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Savor Summer with the Library

Posted on June 22, 2022 by Katie Auman in Annie, Holiday, Library Programs, Library Services

Cost-free Experiences, Gadgets, and Crafts to Make the Most of Summer 2022 

Have you been filling up your car recently and heard your credit/debit card weep silently from your wallet? What about when you buy a pound of spaghetti with a 30-cent markup compared to a month ago?  

The Library might not be able to battle ongoing inflation but our collection is full of ways to help you save money without sacrificing summer fun. From visiting Colorado cultural sites with our Curiosity Pass to checking out craft kits from our Gadgets and Things collection, we’ve created a summer guide for cost-free entertainment! 

Backyard BBQ 

“BBQ&A with Myron Mixon: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Barbecue” with Kelly Alexander answers the questions most frequently asked of him during his many live cooking demos, TV appearances, and private cooking classes. Myron’s lively, informative answers are paired with practical visuals and cover techniques and methods, flavors and preparations, recipes and formulas. 

“The Bludso’s BBQ Cookbook: A Family Affair in Smoke and Soul” by Kevin Bludso offers 90 delicious recipes for main meats, sides and desserts from the famous pitmaster and restauranteur behind Bludso’s BBQ. This cookbook doubles as a love letter to the often-misunderstood city of Compton and the story of his family and community. 

Has your family gone meat-free? Melissa Copeland’s “30-minute Frugal Vegan Recipes” centers around low-cost vegetable-based meals. Cook portobello mushrooms right and they’re almost as good as a ribeye steak.  

Go Camping 

Ever wanted to go camping, but had no idea where to start? Need to unplug, but not sure what to do? “Sleeping Bags to S’mores: Camping Basics” by Heather Balogh Rochfort and William Rochfort provides tips on everything from choosing a destination and staying safe to what to cook – all on a budget. 

If you’re camping in the wilderness or in your backyard, check out our “Celestron Telescope” in the Gadgets & Things Collection. Each telescope kit comes with two magnifying eyepieces, a book “50 Things to See with a Telescope,” a “Young Stargazer’s Guide,” folding tripod and red light flashlight. A perfect addition to any camping trip under the stars. 

We also offer solar lights for checkout for off-the-grid camping or vacations to power your outdoor summer evenings! 

Make S’mores 

“S’mores! Gooey, Melty, Crunchy Riffs on the Campfire Classic” by Dan Whalen offers more than 50 playful, irresistible recipes that completely challenge the definition of a s’more. Riffs range from classic, ‘salted Caramel S’mores, Nutella S’mores, and Lemon Meringue S’mores’ to crazy. Think Avocado S’mores, S’moresburgers, and the Elvis’ bacon, banana, and peanut butter nirvana. 

Go Hiking 

The Falcon Guide series of “Best Hikes” details treks from Rocky Mountain National Park to wildflower trails to hiking with kids, and features detailed information and tips for your next hiking adventure.  

The Library’s Gadget & Things Collections features unique items for check out like the “Discover Pack.” This pack includes a Larimer County Natural Resources parking pass and family activity pouch for a fun day exploring parks and open spaces. 

The Library’s collection also offers state park passes for check-out. Explore Lory State Park closer to home or take a road trip to other beautiful state parks like Sylvan Lake State Park. 

Make Homemade Ice Cream 

Many ice cream recipes have less than five ingredients! Resources in our collection can guide you to a low-cost summer indulgence. 

“The Perfect Scoop: 200 Recipes for Ice Creams, Sorbets, Gelatos, Granitas, and Sweet Accompaniments” by David Lebovitz offers frozen favorites ranging from classic (Chocolate-Peanut Butter) to comforting (S’mores Ice Cream) and contemporary (Lavender-Honey) to cutting-edge (Labneh Ice Cream with Pistachio-Sesame Brittle). Also appearing is a brand-new selection of frozen cocktails and an indulgent series of sauces, toppings, and mix-ins. 

“Rose’s Ice Cream Bliss” by Rose Levy Beranbaum offers easy-to-follow, meticulously tested, and innovative recipes. Find perfect ice creams and other frozen treats that are simple to churn up anytime. Here she gives her foolproof base method, plus all the tips and info you need to know. 

Screen a Movie Outside 

Want to enjoy the movie theatre experience right from your backyard? Check out our “Portable Projector” from the Gadgets & Things Collection. 

