A new look for the library e-newsletter
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Welcome to the new look for Library News, the e-newsletter for Mesa County Libraries.
We recently updated the appearance of our e-newsletter, and the result of our redesign effort is the edition that you're reading now. This new format is
mobile-friendly, so if you're among the 30-40 percent of readers who see this on a mobile device, you should find it easier on the eyes. We think it is easier to read on a desktop screen, too.
The new format also is suited to an easier production process, which means we will be able to produce
timely e-newsletters on a
more regular basis. Consequently, you'll have an opportunity to be better informed about what's happening at your local library.
If you have comments, feedback, or suggestions about the e-newsletter, please email me at
bkretschman@mcpld.org. Thanks for your interest in Mesa County Libraries!
-Bob Kretschman, Communications Manager, Mesa County Libraries
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Workshop series and art exhibition to focus
on compassion, civility, and homelessness
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The Central Library is hosting a unique combination of events and art through May 10.
The
Civil Discourse Series consists of workshops and discussions that will explore ways of understanding other people, engaging in constructive disagreement, and communicating with compassion. It also features an art exhibition about homelessness by photographer Stevan Maxwell.
- "Faces and Voices: Homeless in America Photography Exhibit" features photos and interviews with homeless people. This powerful exhibit is on display during regular library hours through May 10 in the East Hallway of the Central Library in downtown Grand Junction.
- "Myths and Facts of Living Without Housing" (10 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 17, at the Central Library) features life-sized photographic sculptures and pre-recorded audio interviews. Docents from Grand Valley Peace and Justice will be on hand to answer questions.
- Panel discussion: "Human Dignity for All" (6:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 17, in the Central Library Community Room). Listen, ask, and learn about the homeless experience from people who have lived it. This discussion is open to the public at no charge. Seating is limited.
- Discussion/workshop: "Understanding Civil Discourse and Political Correctness" (5:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 25, at the Central Library). Participants will focus on the sociolinguistic phenomenon of political correctness and explore how it relates to civil discourse and to the broader structure of the English language. It will be led by Maureen Neal, Colorado Mesa University English professor emerita. Seating is limited and registration is required here.
- Workshop: "Compassionate Communication: Tools for Better Understanding" (6 p.m. Monday, April 30, at the Central Library). This workshop offers tools for connecting to ourselves and each other empathetically and communicating effectively, in order to promote better connection, understanding, and dissolution of conflict. It will be led by Kelly Haas, a local teacher and compassionate communication enthusiast.
(Photo: "Isaiah & Daniel" by Stevan Maxwell, from "Faces and Voices: Homeless in America Photography Exhibit")
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Photo courtesy Museums of Western Colorado
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Railroad History of Mesa County
6:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 28, at the Central Library
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Presenter Matt Darling, a railroad enthusiast and manager of the Cross Orchards Historic Site, presents a brief history of railroads in Mesa County. He will discuss rail operations from the first train into the Grand Valley to the mega-mergers of the 1990s. Open to the public at no charge.
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Photo courtesy of Peter Kummerfeldt
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Armchair Travelers: South Africa
6:30 p.m. Monday, April 16, at the Central Library
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Peter and Mary Kummerfeldt take you "On Safari in South Africa," where you'll experience -- through their presentation -- a typical day in the Africa bush. Peter grew up in Kenya and came to America in 1965. He and Mary lead nature and photography excursions to nature reserves and national parks in southern Africa. This presentation is open to the public at no charge. Seating is limited, and admission tickets will be given out beginning at 6 p.m.
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Studio Lounge highlights local music
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If you're not a fan of local music, you'll become one after you check out the Mesa County Libraries
970West Studio Lounge project.
Each month, a local band is invited to record original music in the 970West Studio at Fifth Street and Ouray Avenue, across from the Central Library. The music becomes part of the library's digital collection, available for library patrons to view on demand.
New work is added on the fourth Thursday of each month. Studio Lounge includes music from local bands
Freeway Donna and
Fox & Hound Duo. This week, new songs are on the way from Shaun Ray.
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Writing workshop: "Writing Dramatic and Lively Dialogue"
with James Van Pelt
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5:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 3, at the Central Library
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Seventy to eighty percent of all the words in some of the most readable and entertaining fiction are the characters talking to each other. How do writers make that dialogue funny, emotional, revealing, and interesting while still sounding like people are just chatting? Learn some of the techniques for writing convincing dialogue in this two-hour presentation from the widely published and awarded writer, James Van Pelt.
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What makes coffee so delightful?
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3 p.m. Tuesday, March 27, at the Clifton Branch, 590 32 Road
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Join Chad Baxter from Colorado Legacy Fine Coffee to learn how coffee beans are selected and roasted, then discover how coffee flavor is affected by different blends of beans and where they were grown. In addition, different brewing methods will be discussed.
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Computer and technology classes
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Choose from a variety of classes in audio, video, and software
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Here are just a few computer and tech topics you can learn about in March and April at Mesa County Libraries: Digital Photography, Audio Mixing, Video Editing, Microsoft Word, Internet Privacy and Security, iPhones and iPads, Photoshop, Videography, Art Digitization, 970West Studio Orientation, and more!
Browse the Event Calendar for more information about classes. Some classes require preregistration.
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Central Library and Palisade Branch to host Tech Tables
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Questions about your mobile device or computer? Stop by a library Tech Table and get help from one of our knowledgeable librarians!
Tech Table happens from
noon to 2 p.m. each Tuesday at the Central Library, and from
5-6 p.m. on the second and fourth Thursdays of each month at the Central Library.
A special Tech Table happens from
3:30-5:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 17, at the Palisade Branch, 119 W. Third St.
All Tech Tables provide help on a first-come, first-served basis.
