This year’s Friends of the Library three-day book sale starts this evening, Thursday, June 23 at 6pm for members, (memberships are available at the door), and then opens to the public on Friday and Saturday June 24-25. This event always is one of the highlights of the summer for locals and visitors alike.
It takes place 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.
A single Friends membership is $15 a year and a family membership is $25 a year. A lifetime membership is $100 per person.
The Friends book sale is an ideal venue for finding treasures for yourself and gifts for family and friends. 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.
Every year the proceeds from the book sale are gratefully received by your library to ensure ongoing excellence of our collection, our facilities and our service to you. Last year, in two and a half days, the Friends’ book sale raised more than $2,000.
The Friends always need help sorting 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. If you can’t volunteer, we’d love to have you join the Friends or just come to the book sale as a welcomed guest.
Summer Reading Program underway
If you haven’t already done so, we hope you will sign up at your library or register online for this year’s Summer Reading Program, which is underway now 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.
Summer Reading Club for kids today
Our Summer Reading Club for kids K-5th grade takes place today, Thursday, June 23, from 10 – 11:30 p.m. when we’ll celebrate the world of ocean animals through crafts, games and more. Note no Summer Reading Club on June 30.
Interactive Finding Nemo tomorrow
Tomorrow, Friday, June 24, from 4-6 p.m., we’ll watch the “Finding Nemo” movie while singing, moving and playing along with the screen.
LEGO Club on Saturday
Kids aged six and up are invited to bring your imaginations – LEGOs are provided – on Saturday, June 25 from 11 a.m.-noon for the free LEGO Club. LEGO challenges also are posted on Facebook if you can’t make it to the library.
Paper airplane obstacle course
Fourth-12th graders are invited to see how far you can make your paper airplanes fly on Wednesday, June 29 from 3-4:30 p.m. You can test different models to see which flies best.
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.
Las clases de ESL
Las clases nocturnas gratuitas en persona se llevan a cabo los martes y jueves de 4 a 7 p.m. Los estudiantes principiantes asisten de 4 a 5 p.m., estudiantes intermedios de 5-6 p.m. y estudiantes avanzados de 7-8 p.m. Por favor, ayúdenos a correr la voz sobre estas clases a otras personas en nuestra comunidad que estén interesadas, y contáctenos por teléfono o correo electrónico si tiene alguna pregunta.
Activities calendars available
To be sure you don’t miss any of the free library activities available to you and your family, we encourage you to pick up a copy of the events calendar each month. There are three versions – children, teens and adults.
Large print
“The Baxters: A Prequel” by Karen Kingsbury takes readers back to happenings before the first book in the Baxter Family series. “The Investigator” by John Sandford is the first in a new Letty Davenport thriller series. “Country Born” by Linda Lael Miller is book three in the Painted Pony Creek western romance series. “Three Debts Paid” by Anne Perry is book five in the Daniel Pitt mystery series. “Book Lovers” by Emily Henry is a romance involving an editor and literary agent.
Nonfiction essays
“Embrace Fearlessly the Burning World” is a collection of essays by Barry Lopez, the National Book Award-winning author who inspired generations or writers and activists.
Mysteries and thrillers
“The Lioness” by Chris Bohjalian is an historical thriller featuring Hollywood stars on a luxurious African safari that turns deadly.
Other novels
“By the Book” by Jasmine Guillory follows a Black publishing house employee trying to encourage a reluctant author to finish his memoir. “West with Giraffes” by Lynda Rutledge is inspired by the story of two giraffes who made headlines and won hearts in Depression-era America.
How-to and self-help
“Complete Book of Framing” by Scot Simpson is an updated version of this guide for residential construction. “Framing Floors, Walls & Ceilings” is a new edition by the authors and editors of Fine Homebuilding magazine. “How to be Perfect” by Michael Schur offers a guide to living an ethical life from easy to complex issues.
Memoirs
“A Sacred Oath” by Mark T. Esper is the memoir of the Secretary of Defense in the Trump administration. “Easy Beauty” by award-winning author Chloe Cooper Jones is a memoir of a disabled woman with a rare congenital condition. “Back to the Prairie” by Melissa Gilbert is a memoir by this author and star of “Little House on the Prairie.”
Donations
We are grateful to Susan and Terry Arrington for their generous monetary contribution 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
“If you love what you do and are willing to do what it takes, it’s within your reach. And it’ll be worth every minute you spend alone at night, thinking about what it is you want to design or build.” – Steve Wozniak, philanthropist, inventor, technology entrepreneur and co-founder of Apple with Steve Jobs.
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.