Save the dates for Summer Reading finale and Friends of the Library book sale
Participants in the Summer Reading Program will want to stop by your library on Tuesday, August 3 any time between 12 noon and 2 p.m. to celebrate the end of summer reading with us.
We’ll provide free hot dogs, chips and water. As well, a variety of take-away crafts and prizes will be given away.
This year’s summer reading theme was Tails and Tales showcasing stories, activities and library programs about animals –and a lot more. We hope everyone enjoyed participating and we look forward to helping you continue your learning adventure with us throughout the year.
Also, we hope you will mark your calendars for the Friends of the Library book sale August 5-7 at the PLPOA Clubhouse. Thursday at 6 p.m. is the annual membership meeting and advance sale for Friends of the Library. The sale opens to the public Friday from 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. – noon. You’ll find lots more the books to buy at great bargain prices for you – there are audio books and DVDs as well.
If you have books or DVDs you want included in this year’s book sale, you should drop the materials off at the library by Saturday, July 31. This year all proceeds from the Friends sale will be donated to the Ruby M. Sisson Memorial Library Foundation to support and enhance your library’s information resources, programs, services and facilities.
Summer Reading Program continues
Summer Reading Program events continue through July. Enjoy the wide variety of activities for all ages. And pick up a bingo card because participants get a small prize every time you complete a bingo sheet. We also have bonus challenges where entrants will be put into random drawings for gift certificates and other prizes.
Last two Summer Reading bonus challenges
Week seven’s bonus challenge July 19 – 24: Become an official unicorn quester. Lake Superior State University in Michigan has issued free unicorn questing licenses since 1971. Participants just need to fill out a simple form and an official license and unicorn questing certificate will be sent to you in the mail. Print copies of the request form can be picked up at the library, or it can be filled out online by going to: https://www.lssu.edu/traditions/unicornhunters/. Let us know if you requested a unicorn questing license by Saturday, July 24 at 3 p.m. for a chance to win – by emailing ruby@pagosalibrary.org, posting on the library Facebook page or dropping it off at the front desk.
Week eight’s bonus challenge July 25 – 31: Go for a hike, take a picture at the beginning of your hike and at the end of the hike. Tell a story (real or imagined) about what happened along the way. Submit your answer by Saturday, July 31 at 3 p.m. for a chance to win – by emailing ruby@pagosalibrary.org, posting on the library Facebook page or dropping it off at the front desk.
In-person activities
We are delighted that the robust local vaccination program for our community means that many of our programs now can happen in person. Please see more information in the activity listings below. 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. That’s one additional hour on Fridays.
- Tuesdays and Thursdays open 9 a.m. – 8 p.m. That’s one additional hour each day.
- Saturdays open 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. That’s two hours fewer this day – but a total of 55 hours open each week, as compared to 54 in pre-COVID times.
For those uncomfortable with coming into the building, 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.
Summer Reading Club today
Today, Thursday, July 22 from 10-11:30 a.m. join us in Centennial Park at the geothermal domes when Sally will teach you about some amazing plant life with tales of their own. Next Thursday, July 29 is the last Summer Reading Club, at the Centennial Park amphitheatre from 10:11:30 p.m., when the Pagosa Audubon Society will teach us about birds of all sorts. Both programs are free and are weather permitting.
In-person Spanish conversation today
Join us at your library to practice your Spanish conversation skills in an in-person group setting today, Thursday, July 22 from 6-7 p.m. There is no minimum skill level to participate.
In-person gaming tomorrow
Enjoy free all-ages video gaming on the X-box 360 Kinect on Fridays from 2:30 – 3:45 p.m. Maximum of four participants in the gaming room at a time.
LEGO challenge Saturday
Join us on July 24 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.
Exploration stations
Stop by the newspaper box outside the library each week for a new animal-themed activity. July 19-24 involves spotting mythical creatures and July 26-31 will take you on a scavenger hunt.
Family storytimes
Next Wednesday, July 28 from 10-11 a.m. join us at Centennial Park for free in-person children’s stories, games and plenty of reasons to get up and move. This event will be cancelled if the weather is bad. Saturday’s Discovery Times continue on Facebook at 2:30 p.m. with games, art ideas, science experiments, history and more.
Writing challenge
On Monday, July 19we 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.
Storywalk for kids
Watch for signs outside the library that follow the sidewalk up towards the Elementary School detailing a new free storywalk for kids. July 19-31’s book features mythical creatures in an alphabet story. After you finish the walk, pick up materials for a craft or activity at the library.
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.
ESL
Free in-person classes take place Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4-8 p.m. Beginning students are encouraged to attend from 4-6 p.m. and intermediate students from 6-8 p.m. Las clases gratuitas se llevan a cabo en persona los martes y jueves de 4-8 p.m. Los estudiantes principiantes deben asistir de 4-6 p.m. y a los estudiantes intermedios de 6-8 p.m.
Adult education
Our free PALS (Pagosa Adult Learning Services) session takes place in person Thursdays from 5-8 p.m. when Mark helps with high school equivalency, GED, college prep, financial aid, tutoring and more.
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.
DVDs
“His Dark Materials” is the complete second season of this fantasy adventure. “Octopus: Making Contact” is a documentary about these intelligent creatures through the eyes of a marine biologist and his daughter.
Nonfiction
“The Sunset Route” by Carrot Quinn is a memoir of a woman who leaves behind her difficult childhood in Alaska to travel the country via freight train. “The Heartbeat of Trees” by Peter Wohlleben is a return to the forest exploring new scientific discoveries by the author of “The Hidden Life of Trees.” “The Ride of Her Life” by Elizabeth Letts tells of a destitute woman with two years to live who rides her horse across the country with her dog to see the Pacific Ocean before she dies. “This Is Your Mind on Plants” by Michael Pollan explores three plant drugs – opium, caffeine and mescaline – in a blend of history and science.
Mysteries, suspense and thrillers
“Silver Tears” by Camilla Lackberg tells of a wealthy woman living a complete lie about her daughter’s death. “The 22 Murders of Madison May” by Max Barry is a psychological suspense tale about a serial killer pursuing his victim across time and space.
Other novels
“The Forest of Vanishing Stars” by Kristin Harmel follows a young woman who has lived in the wilderness as she helps Jewish refugees escape the Nazis. “Nine Lives” by Danielle Steel features a risk-averse woman who sets out on a wild adventure after a tragedy.
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 Jan and Bob Clinkenbeard for their generous monetary donation, and to Helen Richardson and 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 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
“Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.” – Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) – American writer, scientist, inventor, statesman, diplomat, printer, publisher and political philosopher. Among the leading intellectuals of his time, Franklin was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States and the first United States Postmaster General.
