"Stories advance how we think about culture," - Brevin, amazing human (and library staff member!).

Mesa County Libraries is launching a new, all-ages diversity reading experience May 1 (this Saturday) via Beanstack!
Staff members Brevin, Elizabeth, and Trevor sat down with our hosts to talk about this new experience.

• The Mirrors and Windows reading experience is a celebration of culture, focused on diverse books and films offered throughout our catalog. This idea stems from a movement called Read Woke started by Georgia-based school librarian Cecily Lewis.
• The title of this program, Mirrors and Windows, was adapted from a famous essay written by Rudine Sims Bishop, titled Mirrors, Windows, and Sliding Glass Doors.
• This reading experience emerged out of Mesa County Libraries' commitment to diversity and anti-racism and our Year of Focus.

Visit mesacountylibraries.org/mirrorsandwindows for our specialized book lists including the titles mentioned in this episode, to register, and find out how to share what you learn. Check out the hashtags #ownvoices #mirrorsandwindows and #representationmatters to learn more about books that fit this reading experience outline.

A mirror is a story that reflects your own culture and helps you build your identity. Seeing ourselves in literature is a gift. It is an empowering experience as a reader to see a protagonist whose life experiences relate to our own.

A window is a resource that offers you a view into someone else’s life experiences.
It is critical to understand that we cannot truly learn about ourselves unless we learn about others as well.

Participate in the Mirrors and Windows Reading Experience now through the end of 2021 to explore the stories of our diverse world.
Discovering the experiences of others will help you connect with your neighbors in Mesa County.

Complete this reading experience by earning badges. For each badge, you will select and explore a title, reflect and/or share how the materials you chose sit with you. Each badge you earn will allow you to discover new stories or connect with stories similar to your own.

Two special guests joined us on this episode of The Audissey! Rachel, Page and Shelver Extraordinaire, is an avid reader AND creator of graphic novels! Rachel shares that there is a graphic novel for everyone.
Head of Youth Services Cydney shares the amazing new eResource, Brainfuse HelpNow. Brainfuse is a versatile online service designed to support every step of school and job processes. Live tutors, writing labs, language help, chess assistance, and so much more is available through Brainfuse HelpNow. Visit mesacountylibraries.org to get started using this amazing, FREE, resource!

If you're looking to get started reading Graphic Novels, check out some of the recommended titles mentioned in this episode:
mesa.marmot.org
Bone by Jeff Smith - https://mesa.marmot.org/Record/.b26786618?searchId=122069692&recordIndex=1&page=1Maus by Art Spiegelman - https://mesa.marmot.org/Record/.b28816341?searchId=122069532&recordIndex=4&page=1Neurocomic: A Comic About the Brain - https://mesa.marmot.org/Record/.b42450445?searchId=122070053&recordIndex=1&page=1
Manga Guide to Physics - https://mesa.marmot.org/Record/.b2979030x?searchId=122070117&recordIndex=1&page=1
War Bears by Margeret Atwood - https://mesa.marmot.org/Union/Search?basicType=&genealogyType=&view=list&lookfor=war+bears&basicType=Keyword&genealogyType=GenealogyKeyword&searchSource=localHill House Comics - https://mesa.marmot.org/Search/Results?basicType=Series&lookfor=%22Hill%20House%20comics%22•Find Rachel's cool things:The Magister Records Webcomic - https://www.theduckwebcomics.com/The_Magister_Records/5639345/Talking Comics with My Dad Podcast - https://www.theteam1340.com/mbc-podcasts/•••More resources mentioned in this episode:Brainfuse HelpNow - https://mesacountylibraries.org/eresources/resources-a-z/#bHoopla - Borrow eBooks, audiobooks, comics, music, movies, and TV shows. - https://mesacountylibraries.org/eresources/resources-a-z/#hABC Mouse - https://mesacountylibraries.org/eresources/resources-a-z/#aBookTalk - Dispatches from Pluto: lost and found in the Mississippi Delta by Richard Grant - https://mesa.marmot.org/Record/.b49334347?searchId=121626955&recordIndex=1&page=1

We're joined this week by Art Librarian Jessica Geddes who shares all the upcoming wonderful art programs and opportunities Mesa County Libraries is offering!