The projector kits include the projector and speakers and can be used to project images from DVD players, Blu-ray players, laptop computers, USB flashdrives, CD cards, and smart devices. Don’t forget to pick up a DVD from the library’s collection or stream one from hoopla or Kanopy. 

Get Outside 

No matter what your location—from a small patch of green in the city to the wide-open meadows of the country—each activity in “I Love Dirt! 52 Activities to Help You and Your Kids Discover the Wonders of Nature” by Jennifer Ward is meant to promote exploration, stimulate imagination, and heighten a child’s sense of wonder. 

Looking for guided visits to Natural Areas or the city’s beautiful parks? We offer outdoor excursions with various summer programs including Out and About in Natural Areas Programs, Storytime at the Gardens on Spring Creek, and Art in the Great Outdoors Series. Find out more about all our summer programs via our online events calendar.  

Regardless of how you’re spending the summer or saving your money, the Library is there to help you achieve the Colorado summer of your dreams. 

activities, cost-free, entertainment, Fort Collins, kids and family, summer Read More

Watching the Roses Bloom

Posted on June 15, 2022 by Annaclaire Crumpton in Library Blog, Library Services

Meet Your Librarian Series: Teen Services Librarian, Miranda West

Teen Services Librarian, Miranda West

From planning “Nerd Proms” to burying herself in young adult fiction, Miranda West’s nearly ten years at Poudre Libraries have been filled with interesting interactions, years of learning, and dedication to Fort Collins teens. 

The shelves and corners of Poudre Libraries have been familiar to Miranda since she was a child. A Fort Collins native, she now serves as one of the district’s Teen Services Librarians guiding teens through creative programs and the turbulent times of adolescence. 

The Poudre River Path 

After graduating from Colorado State University with an English degree, Miranda started her journey in circulation at Old Town Library. After a brief time helping customers locate their next great read, her future became clear.  

“I grew up going to the library all the time; I have a lifelong love of learning and sharing that with other people and so it seriously came to me like a lightbulb moment, that’s what I should be doing,” she said about realizing her ultimate career path.  

Pursuing her Master’s degree in Library Science while working in circulation and later at the reference desk at all three libraries, Miranda felt most connected to the curriculum in her teen services classes. 

Council Tree Library
Harmony Library
Old Town Library

“Working with the teens is the most fun; they are so interesting, smart, funny, and creative. The Library is uniquely positioned to support and empower teens; it’s not school or home and… it’s more about exploring their interests and making them feel connected to the community.” 

Teens and Pandemic Programming 

Miranda began as the Teen Services Librarian in 2018 – many elements of her job changed drastically after the COVID-19 pandemic began. Librarians across the district made the most of pandemic-related challenges, many of them creating virtual programs for customers to tune into from home.  

Teens were difficult to engage in virtual programs after having to transition to school online. Rather than socializing with peers at school, they spent those hours isolated in front of the computer.  In a survey conducted by John Hopkins University, 36 percent of teens reported a great or moderate increase in mental health issues during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

In regards to serving teens during the pandemic, Miranda said, “The last couple of years have been really weird. Teens are generally very busy and I don’t blame them for not wanting to attend programs when they were going to school online.” 

The Next Chapter 

However, youth resilience prevailed. In December 2021, Teen Librarians Miranda West and Jenny Thurman along with the district’s Teen Council (a group of local teens who meet monthly to plan programs and shape the teen collection) hosted the first large in-person teen program in two years, a wonderful Yule Ball. Council Tree Library transformed into the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry with activities like wand making, an escape room, a dance floor, and snacks galore.  

Teens came decked out in their absolute best, proudly sporting their allegiance to their Houses. Reflecting on the event, Miranda said, “It was so cool to see the kids come out in their costumes and they had so much fun. It’s always nice when they tell you they had fun too! Our Teen Council did such a great job putting it together and I’m really proud of them.” 

Attendees enjoying Teen Council’s Yule Ball

Creating those spaces for teens to come and socialize and have a break in their busy schedules is a cornerstone of Miranda’s work and is even more salient post-pandemic. “We felt like [programs] were an important thing to have since they had been missing out on that together. It was important for them to talk to each other and be there for each other. Another part of that is supporting mental health.” 

A Decade of Library Moments 

Beyond planning teen-centered activities like the Yule Ball and previous Nerd Proms (where teens lived out their favorite characters in cosplay – many in handmade costumes), Miranda finds fulfillment in the public service of librarianship through interacting with the community. 

