Sunshine & Stories from the Colorado State Library

Ep. 212 Exactly What or Who is "State Pubs"? -- Introducing the CO State Publications Library!

You can now use the survey link below AND text us your feedback via Buzzsprout with this link right here!! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2388732/fan_mail/new] Episode Summary:  Join Kate Compton as she talks with Samantha Hager and Miranda Doran-Myers from the Colorado State Publications Library, who share the library’s mission of providing free, permanent access to Colorado state government documents. They highlight surprising and valuable resources—from historical collections to issue briefs, research guides, and kid-friendly materials—and offer tips for navigating government information. Get inspired to share the hidden gems the “State Pubs” have with your community.    Outline: 01:06 - Meet the Team  05:38 - What is the State Publications Library?  08:45 - Not to miss tools and collections    12:43 – Mindset for searching  15:11 – Trends in document searches  18:29 – New initiatives and ways to collaborate     Resources:  State Publications Website [https://ed.cde.state.co.us/stateinfo]  State Publications Catalog [https://athena.cde.state.co.us/screens/opacmenu_s1.html]  State Publications Blog [https://www.coloradovirtuallibrary.org/resource-sharing/state-pubs-blog/]  State Publications Topic Guides [https://ed.cde.state.co.us/stateinfo/guides]  Phone: 720-955-5230  Address: 180 Sheridan Blvd, Denver, CO 80226-8101  Hours: Monday - Friday 9:00am - 4:00 pm  Email: spl@cde.state.co.us [spl@cde.state.co.us]

Ep. 211 The Beginner's Mindset: Finding Clarity in Library Values

You can now use the survey link below AND text us your feedback via Buzzsprout with this link right here!! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2388732/fan_mail/new] Sunshine and Stories Episode 211: The Beginner's Mindset: Finding Clarity in Library Values  Episode Summary:  Kieran Hixon, CSL's Small and Rural Library Senior Consultant, has a conversation with Sharon Morris focusing on the concept of the "beginner's mindset" and how core library values are learned and sometimes conflict.  Outline: 00:19 Who is Sharon Morris?   01:21 The Beginner’s Mindset & "Aha" Moments  03:32 Learning Core Values: Privacy vs. Service  06:37 Structure and Responsibility  07:37 Defining Moments & Conflicting Values  10:20 Values Conflict: Consistency vs. Service  14:39 Practicing the Beginner's Mindset  17:25 Déjà Vu and Library Excellence  19:15 Growth from Frustration ("Fertilizer")  21:48 Closing  Tell us what you think! If you give us a listen, please let us know what you think by completing a short feedback survey [https://forms.microsoft.com/r/ZBKaaQsnK7] for this episode.   CSL projects like this one are funded in part by the Grants to States program administered by the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services. The views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this podcast do not necessarily represent those of the Colorado State Library, Institute of Museum and Library Services, or the U.S. Government.

Ep. 210 Weeding Together: The Collection Crew Approach with Len Bryan

You can now use the survey link below AND text us your feedback via Buzzsprout with this link right here!! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2388732/fan_mail/new] Sunshine and Stories Episode 210: Weeding Together: The Collection Crew Approach with Len Bryan  Episode Summary:  Join Suzi Tonini as she talks with Len Bryan, Partner of Library Services at Cherry Creek Schools, about transforming weeding from a dreaded solo task into an empowering collaborative experience. Len shares his innovative "collection crew" model, the "ugly weed" method for visual weeding, and why building relationships should come before touching a single book in a new library.    Outline:  00:56 - Why weeding creates "The Great Library Divide"  06:23 - The collection crew concept: collaborative weeding   10:01 - The "ugly weed" method: visual scanning techniques   14:20 - Logistics that matter  21:03 - Communication strategies  25:20 - Why new librarians should focus on relationships first   28:18 - Weeding wins  Resources: Collection Crew Invitation for Principals [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1VbskR0E1MPBtl50O0CL13j-Un8wWdtpOTNl-O-iCHvE/edit?usp=sharing] (Cherry Creek Schools Library Services)  Collection Crew Process [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1cyiD4okhAkRvTxdZt3v-hozcwTeOX6B65OG0JH-Hllo/edit?usp=drive_link] (Cherry Creek Schools Library Services)  Curate Shared Foundations Book [https://alastore.ala.org/content/curate-shared-foundations-series] (book available from ALA)  FAQs for Weeding Libraries [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1FMpZHOD26QxQ9prTGxpc-9aeBsIhNFbXkdF6p-MH7Qo/edit?usp=sharing] (Cherry Creek Schools Library Services)  Weeding: Essential Library Collection Maintenance [https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1ngIxj0miIEoIb6eUI_pNuKtbJ4Fuq9ysbZjq8Hczt-U/edit?usp=sharing] (slide deck presentation)  Weeding: Essential Library Best Practices [https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1Wi6C8QgynMhL3YuF0fjgavdNd9mMzoCFjj6bXdotXtY/edit?usp=sharing] (Cherry Creek Schools slide deck presentation)   "Weeding: The Great Library Divide, Embracing Collection Maintenance with Enthusiasm" [https://knowledgequest.aasl.org/weeding-the-great-library-divide-embracing-collection-maintenance-with-enthusiasm/]  (Knowledge Quest blog post)  The Weeding Handbook: A Shelf-by-Shelf Guide, Second Edition [https://alastore.ala.org/weeding2] (book available from ALA)  Contact Len Bryan: librarianlen@gmail.com  Follow Len on Bluesky [https://bsky.app/profile/lenbryan25.bsky.social]  Tell us what you think! If you give us a listen, please let us know what you think by completing a short feedback survey [https://forms.microsoft.com/r/ZBKaaQsnK7] for this episode.   CSL projects like this one are funded in part by the Grants to States program administered by the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services. The views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this podcast do not necessarily represent those of the Colorado State Library, Institute of Museum and Library Services, or the U.S. Government.

