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 as well as images from the Colorado Historic Newspapers Collection. Let’s open the Friday Grab Bag!

Library Events & Programs Fiber Art Fun

Alamosa Public Library will host an Opening Reception for the San Luis Valley Quilt Guild Show on August 22 at 10:30 am. Meet the artists behind this dazzling display, which is available from August 18 through September 12.

Boulder Public Library welcomes crafters to Social Stitchers, a monthly meet-up at Gunbarrel Library. Join their next meeting on August 22 to connect with fellow makers, share ideas, swap techniques, and enjoy a relaxed creative space together.

Yarn Hoarders Anonymous is Pueblo City-County Library District’s crochet club that meets bi-weekly at Pueblo West. Staff members are on hand to help beginners, and experts are encouraged to share their skills as well.

Anything Wright Farms welcomes registered participants to Furoshiki: Using Cloth in Place of Paper on August 22. Furoshiki is the art of folding fabric into beautiful, functional designs for carrying items or wrapping gifts—no paper needed.

Estes Valley Library’s Sewing 101: Make a Tote Bag is a 4-week class from August 10 through 31. Participants will start with the basics and finish by making their very own mini tote bag.

High Plains Library District welcomes you to Looming Hats for Charity, a class presented by Passing Hats on August 26 at Carbon Valley Regional Library. Participants will knit, crochet, loom, and sew hats using the materials provided.

Pick ‘n’ Mix

Eagle Valley Library District is hosting a Back to School Swap on August 22 at Gypsum Public Library. Donations will be accepted beginning August 17; no donation is required to shop the swap.

Jefferson County Public Library invites you to a Community Book Swap on August 22 at Conifer Library. Meet fellow book lovers, refresh your to-be-read stash, and enter a raffle for a book-themed prize.

Learn about Colorado Native Plants with Tracy Csavina from the City of Englewood Parks Department on August 24 at Englewood Public Library. Learn how native plants support pollinators, conserve water, and strengthen local ecosystems, and leave with practical ideas for incorporating native plants into your own landscape.

Poudre Libraries welcomes the Northern Colorado Astronomical Society for Solar Viewing at the Library, on August 29 at Old Town Library. Using solar telescopes, participants will be able to see sunspots, flares, and other parts of our brightest star.

What’s New from the Colorado State Library Colorado State Publications Blog

New catalog, digital repository and phone number for the State Publications Library. State Pubs has been busy upgrading their infrastructure this summer! Check out their new library catalog and new digital repository.

Learning Opportunities

• View CSL events on the Libraries Learn calendar.
• Visit Maine State Library’s Continuing Education Calendar for national events (note: all MSL events are listed in Eastern time). A different view of these events is available at Free Online Learning Opportunities for August 2026.

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.

• Colorado State Librarian – Non-Classified – State of Colorado – Department of Education
• Specialist- Children’s Services – Eagle Valley Library District
• Library Clerk – City of Aurora, Library & Cultural Services
• Librarian – Adult Services – City of Aurora, Library & Cultural Services
• Director of Collections & Resource Access – Pueblo City-County Library District
• Access Services Librarian – Colorado Community College System
• Outreach Support Specialist – University of Colorado – Denver

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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, [email protected].

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