Friday Grab Bag, June 7, 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!

Totally Teens

Louisville Public Library announced their Teen Summer Writing Contest for grades 6-12. Teens are encouraged to submit short stories and six-word stories that are inspired by the textures of nature found in Coal Creek. Entries are due by July 21.

Delta County Libraries invites teens to their Solar Oven S’more Roast on June 14 at Cedaredge Library. Learn to craft a solar oven using simple materials, then harness the power of the sun to create delicious treats.

Bemis Public Library invites teens to play Oregon Trail LIVE, where they will work as a team to take on a real-world version of this classic survival game. Several sessions will be offered on June 12.

Montrose Regional Library District welcomes Uncompahgre Treasure Club for Metal Detecting for Pre-Teens on June 11 at Montrose Library. Their workshop will introduce metal detecting and its uses in finding coins, jewelry, and relics hidden for years.

Community Connections

Colorado Public Radio recently highlighted Shared Memories, a digital archiving program from Pueblo City-County Library District utilizing the Digital Memory Lab at the Rawlings Library. Learn more about the program and its goals in Pueblo Library District launches digital archiving project to preserve history around southeastern Colorado.

Vail Public Library’s Walking Book Club meets on June 14 to discuss this month’s book title, “The Vanishing Half” by Brit Bennett. Even if you haven’t ready the book, come along to share your latest reads and enjoy the beautiful scenery.

Jefferson County Public Library invites knitters to Worldwide Knit in Public Day, June 8 at Golden Library. They will have needles, tools, and yarn available to try out, plus experienced knitters on hand to answer questions.

Join Lyons Community Library for their inaugural Lyons Literary Festival on June 8. Celebrate the power and importance of books, storytelling, and community through a fun-filled day of workshops, keynote speakers, and more. The event is free; registration is required for certain events.

Pick ‘n’ Mix

Bring your password questions to Grand County Library’s Digital Security: Passwords 101, led by GCLD IT Manager Anthony Leyba on June 12 at Granby Library. Anthony’s presentation will cover creating strong passwords, managing passwords, and keeping them safe.

Garfield County Libraries’ Rocket Launch Day is a half-day program on June 15 where families can learn about, design, build, and launch rockets. Each family will take home their own flight-ready Pitsco R2K water rocket. Contact Silt Library to sign up.

Poudre Libraries invites all ages to Celebrate World Ocean Day on June 8 at Old Town Library. Each sea creature-themed station will feature fun crafts and science experiments

Accessibility Corner

News, tips, and resources to support technology accessibility

• Accessibility Grace Period. Learn about HB 24-1454, which delays liability for digital accessibility problems until July 2025 by meeting certain requirements.
• Single Digital Product and Active Use. Watch the recording of OIT’s Speaker Series from June 5, which covers how to prioritize your organization’s accessibility work using a community and strategic impact matrix.

What’s New at Colorado State Library

Library Research Service

• Sparking Interest in Summer Reading

Learning Opportunities

• PBS Books Lunch and Learn for Colorado Libraries
  • June 10, 2:00 – 3:00 pm, online
  • Registration required
• Coming to Grand Junction and Lamar: Adult Services Regional Workshop
  • August 16, 2024 at Mesa County’s Central Library & October 18, 2024 at Lamar Public Library
• 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.

• Talent Acquisition & Retention Specialist – Douglas County Libraries
• Education Library Media Coordinator – Morgridge Academy – National Jewish Health
• Library Instruction Assistant – Red Rocks Community College
• Library Customer Service/Circulation Supervisor – Aurora Public Library
• Talent Acquisition & Retention Specialist – Douglas County Libraries
• Librarian Bilingual (Spanish) Career and Workforce Development – High Plains Library District
• Access Services Specialist – CU Anschutz Medical Campus, Strauss Health Sciences Library
• Access Services Librarian, Department Head – Regis University
• Materials Handler (Part-Time Meadows) – Boulder Public Library District
• Library Specialist – Castlewood – (part-time 30-hours) – Arapahoe Library District

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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.