When it comes to working on the front lines in Library buildings, expecting the unexpected – from strange questions or requests to rewarding interactions with teens – is part of exceptional public service.  

In her days working at the reference desk, Miranda, who has an overwhelming fear of snakes, helped one customer research the intricacies of snake breeding in pursuit of his own reptile business. Despite her own phobia, Miranda explored all the resources available to him – in detail.  

Reptile Reference!
I can connect you to medical services….
The Library as a second home.

She was also asked to evaluate a man’s injury – a large laceration on his leg. She provided resources for medical attention and also made it clear that her expertise lies more with fiction than medical anatomy.  

More recently, Miranda helped a woman make copies of her work visa just the right size using the Library’s free copy service. “It’s moments like that that make my job really rewarding,” she said.  

One of Miranda’s most heartwarming library moments came from a member of Poudre Libraries long-standing program, Teen Council, a few years ago. After moving from Brazil to Fort Collins with his family, Miranda witnessed a young boy blossom and open up to his peers over the course of the monthly meetings.  

One night, when his mom was running late to pick him up, he told her, “I love coming here because it feels like a second home to me.” Not only was his expression of comfort an affirmation of Miranda’s work, praise from teenagers is often hard-earned.  

Gardening Possibilities 

Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her cats and loves traveling. Her favorite place in the world is Paris, France where she first traveled with her best friend and later became engaged to her husband in front of the Eiffel Tower while it was sparkling under the night sky.  

Her favorite book of all time is Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë and in her spare time, she voraciously consumes young adult literature. 

Miranda also recently had her garden’s first rose bloom of the season spark joy on her way to the Library.  

The bloom can be related to her work; “In groups like our Teen Council (who we see every month) there are teens that have been attending for three years so you get to see them from 12 years old until they graduate from high school and witness their growth. They end up opening up to you about their lives as well as sharing what they want to do with them. It’s really great to see that growth.”  

Meet Your Librarian, Poudre River Public Library District, Teens Read More

Share Your Pride!

Posted on June 9, 2022 by Annaclaire Crumpton in Book Recommendations, Holiday, Library Programs, Library Services

Films, Television, Books, and Events for LGBTQ+ Pride Month 

June brings long summer evenings, barbecues, and of course, Pride! The origins of this month-long celebration of the LGBTQ+ community can be traced back to the Stonewall Riots – a spontaneous series of demonstrations in New York City by members of the LGBTQ+ community in 1969 to protest discriminatory treatment in restaurants and bars. 

Today, the Stonewall Riots are widely recognized as the spark that lit the gay rights movement in the United States. The bravery of trailblazers like Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera in the Stonewall Riots has created the modern Pride month, a joyous time for us to celebrate LGBTQ+ communities across the world. 

Poudre Libraries welcome everyone into our public spaces. As the Library Bill of Rights states, “Books and other library resources should be provided for the interest, information, and enlightenment of all people of the community the library serves.” 

Find a few choice books, movies, TV series, and events at the Poudre Libraries to celebrate Pride below.  

Books 

Sylvia and Marsha Start a Revolution!  

By Joy Micheal Ellison 

This illustrated book introduces children to the story of Sylvia Rivera and Marsha P. Johnson, the two transgender women of color who helped kickstart the Stonewall Riots and dedicated their lives to fighting for LGBTQ+ equality. It introduces children to issues surrounding gender identity and diversity, accompanied by a reading guide and teaching materials to further the conversation.


Tasty Pride: 75 Recipes and Stories from the Queer Food Community 

By Buzzfeed’s Tasty 

Tasty has always been a place to turn for good eats. In this creative cookbook, stories of love, pride, and acceptance—and the important role that food can play in that journey—accompany innovative yet totally doable recipes.


Over the Top: A Raw Journey to Self-love 

By Jonothan Van Ness 

Before he stole our hearts as the grooming and self-care expert on Netflix’s hit show Queer Eye, Jonathan was growing up in a small Midwestern town that didn’t understand why he was so over the top. This award-winning memoir uncovers the pain and passion it took to become the model of self-love and acceptance that Jonathan is today.  


Queerfully and Wonderfully Made: A Guide for LGBTQ+ Christian Teens 

By Leigh Finke 

Whether you’re queer, questioning, or straight, understanding sexuality and gender identity can be confusing. If you’re a Christian, questions of identity can be even scarier. Written by a group of queer adults, this book features insight and support for LGBTQ+ Christian teens. 


