Join us this evening, Thursday, May 26, from 6-7pm for a fun, free and educational presentation by Pagosa Weather about our local weather and why it is important for you to stay informed about it.
Mark Langford with Arleen and Shawn Pro contribute to pagosaweather.org, a website dedicated to informing the public about local weather conditions and forecasts. Their website also provides authoritative analysis about weather events that affect the Pagosa area. This analysis is especially important because our local area is not given much attention by meteorologists in Denver, Albuquerque or Grand Junction.
Meet the weather team at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjMyN-tBV7M.
Summer Reading begins June 6
Sign up now at your library or register online for this year’s Summer Reading Program, which begins June 6 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 is one of our most popular events of the year. It 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.
Please note that this column covers library events and activities for the next two weeks. The next column will appear on June 9.
Library closure
Your library will be closed on Monday, May 30 for Memorial Day.
Save the date for book sale
This year’s Friends of the Library book sale will open on Thursday evening, June 23 at 6pm for members (memberships are available at the door), and then open to the public on Friday and Saturday June 24-25. It will be in a new location – in the Fellowship Hall at the United Methodist Church in downtown Pagosa. And it’s a new time of year as well, moving to June to avoid the month of August which is so busy with community events including the Archuleta County Fair.
You’ll find lots more than books to buy at great bargain prices – there are audio books, DVDs, puzzles and games as well. While you enjoy these treats, you’ll be contributing to the health of your library. Last year the Friends’ book sale raised more than $2,000.
The Friends always need help sorting, boxing and preparing for the sale. As well, year-round our volunteers go to the library to sort through donations to find the ones appropriate for the annual sale. If you would like to volunteer with the Friends, please contact Wennona Brown at wennona@centurylink.net. And we hope you’ll put the Friends book sale dates on your calendar for a fun summer outing.
Makerspace debuts June 4
Kids, tweens and teens are invited to a free Makerspace session on Saturday, June 4 from 11am to noon when we’ll provide the materials so you can build, design and create.
Computer basics class
Join us Tuesday, June 7 from 1-2pm for a free computer class on saving and finding files. You will learn how your computer is organized, including files and folders, and how to find what you’re looking for.
Therapy dog visit
Wednesday, June 8 from 11 – 11:45am you are invited to come to the library for a free visit with a certified therapy dog. It’s a great way to relax or boost your day. 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.
Summer Reading Club debuts
Join our first Summer Reading Club session for kids K-5th grade on Thursday, June 9 when we’ll learn how our river can impact the ocean and what we can do to protect it. We’ll enjoy interactive activities and experiments.
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. The May 15-31 featured book is “Hike” by Pete Oswald. The June 1-12 featured book is “Hey Water” by Antoinette Portis.”
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 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. No registration required. Note no PALS June 9.
In-person gaming
Enjoy free all-ages video gaming on the X-box 360 Kinect on Fridays from 2:30 – 3:45 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.
Mysteries and thrillers
“The Lifeguards” by Amanda Eyre Ward is told from alternating mothers’ point of view after their sons arrive from with a disrupting discovery. “Death of the Black Widow” by James Patterson and J.D. Parker features a seductive female killer.
Other novels
“Probably Ruby” by Lisa Bird-Wilson follows the life of a young Metis woman who was adopted by a white couple. “The Pages” by Hugo Hamilton is set in Berlin and told through the voice of a hand-drawn map.
How-to and self-help
“Outdoor Kids in an Inside World” by Steven Rinella offers practical advice to families to get help kids engaged with nature and find beauty, meaning and connection. “You Will Get Through This Night” by psychologist Daniel Howell is a guide to handling mental health issues like depression and anxiety. “Pay Up: The Future of Women and Work (And Why It’s Different Than You Think)” by Reshma Saujani presents a plan to address the burnout and inequity harming America’s working women today.
Other nonfiction
“The Fighting Soul” by Ari Rabin-Havt is a chronicle of Bernie Sanders’ presidential campaign written by his campaign manager. “Into the Inferno” by Stuart Palley is a memoir of a photographer’s experiences on the frontlines of California forest fires.
Library foundation
Please consider a tax-deductible donation to the Ruby M. Sisson Memorial Library Foundation. To respond to the evolving needs of our community, we are now working on a $4 million project to expand our building so that we can provide private study rooms, an intergenerational hands-on learning space, easy access to self-checkout and drop-off, a beautiful outdoor reading garden and an endowment for the future. Mail checks to P.O. Box 2045, Pagosa Springs, CO 81147 or call Cindi Galabota at 970-264-2209.
Quotable Quote
“Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.” – Arthur Ashe (1943-1993), American professional tennis player. He won three Grand Slam singles titles and was the first black player selected to the U.S. Davis Cup team.
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.