Shark ecology talk, live children’s concert and escape room fun
In the next week your library is hosting three very special free events:
► Tomorrow, Friday, July 22 from 2:30 – 3:45 p.m. experts from the Ocean First Institute, a research lab in Boulder, will present their shark research and discuss the importance of conservation for these amazing creatures.
► Next Monday, Monday, July 25 from 10 – 11 a.m. professional musician Steve Weeks will perform in a fun children’s concert sponsored by the Pagosa Pi Beta Phi alumnae club that will include dancing, singing and laughing.
► Next Wednesday, July 27 from 2 – 3:30 p.m. 6th-12th graders are invited to participate in an escape room adventure where you will solve puzzles and find clues to allow you to find the treasure and save yourselves before the room sinks.
Early closure next Wednesday
On Wednesday, July 27 your library will be closing at 4 p.m. because the Ruby Sisson Library Foundation is hosting this month’s Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours gathering.
Public health talks continue
Your library is hosting public health and resource professionals from San Juan Basin Public Health for four free in-person sessions on Mondays from noon-1 p.m. from July 11 to August 1 to talk about a wide variety of important health topics. On July 25 Francilia Pena will cover cancer prevention and early detection of breast and cervical cancer. August 1 will explain health insurance enrollment and how to pick the best plan for you. Spanish interpretation will be available for this session.
More details on the presentations are available in flyers you can pick up at your library.
PALS adult education expands
In response to popular demand, Mark is doubling the number of his free PALS sessions to Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:30 – 8 p.m. to help with high school equivalency, GED, college prep, financial aid, tutoring and more. No registration required. This service is in great demand and is used by many people, so we are very happy to make it more available.
No Tech Times in July
There will be no Tech Times in July. Tech Time will return at a future date to be announced later.
Summer Reading Program underway
It’s not too late to 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
At our Summer Reading Club today, Thursday, July 21 from 10-11:30 a.m., we’ll explore mysteries of the deep including mermaids and monsters. Next Thursday, July 28 we’ll learn from guest expert Mr. Kurtz about how the weather in oceans affects us here in the mountains. This free club is open to youngsters K-fifth grade.
Dungeons & Dragons virtually and in person
Today, Thursday, July 21 from 3-5 p.m., is our ongoing virtual Dungeons & Dragons game free for teens and young adults, available every other Thursday on Discord. Then join us on Tuesday, July 26 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 Moana tomorrow
Tomorrow,Friday, July 22 from 4-6 p.m., we’ll watch the Disney “Moana” movie while singing, moving and playing along with the screen.
LEGO Club on Saturday
Kids aged six and up are invited to bring your imaginations – LEGOs are provided – on Saturday, July 23 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 July 25 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. July 11-25 features “Woodsey’s ABCs” when you will explore the outdoors with Woodsey the Owl, a National Forest Service mascot.
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.
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.
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.
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
“Native Peoples of North America” is a Smithsonian documentary. “Life in the World’s Oceans” is a Smithsonian documentary. “Determined: Righting Alzheimer’s” is a PBS documentary. “The Bad Guys” is a DreamWorks Animation action comedy based on the Scholastic book series. “Downton Abbey: A New Era” is the newest movie featuring the Crawley family and their staff.
Large print
“Easter Bonnet Murder” by Leslie Meier is a Lucy Stone mystery. “An Honest Lie” by Tarryn Fisher tells of a woman going missing during a girls’ weekend in Las Vegas.
Books on CD
“Snowstorm in August” by Marshall Karp tells of a team of retired cops going after the most powerful drug lord on the planet in New York City. “Tracy Flick Can’t Win” by Tom Perrotta returns to the life of Tracy, now in her 40s and an assistant principal at a public high school. “The Omega Factor” by Steve Berry is a mystery about the mysterious secrets of the Ghent altarpiece. “The Hotel Nantucket” by Elin Hilderbrand is about a summer of scandal at an historic hotel. “Local Gone Missing” by Fiona Barton is set in a seaside town where long-timers and newcomers are at odds. “A Face to Die For” by Iris Johansen is an Eve Duncan mystery. “Red on the River” by Christine Feehan is a romantic thriller.
Nonfiction
“His Name is George Floyd” by Washington Post reporters Robert Samuels and Toluse Olorunnipa is a portrait of the life and times of a black man whose murder set off the largest protest movement in U.S. history. “Battle for the American Mind” by Pete Hegseth and David Goodwin explores the fight to control the education of children in America. “How to Keep House While Drowning” by J.C. Davis is a guide to using creative shortcuts to transform your home from messy to functional. “Essential Home Skills” by Chris Peterson is a Black + Decker guide to common household headaches for new home owners.
Mysteries and thrillers
“Local Gone Missing” by Fiona Barton is set in a seaside town where long-timers and newcomers are at odds. “The Island” by Adrian McKinty follows a woman and her two unhappy stepchildren I grave danger on a remote Australian island. “The Local” by Joey Hartstone is a legal thriller set in Texas. “Ashton Hall” by Lauren Belfer begins when a skeleton is found in an historic manor house in England. “The Gate Keeper” by James Byrne is about a conspiracy involving the kidnapping of the daughter of a multinational corporation CEO.
Other novels
“Boom Town” is a Lake Wobegon story by Garrison Keillor. “Horse” by Pulitzer Prize winner Geraldine Brooks, inspired by a true story, tells of an art historian and a Smithsonian scientist connected through their shared interest in a racehorse. “Flying Solo” by Linda Holmes follows a woman who returns home after her cancelled wedding. “The Hotel Nantucket” by Elin Hilderbrand is a tale about a summer of scandal at a storied hotel. “The Catch” by Alison Fairbrother focuses on the aftermath of a will in which a father leaves a prized possession to someone the family has never heard of. “The Twilight World” by Werner Herzog imagines the life of Hiroo Onoda, the soldier who defended a Philippines island for decades after World War II.
Donations
We are grateful to Leslie Wustrack for the generous monetary donation. With the Friends of the Library sale just concluded, we and the Friends are taking a break from materials donations until August.
Quotable Quote
“Marriage is a 50-year conversation. Marry someone you want to talk with for the rest of your life.” – David Brooks, Canadian-born conservative political and cultural reporter who writes opinion pieces for The New York Times and is a commentator on NPR and the PBS NewsHour.