The annual Recycled Book Art Show sponsored by Friends of the Mesa County Libraries is open to all Mesa County patrons 16 years of age and older. Submissions are due 8 pm, Monday, April 5, 2021. For eligibility requirements and to submit your work visit https://mesacountylibraries.org/recycledbookartshow/

Need some books to use as materials for this show? Since the recording of this episode, the Friends of the Library have began offering book sales from 9am - 2pm on Saturdays (February - March, 2021)! Find a book sale at the First Congregational Church here: https://mesacountylibraries.libcal.com/calendar/events?t=g&q=Book%20Sale%20to%20benefit%20Friends%20of%20Mesa%20County%20Librarie&cid=1159&cal=1159&inc=0

Our current Artist in Residence is Rebecca Woods, whose block runs from February 1 - May 3, 2021. Rebecca is a multimedia artist who believes play and creation are intertwined, that mythology and folklore have an important place in our lives, and that we as human beings use symbols and narratives to give our lives meaning and structure. Rebecca is offering weekly Meet and Greet hours via Zoom, and has THREE Grown-Up Take and Make programs offered throughout her residency. For more information visit https://mesacountylibraries.org/services/970weststudio/air/.

eResources for Art:
• Crafts and Hobbies Subject Guide: https://guides.mesacountylibraries.org/hobbies
• Kanopy.com - video streaming:
https://mesacountylibraries.org/eresources/resources-a-z/#k
• Universal Class - Hundreds of online non-college credit continuing education courses.
https://mesacountylibraries.org/eresources/resources-a-z/#u

We’re back after the holiday break with our new favorite episode. Observed each year on the third Monday in January as “a day on, not a day off,” Martin Luther King Jr. Day is the only federal holiday designated as a national day of service to encourage all Americans to volunteer to improve their communities.

David Combs of Black Citizens and Friends of Grand Junction joins us on The Audissey to discuss the history of MLK Day Events in Grand Junction, our favorite stories of Black lives, and the events Black Citizens and Friends are hosting this year to keep the mission of building a positive community in Grand Junction going in a time of social distancing. Thank you David for taking the time and sharing the mission of Black Citizens and Friends with Mesa County Libraries!

Follow Black Citizens and Friends: https://www.blackcitizensandfriends.com/mlk-celebration.htmlhttps://www.facebook.com/Black-Citizens-and-Friends-679247135863393

CMU Black Student Alliance (BSA): https://www.coloradomesa.edu/student-services/diversity-advocacy/student-diversity.html

Mesa County Libraries resources mentioned in this episode:
Book Bundles: https://mesacountylibraries.org/bookbundles/Black History Month Kanopy Playlist: https://mcpld.kanopy.com/category/40898
Check out Antiracist Baby board book on our catalog: https://mesa.marmot.org/GroupedWork/95ffc2d9-e4d4-454f-c6be-6db4b2050a20/Home?searchId=118472017&recordIndex=1&page=1&searchSource=local
Check out Martin's Big Words book: https://mesa.marmot.org/GroupedWork/dd24416a-e207-3607-6071-8bd84cfb0c61/Home?searchId=118472688&recordIndex=1&page=1&searchSource=local
Martin's Big Words video on Kanopy Kids: https://mcpld.kanopy.com/video/martins-big-words
1000 Books Before Kindergarten: https://mesacountylibraries.org/kids/1000-books-before-kindergarten/
Our Diverse World Kids Booklist: https://mesacountylibraries.org/kids/books/Virtual
Culture Fest Interview Video Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GfhvFSIDCzw&list=PLwG8-RX3odQ-tUczGV_D8zarybIX0Jr3m
Take & Make Craft Kits: https://mesacountylibraries.org/booksandmedia/takeandmake/

More than ever, mental health needs all of the support! We sat down with the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Western Slope to discuss the amazing FREE resources NAMIws offers our community. Program Director Leslie Kent and Executive Director Kevin Barclay share the history of NAMI, what tools NAMI offers to help individuals and families with mental illnesses, and upcoming services for 2021.

