public 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, ahitchner@coloradovirtuallibrary.org.

All images are from the Colorado Historic Newspapers Collection, a service of Colorado State Library.