News

Fall Food Drive

(Greeley – September, 2019) The High Plains Library District is once again hosting its Fall Food Drive in libraries across the District.

Several northern Colorado libraries have partnered with local Food Banks to help stock food bank shelves in preparation for the holiday season.

Participating libraries throughout the High Plains Library District will be offering limited fine/fee forgiveness in conjunction with a food drive to benefit the Weld Food Bank, Erie Community Food Bank, Carbon Valley Help Center, Triangle Cross Ranch (Eaton), Ault Food Bank, Nunn Sharehouse, Pierce Food Bank, and Milliken Community Food Pantry.

Libraries in Ault, Eaton, Erie, Evans, Firestone, Gilcrest, Greeley, Hudson, Johnstown, Kersey, Platteville as well as the Bookmobile will be offering fine forgiveness October 6-19. One can is equal to $1 off fines/fees with the maximum forgiveness set at $70.

“Our Fall Food Drive is a terrific way to reach our underserved communities who need a little help this time of the year,” said James Melena, Community Relations and Marketing Manager for HPLD. “We are proud our libraries can help give back to the community and help those in need.”

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The High Plains Library District connects communities to information, inspiration and entertainment for life. HPLD includes libraries in Greeley, Firestone, Erie, Kersey, Ault, Eaton, Evans, Johnstown, Platteville, Hudson, Gilcrest and Fort Lupton.

High Plains Library District Board Seeks New Trustees

The High Plains Library District Board is accepting applications to fill two open positions on the Library Board of Trustees. The application deadline is October 11, 2019 with interviews to be held October 25, 2019. Both terms begin January 1, 2020, and end December 31, 2023.

This is a governing board which determines the policies of the library in relation to community needs, requires proper standards be maintained, provides adequate financing for the library operation and provides necessary buildings and equipment for activities of the library.

The Board of Trustees consists of seven (7) members, all of whom must reside within the boundaries of the District’s legal service area. The areas needing representation are:

Region 3. Mead, Johnstown, Milliken, Berthoud, Platteville, N-CR52, S-C66, E-US85, W-County Line

And one (1) At-Large Trustee

The Board typically meets at least one Monday a month, in the evenings. Meeting locations rotate among the libraries in the District. Though attendance at board meetings is a first concern, a trustee must also assume a sense of personal involvement and be willing to give extra time and effort to special library projects and committee meetings.

Applications are available online here and at www.mylibrary.us/board. Applications will be accepted until 5:00 p.m., October 11, 2019.

The High Plains Library District connects communities to information, inspiration and entertainment for life. HPLD includes libraries in Greeley, Evans, Firestone, Erie, Kersey, Ault, Eaton, Johnstown, Platteville, Hudson, Fort Lupton and Gilcrest.

Google Brings Economic Opportunity Initiative, ‘Grow With Google,’ To Colorado

Today, Google announced that it is coming to cities throughout Colorado as part of the tech company’s ‘Grow with Google’ initiative. The initiative aims to help create economic opportunity in communities across the United States by training Americans on free Google tools and resources designed to help them find the jobs they want, advance their careers, and grow their businesses. Google will kickstart this work locally by hosting free, one-day events in three libraries to help job seekers, small business owners, students, educators and entrepreneurs improve their digital skills.

Colorado tour dates, cities and locations include:

August 19, 2019: High Plains Library District – Farr Regional Library
9:30 AM – 4:30 PM
1939 61st Ave, Greeley, CO 80634

August 21, 2019: Boulder Public Library
9:30 AM – 4:30 PM
1001 Arapahoe Ave Boulder, CO

August 23, 2019: Pueblo City-County Library District, Robert Hoag Rawlings Public Library
9:30 AM – 4:30 PM
100 Abriendo Ave. Pueblo, CO

“Colorado is ranked as one of the top 10 states for starting a business, and industries such as healthcare, IT and energy are growing their Colorado workforce exponentially. We’re happy to bring ‘Grow with Google’ to Colorado, one of our home states, and to continue helping to develop a skilled workforce to meet the needs of the state’s growing economy, while ensuring Colorado remains a great place for entrepreneurs,” said Lauren Lambert, Google’s Head of External Affairs for the Southwest U.S.

In recognition that libraries have become centers for digital skills learning, ‘Grow with Google’ plans to visit libraries in every state, partnering with them to deliver digital skills trainings directly to community jobseekers and small businesses. According to the American Library Association, nearly three-quarters of public libraries assist their patrons with job applications and interviewing skills, 90% help their patrons learn basic digital skills, and just under half provide access and assistance to entrepreneurs looking to start a business of their own.

