Family Fun
PRE-OPENING OF THE MONARCH HAVEN AND READING SANCTUARY: HELP OUR GARDEN GROW Sat | Feb 1 | 1:00pm – 3:00pm | RM Get a sneak peek of our new Monarch Haven and Reading Sanctuary and learn about ways you can help get it ready for its grand opening on March 28. Monarch butterfly experts, gardeners, and others will be on-site and staff will be on hand to answer questions about the project vision and volunteer opportunities available in the coming weeks.
Writing
WRITER IN RESIDENCE DANE MCCASLIN Dane McCaslin is a writing coach and the bestselling author of the Proverbial Crimes series, including A Bird in the Hand, When the Cat’s Away, and You Can Lead a Horse to Water. Dane is a writer, workshop facilitator, and former teacher with more than 20 years of experience. She is presently working on a new cozy mystery series as well as a brand new suspense trilogy. This project is supported by the Arizona State Library, Archives & Public Records, a division of the Secretary of State, with federal funds from the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
WRITER IN RESIDENCE CONSULTATION HOURS ☑ Sat | Feb 1 | 2:30pm – 4:30pm | MN Tues | Feb 4 | 5:30pm – 6:30pm | MN Thurs | Feb 6 | 11:30am – 12:30pm | MN Sat | Feb 8 | 2:30pm – 4:30pm | MN Tues | Feb 11 | 11:30am – 1:00pm | RM Sat | Feb 15 | 2:00pm – 4:30pm | DR Tues | Feb 18 | 6:00pm – 7:30pm | MN Sat | Feb 22 | 11:30am – 2:00pm | DR Tues | Feb 25 | 5:30pm – 6:30pm | MN Thurs | Feb 27 | 11:00am – 12:30pm | MN Sat | Feb 29 | 2:30pm – 4:00pm | MN Writer in Residence Dane McCaslin will hold one-on-one consultation hours to help aspiring authors fine-tune their work. To book your appointment, visit our sign-up form online.
DROP-IN VALENTINE MAKING FOR MESA'S HOMEBOUND RESIDENTS Mon | Feb 3 | 2:00pm – 7:00pm | DR Tues | Feb 4 | 2:00pm – 7:00pm | RM Wed | Feb 5 | 2:00pm – 7:00pm | MN Drop in and make Valentine’s Day cards for the library’s Homebound Program patrons and seniors living in Assisted Living around Mesa. Library volunteers will deliver the valentines during the month of February. Supplies provided or bring your own. Valentines can also be dropped off at all locations Feb 1-11.
MAKE IT OR GAME IT! Sat | Feb 22 | 2:00pm – 3:00pm | MN Drop in for a craft and games the whole family will enjoy!
Computers and technology † Prerequisite: Must be comfortable using a mouse and a keyboard. EXERCISE YOUR BRAIN AND LEARN TO CODE ☑ † Mon | Feb 24 | 6:00pm – 7:30pm | DR Learning to code isn’t as hard as you think. Using puzzles and games, you’ll learn the basics of different coding languages. HOTSPOT DIGITAL HELP DESK Mon | Feb 3, 10, 24 | 3:00pm – 4:00pm | TS@RM Tuesdays | 4:00pm – 5:00pm | TS@RM Wednesdays | 10:00am – 11:00am | TS@RM Thursdays | 2:00pm – 3:00pm | TS@RM Saturdays | 10:00am – 11:00am | TS@RM Download ebooks, music, magazines, and more from the library with your laptop, mobile device, or ereader. Get one-on-one assistance on a first-come, first-served basis. GMAIL WITH LYNDA.COM † Tues | Feb 11 | 2:30pm – 4:00pm | TS@RM Create a Gmail account and learn how to send and manage email messages. Please bring a cell phone that will accept a text code verification from Google.
WRITER IN RESIDENCE WORKSHOP: CRAFTING A SHORT STORY THAT ISN’T SHORT ON PIZAZZ Thurs | Feb 13 | 6:00pm – 7:30pm | RM Sometimes a story doesn’t need the wide open space of a novel, and that’s where the short story format becomes the perfect frame. While the final product might seem easy in comparison to a full-fledged novel, there’s still a lot of effort that goes into making the short story work. In this workshop you will learn the tricks behind the tiny tale. WRITER IN RESIDENCE WORKSHOP: THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN 1ST, 2ND, AND 3RD PERSON POINTS OF VIEW Sat | Feb 22 | 2:30pm – 4:00pm | DR I love to write. You love to write. They love to write. These are simple examples of the three points of view available to writers. If you struggle in choosing which would best suit your story, this writing workshop will give you some tools to help make the decision.
World Domination by Cat
SELF-PUBLISHING: INSIDE THE BOOK Wed | Feb 12 | 5:00pm – 7:00pm | MN What order should the interior of a book have? In this class all your questions about text block, pagination, chapters, front- and back-matter, and copyright, will be answered. If you have a draft of your book, feel free to bring it in and have it reviewed by the instructor. Presented by Yolie Hernandez, founder and owner of AZ Book Designer.
