Starting this evening, Thursday, October 5 from 6 – 7:15pm… and happening every Thursday through November 9… our free fall Lifelong Learning lecture series will offer you talented speakers talking about a wide variety of interesting topics:
Today’s topic is Water Fluency 101: Developing a water-fluent community with Josh Kurtz, who has a B.S. in watershed science and an M.S. in science education.
October 12 features Connie Cook, deputy chief of the Pagosa Springs Medical Center’s EMS (Emergency Medical Services) unit, explaining the many EAMS services to our community.
October 19 focuses on communicating with sexual abuse survivors using trauma informed responses. It will be led by Kathleen Davis, BSN-RN, and is offered to both the public and professionals.
October 26 Dr. Janice McIntyre and Santos Ocanas will talk about Ruby’s Writers Guild, the weekly writers support group that meets every Thursday morning at your library.
November 2 Donna Wynn will discuss Upper San Juan Search & Rescue, which trains and organizes volunteers in search, rescue and other emergency services.
November 9 showcases the Project Healing Waters fly fishing program for disabled veterans and wounded warriors with Paul Wilson, the program lead, a retired wildlife biologist.
Pick up a brochure with more details at your library or go to https://pagosalibrary.org/adult services. Note no registration is required.
Early library closure
Your library will close early on Monday, October 9 for a staff meeting at 5pm. This is our regular new staff meeting schedule – on the second Monday of the month.
Upgrades to library website
When you access the library’s website these days, you will notice several changes. 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. 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. In addition, for the hearing impaired we now will have captions on any videos posted on the site.
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).
Rhythm and rhymes tomorrow
Youngsters aged one-five are invited to a free music-based storytime with lots of movement and singing tomorrow, Friday, October 6 from 10-11 a.m.
Special teen hangout tomorrow
We are setting aside the large meeting room for teens and tweens to use and spend time with friends tomorrow, Friday, October 6 from 4-6 p.m.
Family crafts event Saturday
Join us Saturday, October 7 from 10 a.m. – noon for Craftapalooza, a fun free family crafts event for families with children aged three and up. Create a variety of crafts from at more than 10 different craft stations. Stop by anytime during those two hours and stay as long as you want.
Shakespeare Read Aloud Club
Monday, October 9 from 3:30 – 5 p.m. the new free all-ages Shakespeare Read Aloud Club meets for “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” Adults, teens and children are invited to gather to read the play aloud together, with different roles chosen and discussed at each session. Participants can play one character or mix it up and be many. Bring your own copy of the play or borrow one of the library’s copies. The club will use the “No Fear Shakespeare” version with the original text on one page and the modern English translation on the other.
This new club is being organized by Jenny, a Pagosa resident with a lifelong interest in Shakespeare and the theatre. Drop in for one meeting, several or all gatherings. Costumes are optional. For more information, contact Jenny at 240-426-7887.
Adult Zentangle Tuesday
Join us Tuesday, October 10 from 11 a.m. – 12:30 to learn this simple art method that allows the mind and body to release stress while creating beautiful images. Pre-registration required.
Adult book club Tuesday
Ruby’s Book Club meets from 2-3 p.m. next Tuesday, October 10 to discuss “Win” by Harlan Coban. 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 and snacks are provided.
Solar eclipses
Join San Juan Stargazers Wednesday, October 11 from 4-5:30 p.m. for a presentation on the upcoming solar eclipses assisted by our local Girl Scouts.
Homeschool enrichment
Grades two-five are invited to learn about solar eclipses next Thursday, October 12 from 11 a.m. – noon as you build your own eclipse viewer.
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 at this free gathering.
Downloadable books
CloudLibrary has a wide variety of downloadable e-books and audiobooks for all ages. To access this free digital collection, 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. Library staff are happy to help you set up your device if you need assistance.
Local authors
“Decoying Big Game” by local author Judd Cooney describes successful tactics for luring deer, elk, bears and other animals into gun or bow range. He is a longtime guide for both hunters and photographers, and his book is a resource for both beginning and experienced hunters.
“Hungry Shoes” by Sue Boggio and Mare Peart is a novel about two adolescent psychiatric unit patients who navigate the surreal world of their fellow patients thanks to support from staff, especially veteran psychiatrist Mary Swenson. The authors grew up together in Iowa and are retired after long careers in health care at the University of New Mexico.
Essay collection
“The Deadline” by Jill Lepore is a collection of 46 essays offering a view of American life and letters, politics and technology, law and society.
Nonfiction
“From Deedle to Dr. Judy” by Judith Oppenheimer, a retired pediatrician, is a memoir of the daughter of J. Robert Oppenheimer. “Chronic Pain Reset” by Dr. Afton L. Hassett is a guide to simple actions that help you solve your pain issues. “No Meat Required” by Alicia Kennedy is a history of plant-based eating in the U.S. “Sure, I’ll Join Your Cult” by comedian Maria Bamford is a memoir about show business, mental health and the comfort of belief systems. “Football Done Right” by three-time Super Bowl winner Michael Lombardi uses history and personal experience to explore the best of the NFL.
Books on CD
“The Girl in the Eagle’s Talons” by Karin Smirnoff is the latest in the Lisbeth Salander thriller series. “Lion & Lamb” by James Patterson and Duane Swierczynski features rival PIs working the same case in Philadelphia.
Quotable Quote
“Never underestimate the power you have to take your life in a new direction.” – Germany Kent, journalist, TV personality, former beauty queen and businesswoman.
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.