LIBRARY NEWS: El Dia de los Ninos, National Library Week, and a Kids’ Book Club

This Saturday, April 29 you are invited to join us for a free fun event to celebrate El Dia de los Ninos (Children’s Day) with bilingual storytimes, Mexican-inspired crafts and games, a scavenger hunt, live music and food.

Families are urged to stop by the library any time from 10am – 1pm and stay as long as you like.

Descubra la alegria de leer en este evento de puertas abiertas que celebra los ninos y los libros. Disfrute de artesanias, musica en vivo, busqueda del tesoro y mas.

National Library Week
Libraries across the U.S. are celebrating National Library Week April 23-29 with the theme “There’s More to the Story.” Its aim is to remind Americans that not only is your library full of books in a variety of formats from picture books to large print, audio books to e-books, it’s also your source for internet and technology access, literacy skills, support for job seekers and entrepreneurs, and so much more.

New book club for kids
Our newest free book club — Junior Page Turners for elementary students in grades three-five — debuts Tuesday, May 2 with two different times: 10:30 – 11:30am and 3:30 – 4:30pm for your convenience The kids’ first book will be “Wish” by Barbara O’Connor, an engaging story of family, childhood friendship and an adopted dog. Copies are available at your library. This book club is geared for kids reading at or above grade level.

Lifelong Learning tonight
Our free spring Lifelong Learning lectures from 6-7:15pm on Thursdays in April and May continue. Tonight, April 27 showcases Jenifer Doane talking about the amazing honeybees and other native Colorado bees.

May 4 features award-winning writer C. Neal Johnson who will teach you how to write a feature-length movie script. Note this presentation only is from 5:30 – 7pm.

Pick up a brochure at the library for more details on these presentations.

Save the date for special day with crime writer
Mark your calendar for Saturday, May 13 when true crime and fiction author Ron Franscell will join us for three special events to raise funds for your library’s building campaign. From 9-11 a.m. he’ll lead a writing workshop. Cost is $25. Limit 20 seats. From 12:30-1:15 p.m. he’ll host a free gathering for book clubs and other readers to discuss his murder mystery “Deaf Row.” From 6-8:30 p.m. he’ll be at the Tennyson Event Center for a special interview event with hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar. Tickets are $40 in advance. Limited seating.

New writers support group
On Thursdays beginning May 4 from 9-11 a.m. the Ruby Writers Guild will welcome writers who are looking for opportunities, support and camaraderie with other writers. Members will provide support, resources and guidance for each other.

Academic help for tweens and teens
We hope you will take advantage of our academic assistance program for high school students on Monday, May 1 and 16 from 3:30-4:30 p.m. It provides extra support, study time and homework assistance.

New beginner computer class
Join us from 1-2 p.m. May 1 and 3 for a free beginner computer class Mondays and Wednesdays aimed at adults who want to learn practical skills related to PC use, emails, and creating new documents and folders. Registration is required. Note that when you sign up you are committing to all eight sessions in this month-long program.

Music fun
Pagosa Unplugged is free from 4-6pm Monday, May 1 for amateur musicians who would like a safe, supportive, non-bar setting to play, sing or both with other people. Anyone under age 18 is welcome with a signed parental permission, available at your library. For program information contact Susan at 970-946-3396 (not the library).

GM Playground
Teens are invited to a free rebranded online GM Playground DnD program next Thursday, May 4 from 4-6 p.m. that is now open to a wider variety of players on the first and third Thursdays of every month. Game Masters (GMs) can lead a variety of tabletop role-playing games but sometimes are uncertain how to start or may want to test a new idea before running a full campaign. Interested GMs should contact Josie at the library to sign up to run a one-shot game (no more than three sessions). Registration required.

PALS/GED adult education
Join Mark 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.

Colorado driver handbook in English and Spanish
We have the new Colorado Driver Handbook in both English and Spanish covering what every motorist needs to know about driving in Colorado. “Manual del Conductor” es lo que todo automovilista necesita saber sobre conducir en el estado Colorado.

Books on CD
“Loyalty” by Lisa Scottoline is a mystery set in Sicily. “Forever” by J.R. Ward is a Black Dagger Brotherhood paranormal romance. “I Will Find You” by Harlan Coben is a mystery about a murdered son who may still be alive “The Perfumist of Paris” by Alka Joshi is the final book of the Jaipur trilogy. “Collateral Damage” by J.A. Jance is an Ali Reynolds mystery. “Quantum Radio” by A.G. Riddle is book one of a new Multiverse sci-fi series.

Mysteries, thrillers and suspense
“Countdown” by James Patterson and Brendon DuBois is a thriller about a young CIA agent who must go dark. “The Last Orphan” by Gregg Hurwitz is an Orphan X suspense story. “The Angel Maker” by Alex North is a dark tale of a serial killer.

Other novels
“House of Sky and Breath” by Sarah J. Maas is a young adult Crescent City fantasy romance. “Hester” by Laurie Lico Albanese is a fresh look at the legacy of witchcraft through the eyes of a young immigrant woman. “Cold People” by Tom Rob Smith follows the last survivors of humanity racing to reinvent civilization.

DVDs
“Jaws” is the 25th anniversary edition of this Steven Spielberg classic which includes additional features. “Black Adam” is a sci-fi action film. “Royal Flying Doctor Service” is a two-disc package of this drama set in Australia. “All Creatures Great & Small” is season three.

Donations
We are grateful to Jennifer and Mark Langford for their generous monetary contribution, and to Jill Porterfield, Joann Ferko and Marilyn Falvey for their materials donations.

Quotable Quote
“Advances are made by answering questions. Discoveries are made by questioning answers.” – German-born American astrophysicist Bernard Haisch, who specializes in solar-stellar astrophysics.

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.