Next Friday, June 21, your library will be hosting two free special events.
Eighth graders and above are invited to solve a murder mystery from 11am – 2pm where everyone is a suspect and you need to decide who the real murderer is. Lunch will be provided. Registration is required.
Young readers aged 6-10 are invited to a Fairy Tale Theatre from 2 – 3:30pm when you can read and act out your favorite characters. Aesop’s Fables and Fairytales will be our source for fun stories we will enjoy together.
Library closure
Your library will be closed next Wednesday, June 19 for the Juneteenth holiday that commemorates the end of slavery.
Summer Reading Program underway
“Adventure Begins at your Library!” is the theme of this year’s free all-ages Summer Reading Program underway now. You can choose your own adventure from the Smokey Bear reading challenge celebrating Smokey’s 80th birthday, a travel journal challenge where you document your experiences as you try new things and visit new places in the area, and a Camp Ruby Sisson bingo challenge that brings back our much-loved bingo sheets.
Prizes are available for all ages for each week of Summer Reading activities completed, and those results also put your name into a raffle for the grand prize at the concluding party on August 9, Smokey’s birthday. Sign up now in person or online and watch for details in this Library News column of all the fun free Summer Reading events coming your way.
Jane Austin 250th birthday series Monday
Monday mornings from 10 a.m. to noon through July 1, local fans of Jane Austen are celebrating the 250th birthday of this beloved English author, whose works include “Pride and Prejudice,” “Sense and Sensibility” and “Emma,” in a special free five-week all-ages series hosted by Jenny.
Each week features a different topic, including the author’s life as a woman in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, Regency-era English history, fashion, food and dance. The series highlight will be a tea party and English country dancing. Call Jenny at 240-426-7887 for more information.
Teen Camp Half-blood on Wednesday
Wednesdays in June (except for June 19 because of the holiday) from 1 – 2:30pm is Camp Half-blood for teens. It is based on the very popular Percy Jackson novels and will allow young fans to participate in Escape Room- style activities centered around Greek myths, just like Percy Jackson. Each week teens will be presented with puzzles and STEM challenges like “Create a device that will locate and capture the bugs that escaped from Pandora’s box” or “Arachne left webs to help you find a way through a secret passage in the labyrinth.”
Tween Exploratorium Monday
Mondays in June from 3-4 p.m. is Tween Exploratorium when tweens are invited to get together with friends to explore the world’s geography through maps and flags, travel games and more.
Spanish conversation
Practice your Spanish in a free group setting on Tuesday, June 18 from 4:30-5:30 p.m. No minimum skill level needed. This group meets twice a month, on the first and third Tuesdays.
LEGOs Friday and Saturday
Kids aged six-11 are invited to the free LEGO Club on Saturday, June 15 from 11 a.m. – noon. As well, tomorrow, Friday, June 14, from 2- 3:30 p.m. is a free LEGO time to explore your imagination and building skills. Bring your own LEGOs or use ours.
Pokemon Club on Saturday
If you’re aged six-11 and love Pokemon, this free club is for you. Bring your cards on Saturday, June 15 from 12:30 – 2:30 p.m.
Dungeons & Dragons
Next Thursday, June 20 from 4 – 5:30 p.m., join our Dungeons & Dragons game free for teens and young adults. Pre-registration is required because space is limited. Contact Josie@pagosalibrary.org to join.
Summer Reading for kids
Thursdays in June from 10 – 11:30 a.m. will be a special time for kids to explore insects, plants, fossils and animals, sometimes with special guests.
Family storytimes
Wednesdays from 10-11 a.m. join a free educational hour of reading, singing and free play to build early literacy skills. Note no session June 19 because of the holiday.
Writers Guild
Thursdays from 9-11 a.m. Ruby’s Writers Guild welcomes writers looking for opportunities, support, resources and camaraderie with other writers at this free gathering.
Pagosa Adult Learning Services (PALS)
Join Mark or Sally for free PALS sessions Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:30 – 8 p.m. to help with high school equivalency, GED, college prep, financial aid, tutoring and more. PALS stands for Pagosa Adult Learning Services.
Activities calendars
Pick up monthly events calendars at the library so you don’t miss any of the free activities available to you and your family.
Books on CD
“The Sweet Blue Distance” by Sara Donati features a midwife in New Mexico Territory. “Dry Road to Nowhere” by William W. and J.A. Johnstone is a western set in Wyoming and “The Man Farom Waco” by the same authors is another western about an innocent man who was jailed. “Phantom Orbit” by David Ignatius is a thriller centered on space exploration. “This Strange Eventful History” by Claire Messud is a family saga told over seven decades.
DVDs
“Anatomy of a Fall” was nominated for five Academy Awards and won for best original screenplay. “Bob Marley One Love” is a documentary about this music icon. “Arthur The King” is the true story of a man’s bond with a scrappy street dog.
Mysteries, suspense and thrillers
“First Frost” by Craig Johnson is a Walt Longmire adventure. “The Last Murder at the End of the World” by Stuart Turton is a sci-fi story that begins with a murder on an idyllic island. “The Devil’s Fortress” by Dale Brown is a Nick Flynn adventure.
Other novels
“Southern Man” by Greg Iles tells of the rise of an independent candidate in the 2024 presidential election dubbed the TikTok candidate. “Look on the Bright Side” by Kristan Higgins is a funny romantic story. “Leaning on Air” by Cheryl Grey Bostrom is a romance about a reunion based on birdwatching.
Thanks to our donors
We are grateful to Linda Sue King and Marilyn Falvey for their generous monetary donations.
Quotable Quote
“When a man points a finger at someone else, he should remember that four of his fingers are pointing at himself.” – Louis Nizer (1902-1994), American lawyer, author, artist and lecturer.
Website
For more information on library books, services and programs – and to reserve books, e-books, books on CD and DVDs from the comfort of your home – please visit our website at https://pagosalibrary.org.
The Ruby Sisson Memorial Library has been located at 811 San Juan Street (corner of S. 8th and Hwy 160) since 1989. The library is overseen by the Upper San Juan Library District, a tax-funded special district in Archuleta County.