Promotion for Josie plus mermaid parade celebrates end of Summer Reading Program
We are delighted to announce that Josie Snow, a hometown Pagosan, has been promoted to assistant director, effective this week. She also will continue in her current position of early literacy librarian that she has held since being hired in June 2019.
In her new role, Josie will be in charge when library director Meg Wempe is away. She also will be working more closely with volunteers and will create a calendar that includes a full picture of events and activities that occur throughout the year. “I am honored to have been selected for this position and excited for further opportunities to learn and grow at the library,” Josie said.
“Josie was chosen because of her demonstrated leadership as well as her desire to serve our community further,” said Meg. “Please stop by your library to congratulate her.”
Mermaid parade and costume creation
We will be celebrating the end of our highly successful Summer Reading Program with a fun, free all-ages mermaid parade and small party on Friday, August 5 from 2:30 – 4 p.m. in the library for everyone from children to adults.
Every year since 1983, Coney Island in New York has put on the largest art parade in the U.S. to welcome summer. Artists come dressed in ocean-themed costumes that show off their skill and creativity.
Your library will be hosting our own version of this parade – and if you don’t have a costume to wear, you are invited to join us on Wednesday, August 2 from 2 – 3:30 p.m. at a free session when we will provide a variety of beautiful materials you can use to make an ocean-themed costume for yourself.
Free early literacy program starts soon
If you want to participate in a new round of an exciting free 10-week literacy program that helps families and caregivers build their babies’ vocabulary, come to your library on August 3 from 11 – 11:45 a.m. for an information session, or attend August 4 from 7-7:45 p.m. on Zoom, using passcode 895 4571 2561 to join.
Called LENA, the program comes from a partnership involving your library, AmeriCorps and the San Juan BOCES.
When you enroll in the workshops, you will get personalized information and ideas to help your child. Please contact Michelle Salmeron-Ramierez at 970-585-4293 or michellesr@unitedway-swco.org. The program is available in English and Spanish. It was created for babies from new-born to age three, and will help you use talking to build your child’s brain.
Public health talks continue
Your library has been hosting public health and resource professionals from San Juan Basin Public Health for free in-person sessions on Mondays from noon-1 p.m. The final talk August 1 will explain health insurance enrollment and how to pick the best plan for you. Spanish interpretation will be available for this session. More details on the presentation is available in a flyer you can pick up at your library.
Library Speakers Consortium continues
On Wednesday, August 3 you are invited to the third in our new free Library Speakers Consortium series featuring New York Times bestselling fiction and nonfiction authors giving live, professionally moderated book discussions you can view on your computer, tablet or smartphone with internet access. You also will have an opportunity to ask questions.
The August 3 session at noon features 2021 Pulitzer Prize winner Dr. Marcia Chatelain, author of “Franchise: The Golden Arches in Black America.”
The next talk on Tuesday, August 9 will feature Liz Moore, author of “Long Bright River,” named the best book of the year by NPR in 2020.
To register for the consortium, click on the link on your library’s home page at https://pagosalibrary.org. If you cannot view the presentations live, the recorded events will be available afterwards at our website under the “Adult” tab. The full schedule is also posted there.
Children’s Spanish class debuts
Join us next Thursday, August 4 from 11 a.m. – noon for a new Spanish class for kids aged six to 11. Miss Josie and Miss Ruby will help you learn and improve your Spanish.
Tech Time resumes
Free in-person slots are available from 10 a.m.-noon Tuesdays and 2-4 p.m. Thursdays. Judy will help you resolve issues with your computer, smartphone, tablet and other electronic devices. You do not need an appointment.
Mini Dungeons & Dragons debuts
A new Dungeons & Dragons minigame for 4th-8th graders starts next Tuesday, August 2 from 4 – 5:30 p.m. Pre-registration is required because space is limited. Phone 970-264-2209 to join,
More Dungeons & Dragons virtually and in person
Next Thursday, August 4 from 3-5 p.m., is our ongoing virtual Dungeons & Dragons game free for teens and young adults, available every other Thursday on Discord. Then join us on Tuesday, August 9 from 4-7p.m. for our last in-person Dungeons & Dragons game. Contact claire@pagosalibrary.org to learn how to join either or both games.
