Friends of the Library book sale starts tonight at new location
This year’s Friends of the Library three-day book sale starts this evening, Thursday, June 23 at 6 p.m. for members (memberships are available at the door), and then opens to the public on Friday and Saturday June 24-25. This event always is one of the highlights of the summer for locals and visitors alike.
It takes place in a new location – in the Fellowship Hall at the United Methodist Church in downtown Pagosa. And it’s a new time of year as well, moving to June to avoid the month of August which is so busy with community events including the Archuleta County Fair.
A single Friends membership is $15 a year and a family membership is $25 a year. A lifetime membership is $100 per person.
The Friends book sale is an ideal venue for finding treasures for yourself and gifts for family and friends. You’ll find lots more than books to buy at great bargain prices – there are audio books, DVDs, puzzles and games as well. While you enjoy these treats, you’ll be contributing to the health of your library.
Every year the proceeds from the book sale are gratefully received by your library to ensure ongoing excellence of our collection, our facilities and our service to you. Last year in two and a half days the Friends’ book sale raised more than $2,000.
The Friends always need help sorting through donations to find the ones appropriate for the annual sale. If you would like to volunteer with the Friends, please contact Wennona Brown at wennona@centurylink.net.
If you can’t volunteer, we’d love to have you join the Friends or just come to the book sale as a welcomed guest.
Summer Reading Program underway
If you haven’t already done so, we hope you will sign up at your library or register online for this year’s Summer Reading Program, which is underway now with the theme “Oceans of Possibilities.” Pick up a bingo card because participants get a small prize every time you complete a bingo sheet.
The Summer Reading Program includes activities for all ages that are fun, free and educational. And it encourages learning and new opportunities for everyone from toddlers to seniors.
Watch for details of special Summer Reading events in this and future Library News columns all summer. And pick up a copy of the events calendar each month at your library to be sure you and your family don’t miss any of the fun. There are three versions – children, teens and adults.
Summer Reading Club for kids today
Our Summer Reading Club for kids K-5th grade takes place today, Thursday, June 23, from 10 – 11:30 p.m. when we’ll celebrate the world of ocean animals through crafts, games and more. Note no Summer Reading Club on June 30.
Dungeons & Dragons virtually and in person
Today, Thursday, June 23 from 3-5 p.m., is our ongoing virtual Dungeons & Dragons game free for teens and young adults every other Thursday on Discord. Then join us next Tuesday, June 28 from 4-6 p.m. for our ongoing in-person Dungeons & Dragons game. Contact claire@pagosalibrary.org to learn how to join either or both games. Free in-person sessions take place at your library on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month.
Interactive Finding Nemo tomorrow
Tomorrow,Friday, June 24, from 4-6 p.m., we’ll watch the “Finding Nemo” movie while singing, moving and playing along with the screen.
Gaming tomorrow
Enjoy free all-ages video gaming on the X-box 360 Kinect on Friday, June 24 from 2:30 – 3:45 p.m.
LEGO Club on Saturday
Kids aged six and up are invited to bring your imaginations – LEGOs are provided – on Saturday, June 25 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.
Adult DIY next Tuesday
At the in-person adult DIY next Tuesday, June 28 from 1-2 p.m., we will use lengths of rope and simple instructions to create decorative works of art using a variety of knots. We’ll also learn the basics of several practical knots that you can use in a variety of situations.
Paper airplane obstacle course
Fourth-12th graders are invited to see how far you can make your paper airplanes fly on Wednesday, June 29 from 3-4:30 p.m. You can test different models to see which flies best.
Writing challenge
A new all-ages writing challenge will be June 27 on the library’s Facebook page. We hope you will challenge your creativity by participating in this free activity.
StoryWalk in new location
Our very popular StoryWalk has resumed 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. The June 13-30 featured book is “Wonder Walkers” by Micha Archer.
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. June 29 is a free play session.
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.
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. No registration required.
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.
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.
Downloadable books
CloudLibrary has a wide variety of downloadable e-books and audiobooks for all ages. Accessing your library’s 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.
Large print
“The Baxters: A Prequel” by Karen Kingsbury takes readers back to happenings before the first book in the Baxter Family series. “The Investigator” by John Sandford is the first in a new Letty Davenport thriller series. “Country Born” by Linda Lael Miller is book three in the Painted Pony Creek western romance series. “Three Debts Paid” by Anne Perry is book five in the Daniel Pitt mystery series. “Book Lovers” by Emily Henry is a romance involving an editor and literary agent. “In Bloom” contains novellas by Fern Michaels, Lori Foster and Carolyn Brown. “Killing the Killers: The Secret War Against Terrorists” by Bill O’Reilly and Martin Dugard is the 11th book in the authors’ Killing series. “Robert B Parker’s Revenge Tour” by Mike Lupica is a Sunny Randall mystery.
Nonfiction essays
“Embrace Fearlessly the Burning World” is a collection of essays by Barry Lopez, the National Book Award-winning author who inspired generations or writers and activists.
Mysteries and thrillers
“The Lioness” by Chris Bohjalian is an historical thriller featuring Hollywood stars on a luxurious African safari that turns deadly.
Other novels
“By the Book” by Jasmine Guillory follows a Black publishing house employee trying to encourage a reluctant author to finish his memoir. “West with Giraffes” by Lynda Rutledge is inspired by the story of two giraffes who made headlines and won hearts in Depression-era America.
How-to and self-help
“Complete Book of Framing” by Scot Simpson is an updated version of this guide for residential construction. “Framing Floors, Walls & Ceilings” is a new edition by the authors and editors of Fine Homebuilding magazine. “How to be Perfect” by Michael Schur offers a guide to living an ethical life from easy to complex issues.
Memoirs
“A Sacred Oath” by Mark T. Esper is the memoir of the Secretary of Defense in the Trump administration. “Easy Beauty” by award-winning author Chloe Cooper Jones is a memoir of a disabled woman with a rare congenital condition. “Back to the Prairie” by Melissa Gilbert is a memoir by this author and star of “Little House on the Prairie.”
Western books on CD
“American Odyssey” by Max McCoy is a Ghost Rifle western. “Prairie Fire” by William W. and J.A. Johnstone is the ninth book in the Luke Jensen Bounty Hunter series. “The Crimson Trail” by Eric Red is a Joe Noose western.
Donations
We are grateful to Susan and Terry Arrington for their generous monetary contribution and to 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 respond to the evolving needs of our community, we are now working on a $4 million project to expand our building so that we can provide private study rooms, an intergenerational hands-on learning space, easy access to self-checkout and drop-off, a beautiful outdoor reading garden and an endowment for the future. Mail checks to P.O. Box 2045, Pagosa Springs, CO 81147 or call Cindi Galabota at 970-264-2209.
Quotable Quote
“If you love what you do and are willing to do what it takes, it’s within your reach. And it’ll be worth every minute you spend alone at night, thinking about what it is you want to design or build.” – Steve Wozniak, philanthropist, inventor, technology entrepreneur and co-founder of Apple with Steve Jobs.
