When you access the library’s website starting next Monday, October 2 you will notice several changes that we hope you will like.
On the content side, our website will now be 100 percent compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Examples of improvement for people with sight issues include better color contrast in artwork so it’s easier to understand. As well, if a patron is using a special software to “read” the website, that reader will now pick up words embedded in the pictures for better comprehension. In addition, for the hearing impaired we now will have captions on any videos posted on the site.
At the same time we’ve taken this opportunity to redesign multiple visual elements throughout the site, making it more open, less crowded and easier to navigate.
The wide blue borders on the left and right will be gone, opening up the layout to bigger elements for easier reading. The banner and tabs at the top remain, but there are some changes to the sections underneath. For example, Aspencat stays but the other two boxes are now Calendar and Programs with links that take you to the current monthly calendar and to adult, teen and children’s activities as well as to adult education and ESL (English as a second language).
Meg Wempe, director of the library, pointed out that Colorado passed HB21-1110, which works to include website accessibility to all people. After July 1, 2024, websites that do not meet standards will be considered discriminating against citizens with disabilities.
“A library is for everyone, and that includes our website,” she said. “These ADA changes gave us the opportunity to make other upgrades that we think make our site more visually appealing and easier to use for all our patrons.”
Elephant and Piggie party Saturday
All ages are invited to a fun free Elephant and Piggie party this Saturday, September 30 from 10am – 1pm celebrating Mo Willem’s famous book series. We’ll have crafts, collaborative games, face painting, selfie stations, a scavenger hunt, two storytimes, a dance party and a puppet show.
Go online to pagosalibrary.org for the detailed party schedule so you know what activities happen when. Click on the Calendar tab at the top of the home page. Then scroll down to the purple September 30 box to see all the details so you can plan your day.
Elephant and Piggie may even make a guest appearance, given that this party honors them!
Save the dates for fall Lifelong Learning series
Starting next Thursday, October 5 from 6 – 7:15pm and happening every Thursday through November 9, our free fall Lifelong Learning series will offer you talented speakers talking about very interesting topics. Subjects for this series range from flying fishing for disabled veterans and communicating with sexual abuse survivors to water issues, our local EMS and more. Pick up a copy of the brochure with details at your library, and watch for more information in this Library News column starting next week.
Playdough fun tomorrow
All ages are invited to participate in various building challenges or make your own playdough creation at this free event tomorrow, Friday, September 29 from 2-3pm. All supplies provided.
All ages Friday film
Our free Friday flix feature tomorrow, Friday, September 29 from 3-5pm is the new Super Mario Brothers film. It’s a computer-animated adventure comedy based on Nintendo’s Mario video game franchise. Popcorn provided.
Music fun Monday
Pagosa Unplugged is free from 4-6pm Monday, October 2 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).
Spanish conversation
Practice your Spanish in a free group setting on Tuesday, October 3 from 4:30-5:30pm. No minimum skill level needed. This group now meets twice a month, on the first and third Tuesdays.
Elementary tutoring sessions
Children ages six-11 are welcome at these free sessions every Wednesday from 3:30 – 4:30pm where they will build essential skills in core subjects. Registration is required.
Family storytimes
Wednesdays from 10-11am join us for a free educational hour of reading, singing and free play to build early literacy skills.
Writers support group
Thursdays from 9-11am Ruby’s Writers Guild welcomes writers looking for opportunities, support, resources and camaraderie with other writers at this free gathering.
PALS/GED adult education
Join Mark or Sally for free PALS sessions Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:30 – 8pm to help with high school equivalency, GED, college prep, financial aid, tutoring and more.
Local author
“It’s An Inside Job, Kid” by local author and former New York State Department of Corrections prison guard Stephen Nicholas Moffe is the newly updated and revised edition of the previously titled “Time to Go.” The author dedicates this inspirational true story with details of his own experiences to those who struggle with trauma, mental illness and substance abuse as he did.
Other nonfiction
“Trail of the Lost” by former park ranger Andrea Lankford details her true-crime search for missing hikers on the Pacific Crest Trail. “Interstellar” by Avi Loeb, former chair of Harvard’s Astronomy Department, looks at how our interaction with an extraterrestrial civilization might occur. “Custer County” by Joanne West Dodds contains information about the many movies shot there.
Mysteries, thrillers and suspense
“The River We Remember” by William Kent Kreuger begins when a body is found while the people of a small town gather for a Memorial Day remembrance.
Other novels
“The Girl From the Red Rose Motel” by Susan Beckham Zurenda follows the friendship of a studious homeless girl and the privileged son of wealthy parents with their stern but compassionate English teacher. “Darius” by J.AR. Ward is the latest in the Black Dagger Brotherhood paranormal romance series. “Make Me” by Tessa Bailey is the final sexy romance book in the Broke and Beautiful series.
Westerns on CD
We have three new CDs containing books by William W. and J.A. Johnstone: “The Bullet Stops Here” is a Luke Jense Bounty Hunter western. “Desolation Creek” is a Smoke Jensen western. “Cruel Winter of the Mountain Man” is the latest in the Mountain Man series. “The Too-Late Trail” by Ralph Compton is part of the Trail Drive western series.
Thanks to our donors
We are grateful to Rob Pew for his generous monetary donations, and to Joline Lefthandbull and Joanne Ferko for their materials donations.
Quotable Quote
“You get things done by getting them done. I never run out of gas.” – Tom Brokaw, age 83, retired NBC network news anchor, journalist and author.
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.