News

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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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.

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

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. For more information visit: www.mylibrary.us/foundation/

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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High Plains Library District Releases 2019-2024 Strategic Plan

(Greeley– November, 2018) – Under the direction of newly appointed Executive Director, Dr. Matthew Hortt, High Plains Library District (HPLD) has released it 2019 -2024 Strategic Plan.

The plan outlines the District’s seven strategic priorities for the next 5 years including excellence, access, stewardship, aspirations (meeting the aspirations of the community), literacy unity, and financial strength. One of the hallmarks of the plan includes pursuing the Malcolm Baldrige Award for excellence which recognizing organizations that demonstrate quality and performance excellence. The strategic plan creates an organizational blueprint for HPLD driven by community needs but also the District’s commitment to innovation and continuous improvement.

“I have spent a great deal of time over the last several months listening to people’s wants, needs and aspirations for themselves as well as their community. We used this input to inform our plan,” said Dr. Hortt. “We’ve learned a lot thus far and will continue to do so through a formal community assessment launching within in the next few weeks. Right now, the plan outlines specifics area of service and organizational direction,” added Hortt.

The Board and library leadership will use this plan to focus the District’s energy and resources, strengthen operations, ensure that employees and other stakeholders are working toward common goals, establish agreement around intended outcomes/results, and assess and adjust the organization’s value to taxpayers.

The strategic plan can be viewed on the HPLD website www.mylibrary.us/StrategicPlan/.

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High Plains Library District Hosts Live Chat with NASA Astronaut

(Colorado– October 9, 2018) – The High Plains Library District, in collaboration with the Space Science Institute and its National Center for Interactive Learning (NCIL), was recently selected by NASA (through an extremely competitive process) to host a live in-flight education downlink from the International Space Station on October 18th with Colorado’s own NASA astronaut Serena Auñón-Chancellor. 3^rd and 4^th grade students from Frontier Academy and Dos Rios Elementary (in Greeley, CO) will talk with Auñón-Chancellor and participate in hands-on science and engineering activities. The event will be streamed live so that other public libraries and schools across the country can organize their own viewing events. The 20-minute downlink is tentatively scheduled to begin at 11:40 am Mountain Time. The planned program, from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm, is designed to inspire children to increase their interest and engagement in science and engineering.

Children ages 8-12 from local schools and libraries and elsewhere across the U.S. submitted questions for the live chat. Local kids will be selected to ask questions during the downlink. NASA Astronaut Serena Auñón-Chancellor will answer as many as time allows.

“This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for these kids and something for our entire community to rally around. We hope this inspires our youth to dream big about their future, and the possibilities that exist for each of them in the science and engineering fields. We hope that other libraries and schools will organize their own viewing events and watch the broadcast” said Kelli Johnson, Community Relations and Marketing Manager at High Plains.

Paul Dusenbery, Director of the National Center for Interactive Learning, said “Public libraries are natural community gathering places and one of the few free resources available to the public. They serve people of all races, ages, and socio-economic backgrounds. This NASA astronaut program will help to increase and sustain youth and public engagement in science and engineering.”

Media interested in covering should contact Kelli Johnson or 970-506-8560.

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About the National Center for Interactive Learning (NCIL)

The Space Science Institute’s NCIL (www.nc4il.spacescience.org) is dedicated to developing and implementing projects and initiatives that improve formal and informal STEM education and the evaluation/research foundation on which they are based. NCIL works with national partners to develop STEM exhibitions for public libraries, science centers, and museums; conducts professional development for informal educators; and creates educational games and apps that can be deployed on websites, mobile devices (e.g. smartphones and tablets) and multi-touch tables and kiosks. NASA@ My Library is an initiative of the STAR Library Network (STAR Net), a hands-on learning network for libraries and their communities across the country (www.starnetlibraries.org). STAR Net focuses on helping library professionals build their STEM skills by providing “science-technology activities and resources” (STAR) and training to use those resources. STAR Net resources include the STEM Activity Clearinghouse, blogs, webinars, workshops and meet-ups at library conferences, partnership opportunities, information about upcoming national STEM events, and the STAR Net online newsletter.

Food Drive

(Greeley– October 2018) – Several northern Colorado libraries have teamed with local Food Banks to help stock food bank shelves in preparation of 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), Fort Lupton Food and Clothing Center, Ault Food Bank, Nunn Community Food Bank and Pierce Food Bank.