PALS adult education expands
In response to popular demand, Mark has doubled the number of his free PALS sessions to 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. This service is in great demand and is used by many people, so we are very happy to make it more available.
Gaming tomorrow
Enjoy free all-ages video gaming on the X-box 360 Kinect tomorrow, Friday, July 29 from 2:30 – 3:45 p.m.
Teen gaming
Free teen gaming happens on Wednesday, August 3 from 4–5:30 p.m. for teens in the 6th-12th grades. Enjoy X-box 360 Kinect, Wii and snacks.
Writing challenge
A new all-ages writing challenge was posted July 25 on the library’s Facebook page. We hope you will challenge your creativity by participating in this free activity.
StoryWalk downtown
Our very popular StoryWalk now takes place at a new location. We are pleased to partner with the Town of Pagosa Springs to bring the StoryWalk to the River Walk downtown. It starts at the Community Center and heads north toward the green houses. August 1-14 features the book “A Butterfly is Patient,” a beautiful book about butterflies that is full of wings.
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.
Library hours
Most of our programs happen in person and curbside service continues. Also, our hours are back to pre-COVID levels – and even more on weekdays:
- Monday, Wednesday and Friday open 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
- Tuesdays and Thursdays open 9 a.m. – 8 p.m.
- Saturdays open 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Downloadable books
CloudLibrary has a wide variety of downloadable e-books and audiobooks for all ages and accessing this free digital collection has never been easier. 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.
Mysteries and thrillers
“Red on the River” by Christine Freehan is a romantic thriller set in Nevada. “Hatchet Island” by Paul Doiron features Maine game warden Mike Bowditch in a research station far off the coast. “The Girl Who Survived” by Lisa Jackson follows the survivors of a brutal family massacre. “Suspects” by Danielle Steel features a CIA agent helping a fashion icon after her family is kidnapped. “One of the Girls” by Lucy Clarke takes place at a bachelorette party on a Greek island. “The Maker of Swans” by Paraic O’Donnell follows the master of an English estate and his butler after a shooting.
Other novels
“Project Namahana” explores the issues of wartime trauma and historical injustice on the Hawaiian island of Kauai. “Elsewhere” by Alexis Schaitkin is a fantasy that reveals a community where girls become wives, wives become mothers and some of them disappear. “Shadow of the Sith” by Adam Christopher is a Star Wars story. “My Brother’s Husband” by Gengoroh Tagame is a two-volume story about a work-at-home dad in Tokyo faced with the widower of his twin. “Woman of Light” by Kali Fajardo-Anstine is an epic of betrayal, love and fate spanning five generations of an indigenous Chicano family in the American West.
Short stories
“The Angel of Rome and Other Stories” by National Book Award finalist Jess Walter is a collection of stories about the moments life changes you – for better, for worse, for the outrageous.
Books on CD
“The Island” by Adriana McKinty features a family on a working vacation overseas involved in a kidnapping. “Resolute” by Jack Campbell is the second book in the Lost Fleet: Outlands military sci-fi series. “Suspects” by Danielle Steel features a CIA agent helping a fashion icon after her family is kidnapped.
Nonfiction
“Freezing Order” by Bill Browder is the true story of money laundering, murder and surviving Putin’s wrath by an American-British financier who is one of the largest foreign investors in Russia. “Genius Kitchen” by Max Lugavere contains 100 recipes to help make your brain sharp, body strong and taste buds happy.
Donations
We are grateful to Rebecca Battles for a generous monetary donation. With the Friends of the Library sale just concluded, we and the Friends are taking a break from materials donations until August.
Quotable Quote
“No matter how busy you may think you are, you must find time for reading, or surrender yourself to self-chosen ignorance.” — Confucius, Chinese philosopher.
