Adult Summer Reading Program

June 7 thru Mid-August

Indulge in the nostalgia of summer reading with our Adult Summer Reading Program! Read and/or participate in events, reading challenges, and other activities to earn raffle tickets and small prizes. Raffle tickets will go towards larger prizes, announced at the end of the Summer Reading program. Books, ebooks, audiobooks, and comics/graphic novels all count towards our Summer Reading Program.

Seed Library

May 10 - June 30*

Pick up a packet of short season vegetable or herb seeds from the Pitkin County Library. Check out a few gardening books for tips on growing your seeds.

*Seeds available at the Main Desk of the Library while supplies last. Limit 3 packets per person per day.

Contact Jade Fiskaa, jade.fiskaa@pitkincounty.com with any questions.

The Community Read, presented by Aspen Words and Pitkin County Library, strives to celebrate literature, unite readers around a work of fiction, and ignite meaningful conversation on the vital social issues explored in each year's Aspen Words Literary Prize winning novel. This year's winner is Enter Ghost by Isabella Hammad!

Sign up to receive a free copy of the book. Books will be available for pickup starting July 17 from 12:00-1:00pm and 4:00-6:00pm.

If you cannot pick up your book on this day, they will be available at the Pitkin County Library after July 17.

Learn more about the Community Read.

The International Booker Prize 2024

Kairos by Jenny Erpenbeck, translated by Michael Hofmann, wins the International Booker Prize.

The Booker Prize is the leading literary award in the English speaking world, and has brought recognition, reward and readership to outstanding fiction for over five decades (information from About the Booker Prize).

French Chat

Mondays | 12:00pm-1:00pm

Join us for French Chat in the Hotpick Meeting Room every Monday at noon. Hosted by the library's own Natalie Crick. If you speak French, and would like to brush up on your conversational French, swing by for conversation! Learn more.

Community Read Craft and Chat:

Paper Crafting

Thursday, June 13 | 5:00pm-6:30pm

Enjoy tea and a calming craft while discussing one of the Aspen Words Literary Prize shortlist books and some of the heavier topics at its center.

Craft with paper to create unique cards or learn a few different origami creations while discussing The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store by James McBride.

In the Library Lab. Learn more.

In partnership with Aspen Words. Find out more about the Aspen Words Literary Prize.

Lunchtime Walk and Book Talk

Friday, June 14 | 12:00pm-1:00pm

After Work Walk and Book Talk

Friday, June 28 | 5:00pm-6:00pm

Join us for a walk along the Rio Grande or other nearby trails. The walk will take about 30 to 45 minutes. During the walk you are welcome to discuss your current read or ask for recommendations.

Meet in the Hotpicks Meeting Room at the Pitkin County Library.

This is an Adult Summer Reading Program event, but you do not have to be part of the Program to attend. Learn more.

Bookbinding

Saturday, June 15 | 3:00pm-5:00pm*

Learn beginner bookbinding skills. Each program will build on skills learned in previous sessions, but beginners are welcome. *This is a new time.

For teens and adults. In the Dunaway Community Meeting Room. Sign up for Bookbinding.

Literature Out Loud:

Stories by Charlotte Perkins Gilman

Tuesday, June 18 | 5:30pm-6:30pm

Literature Out Loud will be presenting two stories by the utopian feminist writer, Charlotte Perkins Gilman (1860-1935). Critics say Gilman was amazingly ahead of her time, writing stories which paint men in a less than acceptable way! 

Sewing 202 Workshop: Book Sleeves

Thursday, June 20 | 4:00pm-6:00pm

In these slightly more advanced workshops, participants will take on more challenging projects. Participants are expected to know the basics of using a sewing machine.

3D Printer Training Day

Friday, June 21 | 10:00am-5:00pm

Sign up and learn how to use our Library Lab's 3D Printer! The 3D Printer training is about 60 to 90 minutes long. There will be multiple training times available to sign up throughout the day starting at 10:00am. We can only train up to four people at a time.

Library Concert Series:

Jan Garrett and JD Martin

Saturday, June 22 | 5:30pm-6:30pm

"These are two incredible musicians -- getting in a groove, Jan Garrett can scat like Ella and JD Martin sounds like Dr. John on the keys... but it is in their songwriting and collaboration where they are true originals and really shine. Jan & JDs songs are full of deep beauty and timeless harmonies; you'll be smiling long after, and wishing to hear more."

-- Nathan Child, Music Library Manager

In the Dunaway Community Meeting Room. Learn more.

Veterans Coffee and Doughnuts

Tuesday, June 25 | 9am-11am

Join Adam Lazaro, US Marines/OEF Veteran, on the fourth Tuesday of the month for coffee and doughnuts. Learn more.