Free in-person family storytime available by appointment
Starting next Thursday, April 15 from 10-11 a.m. Josie will host by-appointment storytimes in person for individual family groups. The free 15-minute sessions will include a story, movement activity, rhymes and other fun things, and will be accompanied by a craft to do at home.
One family group at a time. All participants over age two must wear a mask. This personalized service will be available once a month as long as Archuleta County remains in Yellow or Blue on the COVID safety dial, as determined by the state and local public health authorities. Phone the library at 970-264-2209 for your appointment.
Free early literacy program
If you want to participate in the second round of an exciting new free literacy program that helps families and caregivers build their babies’ vocabulary, you need to sign up by April 15. 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.
Activities calendars available
To be sure you don’t miss any of the free activities available to you and your family at your library, we encourage you to pick up a copy of the events calendar each month. There are two versions – youth and adults.
COVID level blue operations
Current operations under COVID level blue:
- Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday open 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., with 9-10 a.m. reserved for seniors and high-risk populations.
- Tuesday and Thursday open 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. for all.
- Storytime is now Thursday at 10 a.m. Tech Times are now from 3-4 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday by appointment.
- Meeting rooms can now be used by up to five people.
Other COVID-related operations:
- Hand sanitizers are available and there will be frequent cleanings inside the building throughout the day. Please practice social distancing and wear masks while you are in the building. If you don’t have a mask, we are happy to give one to you.
- Ten computers are available. Staff will clean and disinfect them between uses.
- One early literacy computer is available for youngsters.
- 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.
- You can place holds on items from other libraries. They are in different stages of open, so items may take longer than usual.
- We’re happy to provide tech help in person or over the phone for our online resources.
Special note
“We want people to always feel welcome in the library, and to experience a very friendly vibe when they visit,” said Meg Wempe, library director. “But we remind everyone that, similar to other public indoor spaces in Colorado, we must follow the executive order that requires people aged 11 or older to wear a covering over their noses and mouths when entering or moving within any public indoor space. If you are unable or unwilling to wear a mask, we are pleased to assist you outside the building through our curbside service.”
New writing challenge
On April 5we posted a new writing challenge on the library’s Facebook page. We hope you will challenge your creativity by participating in this free all-ages activity.
Legal clinic tomorrow
The free legal clinic each month is happening by appointment tomorrow, Friday, April 9 from 2 – 3 p.m. The volunteer attorney can phone you at home, or you can come into the library and meet via Zoom. To sign up for these calls, 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. Visit http://checkerboard.co/ anytime to find many legal forms and other legal information.
LEGO challenge Saturday
Join us on April 10 at 10 a.m. for a free all-ages LEGO challenge via an image posted on Facebook and the library website. Use your own pieces to create something that will fit the challenge. If you don’t have LEGOS, we have a few grab bags available at the library.
Online Spanish conversation
Next Monday, April 12 from 4-5 p.m. our online Spanish conversation group will gather on Google Meet to practice their skills together. Access the meeting using the Google Meet app and use the code, XRV-CSRE-KAV to join. Or, you may join on a computer by visiting the website meet.google.com/XRV-CSRE-KAV. Contact Brad at the library if you have questions about using Google Meet.
Teen book club
We invite sixth-12th graders to join the teen book club on Zoom for a lively discussion of this month’s book “Broken Throne” by Victoria Aveyard next Tuesday, April 13 from 4-5 p.m. Stop by the library to pick up a copy. Go to https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82245964216 to join the meeting and help us choose what we’ll read next.
Adult book club
Ruby’s Book Club meets from 2-3 p.m. on Tuesday, April 13 via Zoom to discuss “Carrying Albert Home” by Homer Hickam. Contact the library if you need a copy of the book. The Zoom meeting ID is 874 5826 9188, passcode 81147. This book club is held the second Tuesday of each month.
Storywalk for kids
Weather permitting, every other Thursday Josie posts signs outside the library that follow the sidewalk up towards the Elementary School detailing a new free Storywalk for kids. The April 8-21 theme is about rain bringing all sorts of possibilities. After you finish the walk, pick up materials for a craft or activity at the library.
