Summer Reading has started. Sign up today! |
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Summer Reading 2021 is underway, with great entertainment, prizes, activities, and of course, reading!
Summer Reading lasts through Saturday, July 17, and along the way, kids, teens, and adults will have opportunities to pursue their reading goals, win prizes in biweekly drawings, and exercise their creativity in a variety of ways.
Here are just a few fun features of Summer Reading 2021:
- Special summer Take and Make kits for kids and teens
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Virtual and hands-on Summer Reading Experiences for kids on topics like music, ocean science, and magic (details in the Event Calendar)
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Outdoor, in-person children’s story times and Kids Clubs to be held throughout Mesa County (for times, dates, and locations, see the Event Calendar)
- Biweekly prize drawings for kids, teens, and adults
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Participate in the library’s new Mirrors and Windows Reading Experience – it counts for Summer Reading, too!
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Submission deadline extended for pandemic collection - All ages are invited
to submit their work
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The submission deadline for the "In This Together" collection of writing and art from the pandemic has been extended to midnight Thursday, July 1, 2021.
The collection seeks to gather stories, poems, and artwork that Mesa County residents created during the coronavirus pandemic into a volume that will capture how creativity was expressed during the past 15 months.
This published collection is supported by Mesa County Libraries, Friends of Mesa County Libraries, the Western Colorado Writers' Forum, and the Western Colorado Community Foundation.
The collection is open to Mesa County residents of all ages, and there is a limit of two submissions per person. Please view the Submission Guidelines for complete details.
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Artists of all ages sought for
Comic Con Art Show
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Art work is being sought for this year’s Mesa County Libraries Comic Con Juried Art Show, to be displayed Aug. 20 - Oct. 21, 2021, at the Central Library in downtown Grand Junction.
There are three age categories for artists (11 and under, 12-18, and 19 and older), and prizes will be awarded in each age group.
Entry is open to all Mesa County residents, and there is no charge to enter.
Artists may submit two entries by digital image for consideration. Art work should be appropriate for all ages and should follow the spirit of Comic Con, which highlights graphic literature, sequential art, and comics as a literary medium. Fan art is welcome.
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AND IN CASE YOU'RE WONDERING ...
After skipping the in-person event in 2020 due to the pandemic, Mesa County Libraries plan to host Comic Con Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021, at the Grand Junction Convention Center (formerly known as Two Rivers), 159 Main St. Planning is underway, and you can keep up with the latest information by visiting mesacountylibraries.org/comiccon.
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Explore the sea in the Ocean Science Series |
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We offer three different times for this virtual workshop:
Be sure to pick up your kit for this workshop at any of our eight locations after you register! This event is intended for families and kids, ages 6-11.
ANCIENT OCEANS IN THE GRAND VALLEY
Further your aquatic knowledge by visiting an Outside Kids Club event and learn about the prehistoric, oceanic time period of the Grand Valley. We’ll discuss the aquatic life that once lived here, including ancient sharks, and create a shark craft. No registration is required for this program:
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Learn tricks in a seven-part magic series |
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Register to virtually watch the Your Magic Library video series and learn a number of magic tricks from magicians Cody Landstrom and Wolfe Bowart. Registration is required and opens June 14, 2021 (one registration per family, to receive one kit per child).
Dates of virtual workshops:
Be sure to pick up your kit at any of our eight locations after you register!
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Explore Dinosaur Journey in this month's episode of Explore! Mesa County |
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Hey, kids and families! Explore Mesa County with us!
Join us for a video series on our YouTube channel at 6:30 p.m. on the last Thursday of every month and get a special behind-the-scenes look at some super cool and interesting places all around Mesa County!
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Enjoy stories and songs
in the Outdoor Story Time series
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Mesa County Libraries are excited to announce the Outdoor Story Time series! Through July 16, join us for stories, songs, rhymes, and other activities which emphasize five simple practices — reading, talking, writing, singing, and playing — that help children learn the skills they need to be ready to read.
