As we enter the darker days of winter, books can be even more popular companions for your children if you follow some or all of these tips:
Set aside a specific time each day for reading. Read together and create time for children to read on their own. A nighttime reading routine is especially rewarding.
Create a fun reading space in your home, such as a tent or fort with comfy pillows, bean bags and blankets – and, of course, a basket of books.
Be a role model. If your kids see you reading, you’re setting a good example.
Ensure reading materials are readily available in your home and carry them with you everywhere – including in your car and when you go to appointments where you might have to wait.
Introduce youngsters to a book series to help keep reading interest high.
Regularly take your children to the library to attend some of the many activities appropriate for their age and to pick out books. Allowing them to choose what they want to read helps nurture lifelong readers.
Book Art for a Cause today
Today, Thursday, November 4, please join us for a free Book Art for a Cause activity for ages 10 to adult from 2-3 p.m. You will learn how to make ornaments and other decorations out of old books. All decorations will be lovingly added to the library foundation’s Christmas tree that will be displayed and auctioned off at the Community Center’s Festival of Trees event, with proceeds going to the library’s foundation.
Free San Juan Basin Public Health event today
Also today, Thursday, November 4, representatives from San Juan Basin Public Health will be at the library from noon-1pm to discuss health insurance and care coordination and to answer your questions. This free session will be repeated on November 18, and additional presentations on various public health topics will be held in December.
Computer class tomorrow
Tomorrow, Friday, November 5, Brad is hosting an in-person computer class from 4-5 p.m. to introduce you to our free Learning Express Library online resource. It is a great tool for students learning a variety of subjects or preparing for exams like the GED. It helps you prepare for job and career opportunities, GED, military and college entrance exams. Elementary, middle school and high school diagnostic testing is also available. Test preparation, instant scoring and engaging self-paced courses are offered.
The online library’s offerings include dedicated sections on student learning centers, GED preparation, job search and workplace skills, jobs and careers, skill building for adults, U.S. citizenship and recursos para Hispanohablantes.
Save the dates for therapy dog visits
Mark your calendars for Friday, November 12 and 19 from 1:30 – 2:15 p.m. to come to the library for a free visit with a certified therapy dog. The visits will be limited to 10-15 minutes – just the right amount of time to pet the dog, read to the dog or just say “Hi.” This activity is for all ages.
Adult book club next Tuesday
Ruby’s Book Club meets from 2-3 p.m. on Tuesday, November 9 to discuss “The Professor and the Madman: A tale of murder, insanity and the making of the Oxford English Dictionary” by Simon Winchester. Copies are available for pickup at your library. This book club is held the second Tuesday of each month, alternating between fiction and nonfiction titles.
New writing challenge
A new all-ages writing challenge will be posted November 8 on the library’s Facebook page. We hope you will challenge your creativity by participating in this free all-ages activity.
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. Wednesday, November 10 features Jessica Walker and some science experiments. Saturday’s Discovery Times continue on Facebook at 2:30 p.m. with games, art ideas, science experiments, history and more.
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 generally 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. Note the only PALS session this month is November 11.
Mysteries, suspense and thrillers
“The Judge’s List” by John Grisham is a legal thriller. “When Ghosts Come Home” by Wiley Cash begins with an airplane crash with no signs of the pilot or cargo.
Harlem Shuffle” by Colson Whitehead is a family saga crime novel. “The Survivors” by Alex Schulman brings together three estranged brothers after their mother’s death. “My Sweet Girl” by Amanda Jayatissa follows a Sri Lanka adoptee whose desperate actions in the past may catch up with her.
Other novels
“The Morning Star” by Karl Ove Knausgaard follows nine people whose lives come together under a huge star. “Portrait of an Artist” by Evie Dunmore is a romance between a banking heiress scholar and a financier. “The Party Crasher” by Sophie Kinsella features a daughter who crashes her father’s young girlfriend’s party at the family home. “Silverview” by John Le Carre is the last spy novel written by this iconic chronicler of the post-Cold War era.
DVDs
“Cruella” is the Disney film starring Emma Stone. “The Mule” stars Clint Eastwood as a drug courier. “Murder, She Baked” contains all five movies from this mystery series.
Donations
Many thanks to Maxine Conder-Van Gundy for the 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.
Quotable Quote
“Manners are a sensitive awareness of the feelings of others. If you have that awareness, you have good manners, no matter what fork you use.” – Emily Post (1872-1960), American author, novelist and socialite who was famous for writing about etiquette.
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.