“Boulder Public Library supports adult education and digital literacy to transform lives and strengthen our community. BPL is a destination for human connection, life-long learning, civic engagement, and creative exploration. We’re pleased to partner with Grow with Google to support small businesses and job seekers with 1:1 mentor and workshop opportunities to expand online access and enhance digital skills,” said David Farnan, Library and Arts Director at Boulder Public Library.

“We are thrilled to team up with Google in bringing their world-class digital literacy expertise in-person to our community. Strong digital skills have never been more important and our local library is well poised to support Grow with Google in Pueblo. We welcome Google to Pueblo and are grateful for their help in advancing our local workforce and small businesses,” said Jon Walker, Executive Director of Pueblo City-County Library District.

“In today’s technology driven age, it is vital that everyone, from jobseekers to entrepreneurs, develop and expand upon their virtual skills. The High Plains Library District is invested in helping the Greeley community increase digital literacy,” said Executive Director, Dr. Matthew Hortt. “Partnering to bring Grow with Google to our community is an amazing opportunity to do this. We are excited to host the event and help our patrons grow their skills.”

Throughout the day Google staff will teach a variety of hands-on workshops aimed to provide local businesses and residents with tools and resources to find the jobs they want, advance their careers and grow their businesses. Local nonprofits – libraries, government agencies, educational institutions and more – will also be invited to join the ‘Grow with Google’ partner program and receive training on the initiatives, free tools and curriculum so that they can continue to share resources with their patrons and customers. Attendees are welcome to drop in for a few sessions or stay all day and, outside of the specific workshops, can sign up for one-on-one 20 minute training sessions with Google staff.

Google is partnering with community organizations to spread the word about the events. Following the Grow with Google event, Google will explore ongoing partnership opportunities with area organizations to help with job training and developing digital skills.

Specifically, Grow with Google aims to help address the skills gap by preparing Americans for middle-skill jobs, positions that require some skills but not four year degrees. According to the National Middle Skills Initiative, middle skills jobs account to 50% of the Colorado labor force. A recent study by Burning Glass and Capital One found that more than 8 in 10 middle-skill jobs (82%) require digital skills. Overall, middle-skill jobs average $20 per hour.

In their 2018 Economic Impact Report, Google announced that 39,000 businesses in Colorado generated

$4.77 billion in economic activity by using Google’s search and advertising tools. The full report details Google’s economic impact state-by-state, and features the stories of businesses fueling that growth, creating job opportunities, and transforming their communities.

To learn more about the free event and to register, visit g.co/growcolorado. Space will be limited; so please register in advance.

About ‘Grow with Google’

‘Grow with Google’ is a new initiative to help create economic opportunities for Americans. The program draws on Google’s 20-year history of building products, platforms, and services that help people and businesses grow. Through this initiative, we aim to help everyone across America – those who make up the workforce of today and those who will drive the workforce of tomorrow – access the best of Google’s training and tools to grow their skills, careers, and businesses. For more information, please visit google.com/grow.

About The High Plains Library District

Carbon Valley Regional Library • Centennial Park Library • Eaton Public Library • Erie Community Library • Farr Regional Library • Fort Lupton Public & School Library • Glenn A. Jones, M.D. Memorial Library • Hudson Public Library • Kersey Library • Lincoln Park Library • Nantes Library • Northern Plains Public Library • Outreach • Platteville Public Library •Riverside Library and Cultural Center (Evans)

1-888-861-READ (7323) • www.MyLibrary.us

Garth Stein of ‘The Art of Racing in the Rain’ Chosen as 2019 Signature Author Series Speaker

(Greeley – July, 2019) — The High Plains Library District (HPLD) has announced its author for the 2019 Signature Author Series event taking place this fall. HPLD’s Signature Author Series is the premier event for the library District, drawing hundreds of residents and visitors regionally and nationwide each year.

On Sunday, November 10, Garth Stein will speak at the University of Northern Colorado University Center Ballroom in Greeley, Colorado on the topics of grief and empowerment in relation to his book ‘The Art of Racing in the Rain’, soon to be a movie released nationwide. This bestselling, award-winning book follows a dog’s journey and observations through life, offering insight into his human and into humanity.

“We are so excited to welcome Garth Stein as this year’s Signature Author. Our Signature Author event is meant to engage our community on a deeper level to affect positive change and bring awareness to important community topics, and this event will typify that community conversation,” said James Melena, Community Relations and Marketing Manager at HPLD.

Tickets for this event will go on sale August 23. Up to date information can be found at: www.mylibrary.us/racingintherain

1-888-861-READ (7323) • www.MyLibrary.us

High Plains Library District Announces Youth Engineering and Science Festival ‘YES!fest’ this Fall

(Greeley – June, 2019) — The High Plains Library District (HPLD) has announced its inaugural Youth Engineering and Science Festival, YES!fest, to debut at Greeley Recreation Center on September 21, 2019. This event will feature booths and demonstrations from organizations across many engineering fields and promises to be fun and educational for the whole family.

