Many of us consider ourselves lucky to find one job that we love. But Meg Wempe, library director, is heading for what she calls “an ideal combination” – two satisfying decades as a librarian followed by a second career as a nurse — starting in May.
Meg will leave the library to become an RN specializing in elderly care and hospice at Pagosa’s Pine Ridge assisted living facility. Her mother and two older sisters recently retired as longtime nurses and Meg first was attracted to health care as a Candy Striper hospital volunteer in high school.
She sees similarities between being a librarian and being a nurse, because both involve helping people.
To her family in South Carolina the transition is natural. In fact, they call nursing “the family profession.” So they were not surprised when Meg began using her library vacation days to attend nursing school at Northwest Technical College in Minnesota in 2021 on a part time basis. She graduated in May 2023 with a perfect 4.0 point GPA and was named “most outstanding student.”
Meg’s personal philosophy is, “If there’s something you want to do in the world, you should just get going and do it. If it doesn’t work out, move on and do something else. You don’t want to look back and say, ‘I should have….’”
She leaves an impressive legacy from her 11 years at our Sisson Library. Meg was hired as adult services librarian in 2013 and promoted to director in 2016. She launched our adult book club and DIY series, broadened our computer offerings, brought our community’s ESL programs into the library, and worked to create a foundation to fund raise for the library’s impressive expansion plans.
“It has been a joy to work with our skilled staff, supportive board and involved patrons,” she said. “Pagosa is a very special place.”
A huge fan of our community, Meg says another plus about her Pine Ridge job is that it means she and husband Mark don’t have to move for her to achieve her nursing dream. Both are avid outdoors people, with a special love of powder skiing at Wolf Creek. She also is pleased to be able to remain a member of Pagosa’s Rotary Club.
“Meg has been an amazing leader and advocate for the library and its programming,” said Andrea Cox, president of the Board of Trustees. “We will miss her and wish her all the best.”
The board’s search for Meg’s successor is underway now. Meg’s last day at the library will be April 24.
Library closure
Your library will close Monday, February 19 in celebration of Presidents’ Day.
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.
Knowledge Bowl today
Our free Knowledge Bowl for tweens and teens is today, Thursday, February 15 from 4-5 p.m. Test your trivia skills on a wide range of subjects.
Messy art tomorrow
Get messy and create beautiful swirling artwork tomorrow, February 16, from 3-4 p.m. at this free art session. All ages welcome and all supplies provided.
Pokemon Club on Saturday
If you’re aged six-11 and love Pokemon, this free club is for you. Bring your cards on Saturday, February 17 from 12:30 – 2:30 p.m.
Spanish conversation
Practice your Spanish in a free group setting on Tuesday, February 20 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.
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. Please note that tutoring will be taking a two-week break February 21 and 28.
Family storytimes
Wednesdays from 10-11 a.m. join a free educational hour of reading, singing and free play to build early literacy skills.
ESL classes
Free in-person evening classes take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays, with 4-5 p.m. reserved for beginners, 5-6 p.m. for intermediate and 6-7 p.m. for advanced students. Please help us pass the word about these classes.
Clases de inglés
Clases gratis de inglés cada martes y jueves. Principiantes de 4-5 p.m., intermedios de 5-6 p.m. y advanzados de 6-7 p.m. Ayudenos a informar a todos quienes necesitan aprender inglés.
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 provides assistance in accessing the library’s online resources. No appointment is needed for these drop-in sessions, but please bring your device’s charger and passwords with you. Note: No Tech Time Tuesday, February 20.
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.
Books on CD
“The Waters” by Bonnie Jo Campbell features a mother and her three estranged daughters in a small Michigan town. “The Night Island” by Jayne Ann Krentz is the first book in the Lost Night Files romantic suspense trilogy. “The Heiress” by Rachel Hawkins follows the family of North Carolina’s richest woman after her death.
How-to and self-help
“More Life” by podcast host Taylor Thompson offers practice guidance and actionable steps to help you live life to the fullest. “Gut Check” by Dr. Steven R. Gundry reveals details about healing your gut and preventing disease. “1000 Words” by Jami Attenberg features advice from more than 50 writers including New York Times bestsellers and Pulitzer Prize winners to help motivate your writing.
Other nonfiction
“The Last Fire Season” by Manjula Martin is a combination memoir and natural history book about living in California during wildfire times. “Everyone But Myself” by Julie Chavez is a memoir of an elementary school librarian and mother of two dealing with anxiety.
Large print
“The Night Island” by Jayne Ann Krentz is the first book in the Lost Night Files romantic suspense trilogy. “The Heiress” by Rachel Hawkins follows the family of North Carolina’s richest woman after her death. “Worthy” by Jada Pinkett Smith is a memoir of a woman who went from rebel youth to successful actress, singer-songwriter and talk show host. “Where You End” by Abbott Kahler follows twins after one wakes up from a coma with few memories.
Large print short stories
“Bright Skies and Dark Horses” by John D. Nesbitt is a collection of the author’s short western stories. “Under Western Stars” edited by Richard Prosch is a collection of short western stories by 22 different authors.
Thanks to our donors
We are grateful to Susan and Terry Arrington for their generous donation.
Quotable Quote
Responding to a question about the toughest lesson to teach a teen: “Put your phone away. That’s one of the things that I think all parents struggle with, is that most kids don’t look up any more. Everyone is looking down. Look around you, the world is so beautiful around you, just look up.” – Tiger Woods, American professional golfer, speaking of daughter Sam, 16, and son Charlie, 14.
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.