Welcome back to the library!
No more overdue fines
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As of Jan. 1, 2020, Mesa County Libraries no longer charge overdue fines on books and other items, and
all accumulated fines for overdue materials have been waived.
As a result of this decision to eliminate overdue fines, we wish to welcome back
more than 5,800 library patrons who were blocked from further checkouts because of accumulated fines exceeding $10. With overdue fines waived, those patrons now may enjoy full library privileges.
Overdue fines may be more of a
deterrent to using the library than an incentive for returning materials, and waiving them is the library’s way of welcoming back patrons who could no longer fully utilize the library because they owed fines.
Other libraries that have eliminated overdue fines report that a significant number of former patrons are returning, and some libraries have seen an increase in the return of overdue and lost materials.
Please note that the new policy applies only to overdue fines.
Billed charges for unreturned, damaged, or incomplete items will remain in force. In addition, items borrowed from other libraries (such as through interlibrary loan) are subject to the rules and regulations of the loaning libraries, so overdue fines may continue to be charged on those items.
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Library to close Jan. 20 for
Martin Luther King Jr. holiday
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All Mesa County Libraries locations will be closed
Monday, Jan. 20, 2020, for the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday.
Branch libraries in
Collbran, Orchard Mesa, and Palisade will be closed
Saturday, Jan. 18, in observance of the holiday.
During the holiday, patrons can use the library
website to download ebooks, place holds, renew items, and use online resources such as Mango Languages, Universal Class, and RBdigital Magazines.
A complete list of library locations and hours is available
here.
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Start 2020 with a library staff recommendation
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Looking for a good read? Check out these books (and a movie) that Mesa County Libraries staff enjoyed!
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Old West topics to highlight
history presentations
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History enthusiasts can get their fill of
Old West tales during January and February at Mesa County Libraries.
Topics such as bank robberies, train heists, ghost towns, and frontier economics will be the subject of several public presentations at library locations in Grand Junction and Fruita.
All presentations are open to the public at no charge.
Presentations are titled:
- “Hands Up! Old West Stagecoach, Train, and Bank Robberies of Western Colorado”
Your choice of two dates:
1 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 15,
OR
6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 21,
at the Central Library, 443 N. 6th St. in
Grand Junction.
Noon Thursday, Jan. 16,
at the Central Library, 443 N. 6th St. in
Grand Junction
- “There’s Gold in Them Thar Hills: History of Early Economic Activity in Summit County, CO”
2 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 5,
at the Fruita Branch Library, 324 N. Coulson St.,
Fruita
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TJ Smith is new 970West Artist in Residence
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Smith, a two-year resident of Grand Junction, will host several
how-to workshops at various library locations and also will host
Meet and Greet times at the 970West Studio, 502 Ouray Ave. across from the Central Library, where the public may stop by and talk with him about his art.
Smith's residency begins Jan. 13 and runs through April 20, 2020.
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Why graphic novels can be
a great option for kids
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Many children seem to only want to read graphic novels or comic books, and some caregivers might be worried that they aren’t reading “a real book,” or reading anything challenging. Turns out that research indicates that
graphic novels and comics can teach children many skills, and develop a love of reading.
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Library board approves planning
for new Clifton Branch Project
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The Mesa County Libraries Board of Trustees has approved planning for a
new Clifton Branch Library building that would be approximately 20,000 square feet in size.
The new building would
replace the current Clifton Branch, which at 5,400 square feet is too small to accommodate the number of people who use the facility. It is the second-busiest library location in Mesa County, second only to the Central Library in Grand Junction.
The library district purchased land for the new branch in late 2017 and is now embarking on initial planning for a new building.
Planning is in the earliest stages, and groundbreaking is tentatively set for March 2022. Although firm construction costs have not been established, the library plans to pay for the construction with a combination of library district funds and contributions raised by the
Mesa County Libraries Foundation. There are no plans to go to the ballot for construction funding.
For more information about the project and its timeline, please visit the project's
dedicated page on the library website.
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Understanding
memory-related issues and preventing falls are the topics of upcoming senior health programs at Mesa County Libraries locations in Palisade and Grand Junction.
All programs are open to the public at no charge.
Below are the programs in the series. For more information about each event, please visit the
library blog.
● Understanding Alzheimer’s and Dementia
2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 25, at the Palisade Branch, 119 W. Third St.,
Palisade
● Understanding Fall Prevention
1 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 5, at the Central Library, 443 N. 6th St.,
Grand Junction
● Dementia Conversations: Driving, Doctor Visits, Legal & Financial Planning
6:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 25, at the Central Library, 443 N. 6th St.,
Grand Junction
● Understanding and Responding to Dementia-Related Behavior
6:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 1, at the Central Library, 443 N. 6th St.,
Grand Junction
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Congratulations, Graduates!
Eight students graduate from library high-school programs
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Students who graduated in December from high-school programs offered through Mesa County Libraries are:
Back row, left to right: Elsa Pennington, Tasia Schwab, Claudia Reyes, Evangelina Henni
Front row, left to right: Megan Sheley, Red Poteet, Cyrse Hall, Amanda Stephenson
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Eight students graduated Dec. 9, 2019, from the two high-school education programs offered through Mesa County Libraries.
Four graduates received diplomas they earned through
Career Online High School (COHS), a program designed for adults who want to advance their education and pursue career training. Four other graduates completed the
GED preparation program through Mesa County Libraries, successfully completed the GED test, and received their General Education Diplomas.
Graduates are: Cyrse Hall, Evangelina Henni, Elsa Pennington, Red Poteet, Claudia Reyes, Tasia Schwab, Megan Sheley, and Amanda Stephenson.
A graduation ceremony at the Central Library in downtown Grand Junction featured remarks by Michelle Boisvenue-Fox, director of Mesa County Libraries, and Rick Taggart, mayor of Grand Junction. Friends and families were in attendance to help celebrate the graduates’ accomplishment.
The GED program currently serves 70 students, and the COHS program has 20 active students.
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ABOUT THE PROGRAMS
Career Online High School offers students the opportunity to earn an accredited high school diploma and credentialed career certificate, and the course of study prepares students for entry into post-secondary career education or the workforce.
The GED program is well-suited to students who will benefit from a structured program that offers the ability to work with a teacher and peers in an in-class setting.
Completion of high-school education is crucial for anyone to compete in today’s job market or to enroll in higher education. Mesa County Libraries are proud to offer COHS and GED preparation options to members of our community who will benefit from the educational programs.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Mesa County residents interested in completing high school using either the GED or COHS option are invited to
call the Mesa County Libraries Literacy Center at 970-683-2443. Literacy Center staff can help students decide which option is best for their particular situation.
Prospective students must be 16 years of age or older, be residents of Mesa County, and have a library card from Mesa County Libraries.
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Upcoming Events and Classes
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Wonder what's happening at Mesa County Libraries? Check our online Event Calendar to find out!
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Contact Mesa County Libraries at 970-243-4442 or visit mesacountylibraries.org
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