Spring Break events for ages six and older
Each weekday of Spring Break at 1 p.m. you can enjoy an hour of games and win prizes. This series of events is for ages six and up.
Monday, March 20 features a Nailed It competition. Tuesday, March 21 showcases paper planes and more. Wednesday, March 22 is Minute to Win It games. Thursday, March 23 is bingo. Friday is a two-hour session from 1-3 p.m. as we’ll be showing the movie The Mitchells vs. the Machines, rated PG, with free popcorn!
SJBPH radon event today
Let’s hope weather doesn’t affect this rescheduled event again: Today, Thursday, March 16 from noon – 1 p.m., a SJBPH representative will discuss the dangers of radon gas in homes and businesses, take your questions and distribute free radon test kits. Winter is the best time to test for the cancer-causing gas because levels are highest when windows and doors are closed. The kits are pre-addressed so once you’ve finished the test you can just seal it up and drop it in the mail. You’ll get your results via email or mail from the lab that made the tests. The geology of Southwest Colorado leads to an increased risk of radon gas here so this is an important topic for us to understand. In fact, radon exposure is the leading cause of lung cancer, even in people who have never smoked.
Events calendar
To be sure you don’t miss any of the free library activities available to you and your family, pick up a copy of the events calendar each month. Its streamlined format combines all the activities and events for children, teens and adults on one handy two-sided page.
Flu season protocols
The curbside service that we began for COVID safety continues – and it’s also a healthful option in the cold and flu season. To save your energy and lessen germ exposure to other patrons, we recommend you use our curbside service – or add a name to your account authorizing that person to pick up items for you while you recuperate.
Alert to LEGO players
LEGO contest submissions must be turned in between March 21-24. Details at your library.
GM Playground today
Teens are invited to a free rebranded online GM Playground DnD program today, Thursday, March 16, from 4-6 p.m. that is now open to a wider variety of players on the first and third Thursdays of every month. Game Masters (GMs) can lead a variety of tabletop role-playing games but sometimes are uncertain how to start or may want to test a new idea before running a full campaign. Interested GMs should contact Josie at the library to sign up to run a one-shot game (no more than three sessions).
Paws to Read tomorrow
Friday, March 17 from 2-3 p.m., youngsters from K-fifth grades are invited to share their favorite books with Muppet, a therapy dog who loves listening to stories, at a free Paws to Read session. This is a great way for beginning readers to build confidence.
Gaming tomorrow
Enjoy free all-ages video gaming on the X-box 360 Kinect tomorrow, Friday, March 17 from 3-4 p.m.
Makerspace on Saturday
Kids, tweens and teens are invited to a free Makerspace session on Saturday, March 18 from 11 a.m. to noon when we’ll provide the materials so you can build, design and create.
Pokemon Club on Saturday
If you love Pokemon, this club is for you. Bring your cards to a fun free all-ages event on Saturday, March 18 from 12:30 – 2:30 p.m. when you can play games with others who feel the same way.
Fun for musicians
Pagosa Unplugged is a program for amateur musicians who would like a safe, supportive, non-bar setting to play, sing or both with other people. It happens the first and third Mondays of the month from 4-6 p.m., next week on March 20. Anyone under age 18 is welcome with a signed parental permission, available at your library. For program information contact Susan at 970-946-3396 (not the library).
Essay review
Teens are welcome to benefit from a college and scholarship essay review on March 20 from 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. Come in and get another person to look over your essay before you send it.
More online author talks
There will be two more talks this month in our free online virtual series featuring New York Times bestselling authors and thought-leaders giving live, professionally moderated book discussions you can view on your computer, tablet or smartphone with internet access. You will have an opportunity to ask questions of the authors.
Tuesday, March 21 at 2 p.m. showcases author and celebrity chef Jernard A. Wells. Tuesday, March 28 at 5 p.m. features Pam Jenoff, author of historical fiction often set during World War II and featuring strong women; her latest, published last month, is “Code Name Sapphire.”
Dungeons & Dragons
Next Tuesday, March 21 from 4 – 5:30, join our Dungeons & Dragons game free for teens and young adults. Registration is required because space is limited. Contact Josie@pagosalibrary.org to join.
Adult DIY
At the free in-person adult DIY next Tuesday, March 21 from 1-2 p.m., you can to make greeting cards for any occasion. As always, we’ll supply the materials.
Fun for teens
“Your Turn to be a Toddler” on Wednesday, March 22 from 3-4 p.m. is for teens who want to play some of the hits from your toddler years,
Writing challenge
A new all-ages writing challenge was posted March 13 on the library’s Facebook page. We hope you will challenge your creativity by participating in this free activity.
