Friday Grab Bag, May 23, 2025 – Colorado Virtual Library

A large group of girls wearing swim caps gather in a pool — *Summer Swimming Classes Start June 13. The Rocky Mountain News Daily, May 28, 1955*

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

Lifelong Learning

A young woman poses with a shot put — *Ruth Sackett Topples More Records. The Colorado Transcript, May 27, 1965*

Poudre Libraries invites you to BFF (Black-Footed Ferret) Talk with the National Black-footed Ferret Conservation Center on May 25 at Old Town Library. Meet one of the most elusive and endangered animals in North America, and learn about the ground-breaking efforts made to bring this species back from the brink of extinction.

Estes Valley Library is hosting an Introduction to Sublimation on May 27 at 5:30 pm. Participants will learn the basics of this printing technique and explore the process of transferring vibrant, full-color designs onto various materials using heat and pressure.

David McMillan, Owner of Grasshopper Landscaping, will lead a discussion on Deconstructing Soil Structure at Durango Public Library on May 28. He will explain the importance of good soil structure and provide guidance on improving your garden soils.

Pueblo City-County Library District is hosting a class on Japanese Shibori Dying Techniques on May 23 at Giodone Library. Bring a 100% cotton article of fabric or clothing and create a beautiful design using folds and blue dye.

Just Plain Fun

Join High Plains Library District for Sound Check: A Monthly Music Exploration at Fort Lupton Public & School Library. At this monthly gathering, music lovers come together to listen, reflect, and discuss the artistry behind some of the greatest musicians of all time. The next meeting is May 27 at 6:00 pm.

A woman poses with a dog made from machine parts — *Pedigreed Power Plant Pooch. The Rocky Mountain News Daily, May 30, 1945*

West Custer County Library invites their community to Experience Wheel of Fortune with Westcliffe Resident Grace Hamilton on May 27 at 5:00 pm. Hear about Grace’s experience as a contestant on the popular long-running gameshow.

At Lyons Community Library’s Tween Book-to-Movie Club, participants discuss a book, then watch and compare the movie version. This month’s meeting on May 26 will focus on The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo.

Boulder Public Library is hosting a Clothing Swap at NoBo on May 24 from 2:00 to 4:00 pm. Whether you’re donating or picking up something new-to-you, you’ll be participating in circular fashion.

Join Montrose Library District for a Tea Blend Workshop on May 29 at 6:30 pm. Bring your own mug and create a handcrafted blend of teas and herbs.

Garfield County Libraries invites you to join them in celebrating the Grand Reopening of the New Castle Branch Library. They will have a ribbon cutting at 10:00 am on May 28, followed by three days of fun activities and tours.

A group of young women play touch football — *Senior Stars. The Owl-BHS, May 21, 1965*

What’s New from the Colorado State Library

Learning Opportunities

All events are online except where a location is noted.

Adult Services Regional Workshop – Durango
- May 28, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
- Durango Public Library
2025 Colorado OER Conference
- May 30, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
- University of Northern Colorado in Greeley
SHIP Partners & Services Manager (State Health Insurance Program)
- June 5, 10:00 – 11:00 am
Cultivating Library Joy: Finding Fulfillment in Everyday Work
- June 10, 1:00 – 2:00 pm
HESTL EdCON 2025
- June 10, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
- DCSD Legacy Campus, Parker
Talking Teen Services: Kids and Teens are Patrons, Too – Restorative Justice and Trauma-Informed Approaches in Public Libraries
- June 12, 11:00 am – 12:30 pm
12th Annual Kraemer Copyright Conference
- June 16, 17, 18, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Ent Center, University of Colorado Colorado Springs
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 May 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.

Librarian II: Children and Youth Services Supervisor – Broomfield Public Library
Volunteer Coordinator – Broomfield Public Library
Library Programming Manager – Broomfield Public Library
Librarian I – Adult Programming & Services – Broomfield Public Library
Library Branch Supervisor – Denver Public Library
Help Desk Technician – Marmot Library Network
Youth (Teen & Tween) Services Assistant – Clearview Library District
Deputy Library Director – Lafayette Public Library
Library Associate – High Plains Library District
Student Success & AI Librarian – Aurora Community College

An actor poses on stage in a bald eagle costume — *Exotic bald eagle starred in spring musical. The Eagle Eye, May 27, 1975*

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.