“This free event is perfect for families to get their kids interested in STEM activities as well as introduce them to engineering-related career options throughout our community,” said Dr. Matthew Hortt, Executive Director for HPLD. “We have over 20 exhibitors from across Colorado who are excited to show our community the opportunities their kids have in the fields of science and engineering. This event will feature organizations spanning the full spectrum of the engineering field, from Lockheed Martin to the Windsor Wizards Robotics Team.”

This program is possible thanks to the Space Science Institute’s National Center for Interactive Learning, the University of Virginia, and the American Society of Civil Engineers applying for and receiving a grant from the National Science Foundation to fund a program focused on introducing children to engineering. YES!fest is the culmination of this 3-year grant program.

A full list of tentative exhibitors can be found at www.mylibrary.us/yesfest.

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Carbon Valley Regional Library • Centennial Park Library • Eaton Public Library

Erie Community Library • Farr Regional Library • Fort Lupton Public & School Library

Glenn A. Jones, M.D. Memorial Library • Hudson Public Library • Lincoln Park Library

Northern Plains Public Library • Outreach • Platteville Public Library

Riverside Library and Cultural Center (Evans)

1-888-861-READ (7323) • www.MyLibrary.us

High Plains Library District Adds Public Computing Center to Briggsdale Community Library and Bookdrop in New Raymer

(Greeley – June, 2019) – The High Plains Library District (HPLD), in its effort to expand access to rural communities within the District, has added a Public Computing Center to Briggsdale Community Library and has also installed a bookdrop kiosk in New Raymer.

The new Public Computing Center in Briggsdale Community Library offers Wi-Fi that extends outside of the building giving the community and visitors internet access outside of library hours. Additionally, those holding meetings at Briggsdale Community Library can use the newly added MondoPad, which has computer, smartboard and online meeting hosting capabilities.

“We are thrilled Briggsdale Community Library is willing to host a Public Computing Center for their community. Visitors staying nearby at the Crow Valley Campground in Pawnee National Grasslands are also welcome to use our Wi-Fi service, no library card required,” said Dr. Matthew Hortt, Executive Director for HPLD..

“The addition of a bookdrop kiosk in New Raymer outside of the church will give this community a convenient location to drop off books and other materials. “We appreciate the input we received in what we could do of value for the New Raymer community.” Dr. Hortt said.

“Expanding access to High Plains Library District resources is essential in moving our District forward in reaching underserved communities across the District,” said Dr. Hortt. “This Public Computing Center and bookdrop may seem like small additions to our service area, but they can potentially have a lifelong impact on these communities. They serve as access points to online resources as well as a way to serve all members of our District.” This of one of the first steps in the execution of the HPLD Strategic Plan, and HPLD will continue to look into additional access points and opportunities to connect to underserved communities throughout the District.

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Carbon Valley Regional Library • Centennial Park Library • Eaton Public Library

Erie Community Library • Farr Regional Library • Fort Lupton Public & School Library

Glenn A. Jones, M.D. Memorial Library • Hudson Public Library • Lincoln Park Library

Northern Plains Public Library • Outreach • Platteville Public Library

Riverside Library and Cultural Center (Evans)

1-888-861-READ (7323) • www.MyLibrary.us

High Plains Library District Announces 2019 Writer in Residence

(Greeley – April, 2019) – The High Plains Library District (HPLD) and the HPLD Foundation are continuing their commitment to support the local writing community and amplify local voices. Now in its fourth year, the Writer in Residence program will once again provide a local author with the opportunity to share their story.

Laura Brashear was selected by a volunteer panel to serve as the District’s fourth Writer in Residence. Laura will use the nine-month residency to complete a nonfiction project about her husband’s unexpected journey with leukemia and the profound impact their family’s love of horses had on his recovery.

On May 21, 2014, Laura’s husband, Mike, was diagnosed with Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia, a rare and aggressive form of Leukemia. “We were terrified,” Laura remembers. The next eight months were consumed by seven-hour days in the Blood Infusion Center where he received treatments five days a week. “While we were grateful for his road to recovery, it was a tough, emotional road,” says Laura. “Because his cancer was so rare, he didn’t have anyone to talk with about his fears, pain, and expectations.”

“When he was finally cleared to be around horses, he spent hours grooming and talking to them,” Laura shares. “Those moments spent with those creatures helped him endure the long hours spent in chemotherapy. The conversations and touch helped him bear the physical pain.”

Laura’s goal is to let others with the disease know they are not alone and help share the vital role animals can play in the healing process. In addition to bringing awareness to the benefits of animal therapy, Laura hopes to donate some of the proceeds from the work once it is published to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

Laura is a lifelong resident of Colorado and has lived in the Fort Lupton area for over thirty years, where she and her husband raise their three children and train horses. They live on a farm with cattle, chickens, ducks, three dogs, a cat, and a guinea fowl hen named Kevin.

