Pagosa will have a 60 percent view of the solar eclipse midday Monday, April 8. You are invited to join us in the library garden from 11:30am – 1:30pm to watch. Pick up free special glasses at your library starting April 1 to ensure your eye safety.
Then later in the afternoon of Monday, April 8 from 4-5pm, teens and tweens are invited to a free in-person Q&A with young adult (YA) author Heather Buchta, who wrote “Chasing After Knight.” This popular author will share the process of writing a successful YA book and answer your questions.
Save the dates
The free spring Lifelong Learning Lecture series will take place Thursday evenings, April 18 through May 23 from 6-7:15 p.m. with informative presentations on using water efficiently, air quality during wildfire season, Chimney Rock, Mt. Kilimanjaro, our local monsoon forecast and your library foundation. Watch for more details in next week’s Library News column. The lectures are free and no registration required.
We also hope you’ll join us to say a fond farewell to departing library director Meg Wempe on Wednesday, April 24 from 2-4pm. Snacks, activities and well wishes will be available.
National Library Week
If you haven’t been to your library for a while, this might be a good time to visit since April 7-12 National Library Week. We’d love to see you.
Early library closure
Your library will close early on Monday, April 7 for a staff meeting at 5pm. This is our regular staff meeting schedule – on the second Monday of the month.
One more tax help session
If you would like help with your taxes, please call Kathy at 970-553-9150 or email her at kathy.taxhelp@gmail.com for an appointment for the third and final free session at your library. A representative of VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) will meet with those who have signed up in individual sessions next Tuesday, April 9 between from 9am – 8pm. Registration is required in advance.
Special Writers Guild anthology
Local writers — both guild members are those who are not — are invited to contribute to a Writers Guild anthology collection that will be donated to the library. Submissions should be sent to Judy by email at judy@pagosalibrary.org by today, Thursday, April 4, when there will be open readings of submissions from 9am – 2pm. Then blind reviews will take place April 18 from 9am – 2pm. For more information please contact Judy at the library at 970-264-2209.
Habitat for Humanity tomorrow
On Friday, April 5 from 5-6 p.m. our local Habitat for Humanity will host an open forum at your library to share information and answer questions about this important nonprofit organization in our community. They’ll discuss their application process, the 18-month path to affordable home ownership, and how you can volunteer or donate. Child supervision will be provided.
Teen/tween takeover tomorrow
We are setting aside the large meeting room and some of the computers and tweens and teens to use and spend time with friends Friday, April 5, from 2-3pm.
AARP senior program
Seniors aged 60 and above are invited to a free live online Senior Planet AARP program on the first and third Fridays of the month, this month on April 5 and 19, 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.
Adult book club next Tuesday
Ruby’s Book Club meets in person from 2-3 p.m. on Tuesday, April 9 to discuss “The Book of Longings” by Sue Monk Kidd. Copies are available at your library. This book club is held the second Tuesday of each month, alternating between fiction and nonfiction titles. Anyone is welcome to attend. Snacks provided.
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. Today, April 4, and April 18 are special longer events. Please see above for more details.
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. Note no PALS today, April 4.
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.
Large print
“George Harrison: The Reluctant Beatle” by Philip Norman is a biography of this talented but troubled master guitar player and songwriter. “A Memoir of my Former Self: My Life in Writing” by Hilary Mantel is a collection of stories from this novelist and journalist. “Expiration Dates” by Rebecca Serle is a romance that begins with a blind date. “Three-Inch Teeth” by C.J. Box is a Joe Pickett adventure.
Nonfiction
“Rhett & Link Present The Mythical Cookbook” by Josh Scherer features recipes and humor by this YouTube star. “Abandoned” by law enforcement veteran Larry Baxter explores the history of Port Chatham, Alaska, a busy fishing village now abandoned. “Baby Names 2024” contains more than three thousand baby names with their meanings and origins. “Elevate and Dominate” by Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders offers stories, strategies and motivation to help you win at life.
Novels
“Expiration Dates” by Rebecca Serle is a romance that begins with a blind date. “The Underground Library” by Jennifer Ryan follows three women saving a library’s books after a blitz bombing in London.
Thanks to our donors
Many thanks to Medora Bass for her materials donations. 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.
Quotable Quote
“Remember the good shots and forget the bad. This is the first rule of golf my father ever taught me. It’s the first rule I taught my son. Apply it to every round you play. If you’re old, apply it to your life.” – Ed Weathers, teacher, magazine writer and editor in Golf Digest magazine.
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.