Visit namiws.org to discover free support groups, education, presentations, and more.

Need direct support from Nami? Contact NAMIWS at 970-462-3989 or NAMIwesternslope@gmail.com

Discover Mesa County Libraries mental health resources:

https://guides.mesacountylibraries.org/covid19/health

The Mask You Live In - Watch for FREE with your library card:
https://mcpld.kanopy.com/video/mask-you-live

THE MASK YOU LIVE IN follows boys and young men as they struggle to stay true to themselves while negotiating America's narrow definition of masculinity.

Pressured by the media, their peer group, and even the adults in their lives, our protagonists confront messages encouraging them to disconnect from their emotions, devalue authentic friendships, objectify and degrade women, and resolve conflicts through violence. These gender stereotypes interconnect with race, class, and circumstance, creating a maze of identity issues boys and young men must navigate to become "real" men.

Experts in neuroscience, psychology, sociology, sports, education, and media also weigh in, offering empirical evidence of the "boy crisis" and tactics to combat it. The Mask You Live In ultimately illustrates how we, as a society, can raise a healthier generation of boys and young men.

Prepare to have your hearts warmed! It's the season of giving and Mesa County Libraries and Grand Valley Catholic Outreach have come together for the eleventh consecutive year of community connection. Catholic Outreach Volunteer Coordinator Ellen Riemer and Mesa County Libraries Head of Collection Management Betsey Dick sat down with us to discuss the uplifting history of providing well over 1,000 gifts to local underprivileged individuals through The Giving Tree. For those wanting to participate in The Giving Tree 2020 visit https://www.dreamlist.com/for/mcpldgivingtree now through December 5, 2020 and grab a virtual tag! Fulfill the gift request and return the unwrapped gifts via curbside service at the Central, Clifton, Fruita, Palisade, or Orchard Mesa library locations. For questions about The Giving Tree, please contact Betsey at 970-683-2404 or bdick@mcpld.org Looking for some sweet deals this year but also want to support local businesses with your holiday shopping? Visit https://mesacountylibraries.org/librarydeals/ and check out what local businesses provide discounts when you flash your library card! Fulfilling a gift request via Amazon? Order through smile.amazon.com and select Grand Valley Catholic Outreach or the Mesa County Libraries Foundation as your charity so a portion of your order is donated back into your community! For more information on how to support Grand Valley Catholic Outreach, whether it be donating in-kind contributions, socks, gloves, hats, NEW underwear, men's pants, or other items to their clothing bank, visit www.catholicoutreach.org/ or call (970) 241-3658.

It's the spookiest time of the year and we invited two special guests to discuss double murders, elevator ghosts, supernatural activities, the valley curse, and casket caves! A special thank you to Bob Silbernagel, author and journalist, and librarian Ike for joining us on this creeeEeepy episode!

Resources mentioned in this episode:
• Historic Adventures on the Colorado Plateau by Bob Silbernagel (available for checkout on our catalog)
• Colorado Historic Newspapers Collection - https://www.coloradohistoricnewspapers.org/
• Spooky movies available to stream online for free with your library card – mcpld.kanopy.com/category/38153
mcpld.kanopy.com/video/missing-411
• Book Sale to benefit Friends of Mesa County Libraries, 9 am - 2 pm Friday, October 30, 2020 - ALL SALES CASH ONLY. First Congregational Church, 1425 N. 5th St. (across from Grand Junction High School).

Isolation is bad for everyone. Health-wise, isolation is the same as smoking 15 cigarettes every single day.

Since March 2020, we’ve all experienced some of the negative effects of isolation. What we don’t realize is that sense of loneliness we’ve felt for a few months is actually many people’s everyday lives.

