MESA COUNTY LIBRARIES

JULY 2020

Libraries resume regular hours; masks required

All Mesa County Libraries locations resumed their normal hours of operation as of July 13. You can find a full list of hours here.  We are excited to return to regular hours for the convenience of our patrons. Our libraries have operated on a modified schedule since reopening June 8. We appreciate our patrons’ patience as we retooled our library operations in response to the coronavirus pandemic. Patrons should also be aware that by state order, all patrons visiting our libraries are required to wear masks. Patrons who cannot wear a mask or do not wish to wear a mask, or who are not comfortable entering library buildings, are invited to use our curbside service to pick up their holds. Information about using curbside pick-up is available here. Even though libraries have reopened for normal hours, some services are still limited. Read more about available services here.

Summer Reading nears finish Aug. 1

Congratulations on all of the reading you've done this summer! Reading is a great way to pass the time and learn new things. And if you participated in Summer Reading at Mesa County Libraries this year, you've also discovered something new, reviewed a few books you've read, attended a virtual program or two, achieved your personal reading goals, and volunteered your time to help someone in need. All of these accomplishments are worth points toward prizes. Summer Reading closes Saturday, Aug. 1, so the time is nearing for you to tally up your tracking sheets and then either call us or stop by your nearest Mesa County Libraries location. We'll help you wrap up the reading program and claim any prizes you've earned. But most of all, we hope Summer Reading has inspired you and your family to keep reading all year long. Thanks for participating!

New item at your library: Book Bundles

Save the browsing for later! Looking for a grab-and-go selection of books that you can browse at home? Pick up a Book Bundle! Book Bundles are stacks of three to five books related by format or topic. Check out a bundle, take it home, and explore new books and different authors at your leisure. Book Bundles are available for kids, teens, and adults. Pick up a Book Bundle by visiting any library location, or request one for curbside pick-up! Read more about Book Bundles ...

Need to read? Check out July's Staff Picks

The summer heat is in full effect, and a worthy goal for the moment might be to sit still, stay cool, and pass the time with a terrific new read! Here are some recommendations from your local library staff that are helping get us through the hottest, longest days of the season! Find July's Staff Picks here!

Comic Con art show entry deadline Aug. 3

Art work is being sought for this year’s Mesa County Libraries Comic Con Juried Art Show, to be displayed Aug. 21-Oct. 22, 2020, 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. Entries will be accepted through 8 p.m. Aug. 3, 2020. 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. READ MORE AND ENTER HERE ...

Comic Con 2020 canceled Because of pandemic-related state regulations limiting large gatherings, Mesa County Libraries Comic Con has been canceled for 2020. However, the Comic Con Juried Art Show is still a go, and the Call for Art is open through Aug. 3, 2020. See the accompanying article for more information. We at Mesa County Libraries are extremely disappointed that we won’t be able to hold MCL Comic Con this year, but the health and safety of our community is our highest priority. We are committed to creating meaningful events that bring people together to share their stories. We look forward to creating an amazing Comic Con for everyone in Mesa County and the region in 2021. READ MORE ...

Veterans Remember: Dave Bristol recalls his time serving in Vietnam

In this new Veterans Remember video production, Dave Bristol, a former Army Ranger who served in Vietnam, recounts the events of his enlistment into the U.S. Army Infantry, his trials and triumphs in advanced infantry training, and his experience serving for K Company, 75th Infantry, 4th Infantry Division. This long-range reconnaissance patrol unit was tasked with gathering vital intelligence on enemy encampments in the Highlands of Vietnam. You can learn more about Dave Bristol's story in his book, "My War: Long Range Reconnaissance in the Highlands of Vietnam."  Veterans Remember is an ongoing project of Mesa County Libraries and the library's 970West Studio that collects and documents the memories, thoughts, and experiences of U.S. military veterans who live in Mesa County. The project begins with World War II veterans, and over time, as more interviews are gathered, they are added to this video collection. Watch PART ONE of Dave Bristol's story here. Watch PART TWO of Dave Bristol's story here.

The Audissey podcast: Tremaine Jackson

Welcome to Community Conversations, a series of conversations Mesa County Libraries staff has with passionate and informed community members. On our first-ever Community Conversations episode, Bethany and Emmi sat down with Tremaine Jackson, head football coach at Colorado Mesa University. Hired in late 2019, Coach Jackson has navigated a wide variety of changes not only related to how he adapted running practice for a team of 100+ players during a pandemic, but on a community level opening up a dialogue about being uncomfortable, participating in peaceful protests, and raising the acknowledgement of racism in the Grand Valley. Settle in for a conversation about race relations and bias and how we as a community can use our resources to learn, discover, create, and connect with everyone around us. Thank you, Coach Jackson, for an educational, kind, and much-needed conversation! You can listen to this edition of the library's Audissey podcast here.

Virtual programming: Check the Event Calendar

Even though Mesa County Libraries are not hosting in-person programs at the current time because of the pandemic, we still have many programs happening online! We urge you to check out our variety of clubs, story times, Early Literacy Boredom Busters, and other programs that we offer on YouTube and other social media channels. For a schedule of virtual programming, please check our Event Calendar. We'll see you online!

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Contact Mesa County Libraries at 970-243-4442 or visit mesacountylibraries.org