Professional storyteller Kathleen Santopietro returns to Pagosa to share more stories at a special pre-Father’s Day event to support our campaign to expand and renovate your Ruby Sisson Library.
You may remember this talented lady from her visit last September when she took us on a storytelling journey around the world. Now she will celebrate male heroes including fathers, grandfathers, brothers, husbands and lovers this Saturday evening, June 17 on the day before Father’s Day.
This important fundraiser takes place at the Tennyson Event Center, 197 Navajo Trail Drive, with a cash bar and seasonal hors d’oeuvres by San Juan Gourmet. As an added bonus, it also showcases pianist Sally Neel, with a guest appearance by soloist Robert Neel, both beloved local musicians.
Doors open at 6pm with storytelling starting at 7pm. Tickets are $40 in advance and $45 at the door. You can buy advance tickets online, here.
Prior to the evening event, Kathleen will appear at the library on Saturday morning from 11am– noon for a free storytelling program for all ages.
Important alert re donations
Many thanks to Susan and Terry Arrington, Jeanette and Bob Pike as well as Rob Pew for their generous monetary donations, and to Joanne Ferko and Ainslee Kincross for materials donation. Please note that the Friends of the Library have announced their annual summer book sale will take place July 21-22. Between now and then, the library is not accepting any more donations of books, DVDs and other materials, because the Friends have all they need for the sale.
Library closure
Your library will be closed on Monday, June 19 for the Juneteenth, a federal holiday commemorating the emancipation of enslaved African Americans.
Sign up for Summer Reading Program
Be sure to sign up in person or on the library’s website at https://pagosalibrary.org for the free Summer Reading Program. It offers a huge variety of special programs for all ages and lots of prizes, and will conclude with a celebratory party July 28. Pick up monthly events calendars at the library so you don’t miss any of the free activities available to you and your family this summer.
Summer Reading Club today
Our weekly Summer Reading Club for K-fifth graders takes place Thursdays from 10-11:30 a.m. with crafts, guest speakers, stories and more. We’ll explore topics such as kindness, service, teamwork, connection, friendship and community. No registration required.
Online author talk today
There will be two more talks in June in our free online virtual series featuring New York Times bestselling authors with an opportunity to ask questions. Today, Thursday, June 15 at noon showcases “An American in Provence: Art, Life and Photography” by photographer Jamie Beck. Wednesday, June 28 at 6 p.m. you can interact with Tananarive Due, co-author of “Black Panther: Tales of Wakanda.”
Cardboard construction tomorrow
Join us tomorrow, Friday, June 16 from 2-4 p.m. for the free all-ages cardboard construction event where we will be building superhero gear for a mythical adventure. All supplies provided.
Wee Play tomorrow
Youngsters aged one-five are invited to enjoy free play with our collection of toys tomorrow, Friday, June 16 from 10-11 a.m.
Adult DIY
At the free adult DIY next Tuesday, June 20 from 1-3 p.m., you will learn the art of composting to minimize your waste in landfills.
Spanish conversation
Practice your Spanish in a free group setting on Tuesday, June 20 from 4:30-5:30 p.m. No minimum skill level needed.
Therapy dog visit
Next Wednesday, June 21 from 11 – 11:45 you are invited to come to the library for a free visit with a certified therapy dog. Visits are limited to 10-15 minutes – just the right amount of time to pet the dog, read to the dog or just say “Hi.” This is an all-ages activity.
Writers support group
Thursdays from 9-11 a.m. Ruby’s Writers Guild welcomes writers looking for opportunities, support, resources and camaraderie with other writers.
Family storytimes
Wednesdays from 10-11 a.m. join us for a free educational hour of reading, singing and free play to build early literacy skills.
PALS/GED adult education
Join Mark or Sally for free PALS sessions Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:30 – 8 p.m. to help with high school equivalency, GED, college prep, financial aid, tutoring and more.
Tech Time
Free in-person slots are available from 10 a.m.-noon Tuesdays and 2-4 p.m. Thursdays. Judy helps you with basic questions relating to computers, smartphones and tablets and also provide assistance in accessing any of the library’s online resources. No appointment needed for these drop-in sessions.
Large print
“All That Is Mine I Carry With Me” by William Landay focuses on a family when the mother’s remains are found after two decades. “A Calder at Heart” by Janet Dailey is book three in the Calder Brand series. “The Only Survivors” by Megan Miranda takes place on the 10th anniversary of a horrifying school van crash. “My Heart Will Find You” by Jude Deveraux is a romance set in COVID times. “The Fourth Enemy” by Anne Perry is a Daniel Pitt legal mystery.
Mysteries, suspense and thrillers
“Blind Spots” by Thomas Mullen centers on murders in a world where everyone went blind in a few months. “Murder Under a Red Moon” by Harini Nagendra features Bangalore Det. Kaveri Murthy. “Death of a Bookseller” by Alice Slater tells of two women working in a bookstore. “Ascension” by Nicholas Binge focuses on scientists researching an enormous mountain that appeared in the Pacific Ocean. “Breakneck” by Marc Cameron is an Arliss Cutter thriller set in Alaska.
Other novels
“The Making of Another Major Motion Picture Masterpiece” by Tom Hanks is the actor’s novel about the making of an epic film.“Lone Star Legacy” by William W. and J.A. Johnstone is a Forever Texas western. “Paper Man” by Billy O’Callaghan pieces together a family’s history after letters and newspaper clippings are found. “Like the Appearance of Horses” by Andrew Krivak is a family saga set in a small mountain town in Pennsylvania.
Nonfiction
“Empire of Lies” by Dr. Paul Craig Roberts is a collection of essays by the former assistant secretary of the Treasury in the Raegan administration. “The Russo-Ukrainian War” by historian Serhii Plokhy explores the origins and possible consequences of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Quotable Quote
“Perhaps the secret to a happy life isn’t about making the right choices so much as learning to live with the ones we do make.” — Mary Louise Kelly, American broadcaster and author, co-host of NPR’s afternoon news program “All Things Considered,” in her new memoir “It. Goes. So. Fast.”, which is available at the library.
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.