Friday Grab Bag, October 25, 2024

Four children rake leaves into a large pile.
Autumn Leaves are Piled High, The Rocky Mountain News Daily, October 25, 1964

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

Great Pumpkins

A girl holds up a carved pumpkin.
Halloween Pumpkins, The Rocky Mountain News Daily, October 31, 1935

Delta County Libraries invites teens to a Pumpkin Carving Party on October 26 from 12:00 to 3:00 pm. Enjoy a festive afternoon of carving and painting while you enjoy snacks and treats.

Security Public Library’s Twisted Stitches group is making Loom Knit Pumpkins on October 26 at 2:00 pm. These decorations are perfect for fall. No experience needed!

Garfield County Libraries invites families to The Great Pumpkin Craft on October 28 at 11:30 am at Parachute Branch Library. Get into the Halloween spirit with pumpkin painting and carving.

Howdy, Halloween!

Estes Valley Library is a Halloween Trick or Treat destination in downtown Estes Park. They will be handing out sweet treats, spooky toys, and even some books from 5:00 to 8:00 pm on October 31.

Three children in Halloween costumes receive candy.
Trick or Treat, The Falconews, October 30, 1964

Halloween is for dogs, too! High Plains Library District invites you to bring your pup in a costume to “Howl”-O-Ween Doggy, a professional photo opportunity on October 26 from 11:00 am to 12:30 pm at Fort Lupton Public School & Library. 

Show off your costume at Lake County Public Library’s Halloween Party on October 28 from 3:30 to 5:30 pm. Bring a dish to share at the potluck, and enjoy crafts, games, and festive treats.

Silverton Public Library’s 3rd Annual Halloween Costume Party is October 26 at 5:30 pm. Join them for an evening of crafts, treats, games, and community fun. Prizes will be awarded for best adult and kids’ costumes.

Longmont Public Library is hosting a tweens-only Halloween Party on October 31 at 4:00 pm. Get together with friends to enjoy spooky music, play Halloween themed games, make a simple craft, and more.

Join Poudre Libraries for some Halloween shenanigans as they explore Spooky Creations with DALL-E 3 on October 29, 6:00 pm, at Old Town Library. You’ll learn how to use AI to generate images to use for Halloween decorations.

Pick ‘n’ Mix

Pikes Peak Library District invites you to Spooky Stacks 2024, an exploration of chilling tales of famous deaths from the Pikes Peak Region. You’ll wander the dimly lit stacks and encounter lingering spirits with haunting stories. Tours will be held at 5:30, 6:00, and 6:30 pm on October 28 at Penrose Library.

Pueblo City-County Library District is holding a Silk Screening Workshop on October 30 at Rawlings. With help of instructor Alyssa Vargas Lopez you’ll screen print a design on a tote bag or other fabric item.

Denver Public Library invites you to their Central Library Grand Reopening Celebration on November 3, starting with a ribbon cutting at 10:00 am in the new Park View event space. The celebration will continue all day with festivities and entertainment for the whole family.

Join Durango Public Library at a reception to honor their 2024 Library Community Champion, Durango Botanic Gardens on October 30 at 3:00 pm. Durango Botanic Gardens is being recognized for its commitment to the library grounds and the many educational tours and programs it offers throughout the year.

Accessibility Corner

News, tips, and resources to support technology accessibility

A girl lays next to a jack-o-lantern and holds the lid above her head.
Kids are putting on their Halloween hats, Golden Transcript, October 31, 1974

What’s New from the Colorado State Library

Resource Sharing

Colorado Historic Newspapers Collection

Colorado State Publications Library

CSL Kits

Program Spotlight

Learning Opportunities

All events are online except where a location is noted.

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.


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.

Two men play croquet in the snow.
Snow-Quet, The Steamboat Pilot, October 25, 1984

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

Amy Hitchner
Latest posts by Amy Hitchner (see all)