If you like surprises, try this: Throughout the month of February, you are invited to “go on a blind date with a book” by visiting a special display of wrapped books that are available for checkout at the library. To help you choose your book, you can read the description on the outside of the wrapped books – but their covers will be concealed.
We’ll have a range of choices available, appealing to youngsters, young adults and adults – both fiction and nonfiction.
Teen Valentine’s DIY
Fourth – 12th graders are invited to a free teen DIY session focusing on Valentine’s crafts on Wednesday, February 9 from 4-5pm. There will be a variety of crafts that are quick, fun and easy – even some with anti-Valentine’s Day themes.
Adult book club next Tuesday
Ruby’s Book Club meets in person from 2-3pm on Tuesday, February 8 to discuss “The Children’s Blizzard” by Melanie Benjamin. 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.
Deadline nears for T-shirt contest
We’re looking for creative help in designing a t-shirt for this year’s Summer Reading Program, with February 18 the deadline for submissions. The theme is “oceans of possibilities.” Pick up a flyer at the library or go online to our website at https://pagosalibrary.org for details. The winner will receive a free t-shirt with their design. The winning t-shirt will be worn by staff during the Summer Reading Program and a limited number will be available for purchase. This contest is open to all ages.
Searching for teen volunteers
If you enjoy books, learning new skills and helping your community, we invite teens aged 12-19 to volunteer at your library. You’ll have the opportunity to write book reviews, make artwork for the teen area, help plan new programs, judge our contests, help with Storytime, prepare crafts for kids’ programs and more. Stop by the library or go online to www.pagosalibrary.org/teens to apply.
Dungeons & Dragons
Join us every other Tuesday from 4-6pm for our in-person Dungeons & Dragons game free for teens and young adults. The next one is Tuesday, February 8.
Writing challenge
A new all-ages writing challenge was posted January 24 on the library’s Facebook page. We hope you will challenge your creativity by participating in this free all-ages activity.
Family storytimes
Wednesdays from 10-11am. join us for free in-person children’s stories, games and plenty of reasons to get up and move. February 9 is a special session of silly stories with Miss Lisa and her friend Fluffy Dog with puppets. As well, Discovery Time is coming back twice a month. You will find it on Facebook at 2:30 p.m. on Friday, February 5. It will remain virtual for the time being.
Tech Time
Free in-person slots are available from 10 a.m.-noon Tuesdays and 2-4pm Thursdays. Brad will help you resolve issues with your computer, smartphone, tablet and other electronic devices.
ESL classes
There will be no ESL classes in February, but we hope to resume the free in-person evening classes as soon as possible. We apologize for any inconvenience.
Las clases de ESL
No hay clases de ESL en febrero, pero esperamos reanudar las clases nocturnas gratuitas en persona lo antes posible. Nos disculpamos por cualquier inconveniente.
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.
In-person gaming
Enjoy free all-ages video gaming on the X-box 360 Kinect on Fridays from 2:30 – 3:45pm.
Spanish-language books
“Los Cuatro Vientos” (“The Four Winds”) by bestselling author Kristin Hannah focuses on lives in the Great Depression, with emphasis on strong Greatest Generation women. “Conversaciones” (“Conversations”) by David M. Rubenstein showcases the author’s conversations with some of the most successful leaders of our time – including Jeff Bezos, Richard Branson, Phil Knight and Marilyn Hewson – who pass on the personal principles and philosophies that guided their careers.
Nonfiction
“Your Income Tax 2022” is the J.K. Lasser guide to preparing your 2021 tax return. “2022 Horoscope” by Ophira and Tali Edut is the 10th edition of this Astrotwins guide. “Rise” by Lindsey Vonn is a memoir by the three-time Olympic medal-winning alpine ski racer for the U.S. Ski Team who is generally considered the best female skier of all time.
Mysteries and thrillers
“The Paris Detective” by James Patterson and Richard DiLallo contains three stories featuring Luc Moncrief. “Targeted” by Stephen Hunter features master sniper Bob Lee Swagger. “A Thousand Steps” by T. Jefferson Parker focuses on the life of a hippie teen living in California in the mid-‘60s. “The Last House on the Street” by Diane Chamberlain centers on who women a generation apart bound by a decades-old mystery. “A Flicker in the Dark” by Stacy Willingham begins when a teen goes missing in a crime eerily similar to a crime 20 years earlier.
Other novels
“The Ballerinas” by Rachel Kapelke-Dale follows the lives of three friends who dance with the Paris Opera Ballet.
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.
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
“The greatest thing of all is to have a sense of humor. And if you’re born with it, at least you’ve got that going for you. I’d be lost without it.” – Dame Judi Dench, regarded as one of the best actresses in British history with roles ranging from the James Bond films to Shakespearean dramas.
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.