When the Estes Valley Library closes its doors most evenings, the building settles into its familiar quiet. But on Nov. 22, that silence will be broken by voices raised in song as the library hosts Tracks & Stacks, a new mini-festival designed to showcase local talent while highlighting the library’s creative resources available to the community.
The idea grew out of a conversation last spring. Local musician Jason Lenz approached Tech Arts Librarian Shari Baze with the suggestion: what if the library hosted its own version of NPR’s Tiny Desk concerts, using the building’s unique spaces as stages?
“We just chatted and discussed the idea with other people in the library to see if we could make it happen, and decided that we could,” Baze said. “So that’s where it came from, Tiny Desk, and we evolved the idea into six performances in six different stages across the library.”
On the evening of Nov. 22, performers will take over familiar corners of the building: the children’s room beneath its signature tree, the Fireside Theater, the stacks, upstairs near the makerspace, the quiet room, and the computer commons. Two musicians will perform at once, one upstairs and one downstairs, so guests can choose which act to hear.
“We’re just looking for a good representation of the kind of music and musical talent we have here in the Estes Valley,” Baze said. “There’s no specific genre we’re looking for, no age group. We’d just like a variety of what Estes has to offer.”
Each musician or group will play two 15-minute sets. One set will be professionally filmed and edited by Ethan Knightchilde of Knight Sky Pictures, giving performers a polished video that they can use to promote their work or submit directly to NPR’s 2026 Tiny Desk Contest.
“Hopefully, everybody will be so inspired that they all submit to NPR,” said Community Relations Specialist Barbara Jo Limmiatis, who added that NPR itself has expressed support for the event. “Shari is making a small, tiny desk here in our makerspace that will rotate to each band whenever they’re being professionally recorded, because one of the criteria for Tiny Desk concert submissions is that it has a desk in their video, so, really, we are highlighting the things the library offers while also making sure that those videos would be compliant.”
Beyond the concerts, Tracks & Stacks will highlight the library’s role as a hub for creativity. The evening will include mocktails, charcuterie, and a special art sale benefiting the Friends of the Library Foundation. Makerspace users are invited to donate artwork, with proceeds going toward library programs.
“It’s kind of a multi-experiential event to showcase how the library supports our local creative community and all the resources we offer here,” Limmiatis explained.
Attendance will be capped at about 90 guests, who must register in advance. The intimate scale ensures each performance feels personal, while still creating the buzz of a festival. Baze is most excited about the change of atmosphere in the venue.
“I’m looking forward to just seeing the energy in the library,” Baze said. “An after-dark event with so much music and noise, I think it just brings a different, exciting energy to the library.”
For now, the spotlight is on finding performers. Applications are open through Sept. 12, and selections will be announced by Oct. 10. A panel including Lenz, an Estes Arts District representative, and a community member will choose six acts.
The early response has been promising. “We’ve already received three applications, and they’re across the gamut as far as genres,” Limmiatis said. “We’re seeing some classical stuff down to singer-songwriters, so it’s gonna be really cool. We can’t wait to make the big announcement.”
If successful, Tracks & Stacks could become an annual tradition. For the library, the event is as much about building connections as it is about the music.
“Especially right before the holidays, one of our quieter times of year, this will be an exciting event to bring in a younger audience and show what we have to offer,” Limmiatis said. “It’s a fun, free date night, and it highlights the resources the library has for the local community and our support for local creatives.”