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All library book clubs are open to the public at no charge. Just drop in!
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Collbran Branch Book Club
- "Bored of the Rings" by Harvard Lampoon. 7 p.m. Thursday, March 22, at the Collbran Branch, 111 Main St.
- "Holding Stone Hands" by Alan Boye and "Cheyenne Autumn" by Mari Sandoz. 7 p.m. Thursday, April 26.
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Beyond Words Book Club
- "The Maltese Falcon" by Dashiell Hammett. 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 28, at the Central Library, 5th and Grand in Grand Junction.
- "The River of Doubt: Theodore Roosevelt's Darkest Journey" by Candice Millard. 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, April 25.
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Fruita Branch Book Club
- "Killers of the Flower Moon" by David Grann. 3 p.m. Tuesday, April 10, at the Fruita Branch, 324 N. Coulson St.
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Clifton Branch Book Club
- Guest speaker: Priscilla Mangnall, co-author of "Legends of the Grand Valley" and history columns for the Grand Junction Free Press, the Daily Sentinel, the Senior Beacon, and other publications. 3 p.m. Tuesday, April 10, at the Clifton Branch, 590 32 Road.
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Kiva Book Club
- "Sous Chef: 24 Hours on the Line" by Michael Gibney. 6:30 p.m. Thursday, April 19, at the Central Library, 5th and Grand in Grand Junction.
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Big Ideas in Business Book Club
- "Start with Why" by Simon Sinek. 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 24, in the Fuse Center at Factory, 750 Main St. in Grand Junction.
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Poetry Night and Poetry Contest
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Poetry Night
6 p.m. Wednesday, April 11
Central Library
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Explore the work of poets; discover the themes, styles and techniques used in poetry; and share your own work for feedback.
Poetry Night is facilitated by Jennifer Hancock, assistant professor of English at Colorado Mesa University.
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Enter the 2018 Poetry Contest
March 30-April 19
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April is National Poetry Month, and to celebrate, Mesa County Libraries are hosting a
Poetry Contest!
New this year is a Teen category for youths in Grades 6-12. The Adult category is open to anyone 18 or older.
The contest opens March 30, and we encourage teens and adults to submit an original poem by
April 19. The top three poems in each category will be awarded prizes and will be featured on our website in May once poems have been selected and winners have been notified.
Be sure to carefully observe
all contest rules
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All entries must be submitted online through the library's website. For complete rules and information about the Poetry Contest, please visit
our website.
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Get down to business at Factory
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Factory is Mesa County's high-tech coworking space, offering high-speed Internet, comfortable work space, and a networking community. Mesa County Libraries cardholders can use Factory
as many as five times per month at no charge
during normal business hours (9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday).
More info ...
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Factory After Hours
5:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 29, at Factory, 750 Main St., Grand Junction
Hear from David Camerucci, managing director of Startup Colorado, who will discuss Colorado's entrepreneurial ecosystem and the exciting work taking place in the state.
Startup Colorado seeks to empower entrepreneurial communities across the state by focusing on a collaborative support network, making connections to key resources, and helping high-growth companies access capital.
Factory After Hours is open to the public at no charge. The event is hosted by Mesa County Libraries and Factory.
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Lunch and Learn: "Graphic Design Tips and Tools for Everyone"
11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 4, at Factory, 750 Main St. in Grand Junction
Celeste Herron, owner of Northern Crown Design & Digital, will provide tips and tricks for creating visual concepts, products, and documents in Google Apps, Microsoft programs, drag-and-drop builders, and other applications that can be used by everyone. The information will be especially handy to those who are not graphic professionals.
Lunch and Learn is open to the public at no charge. Please bring your own lunch. Beverages will be provided. Lunch and Learn is hosted by Mesa County Libraries and Factory.
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Mesa County Libraries are a collaborator in Factory, along with LaunchWest CO and the Colorado Advanced Manufacturing Alliance.
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"Monkey Face" puppet show scheduled
March 22-April 13 at library branches
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Join us for "Monkey Face," a puppet show based on the book by Frank Asch.
Mikey the Monkey's friends help him draw a special picture of his mother! Meet Mikey and his pals in the jungle for a swinging good time!
The puppet show is open to all children and their families at no charge.
- 1:30 p.m. Thursday, March 22, at the Gateway Branch, 42700 Highway 141.
- 10 a.m. Friday, March 23, at the Orchard Mesa Branch, 230 Lynwood St.
- 10 and 11 a.m. Monday, March 26, at the Fruita Branch, 324 N. Coulson St.
- 10 a.m. Tuesday, March 27, at the Palisade Branch, 119 W. Third St.
- 10 a.m. Thursday, April 5, at the Clifton Branch, 590 32 Road.
- 10:30 a.m. Friday, April 6, at the Collbran Branch, 111 Main St.
- 11 a.m. Friday, April 13, at the De Beque Branch, 730 Minter Ave.
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Celebrate Dia de los Ninos at the library
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Celebrate Dia de los Ninos (Children's Day) from
10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, April 28, at the Central Library.
We'll have a Spanish puppet show, games, refreshments, and a special performance by Mariachi San Jose. Each child who attends will get a free book!
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Celebrate spring with a seed exchange
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Spring is in the air! Join us at the Collbran Branch Library, 111 Main St., from
9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, March 31, to
exchange seeds with your friends and neighbors!
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Mesa County Libraries 2017 Annual Report is available online
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The 2017 Annual Report for Mesa County Libraries highlights major trends and statistics of library operations last year. For example, patrons checked out or renewed more than 1.3 million items from the library last year, and more than 778,000 visits were recorded at our eight library locations.
Find the 2017 Annual Report
here.
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Contact Mesa County Libraries at 970-243-4442 or visit mesacountylibraries.org
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