S3 E 9: Mirrors and Windows Reading Experience

"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.