Barb Brattin arrived in Pagosa to take up her new job as your library’s director on September 3, bringing with her an impressive record of educational and practical experience.
She has a BA in history from the University of Akron and a masters of library science from Kent State University, both in Ohio. For the previous 10 years Barb had been director of the Kenosha Public Library, named Wisconsin Library of the Year in 2020. From 2005-2013 she had been director of the Telluride library where she was named Colorado Librarian of the Year in 2007.
As 2025 begins, we thought it a good time to chat with Barb about her experiences here so far and her priorities for the future.
“I’ve worked in several libraries, but never one so obviously appreciated by the community,” she said. “It’s also great to see how much the staff genuinely want to help everyone and how much they love their work. Another plus is the many contributions of the board, the foundation and the Friends of the Library. And I’m greatly impressed by the sophistication of our readers, based on the books they request.
“I especially like working in a smaller library, with less time sitting at a desk dealing with administrative paperwork and more opportunities to interact with people.”
As for 2025, Barb has three priorities…
One is upgrading the library’s technology to better serve our patrons with faster computers and a more sophisticated network. Another is building our collection, especially adult and children’s nonfiction.
“We need more books helping kids with academic and homework requirements,” Barb says. “An important example is supporting STEM (science, technology, engineering and math).” As for adults, she has studied the books we must borrow from other libraries to meet their requests. “Science, nature, travel, yoga, religion, the classics — these all are subjects we need more of here.”
Barb’s third major priority is continuing to raise money for the campaign to upgrade and expand your library. “We’ve raised just over 50 percent of our $5 million goal, all from private donors and grants — with no increase in taxes,” she said. “Right now I’d like to get to 60 percent to be eligible for a Coors grant.”
On a personal level, Barb is greatly enjoying the Pagosa lifestyle and people. She has purchased a house in the Chris Mountain area and expanded her animal family, adding Vic, a rez dog adopted from a Navajo Humane Society in Arizona, as a companion for dog Gigi and cat Garfield.
“I feel I belong here,” she says with a smile.
New Friends Book Club meets next Monday
The inaugural meeting of the Just Friends Book Club will take place Monday, January 13 at noon at the library when the Friends of the Library group will discuss “Lost Birds” by Anne Hillerman and choose books to read the rest of the year. Copies are available at the library. Please feel free to bring a brown bag lunch for yourself. If you have questions, email DonnaMosher@icloud.com, president of the Friends.
Healthy friendships advice tomorrow
Teens and tweens are invited tomorrow, Friday, January 10 from 2-3 p.m., for a discussion with Rise Above Violence about making your friendships even more awesome.
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, January 10 from 2-4 p.m.
Chess Club Saturday
Learn how to play chess with free quick lessons and game time to practice your skills on Saturday, January 11 from 9:30-11:30 a.m. All ages and abilities are welcome.
Writing workshop Saturday
A new free writing workshop Saturday, January 11 from 10 a.m. – noon will teach you how to launch your project by developing compelling characters, creating a story arc, structuring your plot, managing your project and time, and preparing a professional manuscript.
Adult knitting Saturday
Join new and experienced knitters Saturday, January 11 for our free Knitters Circle from 1-3 p.m. It is aimed at anyone over the age of 18 who would like to knit together or get some help if you are stuck on your project.
Shakespeare read-aloud club
Shakespeare fans of all ages are invited to join in reading aloud “The Comedy of Errors” beginning Monday, January 13 through February 24 from 3:30 – 5 p.m. at the free Shakespeare Read Aloud Club. This is an all-ages program. Call Jenny at 240-426-7887 for more information.
Adult book club next Tuesday
Ruby’s Book Club meets from 2-3 p.m. on Tuesday, January 14 to discuss “Reading Lolita in Tehran” by Azar Nafisi. Copies are available at your library. This free adult book club is held the second Tuesday of each month, alternating between fiction and nonfiction titles. Anyone is welcome to attend.
Dungeons & Dragons
Next Tuesday, January 14 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.
Therapy dog visit
Next Wednesday, January 15 from 11 – 11:45 come to the library for a free visit with a certified therapy dog. Visits are limited to 10-15 minutes – just the right amount of time to pet the dog, read to the dog or just say “Hi.” This is an all-ages activity.
Legal clinic
This month’s free legal clinic is by appointment Wednesday, January 15 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 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.
Tween Knowledge Bowl
Our free middle school Knowledge Bowl takes place next Thursday, January 16 from 4-5 p.m. Tween participants form teams of up to six people to compete against each other by answering questions that cover a range of topics from math to spelling to pop culture.
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.
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, 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.
Nonfiction
“Out of the Darkness” by sports biographer Ian O’Connor explores the life of NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers. “Be Ready When the Luck Happens” by Ina Garten is a memoir of the Barefoot Contessa TV host and cookbooks author. “The TMJ Handbook” by Cator Shachoy is a therapeutic guide to relieving jaw tension and pain with yoga and mindfulness. “A Future We Can Love” by Susan Bauer-Wu is inspired by conversations between the Delai Lama and Greta Thunberg. “Rocks & Minerals of North America is a National Geographic pocket guide. “By Your Side” by David Richo provides tools to find soulful allies and become one to others.
Mysteries, suspense and thrillers
“All the Colors of the Dark” by Chris Whitaker features the daughter of a wealthy family and an unlikely local hero who saves her. “Our Little Secret” by Lisa Jackson follows a couple after the woman is trying to end their brief affair. “Like Mother, Like Mother” by Susan Rieger is a multi-generational family saga shaped by past secrets.
Other novels
“Lady Macbeth” by Ava Reid is a reimagining of Shakespeare’s most famous villainess. “North Woods” by Daniel Mason is set in a New England house with its inhabitants across the centuries. “Becoming Madam Secretary” by Stephanie Dray features FDR’s most trusted lieutenant. “Night Watch” by Jayne Anne Phillips tells of a mother and daughter seeking refuge after the Civil War.
DVDs
“The Doris Day and Rock Hudson Comedy Collection” contains three comedies. “Cool Runnings” is a Walt Disney comedy inspired by the true story of Jamaica’s first Olympic bobsled team. “White Bird: A Wonder Story” tells of a young man transformed by the heroic life of his grandmother. “The Nightmare before Christmas” is a Disney Tim Burton musical fantasy. “Heard the Bells” is the true story of the beloved Christmas carol.
Quotable Quote
“We don’t stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing” – George Bernard Shaw (1856-1950), Irish playwright, critic, political activist and winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature.
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