Library Closed: Martin Luther King Jr. Day
2026-01-19 | CO

Virtual Author Talk: Nature, Art, and Service as Medicine with Journalist Julia Hotz
2026-01-20 12:00 - 13:00 (America/Denver) | CO
Julia Hotz: Journalist and Award-Winning Author of The Connection Cure
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Be sure to jump start your new year with us as we chat virtually with journalist and author Julia Hotz about her book The Connection Cure: The Prescriptive Power of Movement, Nature, Art, Service, and Belonging.
The Connection Cure combines diligent science reporting, moving patient success stories, and surprising self-discovery to help us discover the lasting and life-changing power of social prescribing. Traditionally, when we get sick, health care professionals ask, “What’s the matter with you?” But around the world, teams of doctors, nurses, therapists, and social workers have started to flip the script, asking “What matters to you?”
Science shows that social prescribing is effective for treating symptoms of the modern world’s most common ailments—depression, ADHD, addiction, trauma, anxiety, chronic pain, dementia, diabetes, and loneliness. By integrating age-old medicines like art, nature, movement, and volunteer service into patient’s daily lives, social prescriptions are radically changing health and healthcare in more than thirty countries. Julia Hotz travels around the world to survey them —sea-swimming lessons for depression, “culture vitamins” for anxiety, a fishing club for ADHD, a farm-based day-care for dementia, a phone-buddy program for social isolation, and many more.
As the first book on social prescribing, The Connection Cure empowers you to find, experience, and implement this revolutionary medicine in your own community. The success stories Julia finds bring a long-known theory to life: if we can change our environment, we can change our health. By reconnecting to what matters to us, we can all start to feel better.
Register today to find out how you can use the wisdom of social prescribing to live your best life!
About the Author: Julia Hotz is a solutions focused journalist based in New York. Her stories have appeared in The New York Times, WIRED, Scientific American, The Boston Globe, Time, and more. She helps other journalists report on the big new ideas changing the world at the Solutions Journalism Network. The Connection Cure is her first book.

The views expressed by presenters are their own and their appearance in a program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by Buena Vista Public Library.

Art for Kids: Snowman
2026-01-20 15:30 - 16:30 | BVPL Temporary Location, 27900 CR 319, Buena Vista, CO, 81211, United States
Create a painting in this free art session. All supplies provided. Parents or caretakers are welcome to participate. Ages 7 – 12

Wiggles and Giggles
2026-01-21 10:00 - 12:00, 2026-01-28 10:00 - 12:00, 2026-02-04 10:00 - 12:00 | BVPL Temporary Location, 27900 CR 319, Buena Vista, CO, 81211, United States
Free play and stories for little ones and their caretakers. Skill building: fine motor, socialization, imaginative play, speech and language development

Library Closed: Staff Development Day
2026-01-22 | CO

Great Decisions
2026-01-22 16:30 - 18:00 | SDCEA Community Room, 29780 US Hwy 24 N, Buena Vista, CO, 81211, United States
Take part in America’s largest discussion program on world affairs. Participants read the Great Decisions Briefing Book, then meet with members of their community to watch a video and discuss critical global issues.
Jan. 22: America and the World: Trump 2.0 Foreign Policy
Feb. 12: Trump Tariffs and the Future of the World Economy
Feb 26: U.S.-China Relations
Mar. 12: Ruptured Alliances and the Risk of Nuclear Proliferation
Mar. 26: Ukraine and the Future of European Security
Apr. 9: Multilateral Institutions in a Changing World Order
Apr. 23: U.S. Engagement of Africa
May 14: The Future of Human Rights and International Law

Story Time followed by Free Play
2026-01-23 10:00 - 12:00, 2026-01-30 10:00 - 12:00 | BVPL Temporary Location, 27900 CR 319, Buena Vista, CO, 81211, United States
Foster a love of books with story time, music, and art followed by free play.

