Special free Creede Theatre show for preschoolers
Children ages five and under are invited to a special free performance of “Ms. Joy” at your library next Wednesday, February 16 from 10-11 a.m. put on by Creede Repertory Theatre.
“Ms. Joy” is about a woman who has a very strict daily routine — until one day she receives a visit from an unexpected dog who turns her routine upside down. The story is told through clowning, puppetry and sound. It teaches children the power of play, friendship and laughter.
We hope you’ll bring your preschoolers and join us for this very special event.
Therapy dog visit tomorrow
Tomorrow, Friday, February 11 from 1:30 – 2:15 p.m. you are invited to come to the library for a free visit with a certified therapy dog. 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.
Legal clinic tomorrow
The free legal clinic this month is happening by appointment tomorrow, Friday, February 11 from 2 – 3 p.m. The volunteer attorney can phone you at home, or you can come into the library and meet privately via Zoom. To schedule an appointment, at the beginning of the month send an email titled “Sign-up for Free Legal Clinic,” with your first name and phone number to ruby@pagosalibrary.org, or phone or stop by the library. The volunteer attorney’s time is limited so it’s first-come first-served. This clinic takes place on the second Friday of every month. Visit http://checkerboard.co/ anytime to find many legal forms and other legal information.
Special challenge at LEGO Club on Saturday
Kids aged six to 12 are invited to bring your imaginations – LEGOs are provided – on Saturday, February 12 from 11 a.m.-noon for the free LEGO Club. We’ll have a special challenge: Build with your eyes closed for five minutes. Show us pictures of your creation on our Facebook page or send them to ruby@pagosalibrary.org. LEGO challenges also are posted on Facebook if you can’t make it to the library.
Adult DIY
At the in-person adult DIY next Tuesday, February 15 from 1-2 p.m., we will supply the materials for you to create a decorative flower pot using common clothespins and an empty tuna can. This craft is so easy that it does not even require glue.
ESL classes
Our English as a Second Language (ESL) classes are temporarily suspended while we hire and train a replacement instructor. We’re hoping they’ll resume by March 1, if not before. We apologize for any inconvenience.
Clases de inglés como segundo idioma
Nuestras clases de inglés como segundo idioma (ESL) están suspendidas temporalmente mientras contratamos y capacitamos a un instructor de reemplazo. Esperamos que las clases se reanuden para el 1 de marzo. Nos disculpamos por cualquier inconveniente.
Dungeons & Dragons
Join us Tuesday, February 15 from 4-6 p.m. for our ongoing Dungeons & Dragons game free for teens and young adults on Google Meet every other Tuesday. Contact claire@pagosalibrary.org to learn how to join.
S.T.E.A.M enrichment kits
Participants in this free enrichment program for youngsters aged five and up receive a kit guiding you through science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (S.T.E.A.M.) projects. The kits are available all month but registration is required by calling your library at 970-264-2209.
Writing challenge
A new all-ages writing challenge will be posted February 14 on the library’s Facebook page. We hope you will challenge your creativity by participating in this free all-ages activity.
Family storytimes
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. The February 16 storytime will be replaced by the special free Creede Theatre performance for children ages five and under described above. As well, Discovery Time is coming back twice a month. You will find it on Facebook at 2:30 p.m. on Friday, February 19. It will remain virtual for the time being.
Tech Time
Free in-person slots are available from 10 a.m.-noon Tuesdays and 2-4 p.m. Thursdays. Brad will help you resolve issues with your computer, smartphone, tablet and other electronic devices.
Adult education
Our free PALS (Pagosa Adult Learning Services) session take place on Thursdays from 5:30-8 p.m. when Mark helps with high school equivalency, GED, college prep, financial aid, tutoring and more.
In-person gaming
Enjoy free all-ages video gaming on the X-box 360 Kinect on Fridays from 2:30 – 3:45 p.m.
Deadline nears for T-shirt contest
We’re looking for creative help in designing a t-shirt for this year’s Summer Reading Program, with February 18 the deadline for submissions. The theme is “oceans of possibilities.” Pick up a flyer at the library or go online to our website at https://pagosalibrary.org for details. The winner will receive a free t-shirt with their design. The winning t-shirt will be worn by staff during the Summer Reading Program and a limited number will be available for purchase. This contest is open to all ages.
Library hours
Most of our programs are happening in person. Also, our hours have returned 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.
For those uncomfortable coming into the building, curbside service continues. Phone 264-2209 when you are in the parking lot so staff can bring the items out for you. If you put a hold on something, please wait for your usual alert (email, phone call or text) before coming to pick it up.
Activities calendars available
To be sure you don’t miss any of the free library activities available to you and your family, we encourage you to pick up a copy of the events calendar each month. There are three versions – children, teens and adults.
Mysteries and thrillers
“Find Me” by Alafair Burke follows a woman who vanishes as an adult after having amnesia as a child following a car accident. “From a Dark Horizon” by Luke McCallin is a Gregor Reinhart murder mystery set near the end of World War I. “End of Days” by Brad Taylor features Pike Logan and Jennifer Cahill solving an international crime.
Large print
“Criminal Mischief” by Stuart Woods is a Stone Barrington adventure. “Something to Hide” by Elizabeth George features Det. Insp. Thomas Lynley and Set. Sgt. Barbara Havers. “The Party Crasher” by Sophie Kinsella follows a young woman who crashes a party at the house she grew up in being thrown by her father’s young girlfriend. “19 Yellow Moon Road” by Fern Michaels is a Sisterhood mystery.
Other novels
“The Fallen Star” by Claudia Gray is the final adult novel in the Star Wars: The High Republic series. “To Paradise” by Hanya Yanagihara is a fin-de-siecle story that looks at three different versions of the American experiment relating to lovers, family, loss and the elusive promise of utopia.
Bilingual bestsellers
“Violeta” by Isabel Allende is an epic novel about a woman whose life spans more than 100 years and bears witness to the greatest upheavals of the 20th century written by one of the leading voices in Latin American literature. This book is available in both Spanish and English. “Flamin’ Hot” by Richard P Montanez documents how a janitor with no formal education beyond eighth grade created a best-selling snack and became the first Latino promoted to a top executive position at Frito-Lay. The English version of this nonfiction book is available through cloudLibrary.
Downloadable e-books and audiobooks
We have a wide variety of downloadable e-books and audio books for all ages – children, tweens, teens and adults – in cloudLibrary. The items in cloudLibrary are purchased separately from physical items, so the books available are different – and it continues to use the consortium’s contributions as well as those that we bought. Select AspenCat Union Catalog when setting up cloudLibrary for use. Email or phone us at 970-264-2209 if you need our help setting up this service on your device.
Donations
Many thanks to Linda Sue King for her generous monetary donation, and to Bob and Carole Howard and our anonymous donors for their materials donations. Please put your materials donations into the dropbox at the library – not at City Market, which is reserved for returns.
Library foundation
Please consider a tax-deductible donation to the Ruby M. Sisson Memorial Library Foundation to support and enhance your library by raising funds for information resources, programs, services and facilities. Mail checks to P.O. Box 2045, Pagosa Springs, CO 81147 or call Cindi Galabota at 970-264-2209.
Quotable Quote
“It’s vital to have fun in your life. Take fun away, take escapism away, take caring about other people away, you’re right back in the cave.” – Jimmy Buffett, American singer-songwriter, musician, author, actor and businessman best known for his music, which often portrays an island-escapism lifestyle as epitomized by “Margaritaville.”
