LIBRARY NEWS: New Free Online AARP Program for Seniors Starts Tomorrow

Seniors aged 60 and over are invited to participate in a new, free, live, online ‘Senior Planet’ program on the first and third Fridays of the month starting tomorrow, March 1, at your library from 11:30am – 12:30pm.

Judy will connect the group via the video conferencing platform Zoom so that you can join other seniors across the country in discussing aging issues such as loneliness, isolation, making new friends and learning in new hobbies.

This Senior Planet program was created by AARP.  In addition to the aging discussions at the library, Judy will show you how to use Zoom from your home to participate in topics like finance, wellness, fitness, computers and technology on other times and dates if you are interested.

Curbside service available
As we progress further into the winter flu and cold season, we continue to offer curbside service for those of you who prefer to have us bring your items outside to you to help limit your exposure to – or sharing of – potential germs. Or you may have concerns about walking on snow or ice.  To take advantage of this service, simply phone us at 970-264-2209 when you’re outside in the parking lot and we will be happy to bring your items to you.

Virtual author talks
Our highly popular free online author talks continue with three opportunities for you to interact with New York Times bestselling authors and ask questions in March. For details and to register go to https://libraryc.org/pagosalibrary/upcoming. Wednesday, March 6 at 2 p.m. features “The Power of Friendships” with NPR’s Nita Totenberg. Thursday, March 14 at 2 p.m. showcases Christopher Paolini discussing 20 Years of Dragon Riding in YA fantasy. On Thursday, March 21 at 5 p.m. we’ll interact with Madeline Miller discussing “On Retelling Greek Classics: An Exploration of Modern Epics.”

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.

All-ages gaming tomorrow
Join us tomorrow, Friday, March 1, from 3-5 p.m. for a free all-ages gaming on the library’s X-box 360

Music fun Monday
Pagosa Unplugged is free from 4-6 p.m. Monday, March 4 for amateur musicians of all ages to jam and sing with others. For details contact Susan at 970-946-3396.

Spanish conversation
Adults are invited to practice your Spanish in a free group setting on Tuesday, March 5 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
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.

Family storytimes
Wednesdays from 10-11 a.m. join a free educational hour of reading, singing and free play to build early literacy skills.

Dungeons & Dragons
Thursday, March 7 from 4 – 5:30 p.m., join our Dungeons & Dragons game free for teens and young adults. Pre-registration is required because space is limited. Contact Josie@pagosalibrary.org to join.

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.

Spanish-language thriller
“La Sombra de la Rosa” (“The Shadow of the Rose”) by Angela Banzas is a thriller that begins with the discovery of a young girl’s body on an island in 1910.

Nonfiction
“Be a Revolution” by Ijeoma Oluo is a look at the current state of the anti-racism movement in the U.S. “Healthy Aging” is a Mayo Clinic guide to a healthy body, mind and spirit. “Fight Right” by Julie Schwartz Gottman and John Gottman details five secrets to using conflict to build healthy relationships. “Alphabetical Diaries” by Sheila Heti resorts entries in a decade’s worth of journals.

Large print
“Everyone Who Can Forgive Me is Dead” by Jenny Hollander features a successful editor whose career is threatened. “Always Remember” by Mary Balogh is a Ravenswood romance. “The Atlas Complex: The Power is Taken” by Olivie Blake is a fantasy about six extraordinary magicians. “Random in Death” by J.D. Robb is an Eve Dallas mystery. “Family Family” by Laurie Frankel is a story about adoption.

Mysteries, suspense and thrillers
“Ghost Orchid” by Jonathan Kellerman is an Alex Delaware thriller. “Crosshairs” by James Patterson and James O. Born is a Michael Bennett thriller. “Camp Zero” by Michelle Min Sterling tells of climate researchers in a near-future northern settlement in Canada. “Karma of the Sun” by Brandon Ying Kit Boey follows a young Tibetan searching for his missing father. “Age of Vice” by Deepti Kapoor begins with a horrific car accident in India. “Hero” by Thomas Perry finds a female private security agent being stalked by a killer.

Other novels
“Legends & Lattes” by Travis Baldree is a fantasy about a woman taking a break from epic battles. “The Things We Didn’t Know” by Elba Iris Perez explores a young girl’s childhood between Puerto Rico and a small U.S. factory town. “Dixon, Descending” by Karen Outen is about two Black brothers determined to climb Mount Everest together. “Fourteen Days” by multiple authors including Celese Ng and John Grisham tells the stories of New York City neighbors during Covid.

Books on CD
“The Fox Wife” by Yangsze Choo begins with a courtesan’s 1908 death in Manchuria. “Chasing Endless Summer” by V.C. Andrews showcases a young woman who hopes for a normal life when her estranged father reappears. “The Fury” by Alex Michaelides tells of a reclusive ex-movie star hosting a getaway holiday. “The Women” by Kristin Hannah features a nurse returning to a changed U.S. after the Vietnam War. “A Plague on Both Yours Houses” by Robert Littell tells of Mafia power in Russia after 1991.

Donation guidelines
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. Here are the Friends’ new guidelines for donations: Yes to popular fiction books published in 2014 or later, nonfiction books published 2019 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
Asked if he consulted with the public when developing his Model T, Henry Ford replied that if he had surveyed others about what they wanted, they would have answered, “faster horses.”

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

Carole Howard & Library Staff

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.