Tunes for Tots
2026-01-26 10:00 - 11:00, 2026-02-02 10:00 - 11:00 | BVPL Temporary Location, 27900 CR 319, Buena Vista, CO, 81211, United States
Discover music as foundation of early literacy. Rhythm, matching pitch, and call and response are all part of the fun. Build active listening and cognitive skills like memory and problem solving through pattern recognition.

Free Play
2026-01-26 11:00 - 12:00, 2026-02-02 11:00 - 12:00 | BVPL Temporary Location, 27900 CR 319, Buena Vista, CO, 81211, United States
Play games, explore a variety of toys, socialize with others, or snuggle up with a book. Ages 0-6 and caretakers.

Align & Flow Yoga
2026-01-26 12:00 - 13:00, 2026-02-02 12:00 - 13:00, 2026-02-09 12:00 - 13:00, 2026-02-23 12:00 - 13:00, 2026-03-02 12:00 - 13:00, 2026-03-09 12:00 - 13:00 | Community Center, 715 E Main St, Buena Vista, 81211, United States
Find strength, stillness, and peace in this all-level yoga class.

Virtual Author Talk: Secrets and Second Chances with Liz Moore
2026-01-28 17:00 - 18:00 | CO
Liz Moore: New York Times Bestselling and Award-Winning Author of The God of the Woods and Long Bright River
Register Now!

We are thrilled to welcome Liz Moore to discuss her latest work, The God of the Woods, an instant New York Times bestseller and one of NPR’s 2024 “Books We Love” highlights.
Early morning, August 1975: a camp counselor discovers an empty bunk. Its occupant, Barbara Van Laar, has gone missing. Barbara isn’t just any thirteen-year-old: she’s the daughter of the family that owns the summer camp and employs most of the region’s residents. And this isn’t the first time a Van Laar child has disappeared. Barbara’s older brother similarly vanished fourteen years ago, never to be found.
As a panicked search begins, a thrilling drama unfolds. Chasing down the layered secrets of the Van Laar family and the blue-collar community working in its shadow, Moore’s multi-threaded story invites readers into a rich and gripping dynasty of secrets and second chances. It is Liz Moore’s most ambitious and wide-reaching novel yet.
Join us in conversation with Liz as we embark on a tale of thrilling twists and disturbing disappearances. Register today to “enter the woods,” if you dare!
About the Author: Liz Moore is the author of five novels: The Words of Every Song, Heft, The Unseen World, the New York Times bestselling Long Bright River, and The God of the Woods. A winner of the 2014 Rome Prize in Literature, she lives in Philadelphia and teaches in the MFA program in Creative Writing at Temple University.

The views expressed by presenters are their own and their appearance in a program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by Buena Vista Public Library.

Virtual Author Talk: Swashbuckling Heroines and High Seas Adventures with Novelist Vanessa Riley
2026-02-05 17:00 - 18:00 | CO
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Join us for an unforgettable experience as we chat online with Vanessa Riley about her newest book, Fire Sword and Sea, based on the folk story of the female pirate Jacquotte Delahaye.
The Caribbean Sea, 1675. Jacquotte Delahaye is the mixed-race daughter of a wealthy tavern owner on the island of Tortuga. Instead of marriage, Jacquotte dreams of joining the seafarers and smugglers whose tall-masted ships cluster in the turquoise waters around Tortuga. In Haiti she becomes Jacques, a dockworker, earning the respect of those around her while hiding her gender.
Jacquotte discovers that secret identities are fairly common in the chaotic world of seafaring, which is full of outsiders and misfits. As Jacques, Jacquotte falls in love with Lizzôa d’Erville, a beautiful courtesan who deals in secrets and sex. While others see their work clothes as a disguise, Lizzôa’s true self is as a woman.
For the next twenty years, Jacquotte raids the Caribbean, making enemies and amassing a fortune in stolen gold. When her fellow pirates decide to increase their profits by entering the slave trade, Jacquotte turns away from piracy and the pursuit of riches. Risking her life in one deadly skirmish after another, she instead begins to plot a war of liberation.
Don’t miss out on this exciting discussion! Register now to embark on a seafaring journey of self discovery and reclamation of personal power.
About the Author: Vanessa Riley is an award-winning author and proud recipient of the 2024 Georgia Mystery/Detective Fiction Author of the Year. She writes Sagas and Book Club Fiction that brings to life the hidden narratives of Black women and women of color in novels like Island Queen and Queen of Exiles. Her stories celebrate strong sisterhoods, diverse communities, and resilience across historical fiction, romance, and mystery genres.Her work has been featured in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Washington Post, Entertainment Weekly, NPR, Publishers Weekly, and The New York Times.

