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Library District Earned 3-Star Library Rating by Library Journal

Posted on January 21, 2021 by Katie Auman in Library Blog, News

Poudre River Public Library District earned a three-star rating in the Library Journal Index of Public Library Services’ 13th annual review of library systems in the U.S.

The Library District is one of 262 libraries to achieve Star Library status on the 2020 LJ Index. This marks the first time that the Library District has earned a Star Library designation.

“The three-star rating underscores the importance of the Poudre River Public Libraries to the community and reflects the hard work our staff does to meet community needs and provide exceptional service every day, said David Slivken, executive director of the Library District. “Thank you to all of our supporters who helped us achieve this rating by visiting and using the libraries often.”

LJ Index scores and Star ratings are based on data reported annually by public libraries to their state library agencies and compiled nationally by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).

More than 5,600 library systems were reviewed by Library Journal for the 2020 Index using data released by IMLS for FY18. The ratings are based on per capita statistics for Library visits, circulation of physical and digital materials, program attendance, public computer and internet use, and Wi-Fi sessions.

Poudre River Public Library District joins other new three-star libraries in Colorado including Denver Public Library and Boulder Public Library.

Library Journal is the oldest and most respected publication covering the field of library service. The LJ Index rating system was first introduced in 2008 to recognize and promote America’s public libraries, to help improve the pool of nationally collected library statistics and to encourage library self-evaluation. For more information about the Index, visit www.libraryjournal.com

award, customer service, fort collin, star library No Comments Read More

1-2-3 Brain Break: Outdoor Sensory Scavenger Hunt

Posted on January 18, 2021 by Library Staff in Book Recommendations, Library Blog, Library Programs

This week’s brain break will explore the senses through an outdoor sensory scavenger hunt!

Brain Breaks are short activities, often only 1-3 minutes long, that help kids get ready to learn or refocus on the task at hand. They often involve physical activity and movement though relaxing activities can also boost mental brain power.

So in addition to encouraging your kids to participate in these fun breaks, join the kiddos and have some refreshing, stress-free fun yourself, too!

Supplies needed:  

  • Print-out of the scavenger hunt (PDF)
  • Your senses!
  • An outdoor space (backyard, front porch, park)

Here’s what you do: 

  • Watch the video explaining activity – pause video when indicated and return to video after you’ve completed the scavenger hunt.
  • Step outside your home or apartment. Children could also do this activity at a park or other outside space.
  • Using your senses, explore nature with the scavenger hunt – listening, looking, feeling, etc. the items on the list.
  • Return to the video for a brief guided discussion about the scavenger hunt. Alternative: Download the questions sheet to talk about the experience following the activity.

Challenge Extensions to further explore the senses: 

For the little ones (Grades K-3)

  1. Play a variation of “I Spy” using “I hear…”, “I taste”, “I feel”, and “I smell”
  2. Partner up with a caretaker or sibling. One person gathers a few SAFE items as “mystery items”. The other person closes their eyes or wears a blindfold. Using their senses, the blind-folded person must guess what the mystery item is. You can do this with objects from the home or with food!  Have a partner try to guess what food it is just by using sense of smell.

For the older kids (Grades 4 to middle school) 

  1. Create your own scavenger hunt using the senses. Partner up with a caregiver, sibling or friend and see if they can” find” the items in your scavenger hunt.
  2. Partner up with a caretaker or sibling. One person gathers a few SAFE items as “mystery items”. The other person closes their eyes or wears a blindfold. Using their senses, the blind-folded person must guess what the mystery item is. You can do this with objects from the home or with food!  Have a partner try to guess what food it is just by using sense of smell.

“The Why” behind the Challenge: 

Did you know?

  1. Sensory play:    
    • Builds nerve connections in the brain
    • Supports language development
    • Encourage “scientific thinking”
    • Can involve mindfulness activities which help center and calm children
  2. Sensory skills are the foundation that children use in learning to read, write, and solve math & science problems
  3. Keen observation skills give children an advantage throughout schooling and life

* Sources:
Goodstart.org
Michigan State University

Check out these books for more fun! 