Homework and tutoring help
Our highly popular free homework assistance and elementary tutoring are cancelled next week because it’s Spring Break.
Family storytime
Wednesdays from 10-11 a.m. join us for free in-person children’s stories, games and plenty of reasons to get up and move.
ESL classes
Free in-person evening classes take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays with 4-5 p.m. reserved for beginners and 5-7 p.m. for both intermediate and advanced students. Please help us spread the word about these classes to others in our community who would be interested, and contact us by phone or email if you have any questions.
Las clases de ESL
Las clases nocturnas gratuitas en persona se llevan a cabo los martes y jueves de 4 a 7 p.m. Los estudiantes principiantes asisten de 4 a 5 p.m., estudiantes intermedios de 5-6 p.m. y estudiantes avanzados de 7-8 p.m. Por favor, ayúdenos a correr la voz sobre estas clases a otras personas en nuestra comunidad que estén interesadas, y contáctenos por teléfono o correo electrónico si tiene alguna pregunta.
PALS/GED adult education
Mark is available for his free PALS sessions on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:30 – 8 p.m. to help with high school equivalency, GED, college prep, financial aid, tutoring and more. No registration required.
Tech Time
Free in-person slots are available from 10 a.m.-noon Tuesdays and 2-4 p.m. Thursdays. Judy will help you with basic questions relating to computers, smartphones and tablets and also provide assistance in accessing any of the library’s online resources. You do not need an appointment for these drop-in sessions.
Downloadable books
CloudLibrary has a wide variety of downloadable e-books and audiobooks for all ages and accessing this free digital collection is very easy. You just need to download the cloudLibrary app, answer a few simple questions, select AspenCat Union Catalog for the name of your library, then enter your library card number and 4-digit PIN. You are now ready to browse, borrow and read e-books and audiobooks using cloudLibrary. Library staff are happy to help you set up your device if you need assistance.
Large print
“Just the Nicest Couple” by Mary Kubica follows a wife searching for her missing husband. “The House at the End of the World” by Dean Koontz is a sci-fi horror story. “Iced” by Felix Francis is a Dick Francis horse racing mystery set in St. Moritz.
Books on CD
“The House of Eve” by Sadeqa Johnson tells of the mingling of the lives of a poor student and an ambitious one with ambition and secrets at Howard University. “More Than Meets The Eye” by Iris and Roy Johansen is a thriller featuring FBI consultant Kendra Michaels. “Someone Else’s Shoes” by Jojo Moyes features two very different women who meet and work together the right the wrongs done to them. “Unnatural History” by Jonathan Kellerman is an Alex Delaware crime story.
How-to nonfiction
“Fundamentals of Home Maintenance” by Andy Machin and Margaret McClure is a Wondrum guide from repairs to renovations. We have both the DVD and course workbook for the Great Courses “Learning to Play Guitar” featuring Colin McAllister, music director at the University of Colorado in Colorado Springs.
Spanish-language fiction
“La Luz Invisible” (“Invisible Light”) by Jesus Valero begins when an art restorer finds a diary hidden behind a false wall in a church for centuries.
Thrillers and mysteries
“Three Days to Live” by James Patterson is a collection of three new thrillers. “Brutes” by Dizz Tate follows a gang of 13-year-olds and a missing older girl.
Other novels
“The Laughter” by Sonora Jha follows a professor who develops an obsession with his new Pakistani colleague. “The Last Tale of the Flower Bride” by Roshani Choksji is a gothic-infused story about a marriage unraveled by dark secrets. “Wild Massive” by Scotto Moore is a mix of sci-fi, fantasy and horror set in the center of the multiverse.
Donations
We are grateful to Susan and Terry Arrington for a generous monetary contribution, and to our anonymous donors for their materials donations. When we are open, material donations are accepted for the Friends of the Library at the front desk – not down the outside returns slot at the library or the dropbox at City Market, please. The Friends take fiction published in 2013 or newer and nonfiction that is 2018 or newer. Limited workroom space means we can only accept one or two small boxes at a time.
Quotable Quote
The central factor that determines life satisfaction is not money or even achievement. Rather it’s “warm connections with other people” including friends, family and work colleagues. They affect not just your outlook on life but also “how long you stay healthy, how long your brain will stay sharp. Having these good connections makes you less likely to get coronary artery disease. You’re even less likely to get arthritis.” – Robert Waldinger, Harvard psychiatrist and director of the longest-range study of human contentment ever conducted, beginning in 1938.
