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​Arpilleras, meaning “Burlap” in Spanish, are works of South American folk-art incorporating applique, embroidery, and patchwork. The most famous arpilleras and arpilleristas stem from Chile. The women, or arpilleristas, that created these arpilleras more often than not depicted sad scenes from their lives during the Pinochet dictatorship. Today we will be creating collage art inspired by these beautiful works of art.

Our new Executive Director, Amy Shipley, is a librarian with nearly 20 years experience in Western Colorado libraries. She really began her career in libraries as a child visiting the Main Branch of Mesa County Libraries where her mother worked. After college, having earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Spanish, Amy didn't have a solid plan for what to do next, so, as many librarians do, she fell into library work by applying for a job at Mesa County Libraries, where she grew up. That part-time position soon morphed into a full-time position, and then into a promotion and a move to an academic library at the then named Mesa State College. While there, Amy decided to pursue her Masters degree in Library and Information Science.
  
Amy received her Master of Library and Information Science degree from Florida State University, studying online while working full time at Mesa State College. Upon receipt of her degree, Amy's first professional position was as Acquisitions Librarian at Garfield County Libraries. Amy worked for 13 years at Garfield County Libraries, promoting to Technical Services Manager, then to Assistant Executive Director. Amy also served as Interim Executive Director. While at Garfield County Libraries, Amy led a ballot measure to "de-Bruce" the library's funding sources, and also helped lead a ballot measure to increase funding for the library. Her favorite part of her job is supervising and leading staff. 

In other professional work, Amy is the co-chair of the Colorado Association of Libraries Leadership Institute Committee which creates and presents a biennial leadership institute for library staff in Colorado. Learning to lead is a lifelong pursuit for Amy, one which she feels she'll never finish. Amy's passion in library work is supporting and leading staff to help them become the best they can be so that they, in turn, can best serve our community. Outside of work, Amy is a beginner watercolor artist, a hobby she took up during the pandemic to have a creative outlet to support her mental health. She also loves hiking in the summer, cross country skiing in the winter, and fly fishing all of the amazing water we have in our area. And, of course, she loves reading!  She'll be listening to lots of audiobooks on her commute to the library!

Amy begins with us on Tuesday, September 14, and is excited to get to know the people in our community. Please stop by the library to introduce yourself. Amy would love to hear about what you're reading and to share with you her latest read as well.

The Basalt Regional Library is looking ahead to the summer season in the hope that we will be able to gather and celebrate together. Keeping our community safe and adhering to public health protocols remains important in our planning programs and activities, and we are grateful to the community for your support during the past year.

It is with great pleasure and special thanks to the Friends of the Library that we announce our  summer activities will take place outside under our new tent! Summer on the Lawn programs are set to begin soon. Storytimes, craft activities, author visits, our Concert Series and more will all take place (weather permitting) outside. We hope to add pop-up events as well, so stay tuned!  

As always, all our programs are free and open to the public.

​We look forward to seeing you this summer! 

The Director of the Basalt Regional Library District is a highly skilled professional who wears many hats, balancing the needs of the community while encouraging the talents of an enthusiastic staff. Basalt Regional Library is more than a library to the patrons of the valley, it is a hub for many of its users and, as Director, you will be an integral part of the community.  The Director is ultimately responsible for creating a positive environment where employees want to work and patrons want to spend their time.

The Director we’re seeking:

• Mentors, motivates and skillfully hires staff to reach their potential.
• Represents and advocates for the Library in community meetings, programs and events.
• Envisions both a short- and a long-range outlook for the Library’s future.
• Expands community outreach into new areas and in innovative ways.
• Possesses experience in budgetary preparation and management, and is a competent steward of taxpayer funds.
• Maintains the Library’s appearance and equipment, and makes creative use of the Library’s spaces.
• Leads the effort to improve equity and opportunity within our multi-lingual, diverse community.
• Embraces technology of today and is eager to explore technology of tomorrow.
• Must be willing to hang your hat here for a long time.

Is this the job for you? 

To Learn more, click here.

Note: When using the watercolor and paintbrush, be delicate with the brush. The flower is thin, and too much pressure will cause holes.
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Nota: cuando use la acuarela y el pincel, sea delicado con el pincel. La flor es delgada y demasiada presión causará agujeros.

This week decorate a llama! Draw a face, decorations, or even fur, then weave a blanket on it's back so it doesn't get cold!