A new ongoing event called Knowledge Bowl debuts today, Thursday, February 9 from 4-5pm for tweens and teens. Participants will form teams of up to six people to compete against each other by answering questions that cover a range of topics from math to spelling to pop culture. This free event is a fun way to test your wit, trivia and teamwork skills as you compete against other students.
Knowledge Bowl will run every second and fourth Thursday for the remainder of the school year and be moderated by Josie, your library’s teen librarian. It is open to students in grades four–eight, or ages 11-14. Registration is not required for this free event.
Josie points out that Knowledge Bowl has a place in local history because it originated in Durango back in 1976.
Friends book sale Saturday
This 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.
Save the date for library fundraiser
We hope you will note Saturday, April 15 on your calendar for the second annual Library Affair fundraiser for our building campaign to expand and renovate your library. This elegant event will feature a silent auction of different table settings designed by some of Pagosa’s most creative artists. If you want to decorate a table for this prestigious event, please call Cindi Galabota, library foundation director, at 970-264-2209.
Online author talk today
There will be three talks this month in our free online virtual series featuring New York Times bestselling authors and thought-leaders giving live, professionally moderated book discussions you can view on your computer, tablet or smartphone with internet access. You will have an opportunity to ask questions of the authors.
Today, Thursday, February 9 at 5PM, we’ll hear from Lena Harper, author of “Back in a Spell,” part of the Witches of Thistle Grove fantasy romance series. Thursday, February 16 at 11 a.m. showcases Grace M. Cho, author of “Tastes Like War,” a Korean American daughter’s exploration of food and family history in order to understand her mother’s schizophrenia. Tuesday, February 28 at 2 p.m. we’ll interact with Sadeqa Johnson, award-winning author of “The House of Eve.” Johnson has written four novels and is the recipient of the National Book Club Award, the Phillis Wheatley Award and the USA Best Book Award for best fiction.
Legal clinic tomorrow
The free legal clinic this month is happening by appointment tomorrow, Friday, February 10 from 2 – 3Pm. 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.
LEGO Club on Saturday
Kids aged six and up are invited to bring your imaginations – LEGOs are provided – on Saturday, February 11 from 11am-noon for the free LEGO Club. LEGO challenges also are posted on Facebook if you can’t make it to the library.
Adult book club next Tuesday
Ruby’s Book Club meets from 2-3pm on Tuesday, February 14 to discuss “This Tender Land” by William Kent Krueger. 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.
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.
ESL classes
Free in-person evening classes take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays with 4-5pm reserved for beginners and 5-7pm 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.
Tech Time
Free in-person slots are available from 10 a.m.-noon Tuesdays and 2-4 p.m. 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 will be posted February 13 on the library’s Facebook page. We hope you will challenge your creativity by participating in this free activity.
Books on CD
“Hell Bent” by Leigh Bardugo is part of the urban fantasy series featuring Alex Stern. “Just the Nicest Couple” by Mary Kubica is a thriller about a missing husband.
Mysteries and thrillers
“The Blue Window” by Suzanne Berne features a therapist attempting to unlock the most difficult cases of her life – her son and her mother. “Hard to Break” by Michael Ledwidge is a Michael Gannon thriller that begins in Alaska.
Other novels
“A Ballad of Love and Glory” by Reyna Grande is set in 1846 after the annexation of Texas when the U.S. Army marches south for war with Mexico over the Rio Grande boundary. “Night Wherever we Go” by Tracey Rose Peyton features enslaved women on a Texas plantation staging a rebellion against their owners. “In The Upper Country” by Kai Thomas focuses on the stories of two women connected by the Underground Railroad from the U.S. to Canada. “The New Life” by Tom Crewe tells of two married men in 1890s London collaborating on a book in defense of gay love.
Donations
Many thanks to Lenore Bright for her generous monetary donation in memory of Etta Faye Day and to our anonymous donors.
When we are open, material donations are accepted for the Friends of the Library at the front desk – not down the outside returns slot at the library or the dropbox at City Market, please. The Friends take fiction published in 2013 or newer and nonfiction that is 2018 or newer. Limited workroom space means we can only accept one or two small boxes at a time.
Quotable Quote
“A goal without a plan is just a wish.” — Antoine de Saint-Exupéry (1900-1944), French writer, poet, journalist and pioneering aviator. With over 140 million copies sold, his “The Little Prince” is the second best-selling commercial book in history—just behind “The Lord of the Rings” and ahead of “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.”
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.