News from the Mesa County Libraries 970West Studio
January 2023
New Artist in Residence
joins Mesa County Libraries
Photographer Kyle Webb is the new Mesa County Libraries Artist in Residence through April 17. Kyle has extensive experience with photography and digital cameras, and he’s thrilled to have the opportunity to share his knowledge with the community.

Kyle’s Meet & Greets will be every Friday from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. Stop by the studio to say hi, check out his photography, or ask questions about digital cameras. Kyle also plans to offer several photography-related classes. For a full list, click the button below.
The Sony PXW powers up in about 2 seconds, shoots up to 2.5 hours in 4K HD on one battery, can shoot in logarithmic color, and has a robust menu of customizable features for professionals (or anyone who simply enjoys full creative control.)

For novices, beginners, or anyone filming solo, the PXW is quite user-friendly. The most useful and common settings are easy to find, clearly labeled, and ergonomically accessible. There’s no need to change lenses or fiddle with extra accessories. The PXW’s autofocus is outstanding. It is extremely fast, smooth, and accurate, and this camera’s autofocus will make everything you do look simply amazing.

With smartphone technology, many of us have really nice cameras just hanging out in our pockets. What we don’t all have are really nice microphones. Audio quality will absolutely make or break your video. The biggest advantage to using the PXW to record your video is that there are two XLR inputs, so you can pair your stunning HD video with professional microphones, thus capturing clean audio that is warm, full, and every bit as lovely as your footage.

Come test it for yourself at the 970West Studio! The Sony PXW Z90V is available to use during studio reservations. If you still have any questions or hangups, please drop in to any of our twice-monthly Studio Q&A sessions to practice using the PXW with staff guidance.
Discover what the 970West Studio staff have been reading, watching, and listening to.
Jason's Pick:


Part of the truly inspiring “Bjooks” series of music-related volumes from the mind of Kim Bjorn, Pedal Crush is packed with great photos, tips, and interviews focusing on one of my favorite devices, the guitar pedal! 

You may not know exactly what a guitar pedal does, but you have definitely heard them on your favorite albums. From the mountainous wail of a fuzzbox on almost any Nirvana track to the rubbery, yet somehow robotic, guitar tones on a Parliament Funkadelic album, guitar pedals, AKA stompboxes, have left their sonic fingerprint all over recorded music.

Currently, 970West Studio users can plug into a Boss looper and an Earthquaker Devices Reverb/Delay pedal, but keep an eye out for a fully-stocked pedalboard that studio users can experiment with coming very soon!
Denise's Pick:

After a quick scan of the classroom, it’s apparent that these wide-eyed students are wondering what they got themselves into. Studio H, an afterschool program for high schoolers, is part art class, part shop class, part architectural drafting, part construction work, and completely oriented toward community-led community improvement. The program was piloted in Bertie County, one of the poorest counties in North Carolina, and featured in the award-winning documentary, If You Build It. 

No one in this documentary escapes hardship – challenges often stem from the fact that Bertie County is very low income, doesn’t retain young citizens, doesn’t retain educated citizens, and has unemployment rates way above the national average. But when the Studio H program faces shutdown, the instructors waive their teaching salaries and teach for free. When students don’t have reliable transportation, the class devotes a day to building and fixing bicycles made from discarded parts. By the end of the summer, everyone has some new muscles, and the town has some extraordinary student-designed, student-built structures (no spoilers here) that will open up a flow of jobs and income. What’s more, the students themselves have gained so many practical skills, problem-solving skills, and teamwork skills that they will take with them after graduation. 

One student even picked up a camera to document her peers at work; her videography and interviews are included in the documentary footage. Speaking of cameras, if you’ve taken our Camera Kit Basics class, then you can check out one of our cameras for your next project or story. If You Build It is available at Mesa County Libraries on DVD and streamable through Kanopy eVideo.
Take a 970West Studio class!
Most classes require advance registration. Click the links to register.
970West Studio Orientation

Take the first step toward using the 970West Studio. Orientation classes last an hour. Registration is NOT required.

The next 970West Studio Orientation takes place:
Studio Q&A

Explore the 970West Studio as we offer Orientations and have staff available to answer your multimedia production questions.

Assistance is offered on a first-come, first-served basis. In-depth/additional questions may require a future Book a Librarian appointment if others are waiting.
Camera Kit Basics

If you’re interested in checking out one of Mesa County Libraries’ camera kits, but don’t know where or how to get started, this class is for you! We will cover the basics of camera care, lens attachment, manual/automatic settings, ISO, lens apertures, and focus adjustments. This class, along with a valid Mesa County Libraries card and a little inspiration, will have you creating amazing photos in no time!
Camera Kit Basics takes place at 9:30 a.m. Friday, February 3. Seating is limited, and registration is required.
Intro to Digital Cameras

This introductory class for budding photographers will explore the "Exposure Triangle": the camera's ISO, aperture, and shutter speed. The goal of this class is for attendees to understand and be comfortable with the buttons, dials, and settings of digital cameras, and to see how they all work together to record an image.

