First-ever cardboard construction-a-thon underway now
Creative people of all ages are invited to show off your building skills by competing in our first-ever free cardboard construction-a-thon that offers prizes for each of five age categories: Preschool, ages 5-7, ages 8-11, ages 12-17 and adult 18 and up. Submissions must be brought to the library between Monday, March 21 and 5 p.m. on Friday, March 25. Winners will be announced on March 26 at 12:15 p.m.
Entries may not exceed 36” x 36” x 36” and must be built ahead of time. Your creation must be made entirely of cardboard – but tape, glue, paperclips or brads may be used to hold pieces together. While you are welcome to decorate your creation, please note that we will be judging based on construction and not final decorations.
Cardboard is available at the library. You also are welcome to use your own. One entry per person.
Free tax forms
Tax forms are available free at your library while supplies last.
Therapy dog visit tomorrow
Tomorrow, Friday, March 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, March 11 from 2 – 3 p.m. Please come into the library to meet privately via Zoom with our volunteer attorney who will answer your questions, show you legal documents and help you fill out the necessary forms. 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. Another option: Visit http://checkerboard.co/ anytime to find many legal forms and other legal information.
LEGO Club on Saturday
Kids aged six and up are invited to bring your imaginations – LEGOs are provided – on Saturday, February 26 from 11 a.m.-noon for the free LEGO Club. LEGO challenges also are posted on Facebook if you can’t make it to the library.
Dungeons & Dragons
Join us Tuesday, March 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.
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. March 16 is a special STEM session with Jessica Walker helping us with an experiment or two. The next Discovery Time takes place Saturday, March 19 on Facebook at 2:30 p.m.
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.
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. Note no Tech Time Tuesday, March 15.
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.
Writing challenge
A new all-ages writing challenge will be posted March 14 on the library’s Facebook page. We hope you will challenge your creativity by participating in this free all-ages activity.
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.
As well, 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.
Books on CD
“Brothers and Wives” by Christopher Anderson explores the last 20 years in the lives of Princes William and Harry. “Powder Days” by Heather Hansman is a history of skiing and the people who built their lives around it. “Reminders of Him” by Colleen Hoover follows a woman returning home after five years in prison. “No Way Back” by J.B. Turner is a thriller featuring NYPD Det. JackMcNeal.
Mysteries and thrillers
“The Final Case” by David Guterson looks at the trial of adoptive parents accused of murdering their daughter. “Dark Horse” by Gregg Hurwitz features a former government assassin who helps the most desperate when they need him. “The Runaway” by Nick Petrie is a Peter Ash mystery. “The Fields” by Erin Young starts with the discovery of a body in an Iowa cornfield. “Sierra Six” by Mark Greaney is a Gray Man thriller. “Diablo Mesa” by Preston & Child is the latest in the series featuring archeologist Nora Kelly and FBI agent Corrie Swanson.
Large print
“Quicksilver” by Dean Koontz is a thriller about a man in pursuit of his strange past. “The Bombay Prince” by Sujata Massey is book three of the Perveen Mistry series set in India. “Abandoned in Death” by J.D. Robb is the latest in the Eve Dallas future suspense series. “The Christie Affair” by Nina de Gramont is about a woman intricately tied to those 11 mysterious days that Agatha Christie went missing.
DVDs
“Julia” is a documentary about the life of legendary cookbook author and TV star Julia Child. “My Garden of a Thousand Bees” is a Nature documentary about a cameraman photographing all the bees in his English garden. “Heels” is the complete first season of this pro-wrestling story. “American Underdog” is the true story of Kurt Warner who dreams of becoming an NFL star. “Encanto” is the Disney animated movie with music by Lin-Manuel.
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 Joanne Ferko and our anonymous donors for their materials donations. We’re also grateful to several people who gave us anonymous monetary donations, citing “incredible customer service.” 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
“I’m often asked, ‘What’s your secret to success?’ The short answer, put in that work. There may be more failures than victories. Please don’t ever feel entitled to win, just keep working harder. Surrender to the cards you are dealt. It’s from that surrender you get your power. Losing can be the best motivator to get you even bigger wins. So never compare yourself to anyone else.” – Beyonce, American singer, songwriter and actress; lead singer of Destiny’s Child, one of the best-selling girls groups of all time.
