Ignite Talk

Public libraries have the unique opportunity to bring the widest range of people together. Providing drop-in programs with a range of fiber art and textile supplies removes the financial barrier to participation so that all income levels can take part equally. Working in a downtown city library we have fostered all access programming to enable us to reach folks experiencing homelessness.

Our Social Stitchers groups have created community connections and shared learning. Since we began in the summer of 2023 we have had knitters, crocheters, embroiderers, cross stitchers, visible menders, rug hookers and pompom makers join the fiber fun. We have had a full range of ages from teenagers stop by after school, remote workers seeking conversation, to older retired adults keen to share their craft skills. 

Host

Louise Fordyce
Louise has worked for the past eight years at the Boulder Public library, a downtown city library at 2640 meters in the front range mountains of Colorado. As a frontline library staffer, Louise connects people to the resources they need. As the Digital Navigator Lead, Louise fosters digital literacy. Louise’s passions are fiber arts and enjoying the outdoors year-round. Louise previously worked as an elementary school teacher in inner London and as a book buyer for a local Colorado independent bookstore.