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Support Local Businesses & Your Library on Library Giving Day

Posted on March 21, 2023 by Katie Auman in Library Blog, News

woman reading to group of children

Calling all library lovers! We’ve teamed up with various businesses for #LibraryGivingDay on Tuesday, April 4 to support the incredible programs, services, and materials available to the community.

Each participating business has agreed to donate a portion of their sales or tips from April 4 to the Library. So, shop local and support both your favorite local business and Poudre Libraries!

  Beau Jo’s Pizza 20% of tagged sales
Download and/or print the 20% off flyer to show at time of purchase
  Bloom Floral Boutique Round up + Tip jar + Mini-bouquet sale
  Clothes Pony & Dandelion Toys Percentage of special item sales
Downtown ACE Hardware Proceeds from special item sale
  Elevations Realty Tip jar
  Global Village Museum Tip jar
  Great Clips Front Range Village Tip jar + Gift Basket raffle
  NOSH Round ups all of April
  Old Town Churn 20% of evening’s sales
  Savory Spice Round up
  Urban Egg Old Town 10% of day’s sales
  Walrus Ice Cream 10% of day’s sales
  Which Wich Front Range Village Tip jar

Can’t make it on April 4? There are other ways to support your library all year long.

Donations

Visit PoudreLibraries.org/donate to learn how to provide monetary donations directly to Poudre Libraries or to the Poudre River Library Trust. The Trust is building an endowment to ensure the continued excellence of library services for our community and our future and participates in the annual Colorado Gives campaign each December.

The Poudre River Friends of the Library raises money to fund library programs and resources, including the annual Summer Reading Challenge. You can help by becoming a member of the Friends, shopping their used book sales, and visiting the Friends’ Shop at Harmon Library or the Friends Nook at Old Town Library. The Friends also accept donations of gently used books. Learn more at PoudreLibraries.org/friends.

Volunteering

Are you looking to make a meaningful difference with the Library? Consider becoming a volunteer or ESL mentor. Visit PoudreLibraries.org/volunteer to apply and learn about current opportunities.

THANK YOU for supporting your library!

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Learn Your Herstory: Women’s History Month 2023

Posted on March 10, 2023 by Annaclaire Crumpton in Library Blog
Women's History Month 2023

Theodosia Ammons 

Theodosia Adams

For centuries, higher education and academia was dominated by men. Theodosia Ammons shattered the glass ceiling at Colorado State University. Theodosia had an early interest in teaching and began her career in Denver where she met Eliza Routt who was also the Colorado governor’s wife at the time. Eliza sparked Theodosia’s interest in women’s suffrage and they went on to co-found the Department of Domestic Economy at Colorado Agricultural College, now CSU. Theodosia became the first woman on staff in 1895. Just seven years later in 1902, Theodosia became the dean of the department and was elected as the president of the Colorado Equal Suffrage Association. She represented Colorado at the National Convention of Delegates of Woman Suffrage in Washington D.C. She never married and continued to advocate for suffrage until her death in 1907. Today, approximately 55% of CSU’s workforce are women.


Pauline Birky-Kreustzer

The Peace Corps mission is, “To promote world peace and friendship” through understanding. Thanks to Pauline Birky-Kreutzer, this world-famous organization has roots in Fort Collins! Pauline was a pioneer of the program at CSU. After spending two years working with women and girls in Iran, Pauline became a research associate at CSU, working under the direction of Dr. Maurice Albertson. Dr. Albertson’s studies centered around the feasibility of “youth corps” overseas and together with Pauline, they created a report and proposal on the Peace Corps to present to Congress. The proposal passed and went into effect in 1961 just one year after John F Kennedy had initially proposed the idea of a Peace Corps in his 1960 campaign. Pauline went on to help establish the Peace Corps in many different nations keeping her goal of improving the lives of women in girls in mind. Since its inception, the Peace Corps has welcomed over 240,00 American volunteers in over 142 nations across the world.   

