Lafayette Public Library brings community, information,
and ideas together to inspire literacy, learning, and discovery.

Yes, we barely had Spring, but we are forging ahead - join us as we kick off Summer in style on Saturday, June 1 at 11:00 am with a fantastic outdoor performance of Mexica/Azteca dances by Grupo Tlaloc/Danza Azteca.

Visit our To Do page, featuring special events, drop-in fun,
and opportunities to create and make!

And read on for news, reading & resources suggestions, plus Library 101 pro tips for using our new calendar and your Library account.

All Ages Summer Reading Starts June 1

We have something for everyone! Summer reading = fun reading! Sign up, track time or activities, win books and other prizes!

(Ever wonder why we do it? Check out our blog post on the history and philosophy of summer reading programs!)

Important Dates:

June 1 - First Day to Sign Up (Returning users can use existing account)
June 8 - First Day to Pick up Prizes. (Available while supplies last!)
July 24 - Last Day to Sign Up
July 31 - Last Day to Record Time and Pick up Prizes
Weekly - Adults Gift Basket Prize Drawings

How it Works, Prize Info, and Help

Visit our Summer Reading and Beanstack Help pages.

How to Sign Up (New Users) or Sign In (Returning Users) and Record Progress

In person, upstairs - our amazing teens will get you signed up (paper logs available at desk)
Sign up or sign in using the Beanstack website
Or, download the free Beanstack Tracker app from Google Play or iTunes (in the app, select Lafayette Colorado Public Library and follow prompts)

Upcoming Book Discussions

Book Discussion, The Immortalists, June 19 at 6 pm

LafayetteREADS!

The Immortalists by Chloe Benjamin
Book discussion June 17, 6 pm

Don’t forget that the next meeting for Lafayette READS! is scheduled for 6pm on Monday, June 17. We’ll be gathering to discuss this season’s selection, The Immortalists, by Choe Benjamin. One of the year's most talked-about novels, it asks the question "How would you live if you knew the exact date of your death?" Join us in the Library’s downstairs Meeting Room.

Cover of The Last Cowboy, by John Branch

On The Same Page 2019

Our Fall choice for Lafayette READS! always coincides with On the Same Page, the one-book program we share with Louisville Library and the community of Superior. The 2019 selection is. . .

The Last Cowboys - A Pioneer Family in the New West, by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist John Branch.

We'll have more information soon about lots of other opportunities surrounding the book NPR called "a can't-put-it-down modern Western."

For now, reserve your copy, and add our book discussion to your calendar: Monday, September 16 at 6pm in our downstairs Meeting Room.

Staff Suggests...

Explore all our blog posts this month for ideas on what to read and watch. We love to share what we come across, so try a few recommendations. You can access any of the books, CDs, and DVDs through our catalog.

Library 101 is where we highlight new Library resources and services, and also offer refresher reminders for some of our resources that you might not know about yet. Stay tuned each month for valuable Lafayette Library information!

Check out the new Calendar!

When you visit our new Library Calendar, you'll see a fresh, more modern look (for those of you who sneak over to events at the Boulder Library, you may recognize it...we adopted the same Springshare tool they use there!)

Some pro tips to view on mobile or desktop:

As half of you visit our site on a mobile device, the default Events view plays well on a small screen.
On a desktop or just to see the whole month, toggle to a calendar by clicking on the calendar icon above the search filters.
And, in calendar mode, click on the Date search to navigate to a new month
Screenshots and a list of more features we love

Coming soon - new Meeting & Study Room reservation system

Thanks for your patience while we make the switch! Visit our Event Spaces page for details on how to reserve space during the transition. We hope to have our new system up and running in July!

Can you tell me if I have read this before?

We get that request more often than you might think, from fellow book lovers who have trouble recalling what they’ve read (believe me, we do too!). To protect confidentiality, we don’t track your activity on our end. Good news, though: You can customize your online account to record everything you’ve checked out.

To turn on your reading history:

Go to your account from the button on the homepage, or via the Login button in the catalog.