Knitting takeaways
Pick up free knitting takeaways at the library entrance during open hours to take for your in-home enjoyment. We’ll have patterns craft ideas, instructions and some limited supplies available.
After-school program
In response to COVID, we have revamped our free after-school program into STEAM enrichment kits, STEAM standing for science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics, for ages five and up. Registration is required at 970-264-2209. Pick up your kit and then bring your completed projects back to the library to be displayed in the last week of the month.
DIY crafts takeaway for kids
Drop by your library for free DIY crafts takeaways for youngsters age 10 and older during open hours. Pick up a packet outside the library.
Tech Time
Make a 15- to 30-minute appointment for one of three free in-person slots available from 3-4 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Brad will help one person (or one couple) at a time resolve issues with your computer, smartphone, tablet and other electronic devices.
ESL
Free in-person classes take place Tuesdays from 3-7 p.m. and Thursdays from 5 -7 p.m. by appointment. Please register so we can keep it to a small group in our limited open spaces. No walk-ins, please.
Dungeons & Dragons
Join us Wednesdays from 4-6 p.m. for Dungeons & Dragons free for teens and young adults on Google Meet. Contact claire@pagosalibrary.org to learn how to join. If you don’t have internet access, contact us anyway – we may be able to accommodate you in the library.
Children’s programs on Facebook
Thursdays at 10 a.m. and Saturdays at 2:30 p.m., join us on the library’s Facebook page for free children’s programs. Thursday storytimes are on Facebook Live, so you can interact with Josie. Saturday’s Discovery Times with games, art ideas, science experiments, history and more are prerecorded.
Adult education
Our free PALS (Pagosa Adult Learning Services) sessions take place in person on Fridays between noon and 3 p.m. where Mark helps with high school equivalency, GED, college prep, financial aid, tutoring and more. Contact the library to schedule your appointment.
Large print
“Ralph Compton: Death Valley Drifter” by Jeff Rovin is the latest in the Gunfighter series. “A Good Day for a Massacre” by William W. and J.A. Johnston is book two in the Slash and Burn western series. “Her Dark Lies” by J.T. Ellison is a mystery set on an Italian coast island. “We Begin at the End” by Chris Whitaker deals with the aftermath of a man being released from prison. “Age Later” by Dr. Nir Barzilai is a guide to aging well.
DVDs
“Agatha Christie” is a biography of the writer and a look at the places in England she featured in her mysteries. “Schitt$ Creek” is the complete collection of the 2020 Emmy award winner.
Novels
“The Robin’s Greeting” by Wanda E. Brunstetter is an Amish Greenhouse mystery. “The Curator’s Daughter” by Melanie Dobson features an archeologist forced into the Nazi Party. “Dreams Rekindled” by Amanda Cabot is book two of the Mesquite Springs series.
Nonfiction
“Under a White Sky” by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Elizabeth Kolbert explores the interventions that must take place to save the planet from human destruction. “A Life in Code” by G. Stuart Smith is a biography of pioneer cryptanalyst Elizebeth Smith Friedman, a legendary law enforcement agent. “The Complete Guide to Plumbing” by Black & Decker is the updated seventh edition.
Downloadable e-books and audiobooks
Perfect for COVID times, 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. That is why you need to select AspenCat Union Catalog when setting up cloudLibrary for use. Please email or phone us at 970-264-2209 if you need our help setting up this service on your device.
Donations
For materials donations, we thank our anonymous donors. Please put your materials donations into the dropbox at the library – not at City Market, which is reserved for returns. Donations undergo the same rigorous three-day quarantine process as returns.
Library foundation
Please consider a tax-deductible donation to the Ruby M. Sisson Memorial Library Foundation to help support the services and programs provided by your Ruby Sisson Library. Mail checks to P.O. Box 2045, Pagosa Springs, CO 81147 or call Cindi Galabota at 970-264-2209.
Quotable Quote
“Anxiety happens when you think you have to figure out everything all at once. Breathe. You’re strong. You got this. Take it day by day.” Karen Salmansohn, writer and self-help book author.
