It might be the start of a new year, but here at Mesa County Libraries, we encourage you to begin fulfilling your dreams at any time!
If setting a new year’s resolution ignites your flame for self-progress, we can offer you a huge variety of databases, books, programs, or activities to help you meet some commonly desired goals.
1. Save money
Almost any resource we offer helps you save money! From our eResources to our physical collection, we can send you home with an abundance of entertainment or educational resources to start your year off right. If you don’t have a library card yet, no problem! Come visit us at any of our eight library locations to sign up for a card, free of charge.
2. Eat healthier
If you’re looking to conquer some new eating habits, look no further. The A-Z World Food database provides food culture information and recipes from over 174 countries. You can search for recipes by ingredient categories or explore by country. This database even offers instructional videos on how to make certain dishes, including food preparation and cooking techniques.
Universal Class is another great database offering lifelong learning courses on a huge variety of topics. Nutrition 101 and Nutrition 201 are two classes that could help you explore dietary habits and ways to develop a healthier lifestyle.
Our library collection also has many books pertaining to specific diets and food choices. Whether you’re looking to switch to veganism, the paleo diet, or just want to incorporate more vegetables, check out our catalog for choices that support any new dietary plans.
3. Exercise
If you’re looking to get the blood pumping more often this year, consider checking out a State Parks Pass or a Colorado National Monument Pass. These passes allow free entry to either a Colorado State Park or the Colorado National Monument. These are not available at every location, so please check our website for more details.
Kanopy is a movie streaming service that also offers workout videos. Ever exercised to Richard Simmons Sweatin’ to the Oldies or Jane Fonda’s Complete Workout? Here’s your chance!
4. Read more!
What’s a better place to visit to scratch that itch for more reading? With your library card, you can gain access to books and items from libraries all over the state. Can’t find your desired read in Colorado? We offer Interlibary Loan to search outside the state with the ability to send you books from all over the country.
If audiobooks, eAudiobooks, or eBooks are more your style, we have plenty of those available as well. Hoopla and Libby are two databases that offer a wide variety of eBooks and eAudiobooks to download straight to your device.
Need more inspiration for finding new books to enjoy? Consider joining one of our book clubs! Central, Clifton, and Fruita offer adult book clubs, and we also offer Books on Tap that meets monthly at a local brewery.
5. Spend time with friends and family
The library aims to not only connect our community members to our resources, but to each other. Children’s story times, interactive programming, classes, and book clubs all provide ways to learn and have fun with those you hold dear. You may even make some potential new friends! Check out our events calendar for wonderful programming for all ages at all our eight locations.
6. Quit smoking or drinking
Books, books, and more books about kicking a habit.
7. Reduce living expenses
Life is expensive, and we are proud to offer some resources to help you lessen these expenses. One such tool is a Power Check Meter, which is included within our Library of Things and available at select locations. This handy device can help you understand and manage your home’s energy usage and savings potential by measuring the amount and rate of electricity used by your appliances and electronic devices.
If you’re looking to start a garden this year, look no further. The Central Library can offer you three seed packets per month when you visit the Mesa County Libraries Seed Library. Flowers, herbs, vegetables, and fruit seed packets are available alongside informational handouts to help you with planting questions. This is a seasonal resource that is usually available the end of February thru July.
8. Learn a new language
Learning a new language can feel daunting, but we are pleased to have options for you to dive into the journey.
For those interested in practicing Beginner or Intermediate Spanish, we have a volunteer instructor who will teach weekly, in-person conversation classes from January 27th to April 14th every Monday evening at our Central Library. Registration is required, and you can register here.
Mango Languages is a fantastic database that provides step-by-step lesson plans for over 70 world languages to help prepare you for realistic conversations. This resource is also available as an app on Android or Apple devices.
For those wanting to learn English as a Second Language (ESL) classes, adults 17 and older are welcome to visit our Adult Learning Center to develop English reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills. We have a variety of English classes available to match learner needs and schedules.
We welcome all to visit us to learn more about the wonderful services provided to help you learn, discover, create and connect. Call us at 970-243-4442 with specific questions or email ask@mcpld.org.