INTERNET BASICS † Tues | Feb 18 | 5:00pm – 6:30pm | MN Learn all of the parts of a web browser, how to navigate a website, and how to effectively search for information online.
2020
Excel
INTRODUCTION TO MICROSOFT EXCEL ☑† Mon | Feb 3 | 10:30am – 12:00pm | DR Thurs | Feb 6 | 1:00pm – 3:30pm | TS@MN Learn the foundations of Microsoft Excel including how to create, edit, and format data in a spreadsheet. Feb 6 session does not require registration. INTERMEDIATE MICROSOFT EXCEL ☑† Mon | Feb 10 | 10:30am – 12:00pm | DR Learn how to sort, filter, freeze panes, conduct basic math, and create charts in Microsoft Excel. Proficiency with Microsoft Excel is required. ADVANCED MICROSOFT EXCEL ☑† Mon | Feb 24 | 10:30am – 12:00pm | DR Conquer advanced Excel topics like how to create pivot tables, how to use multiple spreadsheets, and how to use absolute references, vlookup, and other techniques. Proficiency in Intermediate Microsoft Excel is required.
PeT Adoption Fair
February 29
CATS VS. DOGS! STORYTIME Sat | Feb 29 | 10:30am – 11:00am | MN Bring the whole family for pet-themed stories, songs, and literacy-boosting activities. Birth-5.
LYNDA.COM OPEN LAB † Tues | Feb 25 | 2:30pm – 4:00pm | TS@RM Lynda.com is an online learning platform offering courses in tech, business, and creative skills. All you need is a current Mesa Public Library card and PIN.
⚙
SEWING SWAG: PET BANDANAS Sat | Feb 29 | 11:00am – 12:00pm | TS@MN Make a bandana for a pet at home or for one of the animals available for adoption outside the library! Supplies provided.
DIY DOG AND CAT TOYS Sat | Feb 29 | 11:15am – 12:00pm | MN Create t-shirt tug toys for pups or jingly pom-poms for kitties! Take them home to your own furry friends or leave them with us to be donated to the Maricopa County Animal Care and Control Shelter. Supplies provided. NOW SHOWING: HOMEWARD BOUND Sat | Feb 29 | 2:00pm – 4:00pm | MN Make your own animal ear headband craft and watch as three pets escape from a California ranch and embark on a dangerous quest to find their owners. Walt Disney Pictures. Rated G.
How to read this guide: ☑
MAIN LIBRARY (MN) THINKSPOT @ MAIN (TS@MN) 64 E. 1st St.
HOURS OF OPERATION Monday 10:00am – 8:00pm Tuesday 10:00am – 8:00pm Wednesday 10:00am – 8:00pm Thursday 10:00am – 8:00pm Friday 10:00am – 5:00pm Saturday 10:00am – 5:00pm Sunday Closed All locations are open 9:00am – 10:00am, Monday through Saturday, for self-service. ☑
DOBSON RANCH LIBRARY (DR) 2425 S. Dobson Rd.
480-644-3100
RED MOUNTAIN BRANCH (RM) THINKSPOT @ RED MOUNTAIN (TS@RM) 635 N. Power Rd. Mesa Express Library (MEL) is temporarily closed due to monsoon storm damage.
Indicates registration required. Visit mesalibrary.org or call to register. Check our online calendar for the most up-to-date information.
Main Library
TAKE THE LEAP: ADOPT A PET! Sat | Feb 29 | 10:00am – 4:00pm | MN Visit our adoption fair in the courtyard behind the Main Library to find the purrfect addition to your family. Local animal rescues will be set up with adoptable animals. PAWS 2 READ Sat | Feb 29 | 9:00am – 10:30am | MN Pets like books too! Drop in and read to registered therapy animals.
SELF-PUBLISHING: CHOOSING THE RIGHT PRINTER Wed | Feb 26 | 5:00pm – 7:00pm | MN Now that you’ve written and designed your book, you are ready to have it printed and distributed. This class will cover preparing the files for print and choosing the right company for you. Presented by Yolie Hernandez, founder and owner of AZ Book Designer. WRITING AS A SECOND ACT Sat | Feb 22 | 2:00pm – 3:00pm | RM Sheila Grinell, local author and founding director and former CEO of the Arizona Science Center, will discuss the creative similarities and differences between her first and second careers. A Q & A session will follow. Books will be available for sale and signing after the presentation.
February Events
Registration required
⚙ THINKspot Program
Look for this icon to make and create in THINKspot—a makerspace inside the Main and Red Mountain libraries. THINKspot has the technology and equipment for all your projects! To learn more about available equipment and training visit mesalibrary.org/thinkspot.
Early Childhood Literacy Look for the Mesa K-Ready symbol for early literacy and kindergarten readiness programs at the library. For more information visit mesakready.org.
Presidents' Day
Mon | Feb 17 | CLOSED