Enter your name (first only is fine) and your 14-digit library card number (from back of card). If prompted, you can decide to have your device store your login.
Once you are in, click on Account Settings in the upper left of your screen.
Click on Reading History to start keeping track of what you check out. You can even rate your item!

There are many other helpful features to be accessed via your online account. You can track holds, fines, and even get recommendations from the system based on what you’ve already read. Many of our customers enjoy the ability to link family account info, so that everyone’s account can be reviewed at a glance.

Let us know if you have any questions about logging into your online account. Our convenient website is open 24 hours a day! You can also call us at 303-665-5200, email us, or stop by!

June is Teen Volunteer Central!

Our teen volunteers are critical to the success of Summer Reading, Reading & Writing Buddies, our Library Buddies outreach program, and Studio 775 Makerspace opportunities. Thanks in advance for all you do for us!

Summer Friends Lobby Sale

Saturday June 22-Sunday, June 30 (Library Hours)

(Early birds can donate $10 to shop at 9 am on Saturday only).

New this summer - use a credit card for Friends books, not just during sales but every day! We also have gift certificates available for purchase at the front desk.

We get by with a LOT of help from our FRIENDS

When Summer Reading starts, we get a fresh reminder of all our Friends do for us. Without their financial help for programs, their tireless year-around efforts, we would not be able to make summer such a fun and rewarding experience.

Our hardworking Friends of the Library Foundation volunteers are here every day, accepting, sorting, and organizing donations of books and related items. Through their efforts, they raise thousands of dollars for Library programming.

Your purchases not only help you take that reading on the road this summer, but they enable the Friends to raise money for Library programs. Switching to quarterly sales last year was a very successful strategy.

Consider supporting your library as a Friend - join the Friends as a member, and better yet, as a volunteer. We are so grateful for our Friends, and all they do for our community.

Art @ The Library

We offer several art galleries throughout the library featuring local artists, community art, and local school art projects. Exhibits change regularly, so keep an eye out when you're visiting and enjoy a range of works by local artists. Keep an eye out for this month's artwork featuring works by Irmelin Shively and Jane Glotzer.

Library Tools for Easy Access

We offer an assortment of tools to simplify your Library life. Try out a few of this ever-growing list, and enjoy the advantages of easy access.

RB Digital eMagazines - Stream or download magazines for free.
Museum passes - Free admission to area cultural institutions-restrictions apply.
Text messaging with the Library - Manage renewals and holds by text message.
iPads - Enjoy the use of an iPad in the Library, for up to 2 hours.
Libby helps you find and reserve library materials, from anywhere!
Lucky Day - On display in the lobby - avoid long hold waits on popular titles.
NY Times - Access all the news you need, for free!
New! Consumer Reports website - free access to the member content of the Consumer Reports website!
We have many shiny new foldout Boulder County Bike Maps placed in various places around the library - enjoy and ride safe!
GET A HANDLE ON YOUR ENERGY USAGE Power Check Meters help you make your home more energy efficient! They are available for check out; watch the video tutorial.

Database Collection

We continue to expand our database collection in order to offer easily accessible, comprehensive information on a wide range of subjects. See something on our list that you forgot was available? Try it - our librarians are happy to help.

Explore your Family History with Ancestry
Search billions of genealogy documents; access this resource at the Library.
Explora Easy-to-use and reliable content from leading publications.
Novelist Fiction readers, find new authors and titles based on what you like! Try Novelist Good Books Alerts to help you figure what to read next.
Novelist K-8 Kids and young adults find books similar to those they love.
ReferenceUSA gives you instant, real-time access to accurate, in-depth information on U.S. businesses and U.S. residents. Learn more!

Library Outreach Services

You don’t need to come to the Library to enjoy our services; we have a growing outreach program that allows us to present library services outside our building preschools, senior housing, local community centers, and to homebound patrons. See you at the Library, and not only in our building!

In our mission to keep kids excited about reading, we we offer summer programs and events at Boulder Ridge MH Park in Lafayette, storytimes at Festival Plaza on S. Public Rd., information at monthly Art Night Out events, and at the Library. See you around town!

CALENDAR HOMEPAGE CATALOG

We love hearing from you - drop us a note with your comments and suggestions.