These events take place throughout Mesa County, and times, dates, and places vary. A complete list of Outdoor Story Time events can be found on the Events Calendar at mesacountylibraries.org.
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Until July 26, enjoy weekly virtual
Story Times on Mesa County Libraries
Facebook Page
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Story Time makes learning fun! Join us virtually via Facebook Video for a story time intended for children aged 5 and under and their caregivers. This virtual story time will feature stories, songs, fingerplays, rhymes, and other activities which explore the five early literacy practices - read, sing, talk, write, and play.
Virtual Story Time occurs:
• 10:30 a.m. Sundays (in Spanish)
• 10:30 a.m. Mondays
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Participate in Outside Kids Club this summer for outdoor games, crafts, educational activities, and much more! |
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Parents and kids are invited to join us each week through July 16 for Outside Kids Club! Enjoy outdoor games, crafts, educational activities, and much more!
Times, dates, and locations of the events vary. Visit the Event Calendar at mesacountylibraries.org for a complete list of Outside Kids Club events. For ages 6-11.
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Learn how to draw your
Dungeons and Dragons character
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Do you have a Dungeons and Dragons character you would like to draw? Learn how to draw your Dungeons and Dragons character with simple, step-by-step instructions with artist Melody Brooke Safken.
Safken will specifically focus on how to draw different races in Dungeons and Dragons like elves and dwarves. Attendees will also receive a free D&D dice set at the end of the event!
This event will happen at 4 p.m., Friday, July 9, in the Central Library Mesa Community Room. For ages 12-18. Seating is limited, and registration is required. To register, visit the Event Calendar at mesacountylibraries.org.
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Teen Themed Tuesday -
Long Family Memorial Park
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Teen Themed Tuesdays bring teens together for weekly games, crafts, and conversation.
This month teens are invited to join us to play disc golf at 4 p.m. Tuesday, June 15, at the north end of Long Family Memorial Park, 3117 F Road, Grand Junction. For ages 12-18.
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Teen Automata:
Simple Machines Mimicking Life
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Teens are invited to join us for Teen Automata — Simple Machines Mimicking Life. Before the invention of the electric motors, software, and computers that power today's toys and robots, there was the age of clockwork mechanics where motion was driven by cranks and gears, coding was done with cams and followers, and simple machines created surprisingly complex engines mimicking the processes of life.
The program is hosted by Richard Blake of STEMpunkED, an organization that uses technology of the past to explore history, culture, language, and the analog roots of the digital age.
There are three opportunities to attend this event:
- 3 p.m. Tuesday, June 22, at the Clifton Branch Library
- 3 p.m. Friday, June 25, in the Central Library Mesa Room
- 3 p.m. Friday, June 25, at the Fruita Branch Library
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Seating is limited, and registration is required. Visit the Event Calendar at mesacountylibraries.org to register.
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Teen Take and Make: Pride Pins |
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Learn how to make a variety of pride pins, including a variety of LGBTQ+ pins. This Take and Make Kit is available while supplies last. Visit any library location to pick up a kit or reserve a kit when you schedule your next Curbside Pick-up.
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Looking for something happening
at your library?
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Check our Event Calendar for full list of what's happening at Mesa County Libraries!
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A NOTE TO READERS
You are receiving this e-newsletter because you are a patron of Mesa County Libraries. The Kids & Teens email newsletter is sent monthly (with occasional special editions) to patrons and subscribers to keep you informed about what’s happening at your local library. The library values your privacy and will not share your email address or other information with anyone. You can update your library e-newsletter subscriptions by visiting the "Update Profile" link at the bottom of this newsletter. You can also remove yourself from all library e-newsletter lists by visiting the “Unsubscribe” link at the bottom of this newsletter.
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Contact Mesa County Libraries at 970-243-4442 or visit mesacountylibraries.org |
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