We are Water Reflections: Montrose (CO) Regional Library District

The following reflection was written by Tina Meiners (Director) and Molly Benson (Head of Outreach Services) of the Montrose Regional Library District. MRLD was an active participant in the “We are Water” project from 2020-2026. We are Water is funded by the National Science Foundation’s (NSF’s) Advancing Informal STEM Learning (AISL) program, which supports innovative research, approaches, and resources for use in a variety of learning settings.

Welcome to Montrose, Colorado! The Montrose Regional Library is set in a beautiful rural and agricultural community that is wonderfully diverse both culturally and environmentally. Yet, from the Ridgway State Park to the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, our connection to water faces a distinct set of environmental challenges due to the naturally created valley produced by the adjoining mountain ranges and all they encompass. Our relationship with water is greatly interwoven with modern artificial contrivances that sustain our way of life, whether that is farming and crops or recreation and skiing. Structures, such as the historic Gunnison Tunnel built in 1909, are indispensable for agricultural use, while area festivals, like FUNC Fest (Fun on the Uncompahgre River), rely heavily on the constructed efforts of the city to provide recreative options at the largest water sports park in Montrose County.

Incorporating the We are Water (WAW) Project into the Montrose Regional Library allowed an opportunity that many of our patrons might not have gotten to experience otherwise. The WAW Project was a springboard for Montrose residents to explore their relationship with water and appreciate connections to this valuable resource. The exhibit incorporated a variety of avenues
that engaged individuals as well as multi-generational families. We showcased locals sharing stories, mosaic artwork completed by folks of all ages, and fun educational games explored by the masses. Even after the exhibit pieces left, the conversations persisted. The WAW Project continues to be one of the most dynamic and engaging exhibits we have ever had; it has provided
sparks of conversations that have outlasted the exhibit itself. Small rural libraries can usually agree on three necessary things when it comes to support needs of a project—time, staff, and funding. The organizers of the WAW Project were able to help with
all three by doing a bulk of the work, such as reaching out to organizations, setting up the exhibits, creating marketing materials, and problem-solving solutions to challenges that came up. The support of the organizers made the project enjoyable for staff and patrons alike which led to an overall success.

Additionally, as water is such a ubiquitous substance that literally flows through our lives in a myriad of ways–it sustains life, provides employment, encourages meditation, and instills fun— WAW encouraged stronger connections to well-known organizations in our community, such as the Colorado Parks and Wildlife, as well as exploration into new collaborations with groups like the Uncompahgre Valley Water Users Association. The Montrose Regional Library is at the heart of our beautiful community and we are, if you will forgive the metaphor, the rock in the river around which everything flows. Projects such as this solidify the knowledge that we are on the right track regarding our role in the community, and raises our reputation in the STEM ecosystem and the bar we set for ourselves.

-Tina Meiners and Molly Benson, Montrose Regional Library District