Join us next Tuesday, June 21 from 5-6pm for a special adult DIY event when master herbalist Shalina Luna will show you how to make common household cleaners without using harsh chemicals. Shalina has 15 years of experience teaching and using these techniques, as she strives to provide up-to-date education and resources for a more sustainable lifestyle.
Fourth – 12th graders are invited to a free in-person teen DIY session next Wednesday, June 22 from 4-5pm when you’ll make some fun sea creatures and add to our coral reef display.
Library closure
Your library will be closed on Monday, June 20 for the Juneteenth holiday, which is now a Colorado and federal holiday. Also known as Emancipation day, Freedom Day and Black Independence Day, Juneteenth commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans and celebrates Black culture. It has been celebrated annually in various parts of the United States since 1865. The day was recognized as a federal holiday in June 2021 and a Colorado holiday in May 2022.
Summer Reading Program underway
If you haven’t already done so, we hope you will sign up now at your library or register online for this year’s Summer Reading Program, which began 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 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.
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.
Interactive Finding Nemo
Save the date of next Friday, June 24 from 4-6pm when we’ll watch the “Finding Nemo” movie while singing, moving and playing along with the screen.
Summer Reading Club for kids today
Join our Summer Reading Club for kids K-5th grade today, Thursday, June 16, from 10 – 11:30am when we’ll explore the world of ships and sailors and you can build a boat of your own. Next week’s club on June 23 focuses on ocean animals.
Looking for a D&D group?
Ages 10 and up are invited to the library tomorrow, Friday, June 17, from 4-6 p.m. to meet other Dungeons & Dragons players and dungeon masters. We’ll play mini-games, hang out and talk about role-playing games.
Makerspace Saturday
Kids, tweens and teens are invited to a free Makerspace session on Saturday, June 18 from 11 a.m. to noon when we’ll provide the materials so you can build, design and create.
Writing challenge
A new all-ages writing challenge was posted June 13 on the library’s Facebook page. We hope you will challenge your creativity by participating in this free activity.
Special 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. Special guest Lori Lucero from the Wildlife Park will teach us about some super cool animals on June 22.
ESL classes
Free in-person evening classes take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays with 4-5 p.m. reserved for beginners and 5-7 p.m. for both intermediate and advanced students. Please help us spread the word about these classes to others in our community who would be interested, and contact us by phone or email if you have any questions.
Local author
“Hats: A Bible Study Handbook” by Andrea Downing and Lynn Moffett is a guide to help you find your purpose in life. “A Book of Remembrance” compiled by Lynn Moffett is a collection of everyday miracles that changed lives and our concept of God. “Lawless Revealed” and “Rule of Tolerance,” also by Lynn Moffett, are part of her Incursion series. She is a member of the Wolf Creek Christian Writers Network.
How-to and self-help
“Liver Cure” by Dr. Russell L. Blaylock provides information to ensure optimal liver function to help keep you healthy and strong. “Bittersweet” by Susan Cain explores why we experience sorrow and longing and how to embrace bittersweetness. “Things That Matter” by Joshua Becker helps you identify obstacles to focusing on what matters most.
Other nonfiction
“Finding Me” by Viola Davis is a memoir about the life and hard work this Academy Award-winning actress put in to build her career. “Burn the Page” by Danica Roem explains in revealing, humorous prose how the nation’s first transgender state legislator worked to rewrite her future.
Mysteries and thrillers
“The Lamplighters” by Emma Stonex explores the mysterious disappearance of three lighthouse keepers. “When She Dreams” by Amanda Quick is set in a glamorous seaside playground in California. “Breathless” by Amy McCulloch features murders of climbers on the eighth highest peak in the world. “The Hacienda” by Isabel Canas is a supernatural suspense story set in Mexico.
Other novels
“When Women Were Dragons” by Kelly Barnhill is a feminist historical fantasy set in 1950s America.
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
“The farther back you can look, the farther forward you are likely to see.” – Winston Churchill (1874-1965), British statesman and writer best remembered for successfully leading Britain through World War II and for his inspiring speeches.
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
Mary Jo Coulehan is Executive Director of the Pagosa Springs Chamber of Commerce, and also serves on a number of local and state boards.