This giving season, the Mesa County Libraries Foundation is encouraging library lovers to support the library by making a gift for Colorado Gives Day, which is December 10th this year. All donations received through the end of December will count towards our $10,000 goal, and all proceeds raised through Colorado Gives will support library programs and future capital projects.
While the Mesa County Library District’s operating costs are paid for with tax revenue from Mesa County property owners, many of our beloved signature programs like Comic Con, Culture Fest, and Summer Reading, along with capital projects like the new Clifton Branch, are supported by the Mesa County Libraries Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit created in 1994 to help support, sustain, and enhance Mesa County Libraries’ efforts to enrich lives and build community. The Foundation raised over $3.5 million for the new Clifton Branch, and future capital projects may require even more support from the MCL Foundation, as state-wide property tax cuts next year will begin impacting the library’s budget in 2026.
For those who would prefer to send a check, tax-deductible gifts can also be mailed to: 443 N. 6th St., Grand Junction, CO 81501. And through the end of the year, all gifts of at least $250 specifically designated for the new Clifton Branch are eligible to receive an Enterprise Zone credit which can be applied to your 2024 Colorado state taxes.
The MCL Foundation is also excited to announce the return of the Friends of the Mesa County Libraries weekend book sales this Friday, December 6th, from 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM. Weekend book sales at the First Congregational Church in Grand Junction (1425 N. 5th St., across from the old Grand Junction high school) will continue on Fridays and Saturdays through December 21st, so this is a great opportunity to find some unique and affordable books for all ages while supporting the library with your purchase.
Did the library meet its goal?
What are the best, most meaningful ways for people with limited funds to support the library?
Posts have indicated a need for a new site for book sales. What will be the book sales schedule until then?
Hi Leslie,
Thank you for your comment. Let me reach out to those who an answer those questions and I’ll get back to you! -Cari
Hi again Leslie – I spoke with our Development Director and she offered this response:
1. Yes, we met our fundraising goal for 2024, though many of the donations we received came through the library’s website and mailed in donations; only a portion of the total came from Colorado Gives.
2. The best way for folks with limited funds to support the library is to share their love of the library with family and friends, and encourage others to sign up a library card if they don’t already have one (since some of our funding is based on the number of library cardholders, this can can actually increase our funding). Also, coming to library programs and checking out (and returning) items from our collection helps to boost our statistics, which can also help with grant funding. Shopping at the Friends’ book sales also helps the library since the Friends, part of the Mesa County Libraries Foundation, donate money from their book sales to support library projects and programs. We also have a variety of volunteer opportunities at libraries across Mesa County; for more information about volunteering, please reach out to our volunteer coordinator, Kim Daniel, at volunteer@mcpld.org.
3. The Friends’ book sales will continue to be held every Friday and Saturday from 9:00 am – 2:00 pm at the First Congregational Church of Grand Junction (1425 N. 5th St.) while they look for a new location. Additionally, the Friends’ book sale areas at Central and at our branches will continue to be stocked regularly.
Please let us know if you have any other questions!
Cari