LIBRARY NEWS: Public Health Talks Launching on Monday

Your library is hosting public health and resource professionals from San Juan Basin Public Health for four free in-person sessions on Mondays from noon-1pm from July 11 to August 1 to talk about a wide variety of important health topics.

On July 11 Jenny Howell and Jenn Heath will share information about the Women, Infants and Children nutrition program, and SafeCare, which supports parents and caregivers of children aged five younger. On July 18 Danette Jackson and Emilia Majewkski will discuss the Nurse-Family Partnership, which provides a free personal nurse for women pregnant with their first baby, and the State Tobacco Education and Prevention Partnership, which works to reduce tobacco use and exposure to secondhand smoke.

On July 25 Francilia Pena will cover cancer prevention and early detection of breast and cervical cancer. August 1 will explain health insurance enrollment and how to pick the best plan for you. Spanish interpretation will be available for this session.

More details on the presentations are available in flyers you can pick up at your library.

Library Speaker’s Consortium tonight
Tonight is the first in our new Library Speaker’s Consortium series featuring New York Times bestselling fiction and nonfiction authors giving live, professionally moderated book discussions you can view on your computer, tablet or smartphone with internet access. If you are not available to view the presentations live, the recorded event will be available afterwards.

The July 7 program will feature author Alka Joshi, who wrote “The Henna Artist” and “The Secret Keeper of Jaipur,” from 7-8 p.m. The second program on Thursday, July 14 from 10-11 a.m. will feature David Allen, author of “Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity.” The third program on August 3 at noon features Pulitzer Prize winner Marcia Chatelain, author of “Franchise: The Golden Arches in Black America.”

To access the consortium, click on the link on your library’s home page at https://pagosalibrary.org. Moving forward, we expect two or three book discussions a month.

Map making for teens
Fourth-12th graders are invited to make your own maps and sea charts of real or imagined places at a free event next Wednesday, July 13 from 4-5:30pm.

PALS adult education expands
In response to popular demand, Mark is doubling the number of his free PALS sessions to Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:30 – 8pm to help with high school equivalency, GED, college prep, financial aid, tutoring and more. No registration required. This service is in great demand and is used by many people, so we are very happy to make it more available.

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.

Legal clinic tomorrow
The free legal clinic this month is happening by appointment tomorrow, Friday, July 8 from 2 – 3 p.m. Come into the library to meet privately via Zoom with our volunteer attorney who will answer your questions, show you legal documents and help you fill out the necessary forms. To schedule an appointment, at the beginning of the month send an email titled “Sign-up for Free Legal Clinic,” with your first name and phone number to ruby@pagosalibrary.org, or phone 970-264-2209 or stop by the library. The volunteer attorney’s time is limited so it’s first-come first-served. This clinic takes place on the second Friday of every month.

Adult book club next Tuesday
Ruby’s Book Club meets in person from 2-3 p.m. on Tuesday, July 12 to discuss “Hidden Valley Road” by Robert Kolker. Copies are available at your library. This book club is held the second Tuesday of each month, alternating between fiction and nonfiction titles. Anyone is welcome to attend.

LEGO Club on Saturday
Kids aged six and up are invited to bring your imaginations – LEGOs are provided – on Saturday, July 9 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.

Writing challenge
A new all-ages writing challenge will be posted July 11 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 guests Lisa Baker and her friend Fluffy Dog will provide puppets, storytelling and silly fun on July 13.

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.

Large print
“A Killing in Gold” by Ralph Cotton is a Ranger Sam Burrack western. “Last Stage to El Paso” by William W. and J.A. Johnstone is a Red Ryan western. “When She Dreams” by Amanda Quick focuses on someone impersonating a woman at a psychic conference.

Nonfiction
“30-minute Keto” by Mihaela Metaxa-Albu is a low-carb cookbook. “Protecting Your Children From Internet Pornography” by John D. Foubert is a practical guide for parents to apply in their own home. “A Dude’s Guide to Baby Size” by Taylor Calmus is a guide for fathers-to-be to help understand a baby’s development.

Novels
“Brotherhood” by Mike Chen is part of the Star Wars series. “The Summer Place” by Jennifer Weiner follows family members gathering on Cape Cod for a wedding.

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
“It’s better and more praiseworthy to be well-read in the book of experiences, the teacher of the teachers.” – Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519), Renaissance painter, sculptor, engineer, scientist and architect.

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.

Carole Howard & Library Staff

Carole Howard & Library Staff

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.