A new free spring series of Lifelong Learning lectures in April and May begins next Thursday, April 13 from 6-7:15pm when we will welcome Roberta Strickland teaching us about Zentangle, a simple art method that is also a form of relaxation.
April 20 features Bill Hudson discussing Northwest Coast Native American art.
April 27 showcases Jenifer Doane talking about the amazing honeybees and other native Colorado bees.
Chess Club
This Saturday, April 8 from 9:30 – 11am, we will launch a new free intergenerational chess club offering quick lessons and game time. To help make this new club a success we are collecting chess game donations. Our preference is for complete sets in good shape, with both the board and the pieces. If you have a chess set you are no longer using, please donate it to the library.
Library fundraiser coming soon
Saturday, April 15 is the second annual gala Library Affair fundraiser for our building campaign to expand and renovate your library. This elegant event will happen at 6 p.m. at the Pagosa Springs Center for the Arts and feature an auction of 20 different table settings designed by some of Pagosa’s most creative artists.
Book themes for the tables range from delightful children’s stories such as “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” to adult classics like “The Great Gatsby.” Food will be courtesy of Todd Stevens and the Pagosa Springs High School culinary class with acoustic guitar music by Steve Blechschmidt. Tickets are $50 each, on sale now at the library (cash or check only) or online at pagosalibrary.org.
Tween/teen takeover tomorrow
Teens and tweens will want to join us tomorrow, Friday, April 7, for our 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.
Board games tomorrow
Tomorrow, Friday, April 7, is our free Board Game Central from 4-6 p.m. If you love board games we invite you to bring your favorite game or explore the library’s collection.
Adult knitting on Saturday
Join other new and experienced knitters this Saturday, April 8 for our free Knitters Circle from 1-3 p.m. It is aimed at anyone over the age of 18 who would like to knit together or get some help if you are stuck on your project.
Adult book club next Tuesday
Ruby’s Book Club meets from 2-3 p.m. next Tuesday, April 11 to discuss “Grandma Gatewood’s Walk” by Ben Montgomery. Copies are available at your library. This free book club is held the second Tuesday of each month, alternating between fiction and nonfiction titles. Anyone is welcome to attend.
Knowledge Bowl
Our free middle school Knowledge Bowl takes place next Thursday, April 13 from 4-5 p.m. for tweens and teens. Participants 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. Knowledge Bowl runs every second and fourth Thursday for the remainder of the school year. It is open to students in grades four–eight, or ages 11-14. No registration required.
Homework and tutoring help
Our highly popular free homework assistance and elementary tutoring are available for K-fourth grades on Wednesdays from 3:30-4:30 p.m. 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.
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.
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.
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.
Downloadable books
CloudLibrary has a wide variety of downloadable e-books and audiobooks for all ages and accessing this free digital collection is very easy. 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.
Nonfiction
“A Time to Dance: Chasing Joy in Difficult Seasons” by Shannon Singh is a memoir about a woman whose relationship with God helped her through troubled times. “Anasazi America” by David E. Stuart explores the complex reasons the Chaco Anasazi civilization collapsed. “USA RV Adventures” by Bonnie and Grant Sinclair details 25 flexible itineraries with maps provided. “Southwest USA and National Parks” is a DK Eyewitness travel guide.
Mysteries, suspense and thrillers
“Saguaro Sanction” by Scott Graham is a National Park mystery. “Just the Nicest Couple” by Mary Kubica tells of the search for a missing man after a heated fight with his wife. “I Have Some Questions For You” by Rebecca Makkai follows a professor drawn into the secrets of an old murder when she returns to the school. “The Bullet That Missed” by Richard Osman is a Thursday Murder Club book.
Other novels
“Empty Theatre” by Jac Jemc explores the lives and friendship of 19th century icons and cousins King Ludwig II of Bavaria and Empress Elizabeth “Sisi” of Austria. “Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow” by Gabrielle Zevin features two college students who launch a highly successful video game design business. “Someone Else’s Shoes” by JoJo Moyes follows two women who meet because of a lost gym bag. “The Love Scribe” by Amy Meyerson tells of a woman with a gift for writing love stories that then really happen to her friends.
Books on CD
“The Second Coming of Lucas Brokaw” by Matt Braun features a wealthy man searching for his reincarnated self to be his heir. “The Last Orphan” by Gregg Hurwitz is part of the Orphan X government assassin series. “Preacher’s Purge,” part of the First Mountain Man series, and “The Fires of Blackstone” featuring Buck Trammel are both westerns by William W. and J.A. Johnstone. “The Last Kingdom” by Steve Berry is a Cotton Malone adventure about the discovery of a lost historical document.
How-to advice on DVD
We have two new Great Courses DVDs: “Taking Control of Your Personal Data” by Jennifer Golbeck and “Pioneering Skills for Everyone: Modern Homesteading” by Greg Pryor. “Mindfulness Goes Mainstream: Techniques” is a PBS documentary. “Finding Strength in Mental Health Struggles” is Wondrium Insights season three.
Quotable Quote
“I believe that three of the most important words anyone can say are not ‘I love you’ but ‘I hear you.’” – Oprah.
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.