All Mesa County Libraries locations will be closed Saturday, Dec. 24, through Monday, Dec. 26, for the Christmas holiday. All library locations also will be closed Sunday, Jan. 1, and Monday, Jan. 2, 2023, for the New Year’s holiday.

Due to holiday staffing levels, hours for some branch locations will be modified for the last weekend in December. Those modifications are:

The Mesa County Libraries Foundation supports community-building library projects, services, and events, including the new Clifton Branch Project, Summer Reading, Comic Con, Culture Fest, and the Adult Learning Center.

Please consider making a financial gift to the Foundation between now and Colorado Gives Day on Tuesday, Dec. 6. With your support, we can reach our $10,000 goal for the Colorado Gives campaign! All funds support projects and services of Mesa County Libraries.

If you are participating in this year's Giving Tree, we wish to thank you for helping families in need during this holiday season.

We'd also like to remind you that if you purchased a gift, Monday, Dec. 5, is the deadline for bringing the unwrapped gift with the Giving Tree tag attached to a participating library branch (Central Library and branches in Clifton, Fruita, Orchard Mesa, and Palisade).

The Giving Tree is an annual cooperative effort between Mesa County Libraries and Grand Valley Catholic Outreach to provide gifts to local families in need.

Nile and Lois Leach wanted to visit Quebec during the summer of 2022, but COVID diverted their plans to an exploration of the Atlantic Coast of Maine, from Portland to Bar Harbor. They enjoyed Maine's rocky coastline, complete with lighthouses, marine life, and rich shipping history. Come listen as they share their unexpected trip to Maine.

Explore the history of the four major irrigation entities in the Grand Valley and learn about the complexity of the water-delivery system that turned the area into the agricultural valley that it is today. Presented by Mark Hermundstad, a local attorney with extensive experience in water law. This presentation is co-hosted by Mesa County Libraries and the New Dimensions Lifelong Learning Institute.

Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis.

Hank Schoch, a retired national park ranger, will share a pictorial introduction to some of Colorado National Monument’s archaeological resources, both prehistoric and historic.

These discoveries, by no means complete, are the result of a former chief ranger’s wanderings through a fantastic landscape. Along the way, he’ll share a few insights regarding inspiration, tools of the trade, methodology, record-keeping, and challenges.

Four Mesa County Libraries locations will help distribute 5,000 retired Chromebooks that the District 51 Foundation is making available to the public. The devices have been used in local classrooms for several years.

Chromebooks are available to local residents free of charge, with a limit of two per person (recipients must be present at the distribution).

Distribution will take place at the following times and locations, while supplies last:

Here is more information from news coverage about the distribution.

Love board games? Are you 18+? Come to the Mesa County Libraries Central Library for game night! Try games provided by the library or feel free to bring your own, and prepare to have a free and fun-filled time at the library.

Stock up on reading material during the chilly season! The Friends of Mesa County Libraries are hosting weekly book sales 9 a.m.-2 p.m. each Friday and Saturday through Dec. 17. 

All proceeds from these sales benefit Mesa County Libraries. All sales are cash only.

We want to know what you think about the email newsletter you're reading.

We invite you to tell us by taking a 12-question, six-minute survey about the Library News email newsletter. Your responses are anonymous, and survey results will help us improve the newsletter to better serve library patrons.

The survey will remain open through Sunday, Dec. 18. Thanks!

The current art display at the Central Library is the Culture Fest Juried Art Show, on display through Dec. 15. This year’s juror, Savannah Ashmore, selected 30 pieces of artwork to be displayed from over 60 entries. Stop by and see the show in the library's main hallway!

Congratulations to the winners of the 2022 Culture Fest Juried Art Show! They are: 1st place, Alexia Alexander, “Monomania”; 2nd place, Steven Marshall, “The Beauty of Junque”; 3rd place, Robin Daehling, “Moon Rabbit”. The show will be on display through Dec. 15 in the Central Library’s main hallway.

Explore Universal Class, an eResource offering tutorials, lessons, and classes on a diverse array of topics. There’s something for everyone on Universal Class, including history lessons, art/hobby tutorials, cooking classes, test preparation, career training, and so much more. Want to learn about Microsoft Excel, microbiology, cake decoration, gardening, or the Revolutionary War? Universal Class has you covered on all fronts.

Join us for a discussion about decoding verbal and behavioral communication from someone with Alzheimer's and other dementias. Participants will leave with strategies for meaningful connection with people in early, middle, and late stage dementia. Presented by the Alzheimer's Association.

Join us every fourth Tuesday of the month at the Clifton Branch, 590 32 Road, from 5 to 6 p.m. to discuss movies that coincide with the chosen movie theme of the month!

This month on Tuesday, Dec. 27, come prepared to discuss your favorite holiday movies!

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