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
Explore Your World
Louisville Public Library welcomes adults to Boulder Open Space Presents: Owls of Boulder County, October 18 at 2:00 pm. Join volunteer naturalists for an indoor slide program to explore these fascinating and diverse creatures and learn about the adaptations that make them expert hunters.
Boulder Public Library is hosting World Fossil Day Extravaganza on October 14 at NoBo Library. At this STEAM inspired event, kids will check out specimens from the University of Colorado Museum of Natural History, create their own bug in amber, practice their excavation skills, and more.
Take a delicious deep dive into The Science of Chocolate with High Plains Library District on October 14 at Centennial Park Library. Delve into the intricacies of the microbiology and chemistry of chocolate, understand the factors that shape chocolate’s textures and flavors, and taste test some samples.
Mesa County Libraries welcomes you to the Mesa County Fiber Arts Fair, presented by the Mesa Fiber Arts Guild on October 11 at Central Library. Visit between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm to see demonstrations and examples of weaving, crocheting, spinning yarn, and more.
Aurora Public Library invites teens to a cryptid double header on October 23 at Central Library. The evening begins at 4:00 with Colorado Cryptid Talk, when the Rocky Mountain Paranormal Society will discuss Bigfoots, Bolters, Tommyknockers, and more. Then stay for a Cryptid Hunt Lock-In from 5:00 to 8:00 pm to search for a cryptid hidden among the stacks.
Better Together
Broomfield Library has issued a Call for Donations for their first ever Winter Outerwear Swap. Donate your adult-sized new or gently used cold-weather garments between October 11 and 18, then drop in on October 18 from 1:00 to 3:00 to shop the swap.
Garfield County Libraries invites older adults to join Life After 70, a friendly, open environment for exploring all aspects of aging. Come connect, learn, and grow with others who truly understand the journey. Their next meeting is October 11 at the Carbondale Branch.
Arapahoe Libraries invites you to an Opening Reception in honor of Cal Duran on October 15, 6:00 pm, at Smoky Hill Library. Duran is a Colorado-based sculptor and educator whose work is rooted in ancestral practice, blending influences from India, Mexico, and Indigenous traditions.
Friendly Competition
Grand County Library District welcomes entries to their Spooky Story Contest for grades K-8. The deadline to submit a spine-tingling tale is October 18; stories and entry forms should be returned to the student’s home library.
Delta County Libraries invites you to bring family and friends to Family Board Game Day on October 11 at Delta Library. Broaden your horizons by experiencing board games from around the world.
Bemis Public Library is hosting a Rubber Ducky Costume Contest for teens on October 15. Compete for the title of Top Quacker by designing unique ducky duds.
What’s New from the Colorado State Library
Book Club Sets
Quotation Canapés: No. 2 – Book Banning
Resource Sharing
Save the Dates for the 2026 Colorado Resource Sharing Conference
Learning Opportunities
All events are online except where a location is noted.
- Unmasking Imposter Syndrome: Navigating Anxiety, Uncertainty, and Systemic Challenges in Librarianship
- October 14, 1:00 – 2:00 pm
- Talking Teen Services – Understanding Teens: Biases and Stereotypes (part 2 of 3)
- October 15, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
- Talking Teen Services – Understanding Teens: Building Positive Relationships (part 3 of 3)
- October 29, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
- Youth Services Regional Learning Community Workshops – High Prairie Library (PPLD)
- October 30, 9:00 am – 3:30 pm
- Data-Informed Advocacy for School Libraries
- November 18, 4:00 – 5:00 pm
- Youth Services Regional Learning Community Workshops – Ignacio Community Library
- November 19, 9:00 am – 3:30 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 October 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.
- Library Associate – Lyons Community Library
- Library Assistant I – Lake County Public Library
- Teacher Librarian, Arrowhead Elementary School – Cherry Creek Schools
- Library Clerk Courier – City of Aurora, Library & Cultural Services
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, [email protected].
All images are from the Colorado Historic Newspapers Collection, a service of Colorado State Library.
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