The views expressed by presenters are their own and their appearance in a program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by Buena Vista Public Library.

Destination Storytime: CrossFit Thin Air and The Grounds
2026-02-06 10:00 - 11:00 | CrossFit Thin Air and The Grounds, 545 1/2 US Highway 24 North, Buena Vista, 81211, United States
Read stories and work out the wiggles with CrossFit Thin Air. After Storytime, families may explore the indoor playground and fun at The Grounds. *Site waiver required for playground use.

Library Closed: The Great Return to Our Renovated Building!
2026-02-07 - 2026-02-28 | CO

Virtual Author Talk: Mojos, Mermaids, Medicine, and 400 Years of Black Women’s Magic with Dr. Lindsey Stewart
2026-02-12 12:00 - 13:00 | CO
Register Now!
Feminist philosopher Dr. Lindsey Stewart’s book, The Conjuring of America: Mojos, Mermaids, Medicine, and 400 Years of Black Women’s Magic, tells the stories of Negro Mammies of slavery; the Voodoo Queens and Blues Women of Reconstruction; and the Granny Midwives and textile weavers of the Jim Crow era. These women, in secrecy and subterfuge, courageously and devotedly continued their practices and worship for centuries and passed down their traditions.
Conjure informs our lives in ways remarkable and ordinary—from traditional medicines that informed the creation of Vicks VapoRub and the rise of Aunt Jemima’s Pancake Mix, to the original magic of Disney’s The Little Mermaid (2023), and the true origins of the all-American classic blue jean.
From the moment enslaved Africans first arrived on these shores, conjure was heavily regulated and even outlawed. Now, Stewart uncovers new contours of American history, sourcing letters from the enslaved, dispatches from the lore of Oshun and other African mystics. The Conjuring of America is a love letter to the real magic Black women used, their herbs, food, textiles, song, and dance, used to sow rebellion, freedom, and hope.
Join us to take part in the magic and celebrate the legacy of America’s founding Black women. Register for free today!
About the Author: Lindsey Stewart is a Black feminist philosopher and an Associate Professor of philosophy at the University of Memphis. She is the author of The Politics of Black Joy. Her work has been featured in Blavity, Signs, Hypatia, and the British Journal for the History of Philosophy, and she holds a 2021 Michael Beaney Prize. She lives in Memphis, Tennessee.

The views expressed by presenters are their own and their appearance in a program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by Buena Vista Public Library.

Great Decisions
2026-02-12 16:30 - 18:00 | SDCEA Community Room, 29780 US Hwy 24 N, Buena Vista, CO, 81211, United States
Take part in America’s largest discussion program on world affairs. Participants read the Great Decisions Briefing Book, then meet with members of their community to watch a video and discuss critical global issues.
Feb. 12: Trump Tariffs and the Future of the World Economy
Feb 26: U.S.-China Relations
Mar. 12: Ruptured Alliances and the Risk of Nuclear Proliferation
Mar. 26: Ukraine and the Future of European Security
Apr. 9: Multilateral Institutions in a Changing World Order
Apr. 23: U.S. Engagement of Africa
May 14: The Future of Human Rights and International Law

Library Closed: Presidents' Day
2026-02-16 | CO

Destination Storytime: BVMade
2026-02-20 10:00 - 11:00 | BVMade, 222 S. US Hwy 24, Buena Vista, CO, 81211, United States
Enjoy stories, learn about makerspaces, and get creative!