Pauline Birky-Kreustzer

Hope Sykes 

Hope Sykes

The humble beet used to be the backbone of the United States sugar industry. It was also a cornerstone of the Fort Collins economy. Many families from across the country and the world came to Northern Colorado seeking better opportunities through farming sugar beets. The first waves of migrants to the area were majority German and Polish, among them was Hope Williams. Hope taught children at the Plummer School, a schoolhouse surrounded by beet fields where children of immigrant families were educated. Many of children Hope taught missed school in order to work the sugar beet fields, suffering poor labor conditions for lower wages. Their employment and living situations resulted in higher rates of health problems and lower rates of education. Hope eventually married Howard Sykes and left teaching to help run his gas station business during which time she began compiling her book, “Second Hoeing.” This controversial and impactful publication detailed child labor conditions in the sugar beet fields. It has been connected to the reformation of many child labor laws across the nation and was named by The New York Times Book Review to be one of the most important books in the overhaul of child labor laws. Thanks in part to Hope and her book, there are now legal safeguards in place to protect children from exploitation. You can still read “Second Hoeing” in the Fort Collins Museum of Discovery archives.  


Jovita Vallecillo Lovato

You may recognize Jovita Lovato from last year’s Women’s History Month campaign; she is one of the most notable women in Fort Collins history and shattered glass ceiling after glass ceiling in her pursuit of education. Jovita Vallencillo Lobato was born in Fort Collins in 1908 – her parents were sugar beet farmers and would encourage both of their children to attend public school and college. Jovita is the first known Mexican-American to graduate from public school in the Fort Collins area in 1932 and became the first Mexican-American student to graduate from CSU in 1936 with degrees in economics and sociology. Undeterred by societal barriers, Jovita would go on to earn a master’s degree in psychology and teach in schools in CO, NM, and NJ. 60 years after she graduated, she and her brother Salvador were honored at the CSU El Centro Achievement Awards. Over 1,000 Hispanic and Latinx students were enrolled at CSU that year, following in Jovita’s footsteps. 

Jovita Vallecillo Lovato

Pauline Robinson

Pauline Robinson

Ever participated in our Summer Reading Challenge? Pauline Robinson was instrumental in Denver’s very first summer reading program which went on to become one of the most successful programs in the country. She was also the first African-American librarian in Denver and spent a lifetime fighting for equal rights and better educational opportunities for children. Pauline was one of eight children and grew up in Oklahoma with a love of books fostered by her father and grandfather. Eventually, she moved to Denver where she graduated high school, married, and went on to college at Denver University. She graduated from DU with a degree in Library Science and became the first Black librarian in Denver in 1943. She began her career in the historically black neighborhood Five Points, at the Community Vocational Center Library. The library had poor funding and its collection that was mostly made up of materials other Denver Public Library (DPL) branches were getting rid of. Pauline often used or raised her own money to grow the library’s collection. Eventually, Pauline, along with several school principals successfully lobbied for a new library in the neighborhood and she was officially recognized as Denver’s first African American librarian. She eventually became the Children’s Coordinator for DPL and was the first to develop Heritage book lists centering around different identities which diversified the library’s collection and provided resources to traditionally underserved communities. Pauline was also a fierce Civil Rights advocate and was instrumental in desegregating Lakeside Amusement Park, created Denver’s Negro history week which eventually became Black History Month, and started the first Negro history collection, now the Black History collection at DPL. After a lifetime of service to her community, Pauline passed away in 1997. Today, a branch of DPL, the Pauline Robinson Branch Library continues to serve the Denver community in her vision.


Sister Mary Alice Murphy

Have you heard of the Murphy Center in Fort Collins? It’s named after Sister Mary Alice Murphy! For decades, Sister Mary ran community outreach programs in Northern Colorado including affordable housing, soup kitchens, and eventually the Murphy Center for Hope which centralized resources for individuals experiencing homelessness. She first came to Colorado to attend Denver University for her Master’s Degree and eventually moved to Fort Collins where she led Catholic Charities Northern beginning in 1983. She dedicated her entire life to the underserved communities of Northern Colorado. Today, the Murphy Center collaborates with other care providers in the area and provides services to over 3,000 people a year in Larimer County. Sister Mary Alice continues to live in Fort Collins today and will turn 93 years old this year. In 2021, Mayor Jenny Arndt declared her birthday, August 7th, Sister Mary Alice Murphy day in Fort Collins. Any individual seeking assistance from a resource provider from the Murphy Center can drop by Old Town Library on Fridays from 2 – 5 PM. 