Libraries in Ault, Eaton, Erie, Evans, Firestone, Fort Lupton, Gilcrest, Greeley, Hudson, Johnstown, Kersey, Platteville as well as the Bookmobile will be offering fine forgiveness October 7 – 20. One can = $1 off fines/fees and the maximum forgiveness is $70.

“Our libraries have offered Food for Fines for the past several years,” said Kelli Johnson, Community Relations and Marketing Manager for HPLD. “We know that this time of year there are many people throughout our communities who need a little help. Our libraries want to be a part of giving back to the community and helping those who need it. Doing the food drive provides an opportunity for us to do something great and make a difference in peoples’ lives. Offering food for fines is a win-win for everyone.” added Johnson.

For additional information please call 970-506-8560 or visit www.MyLibrary.us.

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State Recognizes Librarian of the Year from High Plains

(Greeley– September 2018) – The Colorado Association of Libraries (CAL) awarded one of its most prestigious honors, Librarian of the Year, to Micaela Sanchez of the High Plains Library District.

Sanchez was recognized during the Association’s annual conference last week in Loveland for her significant contributions to the High Plains Library District and the library professions.

“The committee was amazed by just how connected Micaela is to the communities she is serving, said Robin Filipczak, chair of the awards committee for CAL. “Her work championing a philosophy of planning library initiatives and services by considering the need of a specific target audience, creating specific desired outcomes, and then develop strategies to achieve those outcomes has transformed the libraries impact on the community.”

Sanchez was also commended for her progressive approach to Librarianship and her demonstrated success working to shift perceptions of the role and value of libraries.

Sanchez has worked for High Plains for 15 years serving in various capacities. She is currently the Program Coordinator and previously worked in the Outreach department and as part of the Farr Regional Library staff in Greeley.

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High Plains Library District Board Seeks New Trustee

(Greeley– May, 2018) – 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 5, 2018. Both terms begin January 1, 2019 and ends 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.

While there are no statutory requirements regarding residency, it was the intent at the time the district was created that each jurisdiction have representation. The areas needing representation include:

Region 2. Fort Lupton, Hudson, Keenesburg, and LaSalle
Region 4. Greeley, Evans, and Garden City

The Board typically meets twice a month, the first and third Mondays of each month at 5 or 6pm. Meeting locations rotate among all of the libraries in the District. In addition, Board members are involved with some task force / committee work and fundraising, as well as help with and attend special events. Board positions require a commitment of at least 10 hours per month.

Applications are available online at http://www.mylibrary.us/board/ or by contacting Kathy Webb at 970- 506-8588. Applications will be accepted until 5:00 p.m., October 5, 2018. For more information contact Kathy Webb at 970-506-8588..

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High Plains Library District Hosts Community Training: Compassionate Communication for Problematic Behavior

(Greeley– June, 2018) – Homelessness is a growing concern in many communities – especially ones experiencing rapid growth. With growth comes the unintended consequence of a limited affordable housing and fewer jobs. The community impact translates to an increase in homeless and/or transient populations.

Understating how to work with these populations is critical to the overall welfare of a community. As a cornerstone agency serving people from all walks of life and backgrounds, the High Plains Library District recognized the need for training that provides library staff and community members with tools to engage people experiencing homelessness, mental illness and addiction.

High Plains, with support from the City of Greeley and United Way of Weld County, offered a training presented by Ryan Dowd, Executive Director of one of Chicago’s largest homeless shelters. His training teaches specific techniques and tools for compassionately and effectively addressing people experiencing homelessness. His training provides library staff and community members with a deeper understanding of homelessness and teach attendees how to use empathy-driven enforcement of rules rather than punishment-driven enforcement; gain power and confidence to solve problems by preparing for them, solving them as early as possible, and using mindset tools, pre-conflict tools, non-verbal tools, verbal tools and crisis tools when working with these vulnerable populations.

Dowd regularly travels the country training libraries, law enforcement agencies, schools and other organizations on how to work compassionately with difficult homeless individuals. Dowd also offers an online training “Practical Tips for Difficult Homeless Patrons” and is the author of “The Librarians Guide to Homelessness.”

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