Our highly popular free virtual author talks continue with two more opportunities for you to interact with New York Times bestselling authors and ask questions this month. For details and to register go to https://libraryc.org/pagosalibrary/upcoming. Today, Thursday, November 16 at 2pm. features a conversation with Poet Laureate Joy Harjo. Thursday, November 30 at 1pm you can interact with bestselling author Naomi Alderman, who will focus on Writing Dystopian Worlds.
How to freeze holds when you are busy during the holidays
With the busy holiday season almost here, we wanted to remind you that you can freeze, or suspend, your holds on books or other materials if you don’t have time for them now. The best part is you do not lose your place in line. When your hold is thawed, or released, you go right back in to the same place in your hold line; you do not go to the end of the line.
To freeze your holds online, first log into your account. On the left side of the page, click on “Titles on Hold.” A list of all items you have on hold will appear. If they are not currently in transit, you can freeze the hold until you return from your travels or are ready to receive your hold again. To freeze your hold, click on the button that says “Freeze Hold.” Choose the date to thaw and resume the hold again and then click “Freeze Hold.” The freeze will begin immediately.
Thrillers, mysteries and suspense
“The Death of Us” by Lori Rader-Day is about a mother’s apparent return after leaving her son to be raised by another. “My Darling Girl” by Jennifer McMahon follows a family after an alcoholic abusive mother moves back in. “The Defector” by Chris Hadfield is about a Soviet pilot wanting to defect with valuable military information.
Other novels
“The Maniac” by Benjamin Labatut is about a prodigy whose gifts terrify those around him. “Emperor of Rome” by Mary Beard is a three-century history beginning with Julius Caesar.
Nonfiction
“The Fall: The End of Fox News and the Murdoch Dynasty” by Michael Wolff documents the history and current state of this hugely successful network. “The Times: How the Newspaper of Record Survived Scandal, Scorn and the Transformation of Journalism” by Adam Nagourney is an insider’s look at The New York Times by one of its long-time reporters. “Eve” by Cat Bohannon is a history of the female body, placing women at the center of the evolutionary success of homo sapiens.
DVDs
“Jules” features Ben Kingsley and his alien friend who landed in a UFO. “The Chelsea Detective” is series one. “Hidden Volcano Abyss” is a Nova documentary about the huge volcano and tsunami in Tonga in 2022. “Barbie” is the smash hit from this summer. “Akira” is the 25th anniversary edition of the cyberpunk classic.
Tween/teen hangout tomorrow
We are setting aside the large meeting room for tweens and teens to use and spend time with friends Friday, November 17 from 4-6 p.m.
Pokemon Club on Saturday
If you love Pokemon, this club is for you. Bring your cards to a fun free all-ages event on Saturday, November 18 from 12:30 – 2:30 p.m. when you can play games with others who feel the same way.
Music fun Monday
Pagosa Unplugged is free from 4-6 p.m. Monday, November 20 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).
Tween/teen art camp Monday
Monday free art classes from 4-6 p.m. for teens and tweens will explore a different style or medium. This month it is cartooning and caricature by guest artist Dan Dempster. Participants will draw basic portraits and create a flip book animation. Registration required.
Spanish conversation
Practice your Spanish in a free group setting on Tuesday, November 21 from 4:30-5:30 p.m. No minimum skill level needed. This group meets twice a month, on the first and third Tuesdays.
Elementary tutoring sessions
Children ages six-11 are welcome at these free sessions on Wednesdays from 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. where they will build essential skills in core subjects. Pre-registration is required. Because the elementary school will not be in session, there will be no tutoring November 22, as we follow the school calendar.
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.
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.
ESL class times
Free in-person evening classes take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and there is a change in the way the time is divided: 4-5 p.m.is reserved for beginners, 5-6 p.m. for intermediate and 6-7 p.m. for 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 inglés (ESL)
Las clases de inglés se imparten en persona y gratis los martes y jueves en la biblioteca Ruby Sisson. El horario ha cambiado recientemente. Efectivo inmediatamente, 4-5 p.m. es para principiantes, 5-6 p.m. es para intermedios y 6-7 p.m. es para avanzados. Por favor, ayúdanos a informar a nuestra comunidad de estas oportunidades para aprender el inglés. Si tienen preguntas, favor de ponerse en contacto por correo electrónico: ruby@agosalibrary.org o por teléfono: 970-264-2209.
Bring your device’s charger to 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, but it is important that you bring your device’s charger with you. Note no Tech Time November 21.
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.
Activities calendars
Pick up monthly events calendars at the library so you don’t miss any of the free activities available to you and your family.
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.
Thanks to our donors
We are grateful to Susan and Terry Arrington for their generous monetary donation and to Medora Bass for her materials donation. When we are open, material donations are accepted for the Friends of the Library at the front desk – not down the outside returns slot at the library or the dropbox at City Market, please.
The Friends recently announced new guidelines for what they will accept as donations: Yes to popular fiction books published in 2013 or later, nonfiction books published 2018 or later, and children’s and young adult books – all in excellent condition, please. No to CDs, DVDs, Blu Ray, VHS or cassette tapes; textbooks, outdated travel books or reference books because they do not sell. No more than two boxes at a time because of space constraints.
Quotable Quote
“Take care of your elders and I promise you will learn something special. Maybe even magical.” — Lady Gaga, 37, after the death of singer Tony Bennett, her collaborator on two albums.
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.