Annually at this time of year, Meg Wempe, library director, prepares an annual report for the library’s board of trustees summarizing the highlights of the past year. The information also is used when your library applies for grants and it is required to be shared with state, county and town governments to keep them informed.
Here are details about your library’s 2023 operations. They show your library continues to flourish and 2023 was another banner year. You can pick up the infographic version of this report at the library.
Collection development: Providing our patrons with materials that are current and relevant to the diverse interests of the community is one of our principal goals. We have 26,865 items in our collection. In 2023 we added 3,166 items, up from 3,025 last year, including 205 from donations worth $4,005.
Usage stats: We checked out 92,594 physical items, up from 89,447 last year. As well, patrons downloaded 12,301 items – 6,621 e-books and 5,680 e-audio books – up from 9,816 last year. We welcomed 18,229 website visits and handled 10,14184 computer uses.
Programming: Providing programs for all ages is a very high priority. In 2023 we hosted 635 programs with 7,190 attendees, up significantly from 550 programs with 4,739 attendees last year. Examples of popular programs: 192 adult GED sessions, 535 English-as-a-second-language (ESL) sessions, and 181 Tech Time sessions.
Volunteers: We are very fortunate to have the ongoing support of the community. Our volunteers contributed 1,845 hours valued at $63,394, up from 1,575 hours last year.
Resource sharing: The Colorado Library Consortium courier service provides five-times-a-week delivery to subscribing libraries throughout the state. In 2023 we borrowed 10,702 items, up from 9,913 last year, and loaned 2,430 items, up from 2,358 last year.
“These numbers make clear that we have a community that really uses their library, and that makes all of us on staff feel very good,” Wempe said. “We strive to inspire, inform and entertain both locals and tourists. We had more than 72,000 people come through our doors in 2023, and if you were not one of them, we hope you’ll become a patron in 2024.”
And finally, here’s a fun fact: Our most-checked-out adult fiction book last year was “West with Giraffes” by Lynda Rutledge. Inspired by true events, the novel tells of the 1938 cross-country 12-day road trip of two giraffes, one seasoned zookeeper, and one desperate orphan. Unlikely companions, endurance, coming of age and overcoming obstacles are highlights of the story.
Online New York Times
Fans of The New York Times will be pleased to know that we have purchased an online subscription that allows you 24/7 free access to the online version of the newspaper from your home or any personal device. Go to the library website at https://pagosalibrary.org. Click on Online Resources on the gray top line on the home page. Scroll down to the Ns for New York Times and click on that icon. Your access code will automatically be generated, good for 24 hours each time you sign on. You then will be asked for your email address to log in or to create an account.
Two new free programs this month
“Strategize Change in Your Life in 2024” is a weekly program for adults on Wednesdays beginning February 7 from 1-2:15 p.m. that will happen only in February. Led by a licensed professional counselor named Jennifer, the group will focus on goal setting and making positive changes to identify and change unwanted behaviors. Attendance is limited so pre-registration is required.
“Ready, Set, Learn” helps build important preschool skills such as tracing a line, cutting, identifying letters and holding a pencil. It will happen on Friday, February 16 from 10-11 a.m. We are hoping this will become a monthly program.
Teen Great Stories Club
Teens are invited next Thursday, February 8 from 5:30 – 8 p.m. to discuss the book “American Street” by Ibi Zoboi and create art based on the book, which explores the idea of the American Dream from the perspective of a young Haitian immigrant. Pizza and beverages will be served and everyone will come away with a free copy of the book. Note that this free event takes place at Pagosa Community Initiative’s Studio space under the new Department of Human Services Building on Hot Springs Blvd. Pre-registration is required.
Save the date for teen violence dating workshop
Rise Above Violence will lead a Love Shouldn’t Hurt dating violence workshop for teens next Thursday, February 8 from 4-5 p.m. in honor of Teen Violence Awareness Month. This class will provide advice on how to deal with and avoid violence in teen relationships.
Popup book sale February 10
Saturday, February 10 the Friends of the Library will host their first book sale of the year, a Cabin Fever popup event from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. at the library. Friends members, teachers, nurses and first responders enjoy “buy one, get one free” with proof of membership or employment. To learn about becoming a Friend or to renew your membership, stop by your library or go to friends@pagosalibrary.org.
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.
Virtual author talks
Our highly popular free online author talks continue with three more opportunities for you to interact with New York Times bestselling authors and ask questions in February. For details and to register go to https://libraryc.org/pagosalibrary/upcoming. Thursday, February 8 at 6 p.m. features rom-com multi-book author Tessa Bailey. Tuesday, February 20 at 2 p.m. we will explore identity, love and being black in America with Jason Mott. Wednesday, February 28 at noon showcases Kim Scott, author of “Be a Kick-Ass Boss Without Losing Your Humanity.”
LEGO Club Saturday
Kids aged six-11 are invited to bring your imaginations on Saturday, February 3 from 11 a.m. – noon for the free LEGO Club. Bring your own LEGOs or use ours.
Knitting and crochet lessons
Learn to knit or crochet on Monday, February 5 and 12 at our free gathering from 2 – 3:15 p.m. for ages eight and up. Supplies provided. Note this gathering will now happen twice a month.
Avalanche awareness
Come hear from Matt Huber on Tuesday, February 6 from 2-3:30 p.m. about what to know, what to bring and how to stay alive in the mountains during snow season.
Spanish conversation
Practice your Spanish in a free group setting on Tuesday, February 6 from 4:30-5:30 p.m. No minimum skill level needed. This group now meets twice a month, on the first and third Tuesdays.
New basic quilting classes
Adults are invited to a free quilting class next Wednesday, February 7 and every Wednesday until March 6 from 1-3 p.m. led by Wanita Martin, a local quilter and member of the quilters guild. Pre-registration is required and classes are limited to six participants who need to do some homework. You also need access to a sewing machine, a ruler, good scissors, a marketing pen, straight pins, thread, an iron and an ironing board.
Therapy dog visit
Next Wednesday, February 7 from 11 – 11:45 a.m. 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.
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.
Writers guild
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.
Pagosa Adult Learning Services (PALS)
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. PALS stands for Pagosa Adult Learning Services.
Mysteries, thrillers and suspense
“What Waits in the Woods” by Terri Parlato follows an injured professional ballerina who returns home to a murder. “The Helsinki Affair” by Anna Pitoniak features a young CIA officer in a globe-trotting thriller. “The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store” by James McBride is a mystery about small-town secrets. “Dead of Night” by Simon Scarrow is about two seemingly unconnected murders in 1940s Berlin. “The Berry Pickers” by Amanda Peters begins when a four-year-old disappears.
DVDs
“The Holdovers” about a teacher forced to stay at a prep school with several students over the holidays won three Golden Globes and is nominated for five Academy Awards including best picture. “Succession,” which has won Golden Globes and Emmys in multiple years, is the complete series. “Fremont” is a cross-cultural comedy about a former Afghan translator living in California.
Quotable Quote
“People are drawn to hope…. They just want to be pushed in the swing set of life every once in a while and say, ‘Whee!’” – Deion Sanders, University of Colorado-Boulder head football coach.
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.