The Mesa County senior population needs quality nutrition and socialization. Amanda DeBock, Program Manager of Meals on Wheels Mesa County, sat down with Bethany and Emmi to discuss how this SCL Health sponsored-program changes lives right in our neighborhood. This mostly senior-volunteered program delivers over 500 meals a DAY to individuals 60+.

Enjoy this uplifting episode and learn about how Meals on Wheels Mesa County has pivoted their services to continue providing healthy resources to our seniors with frozen meals, contactless deliveries, and new partnerships with local food banks.

For more information on how to volunteer, look at the menu, make a donation, or just learn more about Meals on Wheels Mesa County, visit http://mealsonwheelsmesacounty.org/

Thank you to Amanda and SCL Health for sitting down with us for an energetic conversation!

Mesa County Libraries resources for seniors:
Senior Living Guide: https://guides.mesacountylibraries.org/seniorliving
Book Delivery Services: https://mesacountylibraries.org/services/words-on-wheels-books-by-mail/

It's finally here! Virtual Comic Con at Home runs October 1 - October 31, complete with: 

►Now - Oct 22 Comic Con Art Show: visit our Central Location to see the art in person, or see our Facebook album)

►Oct 1 - 31 All Ages Graphic Novel Reading Challenge (register now) Prizes include: mystery bags filled with graphic novels, Comic Con swag, local gift cards, and much more!

►Oct 2 - 9 Comic Con Take and Make (available while supplies last)

►Oct 6 at 2:00 p.m. Comic Con Story Time via Zoom

►Oct 7 at 10:00 a.m. Comic Con Story Time in Spanish via Zoom

►Oct 7 at 6 p.m. Vintage Toys with Artist in Residence Evan Curtis via Zoom (registration required)

►Oct 8 at 10:00 a.m. Comic Con Story Time via Zoom

►Oct 10 Cosplay Contest video release on social media

►Oct 16 at 4:00 p.m. Comic Con Teen Trivia via Zoom (registration required)

Visit mesacountylibraries.org/comiccon for all the details for Virtual Comic Con at Home!

Check out the NPR Coronavirus Comic mentioned in this episode here: https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2020/03/07/811616161/kids-around-the-world-are-reading-nprs-coronavirus-comic

Listener discretion is advised for this episode. Trigger warnings are listed below for each banned book discussed.

1:50 - 9:45 Perks of Being a Wallflower, 13 Reasons Why: Suicide
10:10 - 18:38 The Hate U Give: Death, shooting of a black student by a white policeman
18:45 - 34:40 George: Transgenderism
35:00 - 44:40 Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark: Content frightening in nature (spooky!)
44:45 - 52:08 Prince & Knight: Teen Suicide, LGBTQ+
52:16 - 1:04:00 No trigger warning! A great discussion on how banned books influence reading.

Censorship is whack, yo. Mesa County Libraries strives to ensure our patrons always have access to resources they need and want, and works to expand our collection to include and represent diverse voices. Throughout history, books discussing varied topics have been challenged or banned from library shelves. Banned Books week is a celebration of the freedom to read, draws attention to books that have been banned and challenged, and highlights persecuted individual. We at Mesa County Libraries are no friends of censorship, and encourage our patrons to read outside of your comfort zone by picking up a banned book and expand your world view! Thank you to Andy, Andrea, Trevor, Rachel, Logan and Elise for joining us on the podcast to discuss some of their favorite (or not so favorite) banned books. You can find all of the books discussed in this episode and many banned and challenged reading lists on our catalog at mesacountylibraries.org. To read more about WHY each book has been banned or challenged, visit marshall.edu/library/bannedbooks

Banned Books mentioned in this episode:
Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky - recommended by Andy
Th1rteen r3asons why by Jay Asher
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas - recommended by Andrea
George by Alex Gino - recommended by Trevor

Check out the Our Diverse World booklist and Banned and Challenged YA Books at mesacountylibraries.org!