Sister Mary Alice Murphy

Debra Bueno

Debra Bueno

The Northside Community Aztlan Center is a cornerstone of the Fort Collins community. Everyone ages 0-99 can come enjoy a space to workout, hangout, or simply be. For 35 years, Debra Bueno was the director of Northside Aztlan planning programs to engage youth in summer activities and always maintaining an open door. A 2017 article from the Coloradoan called her “the heart and soul of the Northside.” With a mission to empower young people to take leadership roles, she dedicated her life to community service. As a native of Fort Collins and the Tres Colonias neighborhood, Debra also became inspired to serve her community by her father, J. Victor Bueno Sr. who spent a lifetime advocating for the Hispanic and Latinx community in Fort Collins. Debra was inducted into the Colorado Hispanic Hall of Fame in 2018 as the Unsung Hero of the year. 


Christine Marie Arguello

There are many firsts in Christine Arguello’s life: she is the first Hispanic United States District Court Judge for Colorado, the first Latina from Colorado to be admitted to Harvard School of Law, the first Hispanic to be promoted to partner at one of the then “big four” law firms in Colorado, the first Latina to be tenured to full professor at University of Kansas School of Law, and the first Hispanic Chief Deputy Attorney General for Colorado. Judge Christine Marie Arguello was born in Thatcher, Colorado and grew up in poverty. She went on to become a first-generation college graduate from the University of Colorado before beginning a career of breaking glass ceilings. Over her career, she fostered a passion for mentoring young people and teens who aim to break into the legal field and created the “Yes We Can” mentoring service program in 2014 where would-be lawyers are matched with three mentors and eventually awarded scholarships for LSAT programs. Judge Arguello has been indicted into the Colorado Latino Hispanic Hall of Fame, the Colorado Women’s Hall of Fame, and has won numerous awards in her field. Today, she continues to serve as a United States District Judge. Her groundbreaking career will inspire generations of women that aim to make a difference in the legal system. 

Christine Marie Arguello

Patty Lopez

Patty Lopez

You may recognize Patty Lopez from a paper towel commericial. A celebrated software engineer, Patty was featured as part of Brawny’s “Strength Has No Gender” campaign and continues her fruitful career at Intel in Fort Collins today.  She has seven patents in her field and was also the first in her family to get a post-graduate degree. Additionally, was one of the few Latinas in the United States to earn a P.h.D in STEM in the mid 1990s. Out of college, she was hired by HP in Fort Collins. She was the only woman in her workplace upon hiring. Her plan was to move up the ladder at HP and when she applied for a promotion, they told her they chose the best person for job. Later when she asked for feedback about her application and interview, her manager told her that next time,  she would need to be “the safe choice” to which he quickly corrected to “best choice.” This statement, clearly based around her gender in a male-dominated field impacted her deeply sowing self-doubt within. However, Patty mustered the strength to walk away from HP and began a successful career working for Intel where she remains to this day.  

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1998 vs Now

Posted on February 24, 2023 by Annaclaire Crumpton in Library Blog

25 Years of Harmony Library, A Look at 1998 and Today 

In 1998, “The Boy is Mine” by Brandy and Monica was the most popular song, scrunchies were all the rage, and the average price for a gallon of gas was $1.06. 

While gas prices have risen and scrunchies have made a surprising comeback, Harmony Library has remained a consistent community resource since opening its doors to the public in 1998. The trees out front have grown exponentially alongside the resume of programs, services, and the number of customers the Library has served. 

Years of growth at Harmony Library

Harmony Library is the Library District’s longest-lasting partnership. It is a physical manifestation of how the collaboration between Front Range Community College (FRCC) and Poudre Libraries has benefited a community over 25 years. From concerts like “Harmony in the Round” to welcoming local superstars like Dr. Temple Grandin, there are so many things to celebrate about 25 years of community service.  

From the smiles of toddlers to the stress of college student’s midterms, the joint-use building between Poudre Libraries and FRCC has welcomed hundreds of thousands of Northern Colorado citizens with open arms regardless of their needs. 

Below, we’ve gathered a fun list of then vs now comparisons to frame Harmony’s 25th Anniversary with a fresh perspective.  

1998 2023
#1 Best Selling Book  A Man in Full by Tom Wolfe 
 
Summary: Charles Croker, a middle-aged, egotistical former-college-football-star-turned-tycoon, finds his life turned upside down and the delicate racial balance of Atlanta threatened when star running back Fareek Fanon, a product of the city’s slums, is accused of raping an Atlanta aristocrat’s daughter. 
 
