If you're looking for diverse reading and film resources at Mesa County Libraries, a great place to start is the reading list collection for the Mirrors and Windows Reading Experience.

Mirrors and Windows is a reading challenge that seeks to broaden readers' awareness of other cultures, identities, and experiences. Although the "official" Mirrors and Windows reading program has ended, the book and resource lists have remained popular with people seeking diverse reading choices.

Resource categories include African American, Asian American, Women, Latin American, LGBTQ+, Native American, People Experiencing Poverty and Homelessness, Middle Eastern, Jewish, Immigrants and Refugees, and Abilities. Each category contains age-appropriate reading lists for kids, teens, and adults, and all you need is your library card to start browsing.

Nestled on the corner of 2nd Street and Grand Avenue in Grand Junction, Colorado lies Handy Chapel, an important structural piece of Mesa County’s history.

The Black citizens of early Mesa County were deeded a lot to start their own church of any denomination in 1883, and in 1892, nearly a decade and $962.50 later, Handy Chapel was constructed. It served as the area’s first church for the Black population, and is now the only original church building still standing on its initial plot of land in Mesa County.

For Mesa County Libraries, 2021 was a year of exploring ways to continue providing a wide variety of services during a most unusual time. Learn how your library found a “new normal” during the pandemic in our newly released 2021 Annual Report.

Fruita for Equality is an initiative to promote and support equality, inclusivity, and diversity through meaningful conversations and action in the community. Collaborators in Fruita for Equality include Mesa County Libraries, Fruita Rotary, the City of Fruita, and Lithic Bookstore and Gallery.

• You are receiving this e-newsletter because you are a patron of Mesa County Libraries and/or have signed up to receive news about Fruita for Equality. This newsletter is sent monthly (with occasional special editions) to keep you informed about what’s happening with Fruita for Equality.

• Mesa County Libraries value 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. 

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