Summer Reading Program offers myriad activities for all ages
If you haven’t already done so, we hope you will sign up now at your library or register online for this year’s Summer Reading Program, which began June 6 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 is one of our most popular events of the year. It 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.
Save the date for book sale
This year’s Friends of the Library book sale will open on Thursday evening, June 23 at 6 p.m. for members (memberships are available at the door), and then open to the public on Friday and Saturday June 24-25. It will be 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.
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. Last year the Friends’ book sale raised more than $2,000.
The Friends always need help sorting, boxing and preparing for the sale. As well, year-round our volunteers go to the library to sort 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. And we hope you’ll put the Friends book sale dates on your calendar for a fun summer outing.
Legal clinic tomorrow
The free legal clinic this month is happening by appointment tomorrow, Friday, June 10 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 970-264-2209 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.
Paws to Read Friday
Friday, June 10 from 2:30 – 3:30 p.m., youngsters from K-fifth grades are invited to share their favorite books with Muppet, a therapy dog who loves listening to stories, at a free Paws to Read session. This is a great way for beginning readers to build confidence.
LEGO Club Saturday
Kids aged six and up are invited to bring your imaginations – LEGOs are provided – on Saturday, June 11 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.
Writing challenge
A new all-ages writing challenge will be posted June 13 on the library’s Facebook page. We hope you will challenge your creativity by participating in this free activity.
Adult gaming
Enjoy free video gaming on the X-box 360 Kinect on Monday, June 13 from 4-5:30 p.m.
Adult book club next Tuesday
Ruby’s Book Club meets in person from 2-3 p.m. on Tuesday, June 14 to discuss “Finding Dorothy” by Elizabeth Letts. Copies are available at your library. This book club is held the second Tuesday of each month, alternating between fiction and nonfiction titles. Anyone is welcome to attend.
In-person Dungeons & Dragons
Join us next Tuesday, June 14 from 4-6 p.m. for our ongoing in-person Dungeons & Dragons game for teens and young adults. Contact claire@pagosalibrary.org to learn how to join. Free sessions take place at your library on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month.
Spanish conversation
Next Wednesday, June 15 from 4-5 p.m., we will gather in person at the library to practice speaking and listening skills together for this free session. There is no minimum skill level required to attend. You also can learn Spanish and many other languages using the Transparent Language Learning database available at https:pagosalibrary.org/online-resources/
Board games fun
Fourth-12th graders are invited to a free board games session next Wednesday, June 15 from 3:30-5:30 p.m. Join us to play a variety of board and tabletop games.
Summer Reading Club for kids
Join our Summer Reading Club for kids K-5th grade next Thursday, June 16 from 10 – 11:30 p.m. when we’ll explore the world of ships and sailors and you can build a boat of your own.
Virtual teen advisory board
Next Thursday, June 16 the teen advisory board meets from 4-5 p.m. on GoogleMeet. Fourth-12th graders are invited to bring your fun and innovative ideas to help us plan teen programs. Video call link: https://meet.google.com/jav-wcht-szx
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 1-12 featured book is “Hey Water” by Antoinette Portis. The June 13-30 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. Special guests Lisa Baker and her friend Fluffy Dog will provide puppets, storytelling and silly fun on June 15.
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 are happening 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.
DVDs
“The Batman” includes a special feature on Gotham’s villains and heroes. “Uncharted” is a buddy-movie adventure. “Tyson’s Run” features an autistic teen who wants to run a marathon. “Abraham Lincoln” is the three-part History Channel presentation.
Nonfiction
“Arrival Stories” is a collection of essays about becoming a mother by 23 women including Serena Williams, Alysia Montano, Shilpa Shah and Amy Schumer. “I Guess I Haven’t Learned That Yet” by Shauna Niequist shares her experiences during a time of chaos, change and loss just after her 40th birthday. “The Upgrade” by Dr. Louann Brizendine provides a roadmap to a healthy menopausal and post-menopausal life for women. “Constructing a Nervous System” by Margo Jefferson is a memoir by the Pulitzer Prize-winner and New York Times Theatre critic. “The Trayvon Generation” by Elizabeth Alexander looks at the power of art and culture to illuminate America’s unresolved problems with race.
Books on CD
“E-Day III Dark Moon” by Nicholas Sansbury Smith is book three in the sci-fi series. “The Book Woman’s Daughter” by Kim Michele Richardson follows a trailblazing woman in Kentucky’s Appalachian Mountains. “22 Seconds” by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro is a Women’s Murder Club mystery. “The Ravaged” by Norman Reedus tells of a man who discovers a secret past. “When She Dreams” by Amanda Quick is a historical romance set in 1930’s California. “Robert B. Parker’s Revenge Tour” is a PI Sunny Randall mystery.
Mysteries and thrillers
“City on Fire” by Don Winslow features two criminal empires about to be broken up by a modern-day Helen of Troy. “Magpie” by Elizabeth Day follows a couple whose lives are upended by a new roommate. “Trust” by Hernan Diaz tells of a powerful wealthy couple whose source of wealth is a mystery.
Other novels
“Summer Love” by Nancy Thayer takes place at a reunion in Nantucket. “The Book Woman’s Daughter” by Kim Michele Richardson follows a trailblazing woman in Kentucky’s Appalachian Mountains. “The Good Left Undone” by Adriana Trigiani explores the lives of an Italian nurse, her daughter and granddaughter. “Flint of Mirror” by John Crowley is a story of history and magic in Ireland.
Donations
We are grateful to Maureen Collins for her generous monetary donation 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
“The body is like a car: the older you become, the more care you have to take of it – and you don’t leave a Ferrari out in the sun.” – Joan Collins, award-winning English actress and recipient of a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