Rainbow Revolutionaries: 50 LGBTQ+ People Who Made History 

By Sarah Prager 

The biographies of 50 pioneering LGBTQ+ people from around the world spring to life on the pages of this book. Short, engaging bios, and bold, dynamic art offer readers the chance to delve into the lives of Wen of Han, a Chinese emperor who loved his boyfriend as much as his people, Martine Rothblatt, a trans woman who’s helping engineer the robots of tomorrow, and so many more. 


Queer Intentions: A (Personal) Journey Through LGBTQ+ Culture 

By Amelia Abraham 

LGBTQ+ people living in the West have more freedoms than ever before. But is same-sex marriage, and improved media visibility all it’s cracked up to be? With curiosity, good humor, and disarming openness, Amelia takes the reader on a thought-provoking and entertaining journey. This book provides the ultimate exploration of the joys and pains of being LGBTQ+ in the West at a time when queer culture has never been so mainstream. 

Movies and Television 

Kanopy, an online movie and television platform accessible with your library card, offers dozens of choices to celebrate Pride within their LGBTQ Cinema category. 

Explore this genre to find films like Moonlight, The Watermelon Woman, Caravaggio, and more. In the mood to laugh? Explore the subgenre LGBTQ comedy – the same goes for Drama, International Films, Romance, Biopics, and more.  

You can also explore TV shows like Bride and Prejudice on Hoopla that are centered around LGBTQ+ themes and concepts.  

Pride in Fort Collins 

Looking for a way to celebrate Pride in Northern Colorado? Take part in Trek Bike Shop’s “Pride Ride” on Sunday, June 5, join the annual NoCo Pride March on July 15 starting in Old Town Square, or celebrate pride all year with Poudre Library District’s QSA (queer-straight alliance) at Old Town Library designed for teen ages 13-18 (the third Thursday of each month from 5 – 6 PM.) 

Looking for more book, film, and event recommendations? Need help downloading digital materials? Visit the Poudre River Public Libraries in person or online at www.PoudreLibraries.org. 

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What Should I Read Next

Posted on June 2, 2022 by Katie Auman in Book Recommendations, Library Blog, Library Services

Easy resources for finding next great book, author, or series

You’ve blown through your current book and want another great page-turner. Maybe you want another book by the same author or one that’s similar, a “read alike.” With all the books, audiobooks, and eBooks available to choose from, finding that next great read can feel a bit like trying to find a needle in a haystack.

Where to start? Your library!

Many readers love browsing the library shelves and looking over the book displays to find the latest addition to their “to be read” pile. But if you’re not in the library, or don’t know what you’re looking for in particular, the following library resources can help.

Of course, we invite you to talk with a librarian – we love offering up recommendations!

Readers’ Café

The Library’s Readers Café webpage is a one-stop-shop for all things book-related: reading recommendations, book lists, author spotlights, book reviews, and new titles added to the collection. You can even find Book Club Kits to use with your book group. Librarians update the site frequently with new book showcases, awards lists, and more. Visit the Readers’ Café.

NoveList Plus

The redesigned NoveList Plus service will have you discovering read-alikes in no time. You can access a quick version of NoveList through the online catalog or you can log in to a robust version via Readers’ Café or our Research page.

Direct to NoveList Plus:
After using your library card number and PIN to log in to NoveList, you can conduct a variety of searches and filter your results by age, genre, and appeal. What are you in the mood to read? A book that’s intricately plotted and compelling? Maybe one that’s leisurely paced and reflective? Love character-driven, historical fiction? You can narrow in on the perfect book for you using the NoveList search features.

Via the Catalog: When you’re in the catalog search and have chosen a title, the entry may also offer you additional reading recommendations. Scroll down toward the bottom of the item entry to “You May Also Like” to find lists of books, authors, and series that you might find appealing based on your book
selection.

Scroll a bit further down the entry and you can explore reading suggestions based on “Story Elements” like theme, genre, and appeal. There is also the option to find similar books by reading level – this is particularly useful for children and teen readers. Love book lists and recommendations?

SelectReads

SelectReads is the service for you! In addition to awards lists and author spotlights, the service provides customized reading recommendations just for you.

Subscribe to the “Book Recommendations Newsletter” and receive a monthly roundup of great book titles and authors based on your preferred genres and age groups. Not ready to subscribe? Access the lists online through the Library’s SelectReads service. The Readers’ Café has a direct link
to SelectReads.

