LIBRARY NEWS: Hot Chocolate Hullabaloo, New Pokemon Club

We hope you will join us for a free all-ages holiday event next Thursday, December 15 from 4-6pm at our Hot Chocolate Hullabaloo. We’ll help you build the perfect cozy evening kit as you join us for games and fun.

Then you’ll want to mark your calendars for another fun all-ages event on Saturday, December 17 from 12:30 – 2:30pm as we launch our new Pokemon Club. So far we are only committed to this month, but we would love your feedback to let us know if you’d like it to continue.

Local author
We have four new books by local author Courtney Weir on the power of faith: “Faith & Where to Put It,” “Joy & Where to Find It,” “Peace & How to Keep It” and “Identity & Where It Comes From.” Two of these books – “Faith” and “Identity” – contain forwards by local Pastor Eric Swithin, well known in our community for his work at Centerpoint Church and his outdoor program for boys.

Flu season protocols
The curbside service that we began in COVID times continues – and it’s a healthful option in the cold and flu season. To save your energy and lessen germ exposure to other patrons, we recommend you use our curbside service – or add a name to your account authorizing that person to pick up items for you while you recuperate.
Library hours:
Monday, Wednesday and Friday open 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Tuesdays and Thursdays open 9 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Saturdays open 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

New format for activities calendar
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. Its new streamlined format combines all the activities and events for children, teens and adults on one handy two-sided page.

Legal clinic tomorrow
The free legal clinic this month is happening by appointment tomorrow, Friday, December 9 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.

Gaming tomorrow
Enjoy free all-ages video gaming on the X-box 360 Kinect tomorrow, Friday, December 9 from 3-4 p.m.

Adult book club next Tuesday
Ruby’s Book Club meets in person from 2-3 p.m. on Tuesday, December 13 to discuss “The Mountains Sing” by Phan Que Mai Nguyen. 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.

Therapy dog visit next Wednesday
Join us next Wednesday, December 14 from 11 – 11:45 a.m. for a free visit with a certified therapy dog. 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.

PALS/GED adult education
Mark is available for his free PALS sessions on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:30 – 8 p.m. to help with high school equivalency, GED, college prep, financial aid, tutoring and more. No registration required.

Writing challenge
A new all-ages writing challenge will be posted December 12 on the library’s Facebook page. We hope you will challenge your creativity by participating in this free activity.

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.

Nonfiction
“The Servant Queen and the King She Serves” draws on Queen Elizabeth’s own words to explain the power of her faith in helping her do her job. “Delete That” by John Crist is an irreverent look at the ridiculous ways we try to make ourselves look better online. “Inside Bridgerton” by executive producers Shonda Rhimes and Betsy Beers uses stories and photos for a behind-the-scenes look at the Netflix series. “There Was Light” by Pulitzer Prize-winner Jon Meacham is a new biography of Abraham Lincoln.

Novels
“Anything But Plain” by Suzanne Woods Fisher features a bishop’s daughter in the Amish community. “Wrath” by Sharon Moalem and Daniel Kraus focuses on a 10-year-old boy determined to stop scientists from torturing animals. “The Impatient” by Djaili Amadou Amal tells of three Cameron women why defy oppressive cultural traditions.

Books on CD
“Distant Thunder” by Stuart Woods is a Stone Barrington mystery. “The Maze” by Nelson DeMille features NYPD homicide detective is a John Corey. “No Plan B” by Lee and Andrew Child is a Jack Reacher thriller. “It Starts with Us” by Collee Hoover, a romance, is the sequel to “It Ends with Us.”

Quotable Quote
“Develop your senses – especially learn how to see. Realize that everything connects to everything else.” – Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519), Renaissance painter, engineer, scientist, sculptor 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

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.