Retirement income strategies including perspectives on Social Security and making your savings last will be among the topics discussed at a free talk on women’s retirement strategies tomorrow, Friday, December 6, from noon to 1:15pm presented by Kelly Maestas, MBA, from Edward Jones Financial Services here in Pagosa Springs. She also will offer advice on how to prepare for the unexpected, including market risks and the impact of rising costs on your retirement nest egg.
Then next Wednesday, December 11 we welcome always-popular speaker Andrew Gulliford who will discuss the environmental history of the Southwest at a free talk from 4:30 – 5:30pm. He is professor of history and environmental studies at Fort Lewis College in Durango and the author of seven books on the American west and environmental issues.
Early library closure
Your library will close early on Monday, December 9 for a staff meeting at 5 p.m. This is our regular staff meeting schedule – on the second Monday of the month.
Special teen impulse control talk
Save the date of next Friday, December 13 from 2-3 p.m. for a special free talk for teens about impulse control from speakers from Rise Above Violence. Teen brains are moving a mile a minute so it can be helpful to learn some strategies to help you keep up.
Tween/teen takeover tomorrow
We are setting aside the large meeting room and some of our computers for tweens and teens to use and spend time with friends tomorrow, Friday, December 6 from 2-4 p.m.
High school math tutoring
High school math tutors continues for ages 14 and up Mondays from 4 – 5:30 p.m. through December 16 for free tutoring, except for December 9 when it ends at 5 p.m. because of our regular monthly staff meeting. Registration is required.
Free math tutoring will resume in the spring, depending on demand and tutor availability.
Adult book club next Tuesday
Ruby’s Book Club meets from 2-3 p.m. on Tuesday, December 10 to discuss “Our Missing Hearts” by Celeste Ng. Copies are available at your library. This free book club is held the second Tuesday of each month, alternating between fiction and nonfiction titles. Anyone is welcome to attend. Snacks provided.
Dungeons & Dragons
Next Tuesday, December 10 from 4 – 5:30 p.m., join our Dungeons & Dragons game free for teens, tweens and young adults. Pre-registration is required because space is limited. Contact Josie@pagosalibrary.org to join.
Legal clinic tomorrow
This month’s free legal clinic is by appointment tomorrow, Wednesday, December 11 from 2 – 3:40 p.m. Come to the library to meet privately via Zoom with our volunteer civil attorney. To schedule an appointment, phone us at 970-264-2209. When you call, let us know if you need a translator. Registration opens the first of the month and is required as space is limited.
Family storytimes
Wednesdays from 10-11 a.m. join a free educational hour of reading, singing and free play to build early literacy skills.
Writers Guild
Thursdays from 9-11 a.m. the 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, 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. No appointment necessary. PALS stands for Pagosa Adult Learning Services.
Short stories
“The Wood at Midwinter” by Susanna Clarke is a beautifully illustrated short fantasy story about a 19-year-old who can talk to animals and trees. “You Like It Darker” by Stephen King is a collection of 12 stories delving into the darker part of life. “Januaries” by Olivie Blake is a collection of short stories of love, magic and betrayal.
Books on CD
“Night & Day” by John Connolly is a collection of nine supernatural short stories. “Return of the Runebound Professor” by Actus is book two of the fantasy series. “Raised by Wolves” by James Patterson and Emily Raymond begins with two teens ransacking a small-town grocery store. “The Mirror” by Nora Roberts is book two in the Lost Bride Trilogy. “To Die For” by David Baldacci is a mystery featuring Travis Devine on an FBI case in Seattle.
Large print
“What Does It Feel Like?” by Sophie Kinsella follows a novelist dealing with health issues after brain surgery. “The Grey Wolf” by Louise Penny is a Chief Inspector Gamache suspense. “Now or Never” by Janet Evanovich is a Stephanie Plum mystery. “The More the Merrier” and “Dog Day Afternoon” by David Rosenfelt are Andy Carpenter mysteries. “Rockin’ Around the Chickadee” by Donna Andrews is a Meg Langslow mystery. “A Controversial Cover” by Lorna Barrett is a Booktown mystery. “Clive Cussler’s Desolation Code” by Graham Brown is a NUMA adventure.
Nonfiction
“10-minute Decorating Ideas for Christmas” by KariAnne Wood reveals more than 60 ideas. “The Comedy of Errors” is a No Fear Shakespeare version of the play with the complete original text on the left page and the easy-to-understand translation on the right. “The Propagation Handbook” by Hilton Carter is a guide to propagating houseplants. “Wilderness Navigation Made Simple 2024” by Ryan Riversong offers tips on mastering compass readings and other advice for outdoor adventurers.
Mysteries, suspense and thrillers
“The Midnight Ride” by Ben Mezrich features an MIT grad student who unwittingly discovers a hidden connection between the Gardner Museum and a Revolutionary War secret. “The Blue Hour” by Paula Hawkins is a suspense story set on a Scottish island with only one house. “Keep It In the Family” by John Marrs explores secrets hidden in the attic of what once was a derelict house. “An Eye for an Eye” by Jeffrey Archer begins with two deaths continents apart.
Other novels
“My Three Dogs” by W. Bruce Cameron features three dogs united after being adopted by three different humans. “The Love Elixir of Augusta Stern” by Lynda Cohen Loigman tells of an 80-year-old retired pharmacist who meets up with a man who broke her heart 60 years earlier. “The Restless Wave” by Admiral James Stavridis is about an immature young naval officer in World War II. “Blue Sisters” by Coco Mellor follows three estranged sisters after their fourth sister’s death.
DVDs
“Van Der Valk” is season four of the detective series set in Amsterdam. “Special Ops: Lioness” is season one. “Keeping Faith” is a BBC thriller series set in Wales with eight episodes. “Twisters” is the blockbuster disaster action film. “The Cutting Edge” is a romantic comedy featuring two skaters going for Olympic gold. “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” is the complete classic series. “It Ends With Us” is a romantic drama about domestic violence.
Quotable Quote
“My father asked me, because he was concerned that I wanted to play the guitar and do all these artistic things. ‘Aren’t you going to make a success of yourself?’ I was very young and I said, ‘I just want to make every day a success. That’s as far as I can go.” – Actress Kathy Bates. With a career spanning more than five decades, she has won an Academy Award, two Primetime Emmy Awards 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.