Ep. 209 Nursery Rhymes and Reasons

You can now use the survey link below AND text us your feedback via Buzzsprout with this link right here!! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2388732/fan_mail/new] Sunshine and Stories Episode 209 Nursery Rhymes and Reason with Mary Lanni  Episode Summary:  Kate Compton chats with Mary Lanni, the Youth Literacy and Outreach Specialist from Douglas County Libraries. Mary shares insights from her upcoming book on nursery rhymes in storytime, exploring their historical roots, cultural implications, and why they matter for early literacy. They dive into questions about inclusivity, evolving trends, and practical tips for creating welcoming storytimes in today’s diverse communities. Tune in for a thoughtful conversation as a way to reflect on your own storytime offerings.   Outline:   00:19 - Meet Mary 01:22 - Why we need a closer look 02:51 - Common themes 07:25 - Why we sing nursery rhymes   09:28 – New trends 14:25 – Resources   14:14 - What's next? 21:54 - Closing   Resources:   CLEL [https://www.clel.org/] Everychildreadytoread.org [https://everychildreadytoread.org/] www.imaginationlibrarycolorado.org [https://www.imaginationlibrarycolorado.org/] www.maryrlanni.com [http://www.maryrlanni.com/] YouTube and Spotify (@MaryLanniReads) Storytime Solidarity [https://storytimesolidarity.ca/]  Tell us what you think! If you give us a listen, please let us know what you think by completing a short feedback survey [https://forms.microsoft.com/r/ZBKaaQsnK7] for this episode.   CSL projects like this one are funded in part by the Grants to States program administered by the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services. The views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this podcast do not necessarily represent those of the Colorado State Library, Institute of Museum and Library Services, or the U.S. Government.

Ep. 208 I'm on the Library's Board, Now What!?

You can now use the survey link below AND text us your feedback via Buzzsprout with this link right here!! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2388732/fan_mail/new] Sunshine and Stories Episode 208: I'm on the Library's Board, Now What!? Episode Summary:   Polly Gallagher sits down with trustees Scarlett Ponton, President of Nederland Community Library Board & recipient of the 2025 CAL Outstanding Library Trustee Award, and Jennifer Tibbets, Grand County Library District Trustee, as they reflect on what the role of a library trustee is in a Colorado public library. They reflect on what that first board meeting is like, how to prepare, and what the role of a trustee is and projects to oversee.    Outline  00:00 – Introduction 03:13 – Role of the board 03:58 – Key concerns of the board 07:39 – Board projects 09:22 – Everyone is not an expert 11:34 – Meeting preparation 13:09 – Preparing to be a trustee 15:43 – Asking questions 18:27 – Ongoing professional development 20:21 – Beyond the local 22:24 – Why volunteer for your library board 24:17 – Closing   Resources:  Public Library Leadership [https://www.cde.state.co.us/cdelib/librarydevelopment/publiclibraries/index]  (CSL) resource page  Colorado Public Library Board & Trustee Handbook [https://www.cde.state.co.us/cdelib/librarydevelopment/publiclibraries/trusteehandbook]  Colorado Public Library Standards:            Administration & Governance [https://www.cde.state.co.us/cdelib/standards/governance]            Budget & Finance [https://www.cde.state.co.us/cdelib/standards/finance]           Community Engagement [https://www.cde.state.co.us/cdelib/standards/community-engagement]           Evaluation & Planning [https://www.cde.state.co.us/cdelib/standards/planning]  Is your library board of trustees seeking in-person trustee training on Governance & Administration, strategic planning support, or other support? The Colorado State Library Leadership Team provides these services and more at no cost to your library! Find out more today [https://www.cde.state.co.us/cdelib/librarydevelopment/publiclibraries/index].   Contact Polly at gallagher_p@cde.state.co.us [gallagher_p@cde.state.co.us] or (720) 879-1549  Tell us what you think! If you give us a listen, please let us know what you think by completing a short feedback survey [https://forms.microsoft.com/r/ZBKaaQsnK7] for this episode.   CSL projects like this one are funded in part by the Grants to States program administered by the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services. The views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this podcast do not necessarily represent those of the Colorado State Library, Institute of Museum and Library Services, or the U.S. Government.