Spare by Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex 
 
Summary: It was one of the most searing images of the twentieth century: two young boys, two princes, walking behind their mother’s coffin as the world watched in sorrow—and horror. As Diana, Princess of Wales, was laid to rest, billions wondered what the princes must be thinking and feeling—and how their lives would play out from that point on. For Harry, this is that story at last. 
#1 Best-Selling Album  The Titanic Soundtrack, James Horner 
 
Listen to the soundtrack of this award-winning film on Hoopla with your Library card or check out the movie on DVD.  
Taylor Swift, Midnights 
 
Swifties unite! Listen to this top seller on Hoopla while you peruse the collection at Harmony Library.  
#1 Best-Selling Song  “The Boy is Mine” by Brandy and Monica captured our hearts with its R&B roots and amazing vocals.  
 
Listen to the Best of Brandy on-demand with Hoopla.  
 
 
“As it Was” by Harry Styles has been playing in our headphones for the last year! We don’t have this in our collection yet but you can enjoy resources on the pop star’s beginnings in the boy band One Direction while enjoying the laid-back teen section in Harmony Library.  
 
Colorado Population  3.969 million people called Colorado home in 1998. Since then, the Centennial State has seen a jump in population across the state. Read more about the 90s across the United States with picks from our collection. 
 
Today, 5.8 million people take in our 300 days of sunshine a year. Find out more about the Colorado’s connection to the outdoor lifestyles with books on hiking, biking, and winter sports. 
Fort Collins Population  110,505 people called Fort Collins home in 1998. Enjoy perusing historical photographs of Fort Collins via the Fort Collins History Connection,a collaboration between the Fort Collins Museum of Discovery and Poudre Libraries.   Today, Fort Collins metro-area population is estimated around 349,000. You can “check-out” one of these folks at our Human Library event on Sunday in collaboration with the Fort Collins Museum of Discovery.  
Poudre Libraries  In 1998, Poudre Libraries opened its second Library location, Harmony Library. It was the first library outside of the downtown area to serve the community. The majority of our collection was physical and the DVDs that  lined our shelves were just three-years old.   Today, our three-library system continues to serve the Northern Colorado area. Our digital collection has grown, we offer “gadgets and things” for checkout, and DVDs are still available in abundance – even in binge watch set form. 
Denver Broncos  The Denver Broncos won their first Superbowl led by quarterback John Elway. The Denver Broncos did not win a Superbowl, they didn’t even make it to the playoffs. Then again, everyone loves a comeback story. Get nostalgic with Broncos materials in our collection.  
 
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For the Love of Reading

Posted on February 10, 2023 by Katie Auman in Library Blog

FoCo Book Fest to Host 33 authors and 38 Sessions

Fort Collins Book Fest

Many of us can point to a book or author that made a significant impact in our lives – how we think, how we navigate the world, the stories we love. It starts with that one special book. Now imagine an entire month dedicated to the love of reading! Imagine what you can discover at the Fort Collins Book Fest.

Join us throughout February for FoCo Book Fest, an all-ages event featuring in-person activities and virtual sessions. The full lineup of authors, schedule, and links to required registrations, is available on the event website, www.FoCoBookFest.org.

The festival includes author talks, writing workshops, kids and teen activities, reading, books signings, panel discussions, and other creative activities. All sessions are free to attend and open to the public.

Here are just a few highlights.

For the Love of Reading

We’ve got book clubs, author readings, panel discussions, and book signings lined up throughout the month featuring many amazing local and regional authors. Check out poet John Tipton (Believers and Seven Sermons from the Bacchae); thriller writers Carter Wilson (The New Neighbor) and Erika Wurth (White Horse); debut author Nazli Koca (The Applicant); and other bestselling storytellers from a variety of backgrounds and genres.

To further celebrate your love of reading, join your bookish friends and neighbors for events like Lit Trivia (Thursday, February 2 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Snowbank Brewing) and Book Bingo (Wednesday, February 15 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Mythmaker Brewery). It’s a fun chance to match wits with fellow book lovers and just connect over a shared love of reading.

Human Library: “Being Me in Fort Collins”

Human Library participants laughing
Two participants at the Human Library®, photo taken by Howard County Library System

Typical libraries offer print books and digital eBooks for check out, but the Human Library® allows participants – or Readers – to borrow a human Book and engage in conversations about their unique stories, particularly their experiences in Fort Collins regarding their identity. The Human Library program creates a safe and non-judgmental environment for curious and often taboo conversations that will challenge prejudices and promote understanding of differences. Sunday, February 26 from 2:00 – 5:00 p.m. at Fort Collins Museum of Discovery. Registration is required.