My Five Senses / Mis cinco sentidos by Aliki

See, Hear, Smell, Taste, Touch: Using Your Five Senses by Andrew Collins

The Ultimate Book of Scavenger Hunts by Stacy Tornio


brain break, kids, kids and family, scavenger hunt, senses No Comments Read More

Going Beyond “I Have a Dream” on Kanopy

Posted on January 14, 2021 by Audrey Glasebrook in Library Blog

Gain inspiration and expand your historical knowledge of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. With your library card, you can stream dozens of films on Kanopy that explore the life and work of this extraordinary Civil Rights leader…just in time for his birthday.

Check out these suggestions for adults and some for kids, too!

For Adults

King: A Filmed Record (Parts I and II) Constructed from a wealth of archival footage, this monumental documentary follows Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. from 1955 to 1968, in his rise from regional activist to world-renowned leader of the Civil Rights movement. Rare footage of King’s speeches, protests, and arrests are interspersed with scenes of other high-profile supporters and opponents of the cause, punctuated by heartfelt testimonials by some of Hollywood’s biggest stars. King was originally presented as a one-night-only special event on March 20, 1970, at an epic length of more than three hours (plus intermission). Newly restored by the Library of Congress, in association with Richard Kaplan, and utilizing film elements provided by The Museum of Modern Art, the original version of King can again be seen in its entirety, mastered from the 35mm preservation negative.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.: A Historical Perspective He was the conscience of the struggle for civil rights–and one of its many heroic martyrs. This documentary offers a one-of-a-kind examination of Dr. King’s extraordinary life. Using rare and largely unseen film footage and photographs, this film (endorsed by the King Foundation) explores how Dr. King’s ideas, beliefs and methods evolved in the face of the rapidly changing climate of the Civil Rights Movement.

I Am Not Your Negro An Oscar-nominated documentary narrated by Samuel L. Jackson that explores the continued peril America faces from institutionalized racism. In 1979, James Baldwin wrote a letter to his literary agent describing his next project, Remember This House. The book was to be a revolutionary, personal account of the lives and successive assassinations of three of his close friends–Medgar Evers, Malcolm X and Martin Luther King, Jr. At the time of Baldwin’s death in 1987, he left behind only thirty completed pages of his manuscript. Now, in his incendiary new documentary, filmmaker Raoul Peck envisions the book James Baldwin never finished. The result is a radical, up-to-the-minute examination of race in America, using Baldwin’s original words and flood of rich archival material.

In Remembrance of Martin Personal comments from family, friends, and advisors fill this remarkable PBS documentary honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Coretta Scott King joins the Reverend Ralph Abernathy, Julian Bond, Jimmy Carter, the Reverend Jesse Jackson, Senator Edward Kennedy, John Lewis, Bishop Desmond Tutu, and Andrew Young, who recall Dr. King’s career and trace his leadership in the civil rights movement.

For Kids

Martin’s Big Words Using quotes from some of his beloved speeches, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. comes to life in stunning collage art and vibrant watercolor paintings in this profound and important biography about beliefs and dreams and following one’s heart. Martin Luther King, Jr. in his own words, will inspire and affect you, too.

March On! The Day My Brother Martin Changed the World Martin Luther King, Jr.’s sister presents a personal, stirring account of the remarkable day Dr. King delivered his “I Have a Dream” speech and of the man who went on to inspire nation.

digital collection, film, History, kanopy, MLK Day, streaming No Comments Read More

1-2-3 Brain Break: Wiggle, Wiggle Here!

Posted on January 11, 2021 by Jennifer Zachman in Book Recommendations, Library Blog, Library Programs

Brain Breaks are short activities, often only 1-3 minutes long, that help kids get ready to learn or refocus on the task at hand. They often involve physical activity and movement though relaxing activities can also boost mental brain power.

So in addition to encouraging your kids to participate in these fun breaks, join the kiddos and have some refreshing, stress-free fun yourself, too!

Supplies Needed:

None

Here’s what you do:

Recite the rhyme and suit actions to words.

Wiggle, wiggle here,
And wiggle, wiggle there.
Wiggle your hands up in the air.
Wiggle your shoulders.
Wiggle your hips.
Wiggle your knees.
And wiggle your lips.
Wiggle, wiggle, wiggle.
Wiggle some more.
Turn around once
And sit back on the floor.