Patrons are encouraged to bring their own digital camera to this class for hands-on practice. Studio cameras will be available for those not bringing a camera.
Introduction to Digital Cameras takes place at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, February 8. Seating is limited, and registration is required.
Photo Restoration Basics

Learn how to preserve and repair your old or deteriorating photographs using Adobe Photoshop. In this course you will learn how to improve color and fix ripped, scratched, stained, and torn photos. Participants are welcome to bring their own scanned photograph to use during the class but will need to bring an external storage device, such as a USB flash drive, to do so.
Photo Restoration Basics takes place at 2:30 p.m. Friday, February 3. Seating is limited, and registration is required.
Mac OS Basics

Mac OS is a proprietary graphical operating system developed and marketed by Apple Incorporated since 2001. It is the primary operating system used in the 970West Studio and the Creation Station at the Central Library. In this class, learn the basics of Mac OS. 
Mac OS Basics takes place at 11 a.m. Thursday, February 16. Seating is limited and registration is required.
Podcast Production

Podcasting is a great way to get your story out there! Join us at 970West Studio, where we will go over microphone choice, multitrack recording, signal processing, mixing, and file exporting.
Podcast Production takes place at 9:30 a.m. Friday, February 10. Seating is limited, and registration is required.
Green Screen 1.0: Assembly

Let's build a green screen! Explore all the components of the 970West Studio's Green Screen Kit. Students will practice setting up the kit, learn basic green screen theory, and explore common pitfalls and their solutions. Depending on time and interest, students may have an opportunity to practice recording footage with the green screen. Each month, we will explore different layouts and techniques; so students are encouraged to attend multiple times.
Green Screen 1.0: Assembly takes place:

Seating is limited, and registration is required.
Green Screen 2.0: Chroma Key

Learn the methods used to remove a video's background and replace it with a different image or video. In this hands-on class, we will explore the process of using a green screen, including video capture and the post-production process known as chroma key. Participants are welcome to bring digital images to use during class, provided that these images are saved on a USB storage device prior to class. This class is ongoing, so keep coming back for more fun (and learning)!
Green Screen 2.0: Chroma Key takes place:

Seating is limited, and registration is required.
Introduction to Video Editing

In this hands-on course, learn the fundamentals of video editing using Adobe Premiere, a program included in the Adobe Creative Cloud. Participants will learn how to import video clips into the editor, edit clips inside the editor for improved playback, and export video projects so you can share them to your favorite online video-sharing websites. Sample footage will be provided, but participants may also bring a USB storage device with their own footage. This course is ongoing, so keep coming back to develop your skills!
Introduction to Video Editing takes place at 9:30 p.m. Thursday, February 16. Seating is limited, and registration is required.
Audio Production

Let’s get weird! Are the beats and bass lines of traditional beat making a bit too structured for you? Are you searching for a sound, your own sound, that doesn't live on today's popular playlists? Come to an Audio Alchemy session and explore some experimental soundscapes with us!
We'll primarily use Alchemy, a sound module included with Logic Pro X, but other ingredients like real-world sampling and vocal chopping may be on the menu. A basic knowledge of Mac OS and music production is strongly recommended. Attend multiple times for best results!

Audio Production takes place at 9:30 a.m. Friday, February 17.

Seating is limited, and registration is required.
Intro to Art Digitization

This introductory class will familiarize you with the necessary equipment and fundamentals to digitize your two-dimensional works of art using the 970West Studio.
Introduction to Art Digitization takes place at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, February 23. Seating is limited, and registration is required.
The 970West Mic Locker

Explore the collection of microphones available at 970West Studio! In this beginner-friendly class we will review fundamentals of sound, learn about different types of microphones and their features, and practice the basic mechanics of setting up microphones and mic accessories.
Mic Locker takes place at 10 a.m. Tuesday, February 28. Seating is limited, and registration is required.
Additional technology resources are available on our Technology Guide: Tutorials and Classes page. There you will find printable class handouts, basic tech help for your computer or mobile device, and a selection of tutorials. Still not finding what you're looking for? Fill out a Book a Librarian form to receive one-on-one instruction for your tech-related topic.

All studio classes take place at the 970West Studio, 502 Ouray Ave., across from the Central Library in downtown Grand Junction.
Follow the 970West Studio on Instagram
Follow @970west_studio on Instagram for regular posts about all things 970WestStudio.
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Contact Mesa County Libraries at 970-243-4442 or visit mesacountylibraries.org