Virtual Author Talk: Smithson’s Gamble: The Incredible History Behind the World’s Largest Museum with Smithsonian Curator Emeritus Tom Crouch
2026-02-24 12:00 - 13:00 | CO
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Tom D. Crouch, a Smithsonian veteran of almost 45 years, paints a robust picture of a unique American establishment and its lasting legacies in his book Smithson’s Gamble.
Follow the fascinating growth and development of the world’s largest museum and research complex during its first 60 years. Told in rich detail, Smithson’s Gamble reveals how, as it defined a role rooted in curiosity and exploration, the Smithsonian helped to shape the nation’s developing identity.
The Smithsonian evolved from a small, narrowly focused organization into an institution leading the way in fields from astrophysics to zoology. Smithsonian researchers, and the hundreds of citizen scientists who they recruited, created a collection that documented the natural and human history of a continent. The American conservation movement and a national weather service are rooted at the Smithsonian. Smithson’s Gamble is filled with fascinating characters, twists and turns, and moments of triumph and tragedy, complete with political machinations, a bit of backstabbing, accusations of murder, and the occasional scandal.
Register now to take part in the conversation and learn about the trials, errors, and incredible legacy of the Smithsonian’s foundation.
About the Author: Tom Crouch joined the Smithsonian in 1974 and has served both the National Air and Space Museum and the National Museum of American History in a variety of curatorial and administrative posts.
Dr. Crouch has won several major writing awards, including a 1989 Christopher Award, a literary prize recognizing “significant artistic achievement in support of the highest values of the human spirit,” for The Bishop’s Boys: A Life of Wilbur and Orville Wright. His book, Wings: A History of Aviation From Kites to the Space Age, won the AIAA Gardner-Lasser Literature Prize for 2005.
In the fall of 2000, President Clinton appointed Dr. Crouch to the Chairmanship of the First Flight Centennial Federal Advisory Board, an organization created to advise the Centennial of Flight Commission on activities planned to commemorate the 100th anniversary of powered flight.

The views expressed by presenters are their own and their appearance in a program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by Buena Vista Public Library.

Virtual Author Talk: How to Make Healthy Living Effortless and Fun - In Conversation with Jenn Lueke
2026-03-05 12:00 - 13:00 | CO
Register Now!
In her new cookbook Don’t Think About Dinner, Jenn Lueke offers a framework to save time, money, and energy with strategic meal planning, grocery lists, and kitchen prep.
Whether you want to improve your health, cut down food waste (and spending), reduce your mental load, or build new kitchen skills, Don’t Think About Dinner provides everything you need to confidently approach every meal of the day—from shopping and stocking the pantry to storing and reheating leftovers, and everything in between.
As a college student, Jenn was struggling with health problems and tired of quick-fix “healthy” recipes that relied on obscure, expensive ingredients that were often spoiled before she could finish them. Overwhelmed and frustrated, she felt further from her health goals. So, she made a plan. Or rather, a list—filled with plants and proteins, plus simple recipes to make the most of them. This became the framework for her hugely successful business—and transformed her life.
Unlike a typical cookbook, this comprehensive handbook offers strategies, tools, tips, meal plans, and more, plus over 125 delicious recipes. Jenn includes a wide range of adaptable dishes that suit any vibe, budget, or dietary need, from breakfast and lunch to appetizers, dinner, drinks, snacks, and desserts.
Register today and be prepared to look at your pantry in a whole new light!
About the Author: Jenn Lueke is a recipe creator whose mission is to make a healthier life more accessible to everyone. Inspired by her personal health journey, Jenn creates easy-to-follow, nourishing recipes that require minimal time, energy, and money. She walks you through the entire process in an approachable way–from stocking your kitchen to creating a grocery list to packing up a finished meal in the fridge, sharing actionable tools and strategies to build kitchen confidence and make meal planning an enjoyable habit. Jenn’s background in finance and banking has translated into the smart shopping tips and viral meal plans her millions of followers love on her account @jenneatsgoood and top Substack publication, “the eat goood newsletter.”

The views expressed by presenters are their own and their appearance in a program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by Buena Vista Public Library.
