I think I have now sat on every side of the table. I’ve been a senior staff member giving reports to a board. I was a director working with an advisory board. I’m once again a director reporting to a statutory governing body. From the other side, I’ve been a nonprofit and governmental board member, […]
Garfield County Public Library District
Posted inNonprofits
A dinner in support of justice for marginalized communities
This story originated from Sol del Valle and has been translated for English readers. On Friday, Jan. 17, the Glenwood Springs Library served as a gathering place that attracted the attention of diverse communities in the Valley. The Justice Ministries team of Roaring Fork United Methodist Churches hosted a justice dinner and a discussion panel. […]
Posted inLocal Government
GarCo Report: Library budget accepted, gray wolves rejected
Garfield County Commission Chair Tom Jankovsky moved swiftly through Monday’s meeting agenda after listening to a woman talk about the library budget during the public comment period. She and Trish O’Grady, who spoke to the Commissioners (BOCC) at the beginning of the month, are now trying to draw attention to the district’s budget, including Executive […]
Posted inLocal Government
GarCo Report: O’Grady returns, lobbyist report, Martin still here
A new approach to constraining the Garfield County Library District took the stage during the first Garfield County Board of Commissioners (BOCC) meeting of 2025. Rifle resident Trish O’Grady Zoomed in to direct the BOCC’s attention to the library district’s budget, opining about how the library spends its money, based on information she said she […]
Posted inColumns
The gift that keeps on giving
Recently I ran across an article from an international boarding school talking about U.S. traditions around Christmas. The “Top 10 holiday traditions” for families include: Decorate the tree.Bake Christmas cookies.Write a letter to Santa (and the reindeer).Look at the twinkly lights.Build a gingerbread house.Sing Christmas carols.Exchange gifts.Wear an ugly sweater.Watch Christmas movies.Spend time with the […]
Posted inLocal Government
GarCo Report: Two out of three new Garco Library trustees announced, Martin’s last meeting
“I can see the headlines already,” said Garfield County Commission Chair John Martin at his first BOCC meeting since October and the last meeting of his career. “‘He’s finally gone.’” Martin opened the meeting, thanking everyone for their patience during his absence. He said Nancy, his wife of 56 years, has been dealing with a […]
Posted inLocal Government
No agreement on library trustee appointment process after library board, county commissioner meeting
Garfield County Commission Chair ProTem Tom Jankovsky told everyone at Thursday’s public meeting with the Garfield County Library District Board of Trustees to stick to the topic at hand: an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) between the library board of trustees and the commissioners. “I know there is a disagreement and it’s probably between members of the […]
Posted inColumns
Literate Life: Introducing theTalking Book Library
By Jamie LaRueGarfield County Libraries Once I volunteered at a radio station. I read the daily newspaper for the blind. I wasn’t particularly good at it. I recorded at 6am and quickly learned that I need to be on the other side of at least two cups of coffee before I can talk. One time, […]
Posted inNews
GarCo Report: Library board in the crosshairs, ECMC, nonprofit funding, budget
The Garfield County Public Library District board of trustees has really gotten stuck in the craw of Trish O’Grady, Rifle resident and vocal library critic. She opened this week’s Garfield County Commissioner (BOCC) meeting Tuesday with complaints about how the library board reappointed two incumbent trustees without BOCC approval at the regular monthly meeting on […]
Posted inColumns
United against book bans
As of late, there has been a steady increase in the banning and censorship of books all across America. Over the course of the 2023-2024 school year alone, 10,000 titles were challenged within U.S. schools, according to a PEN America survey. Not only has the amount of censorship increased, but as has the pressure on […]