This evening, Thursday, July 25 from 6 – 7:15pm, Ethan Proud, Archuleta County land and weed supervisor, will discuss land stewardship, invasive plants and our responsibilities in Colorado at a special free adult event.
Then tomorrow, Friday, July 26 from 2 – 3:30pm at a free all-ages session, we’ll learn about the fascinating history of the first 20-mule team that hauled borax 165 miles through the Mojave Desert in the late 1800s. Fully loaded, the two ore wagons and a 1,200-gallon water wagon weighed 36.5 tons.
Carl, a 20-year Pagosa resident, first became fascinated with mule trains as a youngster in Pennsylvania in the l950s when he sent for a model by mailing in cereal box coupons. Later he found a model kit when he was a volunteer ranger at Death Valley National Park. He will show us his handmade model of an ore wagon as he relates the history of this vital transportation mode until the expansion of the railway led to the mule team’s retirement.
Virtual author talk for kids, teens
There is one more of our highly popular free online author talks that took a special turn for the month of July as they featured people and books aimed at children, tweens and teens. Tuesday, July 30 at noon Dan Santat will explain how to tell your own story in a graphic novel to fifth-eighth grades. These sessions offer unique opportunities to interact with New York Times bestselling authors and ask questions. For more details and to register go to https://libraryc.org/pagosalibrary/upcoming.
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.
Paws to Read tomorrow
Friday, July 26 from 2-3pm, youngsters are invited to share their favorite books with Muppet or Maple, therapy dogs who love stories, at a free Paws to Read session.
Teen Camp Half-blood on Wednesday
Wednesdays in July from 1 – 2:30pm is our free Camp Half-blood for teens. It is based on the very popular Percy Jackson novels and will allow fans to participate in Escape Room-style activities centered around Greek myths, just like Percy Jackson. Each week teens will be presented with puzzles and STEM challenges like “Create a device that will locate and capture the bugs that escaped from Pandora’s box” or “Arachne left webs to help you find a way through a secret passage in the labyrinth.”
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.
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 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.
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.
Thrillers, suspense and mysteries
“Home is Where the Bodies Are” by Jeneva Rose is a thriller about skeletons in a family’s closet. “The Nature of Disappearing” by Kimi Cunningham Grant features a woman who leaves her new life to search for an old friend. “Some Murders in Berlin” by Karen Robards tells of a psychological profiling expert summoned to help solve murders. “You’ll Never Find Me” by Allison Brennon is the first in a new crime series featuring PI Margo Angelhart.
Other novels
“While the Town Slept” by William W. and J.A. Johnstone is part of the Deputy U.S. Marshal Tim Colter western series. “Temptation of the Force” by Tessa Gratton is a Star Wars High Republic story. “The Which Way Tree” by Elizabeth Crook follows a young girl tracking a panther who killed her mother. “End of Active Service” by Matt Young follows a Marine adjusting to post-war life with a wife and baby. “Resurrection” by Danielle Steel focuses on a woman remaking her life after her 20-year-marriage ends unexpectedly.
Books on CD
“The Burning” by Linda Castillo features Police Chief Kate Burkholder investigating a murder in Amish country. “Dog Day Afternoon” by David Rosenfelt is an Andy Carpenter mystery featuring rescue dogs. “The Briar Club” by Kate Quinn is set in an all-women’s board house in Washington, D.C. during the McCarthy era. “Flashpoint” by Catherine Coulter is an FBI thriller.
Nonfiction
“How to Knit” by Tina Barrett provides techniques and projects for the complete beginner. “Certified Media Assistant Exam Prep Book 2023-2024” is a Mometrix test preparation guide. “The Final Pandemic” by Dr. Mark and Dr. Samantha Bailey examines claims relating to contagious disease outbreaks. “Beautiful Jim Key” by Mim Eichler Rivas is the story of a horse with exceptional skills and the I.Q. of a sixth-grader.
Thanks to our donors and guidelines for donations
We are grateful for the generous donation from Patti Howard and Don Logan in Victoria, Canada in memory of Bob Howard.
Quotable Quote
“One of the functions of comedy is to help people get past a difficult time and move on with their life. And one of the greatest sounds in the world is laughter. I fell in love with laughter after I first heard it and so after many years I’m still doing comedy.” – Bob Newhart (1929-2024), comedian and actor known for his deadpan and stammering delivery style. He won three Grammy awards, an Emmy and a Golden Globe.
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.