We will host a very special guest speaker at your library next Tuesday, July 9 from 6 – 7:15pm when Scott Graham comes from Durango to spend time with us. He is the author of the critically acclaimed National Parks mystery series featuring Chuck Bender, an archeologist, along with his family as they encounter and solve dangerous situations in the iconic parks of the American West.
In addition to being an excellent storyteller, Graham makes sure that the stories in his books illuminate environmental, social justice and historical issues as they unfold.
The books in the series are available at the library for your reading pleasure, the most recent being the just-published “Death Valley Duel.” Settings in the other books feature nearby national parks including Mesa Verde, Arches, Rocky Mountain, Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Yosemite and Canyonlands.
Virtual author talks for kids, teens
Our highly popular free online author talks take a special turn for the month of July as they feature people and books aimed at children, tweens and teens. These sessions offer unique opportunities to interact with New York Times bestselling authors and ask questions. Please see below for details and the ages each talk is aimed at.
For more details and to register go to https://libraryc.org/pagosalibrary/upcoming.
Tuesday, July 9 at noon features a visit to Deckawoo Drive with Mercy Watson, an adventurous pig, by Kate DiCamillo for pre-K – second grade. Tuesday, July 16 at noon showcases “The Last Kids on Earth” and Max Brallier for third-sixth grades. On Tuesday, July 23 at noon bestselling author Elizabeth Acevedo will talk about the learning power of poetry to ninth-12 grades. Tuesday, July 30 at noon Dan Santat will explain how to tell your own story in a graphic novel to fifth through eighth grades.
Library closures
Your library will be closed July 4 for the holiday… and will close early, at 5pm, on Monday, July 8 for a staff meeting.
Watch for us in the July Fourth parade
We hope to see you on the July Fourth parade route when we will have a float featuring staff of the library and foundation as well as some of our volunteers. Theme of the parade is Back to the Future, so our theme appropriately will be Back to the Library.
Friends Book Sale
Next week on July 11 – 13 is the Friends of the Library annual book sale at the Community United Methodist Church at 434 Lewis Street. Early bird sales and a potluck for Friends members only is Thursday evening from 5:30 – 7:30pm. The general public is welcome Friday from 9 – 3pm and Saturday from 9am – noon.
This book sale is a wonderful opportunity for you to buy books for yourself, your family and for gifts at amazingly low prices while helping your library continue to thrive. The sale raises funds for much needed library projects, programs and services.
Summer Reading Program underway
“Adventure Begins at Your Library!” is the theme of this year’s free all-ages Summer Reading Program underway now. Choose your own adventure from the Smokey Bear reading challenge celebrating Smokey’s 80th birthday, a travel journal challenge where you document your experiences as you try new things and visit new places in the area, and a Camp Ruby Sisson bingo challenge that brings back our much-loved bingo sheets.
Prizes are available for all ages for each week of Summer Reading activities completed, and those results also put your name into a raffle for the grand prize at the concluding party on August 9, Smokey’s birthday. Sign up now in person or online and watch for details in this Library News column of all the fun free Summer Reading events coming your way.
Teen/tween survival skills
Friday, July 5 from 11am – noon, teens and tweens are invited to a free session where you can learn some skills you might need if you ever had to survive alone in the wilderness.
LEGO Club Saturday
Kids aged six-11 are invited to the free LEGO Club on Saturday, July 6 from 11 a.m. – noon. Bring your own LEGOs or use ours to free build.
Adult book club next Tuesday
Ruby’s Book Club meets in person from 2-3 p.m. on Tuesday, July 9 to discuss “River of the Gods: The Search for the Source of the Nile” by Candace Millard. 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.
Family storytimes
Wednesdays from 10-11 a.m. join a free educational hour of reading, singing and free play to build early literacy skills.
Special kids sessions
Thursdays from 10-11:30am, kids are invited to a special time exploring insects, plants, fossils and animals.
Writers Guild
Thursdays from 9-11am Ruby’s Writers Guild welcomes writers looking for opportunities, support, resources and camaraderie with other writers at this free gathering.
Tech Time
Free in-person slots are available from 10 a.m.-noon Tuesdays and 2-4 p.m. Thursdays. Judy helps 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.
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.
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.
DVDs
“The Madame Blanc Mysteries” is series one. “The Hummingbird Effect” is a PBS Nature documentary about the tiny birds’ positive effect on Costa Rica’s spectacular ecosystems.
Large print
“Tom Clancy Act of Defiance” is a Jack Ryna adventure. “In Sunshine or in Shadow” by Rhys Bowen and Clare Broyles is a Molly Murphy mystery. “Westport” by James Comey is a thriller by the former FBI director. “Murder in a Cup” by Lauren Elliot is a Crystals and CuriosiTEAS mystery.
Nonfiction
“American Wings” by Sherri L. Smith and Elizabeth Wein is the story of Chicago’s pioneering black aviators and how they helped to desegregate the skies.
Thrillers, mysteries and suspense
“Talent for Murder” by Peter Swanson tells of a librarian who may have married a serial killer.
Other novels
“Swan Song” by Elin Hilderbrand is the last in the writer’s series of novels set in Nantucket.
Thanks to our donors
Our thanks to Robin Petit for materials donations.
Quotable Quote
“Age is of no importance unless you’re a cheese.” – Billie Burke (1884-1970), American actress who was famous in her day for performing on Broadway, on radio, and in silent and sound films.
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.