Backpacks and bike repair toolkit available for free checkout
Your library has just what hikers, campers and bikers need to help you and your family enjoy the outdoors for the rest of the summer and into the fall – backpacks and a bike repair toolkit available for free checkout.
Thanks to a partnership between the Colorado Parks and Wildlife and the Colorado State Library, we have two backpacks for free checkout that contain a state park pass, binoculars, a wildlife guide, a trees and wildlife guide, a book about the 42 state parks, and more. The backpacks can be checked out for a full week and renewed for an additional week. They cannot be placed on hold. Consider it a “Lucky Day” pickup item, meaning that if you come in and it’s available, you can check it out.
Also, we have a bike repair toolkit available for free check out. This toolkit includes a handbook entitled “Essential Road Bike Maintenance Handbook” by Todd Downs and a toolbox filled with the essential tools needed for basic bicycle repairs. The handbook covers topics such as frame, pedals, brakes and more. We also offer a variety of other bicycle resources for people of all ages including maps, guidebooks, and historical information.
Children’s Spanish class today
Join us today, Thursday, August 18 from 11 a.m. – noon for the second session of a new Spanish class for kids aged six to 11. Miss Josie and Miss Ruby will help you learn and improve your Spanish.
Dungeons & Dragons today
Today, Thursday, August 18 from 3-5 p.m., is our ongoing virtual Dungeons & Dragons game free for teens and young adults, available every other Thursday on Discord. Contact claire@pagosalibrary.org to learn how to join.
Gaming tomorrow
Enjoy free all-ages video gaming on the X-box 360 Kinect tomorrow, Friday, August 19 from 2:30 – 3:45 p.m.
Makerspace on Saturday
Kids, tweens and teens are invited to a free Makerspace session on Saturday, August 20 from 11 a.m. to noon when we’ll provide the materials so you can build, design and create.
Library Speakers Consortium continues
You are invited to two more events this month in our 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.
August 22 at 7 p.m. features Michele Harper, author of “The Beauty in Breaking,” a memoir about what it means to be a doctor; and August 25 at 10 a.m. showcases Liz Wiseman, author of “Impact Players: How to Take the Lead, Play Bigger and Multiply Your Impact,” a guide to leadership.
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.
Adult DIY
Join us next Tuesday, August 23 from 1-2 p.m. for this free session when we’ll provide materials for you to crochet a personal bookmark using colorful yarn.
Therapy dog visit
Next Wednesday, August 24 from 11 – 11:45 a.m. you are invited to come to the library for a free visit with a certified therapy dog. It’s a great way to relax or boost your day. The visits will be limited to 10-15 minutes – just the right amount of time to pet the dog, read to the dog or just say “Hi.” This activity is for all ages.
Teen writers
Teen writers from 4th-12th grade are invited to your library next Thursday, August 25 from 4 – 5 p.m. Stories, poetry, graphic novels, fan fiction – it’s all welcome.
PALS adult education expands
In response topopular 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.
Tech Time
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 for these drop-in sessions.
Writing challenge
A new all-ages writing challenge will be posted August 22 on the library’s Facebook page. We hope you will challenge your creativity by participating in this free activity.
StoryWalk downtown
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 15-31 features the classic fable “The Lion and the Mouse” that celebrates the power of kindness.
Special 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. Special guests Lisa Baker and her friend Fluffy Dog will provide puppets, storytelling and silly fun on August 24.
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.
Local author
“Symbol & Synchronicity” by Julie Loar is a guide to learning the soul’s language in dreams and waking life via ancient wisdom, modern science discoveries and practical instruction. We also have six other books in our collection by this prolific local author.
Large print mysteries and thrillers
“The Darling Dahlias and the Red Hot Poker” by Susan Wittig Albert is a Darling Dahlias mystery. “My Wife Is Missing” by D.J. Palmer begins when a wife and two children disappear from a New York City hotel room. “When She Dreams” by Amanda Quick focuses on a psychic advice columnist being blackmailed. “Nightwork” by Nora Roberts is the beginning of a new mystery series featuring a thief. “It All Comes Down To This” by Therese Anne Fowler tells of three sisters and an ex-con. “Hidden Pictures” by Jason Rekulak features a young child whose drawings become more sinister.
“Every Cloak Rolled in Blood” by James Lee Burke has its hero drawn into a network of villainy. “Cold, Cold Bones” by Kathy Reichs is a Temperance Brennan forensic anthropologist mystery. “The It Girl” by Ruth Ware starts with new evidence in a murder conviction. “The House Across the Lake” by Riley Sager is a murder mystery set in Vermont. “The Messy Lives of Book People” by Phaedra Patrick features a housekeeper asked to complete another’s novel. “Point Last Seen” by Christina Dodd opens with a woman pulled from the California surf. “Death Under the Perseids” by Teresa Dovalpage is book three in the Havana, Cuba mystery series.
Large print westerns
“Ralph Compton Counterfeit Lawman” by Jackson Lowry is part of the Gunfighter western series. “Perilous Frontier” edited by Hazel Rumney contains short stories by four western authors. “Dead River” by William W. and J.A. Johnstone is book four of the Jackals series. “Bad River” by Ralph Cotton is a Ranger Sam Burrack western.
Other large print
“Tom Clancy: Zero Hour” by Don Bentley is a Jack Ryan Jr. adventure set in Korea. “The Homewreckers” by Mary Kay Andrews features a woman involved with a beach house renovation. “Clive Cussler’s Dark Vector” by Graham Brown is a NUMA adventure involving cyberwar. “Tracy Flick Can’t Win” by Tom Perrotta tells of an assistant principal hoping to be promoted to superintendent. “The Boardwalk Bookshop” by Susan Mallery is a romance story about three women who own a bookstore. “Meant to Be” by Emily Giffin is inspired by John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette’s ill-fated romance.
DVDs
“Drive My Car” by Japanese director Ryusuke Hamaguchi won a 2022 Academy award for best foreign language film. “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” is a Marvel Studios film. “Minamata,” based on actual events, stars Johnny Depp in a story about a war photographer investigating a chemical spill in Japan.
Nonfiction
“21st Century Monetary Policy” by former Federal Reserve chair Ben S. Bernanke is an explanation of the bank’s economic policy decisions. “Battling The Big Lie” by Dan Pfeiffer discusses how to combat political disinformation and propaganda. “The Monster’s Bones” by paleontologist David R. Randall looks at the discovery of T. Rex and how it changed the world of paleontology. “Business As Mission In a Nutshell ” by C. Neal Johnson offers a road map for Christian entrepreneurs starting or buying a business or owning a franchise.
Donations
We are grateful to Keith Jacobson of Rio Blanco Backflow for his generous in-kind donation, and to Bob and Carole Howard for their materials donation.
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) when we are open. The Friends take fiction published in 2012 or newer and nonfiction that is 2017 or newer. Limited workroom space means we can only accept one or two small boxes at a time.
Quotable Quote
“I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.” Chinese proverb