She loves the freedom reading and writing allows, from creating characters to conveying life truths. She holds a Master of Fine Arts degree in Creative Writing. In addition to writing, Brashear shares her knowledge as a Writing Tutor and Adjunct Instructor teaching composition at Aims Community College.

The Writer in Residence program was established by the High Plains Library District Foundation and is funded by community donors. The goal of the program is to support the creative process of one Weld County writer during a nine-month time-period so they may complete a manuscript with the intent to publish. The program is part of the District’s vision to serve as an incubator for the arts and further the mission of connecting communities to information, inspiration and entertainment for life.

The HPLD Foundation will be holding a Meet the Resident event with Laura next month. To learn more about Laura and the Writer in Residence program, visit mylibrary.us/writer-in-residence.

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High Plains Library Foundation Receives $25,000 Donation from PDC Energy to Support Summer Reading Adventure Program

(GREELEY — January 10, 2019) – High Plains Library Foundation (HPLF) received a $25,000 donation from PDC Energy to fund the library district’s annual Summer Reading Adventure, which will serve more than 5,000 children in multiple libraries throughout Weld County.

“With this generous donation from PDC Energy we will be able to fund the majority of our Summer Reading Adventure. This is a signature program that aims to foster personal growth and development, promote a passion for reading and support family literacy. PDC’s grant will help High Plains design and implement a program that reaches audiences of all ages and creates a life-long connection with the library,” said Kelli Johnson, Community Relations and Marketing Manager for High Plains Library District. “Helping kids to read is a skill so many of us take for granted, but literacy improves the future of everyone in our community and is critical to the economic development as well as individual and community well-being. We are incredibly grateful to PDC for this donation and look forward to kicking off the 2019 Summer Reading Adventure in May.”

PDC Energy is committed to being good neighbors, stewards of the land and volunteers in local hands-on projects where the company operates.

“Libraries can transform communities. By supporting the High Plains Library Foundation and especially the Summer Reading Adventure program, we hope to have a positive impact not only on the kids in the program but for generations to come, said David Kulmann, Senior Community Relations Manager for PDC Energy. Our employees live and work in the communities where we operate and being an active part of these communities is core to who we are as a company.”

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About High Plains Library District

About PDC Energy

PDC Energy, Inc. is a domestic independent exploration and production company that acquires, explores and develops properties for the production of crude oil, natural gas and NGLs, with operations in the Wattenberg Field in Colorado and the Delaware Basin in Reeves and Culberson Counties, Texas. PDC’s operations are focused in the horizontal Niobrara and Codell plays in the Wattenberg Field and in the Wolfcamp zones in the Delaware Basin. For more information visit PDCE.com.

High Plains Library District Receives Highest Honor for Financial Reporting

(Chicago, Illinois)–The Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting has been awarded to High Plains Library District by Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) for its comprehensive annual financial report (CAFR). The Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting, and its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management.

Natalie Wertz, Finance Manager for HPLD, received the award as the designated authority and responsible party for the District’s financial reporting. Her stewardship and organizational processes ensure that HPLD’s practices are responsible and transparent.

The CAFR has been judged by an impartial panel to meet the high standards of the program, which includes demonstrating a constructive “spirit of full disclosure” to clearly communicate its financial story and motivate potential users and user groups to read the CAFR.

THE GFOA is a major professional association servicing the needs of nearly 19,000 appointed and elected local, state, and provincial-level government officials and other finance practitioners. The association is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, with offices in Washington, D.C.

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New Board Members Appointed to High Plains Library District Board of Trustees

(Greeley– November, 2018) – Effective January, 2019, the High Plains Library District will welcome two new trustees to the Board. The High Plains Library District Board is a governing board which determines the policies of the library in relation to community needs, oversees the Executive Director, and ensures proper industry standards be maintained. The Board also oversees annual budget requirements and ensures adequate financing for the library operations.

Gerri Holton joins the Board representing Region 2: Fort Lupton, Hudson, Keenesburg and LaSalle. Holton will serve on the Board through December 2022.

Mary Roberts joins the Board representing Region 4: Greeley, Evans and Garden City. Roberts will also serve on the Board through December 2022.

The new Trustees will join five other representatives on the Board who each represent a different region within the High Plains Library District’s service area.

“We are eager to bring on two new Trustees, said Dr. Matt Hortt, Executive Director for HPLD. “Both representatives bring a fresh perspective and willingness to ensure High Plains is a leading library system.”

The Board typically meets the first and third Mondays of each month at 5 or 6pm. Meeting locations rotate among all of the libraries in the District. For meeting details and more information about the Board please visit www.mylibrary.us/board/.

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