Writing Workshops

Writing Workshop

Writing workshops are back with even more opportunities to hone your craft and learn from fellow writers. All writing workshops are free. Some workshops require registration.

The festival kicks off with the CSU Veteran’s Writing Group at Old Town Library on Wednesday, February 1 from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. and continues Saturday, February 4 with a teen writing workshop on comics featuring author-cartoonist Will Betke-Brunswick.

Every Sunday in February, our partners at Northern Colorado Writers host popular workshops that focus on memoir, horror, how-to writing, and writing for Kindle Vella.

Family-Friendly Events

Building a love of reading can make all the difference in a child’s life. So be sure to mark your calendar for family-friendly events throughout the book festival including children’s author readings with Wanda Vásquez Garcia (From Across the Street / Del Otro Lado de la Calle) and Megan Levaque (Dance to the Moon).

For aspiring writers and illustrators, we have creative workshops scheduled – be sure to register to reserve a space for your child. Children’s illustrator Cathy Morrison hosts an Illustration Workshop on Monday, February 20 at Old Town Library. That’s followed by Be a Writer Workshop with Tara Dairman (The Girl from Earth’s End)for kids in grades 3-5. Later that day, Harmony Library hosts two Be a Bookmaker Workshops.

Teen Track

In addition to Betke-Brunswick’s writing workshop, teens can join the Teen Writers group or plan to attend an amazing YA Author Panel at Old Town Library. The panel takes place Sunday, February 19 from 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. and features Ellen O’Clover (Seven Percent of Ro Devereux), JC Peterson (Lola at Last), Jessie Weaver, Leslie Vedder, and Olivia Chadha at Old Firehouse Books

And there’s much more! The full author lineup, schedule of sessions, and links to registrations is available at www.FoCoBookFest.org. See you there!

The event is presented by Poudre River Public Library District with support from local organizations and businesses including CSU Libraries, CSU Department of English, KUNC and the Colorado Sound, Front Range Community College, Old Firehouse Books, and many others.

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Automatic Renewals Begin February 1

Posted on February 1, 2023 by Katie Auman in Library Blog
Giant Chess outside Old Town Library, photo credit: City of Fort Collins

You can cross “renew library books” off your To-Do list. Starting February 1, 2023, library materials checked out on your account will attempt to renew automatically one day prior to the due date. Each auto-renewal gives you an additional loan period to enjoy your books, DVDs, or other items. No need to click “renew” in your library account or call the Answer Center (970-221-6740) to get more time.

How does automatic renewal work?

The day before your item is due, our system will try to automatically renew it. You will receive an email letting you know which items were renewed and which items are still due the next day.

If successful, your loan will be extended from the existing due date. Renewal periods will be the same length as the original loan period. If unsuccessful, you will continue to receive notices about overdue items.

Will everything automatically renew?

shelf of books

Most physical items are eligible for automatic renewals. However, an item will not auto-renew if another library customer has requested it (placed it on hold) or the item has reached its maximum number of renewals (up to 3 for most items).

Some library materials are not eligible for auto-renewal including

  • Interlibrary Loans
  • Here & Now Collection
  • Lucky Day Collection
  • Some Gadgets & Things items
  • Select Prospector/MOBIUS items
  • Digital downloaded content from Libby, hoopla, and similar services

Library accounts that are blocked due to excessive fees or other issues are not eligible for auto-renewals. Please contact the Answer Center for assistance if your account is blocked, (970) 221-6740.

To make sure that you receive important reminders and notifications, check that your email address is current in “My Account” or add an email address using the “Edit Account” button. You can also review and update your email by calling the Answer Center or visiting the library for assistance.

At this time, SMS text notices cannot include information about auto-renewals. If you use Text Alerts, you will need to call the Answer Center or log in to your account to check due dates and auto-renewals.

Additional details about automatic renewals, including Frequently Asked Questions, is available at PoudreLibraries.org/borrow/renewals.

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Recent Posts

  • woman reading to group of children

    Support Local Businesses & Your Library on Library Giving Day

    March 21, 2023
  • Learn Your Herstory: Women’s History Month 2023

    March 10, 2023
  • 1998 vs Now

    February 24, 2023
  • Human Library participants laughing

    For the Love of Reading

    February 10, 2023

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