HOURS
Mondays through Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Fridays and Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sundays, 1 to 5 p.m. Click here to register for most programs.
BOOKS & AUTHORS
From Dragon Fire to Garden Flowers: Cozy Fantasy with Z.S. Diamanti
Sunday, April 26, 2 – 3:30 p.m., Hondius Room
Join Colorado’s award-winning fantasy author Z.S. Diamanti for an enchanting talk on “The Guard in the Garden,” where he pulls back the leaves & shines a lantern-light on the story’s gentle heroism, rich worldbuilding, and the quiet magic that lives in ordinary moments.
On Writing Beloved Characters & Powerful Portrayals of Resilience
Thursday, April 30, 5 – 6 p.m., Online
Bestselling author Jason Reynolds will discuss his latest work, “Coach,” of the popular “Track” series, in which we learn who Coach was before he became an inspiring leader.
Connect With the Classics: The Old Man & the Sea
Thursday, April 30, 5:30 – 7 p.m., Quiet Room
Come discuss the book that won Ernest Hemingway the Nobel Prize for Literature. Bring your thoughts and questions to this monthly get-together about good books, interesting ideas, and good company.
Monthly Writing Group
Monday, May 4, 5:30 – 7 p.m., Wasson Room
Calling all writers, aspiring writers, & anyone interested in writing! On the first Monday evening each month, share your writing, enjoy others’ work, and receive and provide feedback. All genres and forms are welcome.
On Courage, Turmoil, & the Transformative Power of Love
Thursday, May 7, 5 – 6 p.m., Online
Internationally acclaimed author Marjan Kamali delves into the timeless wonder of her New York Times-bestselling novel, “The Lion Women of Tehran.”
ADULTS
Larry Almieda: A Recital of American Songs & Solos for Classical Guitar
Tuesday, April 28, 6 – 7:30 p.m., Fireside Theater
Enjoy a musical evening celebrating the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, featuring American music spanning the 19th and 20th centuries.
Election Information
Thursday, May 7, 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Library Atrium
The League of Women Voters of Estes Park will be on-site to help with voter registration, important election dates, and information about voting in local, regional, and national elections.
TEENS & TWEENS
Dragon Slayers: Tween Campaign
Saturday, April 25, 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Makerspace
Repeated Saturday, May 2, 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Makerspace
Tweens and kids are invited to this youth-led Dungeons & Dragons event. Make new friends, explore your imagination, build cooperation, and strengthen problem-solving skills.
Young Dragon Slayers
Wednesday, April 29, 3:30 – 5:30 p.m., Hondius Room
Repeated Wednesday, May 6, 3:30 – 5:30 p.m., Hondius Room
Interested in learning how to play Dungeons & Dragons? Want to think strategically and make new friends? Join other tweens for this classic fantasy-world game.
Young Adult Dungeons & Dragons: Teen Oneshot
Sunday, May 3, 1- 4:30 p.m., Hondius Room
Teens interested in learning to play Dungeons & Dragons are invited to join the fun. In this session, Archer will run a deadly one-shot. Snacks and refreshments provided.
Anime & Eats
Wednesday, May 6, 6 – 7:30 p.m. Hondius Room
Ever wondered what the dishes featured in your favorite anime series would taste and smell like? Join us to watch a couple of episodes of an anime series and bring the featured meals to life. In this session, we’re watching “Naruto” and learning to transform ramen into a flavorful dish.
DIY Stress Ball
Thursday, May 7, 4:30 – 5:30 p.m., Makerspace
As part of our Mind, Body, May theme, learn to make your own stress balls from Orbeez, flour, and oobleck in this hands-on, sensory-focused event.
Teen Advisory Council
Thursday, May 7, 6 – 7 p.m., Makerspace
Teens and tweens are invited to recommend ideas for library programming, collection purchases, and help design our future teen space.
KIDS & FAMILIES
Library Storytimes
Baby Storytime: Thursday and Saturday at 10 a.m.
Preschool Storytime: Thursday and Saturday at 10:30 a.m.
Friday Kids Club: Seed Bomb Pops & Painted Pots
Friday, April 24, 10 – 11 a.m., Hondius Room
Celebrate Earth Day by creating a seed bomb pop using pulped paper, seeds, and popsicle sticks. Then paint a terracotta pot to put the pops in to watch them grow.
LEGO Saturday STEM: Swiss Family Robinson Tree House
Saturday, April 25, 11:30 a.m. – 12:45 p.m., Hondius Room
This month, kids and tweens are invited to our design-and-build challenge to construct a functional treehouse inspired by the classic novel “The Swiss Family Robinson.”
Color a Wood Dragon
Sunday, April 26, 2 – 3:30 p.m., Makerspace
In conjunction with the Z.S. Diamanti author talk, youth are invited to bring their imagination to life with color and pattern through this fantasy-themed activity by painting and coloring a 3D wooden dragon.
MAKERSPACE & TECHNOLOGY
Makerspace Monthly Meetup
Monday, April 27, 5:30 – 7 p.m., Makerspace
Experienced artists and curious crafters are invited to connect with fellow makers, experiment with various techniques, and work on a project of your choice.
Create a Forest Fairy
Tuesday, April 28, 10:30 a.m. – 12 p.m., Makerspace
Step into a world of whimsy by joining us for a hands-on crafting session where we will transform simple materials into delicate forest fairies.
3D Printer Training Class
Monday, May 4, 10 – 11:30 a.m. or 5:30 – 7 p.m., Makerspace
Learn to use the Prusa 3D printers to make just about anything you can imagine from plastic filament. For ages 10 and up (participants under the age of 17 must be accompanied by an adult).
Make a Little Stained Glass Bird
Tuesday, May 5, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m., Makerspace
Explore the art of stained glass in this hands-on program. Learn the basics, including cutting, foiling, and assembling glass, while crafting a charming stained glass bird to take home.
LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Regular Session
Monday, April 27, 6:30 – 8 p.m., Wasson Board Room
Learn about the board of trustees and meeting topics at estesvalleylibrary.org/board.
FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY FOUNDATION
Cliffhanger Used Books
Operated by the Friends of the Library Foundation, offering gently-used books, movies, and music at discount prices. Open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
An Evening with Melissa Strong
Friday, April 24, 6 – 8 p.m., Library-wide
Estes Park’s entrepreneur, restaurateur, author, and rock climber Melissa Strong joins us to share her journey of extraordinary resilience, where passion, purpose, and perseverance converge to redefine the boundaries of possibility, as told in her new book “Climbing Through: A Courageous Story of Grit, Healing, & Second Chances.” Tickets available for purchase at Cliffhanger Used Books.