Boulder Public Library
2017, vol. 13
June 21 - July 5, 2017
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Upcoming holiday information
Tuesday, July 4 - Independence Day holiday, all locations closed.
Message from Library and Arts Director David Farnan
Boulder ‘gets it:’ libraries are a vital community asset. Recently we completed a survey and series of focus groups of some 2000+ Boulder residents as a part of the library master planning process. Thank you to all of you who took part in this process. More discussion and research is coming - if you want to stay up-to-date, visit the master plan update webage above, and in the meantime, we'll begin to disseminate some results in this forum.  

I get to preview some of the first results with you today. In the survey, we asked the community to rate a list of values and services– things like ‘a great place for kids,’ books, access to technology, ‘good place to meet friends,’ etc. Not surprisingly ‘books’ and a ‘great place for kids’ were at the top of the list.   Right after books and kids, Boulder respondents ranked ‘the library is a trusted source of information’ and ‘the library is a welcoming and inclusive place for all.’ Respondents assigned these nearly an equal value as ‘books and kids.’ I don't know about you, but I was somewhat surprised by this result. 

Some may say this is a sign of the times. Truth be told, these are the two most important, bedrock principles of public libraries in America– and have been for nearly 100 years. The public library not only stands for freedom of speech, we exercise it. Libraries not only stand for free, unfettered access to information for all, we challenge any and all forms of exclusion or censorship. It is who we are.    
Boulder is a sophisticated place. No shallow associations here. Boulder saw us for who we are. In the coming weeks, we are going to roll out a campaign that reflects the library values our community holds dear.  I hope you like it. Stay informed.
Questions?  Contact ask@boulderlibrary.org, 303-441-3100.
Alexandra Fuller author talk June 28
Author Talk: Alexandra Fuller
 
Alexandra Fuller will discuss her book 'Quiet Until the Thaw.' She is the author of 'Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight' and 'Leaving Before the Rains.'
 
$10 General Admission (includes a $5 voucher towards the purchase of a book at the event). Advance purchase is recommended, tickets available in person at the Main Library and at the Boulder Book Store, or by calling 303-447-2074. A portion of the proceeds supports the Boulder Library Foundation.

Questions? ask@boulderlibrary.org, or call 303-441-3100.
The arts mean business in Boulder! 
Did you know that Boulder Public Library is the most visited cultural attraction in the city?!

In 2015, Boulder’s public libraries welcomed more than 935,000 guests!
The libraries are vital meeting spaces for local arts organizations, as well as performances, cinema, and exhibitions. A cultural dynamo, our libraries contribute a great deal to the vitality of Boulder’s arts economy: an industry which has a remarkable $69.8 million dollar impact on the Boulder economy according to the recently released Arts & Economic Prosperity 5 study, a national economic impact study by Americans for the Arts. Further, Boulder’s nonprofit arts and culture industry supports 1,832 full-time equivalent jobs, and generates $4.6 million in local and state government revenues!

For more information on our remarkable nonprofit cultural sector, and to get involved, visit the City of Boulder Office of Arts & Culture: boulderarts.org.

Questions? ask@boulderlibrary.org, or call 303-441-3100.
Maker opportunities coming up!

Maker Camp for Teens (*Next week!)
For ages 13-18 with internationally acclaimed artist, Emma Hardy. Participants work in teams to design and build performance-based costumes primarily out of paper, wire, and recycled materials. All materials provided, no fee to attend. Application required.

How to Listen: A Sound Walk
Thursday, June 29, from 10 a.m. to noon. Location TBD. Please register
There are so many sounds that surround us, but how much do we actively listen to what’s happening?

Build. Learn. Design. Grow. Apprenticeship
July 10 - 14, from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. (lunches included) in BLDG 61, Main Library. Special program for economically disadvantaged teens ages 13-17. Learn how to use different technologies in a supportive environment to make wearable products and learn how technology can enhance your creations. Apply now 

Questions? Contact ask@boulderlibrary.org, 303-441-3100.
Summer Reading Program continues!
Postcards to the Earth
In this family workshop, we learn to greet nature like a friend through observation, explorations, and listening with attention.

Mountain Flower Goat Dairy
Meet some new four legged friends and learn about farm operations with Mountain Flower Goat Dairy, on the west lawn behind the Main Library! 

A Series of Unfortunate STEAM Events

Movie Night: "Raiders of the Lost Ark"

Engineering Challenge with PlayWell TEKnologies
Learn to build mechanical devices in this advanced LEGO building session, then work in teams to accomplish a large-scale mission! Grades 6-12, space is limited.

Legit Knits
Learn this relaxing and creative skill in a group. Or, if you already knit at home, bring projects and come for snacks. All supplies provided. For grades 6-12.

Teen Game Night @ NoBo
Join us at NoBo for our new game night! Snacks, prizes, and a different game each month.

To find out more about other activities, visit our Summer Reading Program webpage. Generously sponsored by the Boulder Library Foundation.
Questions? Contact ask@boulderlibrary.org, 303-441-3100.
Two Toddler Storytimes to choose from!
Bring your toddler to storytime at the Main Library children's area, based on their age at these two toddler storytimes.

Younger Toddler Time (24-30 months)

Older Toddler Time (30-36 months)

Questions? Contact ask@boulderlibrary.org, 303-441-3100.
Boulder Public Library offers Kanopy for streaming movies and documentaries
Feeling crafty? Help create book bags for Reading Buddies kids! 
Fabricate Boulder is hosting a craft night to assemble and decorate book bags for Boulder Public Library's BoulderReads "Reading Buddies" program.  All materials will be supplied and no sewing skills are necessary.  
Charity Craft Night at FABRICATE
Tuesday, June 27, from 4:30-7 p.m.
2017 17th St., Boulder

Questions? Contact Fabricate craft night organizer, Nanci, 303-997-8245.
Recommended Read
Barbarian Days: A Surfing Life by William Finnegan
"What a great read! The author, who cut his surfing teeth in Hawaii and California as a kid, has traveled the world with his surfboard as a journalist and war correspondent. He worked in Apartheid South Africa as a teacher, visited locales of cargo cult fame, surfed spots in out-of-the-way places where folks had never seen a board, and then returned to the NoCal water of San Francisco for the ultimate schooling. This Pulitzer-winning book recounts all of that and more, and also describes the waves and water conditions in such a way that you feel them. You are with him on that board anticipating the two-wave hold-down; you are scared of the banded sea-snakes; and you are hoping the rocks or the reef don't get him in the end. They almost do, but he prevails in a reflective and self-deprecating way. Recommended to surfers, folks who like the ocean and the mechanics of wave formation, risk takers, adventurers, and anyone who likes a good non-fiction story."
--Laura, Collection Development
Overheard at BPL...
A 6-year-old boy and his mom, both regular library patrons, were checking out books at the George Reynolds Branch Library desk: 

Mom: "Stay on this side of the desk!"
Child: "But I wanted to hug her!"
Librarian:  "You need a hug?  I don't get enough hugs!" (gives child a hug)
Mom: "Hugs are nice."
Child: "And warm!"

Hannah, branch library specialist

Many of our events are generously funded by the 
Boulder Library Foundation.
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