Activity Extensions:

Repeat and speed up the rhyme. How fast can you go before you fall over laughing?

Rewrite the rhyme adding toes, ankles, wrists, and ears.

Check out our Storytime Handouts for lots of fun rhymes, songs, and book ideas on your favorite storytime topics.

“The Why” behind the Activity:

Action rhymes are super fun and engaging to do with kids, but they’re also great for developing hand-eye coordination, listening skills, following directions, creativity, vocabulary building, and self-confidence. Add some action rhymes to your children’s daily routine and watch them grow while enjoying in each other’s company and strengthening your parent-child bond.

Check out these books for more Action Rhyme fun!

Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes: and Other Action Rhymes by Zita Newcome

Bountiful Earth: 25 Songs and Over 300 Activities for Young Children by Pam Schiller

Diez Deditos = Ten Little Fingers: & Other Play Rhymes and Action Songs from Latin America selected, arranged, and translated by Jose-Luis Orozco 


brain break, family fun, kids and family, movement, rhyme No Comments Read More

Planning a Staycation? Let the Library Help!

Posted on January 7, 2021 by Audrey Glasebrook in Book Recommendations, History, Library Blog, Local Happenings

Whether you’re looking to cozy-down for your staycation and totally unwind, or feeling adventurous and hoping to explore new places, learn new talents, or have some fun with your family, the library has what you need to make the most out of your staycation.   

Explore Colorado

Visit one of Colorado’s 42 State Parks for a day trip or an overnight adventure. Check out a Colorado State Parks Pass from the library to get free entrance into any of the 42 Colorado State Parks.  

Our collection of hiking and adventure books can spark some ideas for where to go:

The Best Fort Collins Hikes : Colorado Mountain Club Pack Guide / CMC Fort Collins Group with John Gascoyne 

60 Hikes Within 60 Miles. Denver and Boulder : including Colorado Spring, Fort Collins, and Rocky Mountain National Park / Kim Lipker

Colorado Excursions with History, Hikes and Hops / Ed Sealover 

Historic Colorado : day trips & weekend getaways to historic towns, cities, sites & wonders / Claude Wiatrowski 

Be A Tourist in Your Own Town 

Maybe you want to spend a day walking around Fort Collins’ Old Town Square, window shopping and supporting local small businesses.  Did you know that the library has partnered with many local businesses to bring you discounts when you show your library card at checkout? Check out our Flash Your Card program to see participating businesses and discount offers.  

Complement your excursion with a self-guided historical tour of Fort Collins. The library boasts a large collection of Fort Collins history books, including Hidden History of Fort Collins, by local history buff, Barbara Fleming.  

Learn and Discover

With our library’s Gadgets & Things collection, you can dive into that new hobby you’ve always been meaning to try. Love birds? We have a birdwatching kit. Want to learn to crochet? You can check out a kit for that, too. Perhaps you want to up your baking game with our specialty cake pans or enjoy some night-sky watching with the telescope kit. Visit the Gadgets & Things collection to discover a new skill or hobby! 

Family Fun  

Finally have the time to head to a museum, gallery or attraction you’ve been curious about? With a library Curiosity Pass, you can enjoy free admission to a dozen venues in town or along the Front Range.  

If you are sticking closer to home, make sure to check out the library’s Virtual Storytime playlist, where our talented children’s team has created over 50 interactive storytime videos for your family to enjoy. Create your own storytime with a Bundle O’ Books, 10 hand-picked children’s books from the library.  

armchair travel, Colorado, Fort Collins, staycation, travel resources, winter break No Comments Read More
123›»

Recent Posts

  • Library District Earned 3-Star Library Rating by Library Journal

    January 21, 2021
  • 1-2-3 Brain Break: Outdoor Sensory Scavenger Hunt

    January 18, 2021
  • Going Beyond “I Have a Dream” on Kanopy

    January 14, 2021
  • 1-2-3 Brain Break: Wiggle, Wiggle Here!

    January 11, 2021

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Including the collection of Front Range Community College, Larimer Campus