Staff from San Juan Basin Public Health will be hosting two free events at your library that are of vital importance to you, your family and our community.
On Wednesday, February 1 from 1-2pm, a SJBPH representative will discuss the dangers of radon gas in homes and businesses, take your questions and distribute free radon test kits. January is the best time to test for the cancer-causing gas because levels are highest when windows and doors are closed.
The kits are pre-addressed so once you’ve finished the test you can just seal it up and drop it in the mail. You’ll get your results via email or mail from the lab that made the tests. The geology of Southwest Colorado leads to an increased risk of radon gas here so this is an important topic for us to understand. In fact, radon exposure is the leading cause of lung cancer, even in people who have never smoked.
Then on Tuesday, February 7 from 1-3pm, SJBPH staff will be on hand to give you copies of their community health assessment and help you fill it out. This is a 15-minute anonymous survey to gather input and opinions from Archuleta and LaPlata residents on your major health priorities and needs.
Since both counties are now in the process of forming new individual public health departments to launch January 1, 2024, your input will be vital to setting their priorities as they set up their services.
If the February 7 date does not work for you, an alternative is for you to come to the library to fill out the survey online or pick it up on paper and return it to the library or SJBPH when you have completed it.
These two events are the beginning of a series of monthly outreach sessions hosted by SJBPH at your library. March will feature a nurse-family partnership discussion on March 7.
Events 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.
Special teen and tween event
Teens and tweens will want to mark your calendars for next Friday, February 3 for our first-ever free Teen and Tween Takeover of the library from 2-4 p.m. During that time, our conversational computers will be reserved only for users aged nine-19.
Save the date for Friends book sale
On Saturday, February 11 the Friends of the Library will host a Cabin Fever Book Sale from 9am – 3pm at your library. This is a great opportunity for you to find new treasures at bargain prices to keep you company this winter.
LEGO Club on Saturday
Kids aged six and up are invited to bring your imaginations – LEGOs are provided – on Saturday, January 28 from 11am-noon for the free LEGO Club. LEGO challenges also are posted on Facebook if you can’t make it to the library.
Homework and tutoring help
Our highly popular free homework assistance and elementary tutoring are available for K-fourth grades on Wednesdays from 3:30-4:30pm. There is a registration packet for parents and guardians to fill out to enroll your child that you can get by emailing the library or coming in. This program has been a big hit because it helps build essential skills in core subjects. You still can register your child but you may be put on a waitlist.
PALS/GED adult education
Mark is available for his free PALS sessions on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:30 – 8pm to help with high school equivalency, GED, college prep, financial aid, tutoring and more. No registration required.
Tech Time
Free in-person slots are available from 10 a.m.-noon Tuesdays and 2-4pm Thursdays. Judy will help you with basic questions relating to computers, smartphones and tablets and also provide assistance in accessing any of the library’s online resources. You do not need an appointment for these drop-in sessions.
Writing challenge
A new all-ages writing challenge was posted January 16 on the library’s Facebook page. We hope you will challenge your creativity by participating in this free activity.
Spanish-edition books
“El Gran Gatsby” (“The Great Gatsby”) by F. Scott Fitzgerald is the classic novel set in the days of prohibition in the 1920s. “El Visitante” (“The Outsider”) by Stephen King is the horror thriller that became an HBO mini-series.
Quotable Quote
“I believe my longevity has depended a great deal on the amount of laughter I have had in my life.” – Norman Lear, age 100 years; American writer, producer and director of scores of TV series, most notably All in the Family, Sanford and Son and The Jeffersons.
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.