Another great option, “My SelectReads”, is like having your own librarian, ready to share new titles and authors based on your personal interests. You choose your own content from a list of categories and specify how often you want to receive the email newsletter. Interested in business, art, or sports? You got it! Love a specific author? No problem. Want email alerts once a week or just once a month? Done.

Summer Reading Account BookLists

After you create your online Summer Reading Challenge account, you can access a list of age-appropriate book recommendations from your Poudre Libraries librarians based on
this year’s theme, Oceans of Possibilities. It’s a great resource for kids and teens as they complete the reading challenge and work toward earning their 10-hour reading prize. Join fellow readers this summer for the annual, all-ages Summer Reading Challenge and dive into an ocean of great books. Your “to be read” pile is going to be huge!

book recommendation, Library Services, Poudre River Public Library District Read More

Information Landscaping

Posted on May 27, 2022 by Annaclaire Crumpton in Library Blog, Library Services, News, Resources

Revitalizing Northern Colorado Journalism with a Unique Collaborative

Scientists estimate we process up to 74 GB of information daily, a number that increases by about 5 percent each year. In 2009 for example, the average amount individuals processed daily was 34 GB. This rise in exposure to information can be attributed to the internet which has transformed every facet of information consumption. 

This rapid change accompanies an experience many of us have had – coming across an article while surfing the internet that seems a little…out of place. The headline catches your eye, it could be inflammatory, news that doesn’t pertain to your area, or it could lean heavily towards a particular political party. 

With such a rapid increase in the amount of information we process, our local information ecosystems have seen an immense impact. The change in consumption created a paradigm shift in local journalism and the ways in which journalists distribute information. Journalists, and in particular, local journalists, face a new landscape and continue to race to adjust to the ever-changing newsroom. 

The Northern Colorado Deliberative Journalism Project 

Here in Northern Colorado, a new pathway for revitalizing local media has emerged. The Deliberative Journalism Project (DJP), sponsored by the CSU Center for Public Deliberation, partnered with The Coloradoan, KUNC, Fort Collins Public Media, and the CSU Journalism and Political Science departments are reimagining local journalism in modern times.  

Poudre Libraries is the newest partner to join the DJP team. It is ingrained within our philosophy to protect against misinformation by being a hub of free and fair access to knowledge.  

This ambitious collaboration will allow us and our partners the opportunity to re-engage the community with local journalism and protect our local information ecosystem! 

Coloradoan Conversations 

You might have seen us sharing Coloradoan Conversation posts on our social media – this initiative is a large piece of the current DJP. To facilitate conversations about local issues, the Coloradoan poses weekly questions pertaining to Northern Colorado.  

The goal of these conversations is to spark public discourse; commenting (a Coloradoan feature usually reserved for subscribers) is cost-free. Users simply establish an account with the Coloradoan and are encouraged to give their two-cents on the various questions posed each week. 

Here are just a few examples: 

Has $4 per gallon gas changed how you commute and shop, or are you absorbing the cost? 

How much should Fort Collins, Larimer County leaders spend on open space preservation? 

Who should pay for school lunches in Colorado? Students or our state’s richest residents? 

Tell us about your worst traffic headache in Northern Colorado and how it should be fixed. 

Register to participate in the conversation here! 

Get Involved 

Beyond Coloradoan Conversations, DJP events are usually hosted quarterly – past events have included panels on tackling Wicked Problems and misinformation with others focusing on issues impacting local journalism to come! These events are public and available in English and Spanish.  

The DJP core team, with representatives from different partners in the project, meets weekly. Once, every other month, the core team meeting is open to the public. Community members are encouraged to join for brainstorming and information on the many facets and goals of the DJP work.  

The information gathered from these events will be used by the DJP team to develop a plan of action to reimagine and improve our local media based on community input. Want to get involved? Sign up for upcoming DJP events or join our public meetings!  

If you’d like to learn more, look at where the project has been covered by the media below or visit the CSU Center for Public Deliberation’s website. 

Join the Coloradoan and CSU to weigh in on the future of journalism in Northern Colorado 

By Eric Larsen, Executive Editor, Fort Collins Coloradoan 

Inside the News: ‘Deliberative Journalism’ Week in Colorado 

By Corey Hutchins, Colorado News Collaborative 

How do you combat misinformation? CSU professor says it’s a personal responsibility 

By Erin O’Toole, Host & Senior Producer, Colorado Edition KUNC 

Additionally, any questions can be sent to Martin Carcasson, Director of the Center for Public Deliberation at mcarcas@colostate.edu. 

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