One of the greatest gifts you can give your babies and toddlers is to sign them up for a free early literacy reading program called “1,000 Books before Kindergarten” for children from birth to five years old. You can sign up any time at your library. You will receive a folder with bubbles to keep track of the books you read to your child. The concept is simple: Read 1,000 books to your newborn, infant or toddler – yes, you can repeat books – before your precious one starts kindergarten. You’ll get a free book each time your child completes 100 books.
One thousand may sound like a huge number of books, but it’s not really. If you read just one book a night, you will have read 365 books in a year. That is 730 books in two years and 1,095 books in three years. If you consider that most children start kindergarten at around five years of age, you have more time than you may think.
Library closure
Your library will be closed Monday, February 17 in honor of Presidents’ Day.
Online author talks
Our highly popular free online author talks with New York Times bestselling authors continue in February with one more opportunity for you to interact with bestselling authors. Tuesday, February 18 at noon features Lee Hawkins, author of “I am Nobody’s Slave,” discussing How Uncovering My Family’s History Set Me Free. For details and to register go to https://libraryc.org/pagosalibrary/upcoming.
Friday Flix tomorrow
Enjoy a PG movie chosen by participants plus free popcorn Friday, February 14 from 2-3:30 p.m.
LEGO Club Saturday
Kids aged six-11 are invited to the free LEGO Club on Saturday, February 15 from 11 a.m. – noon. Bring your own LEGOs or use ours.
Pokemon Club on Saturday
If you love Pokemon, this club is for you. Bring your cards to a fun free all-ages event on Saturday, February 16 from 12:30 – 2:30 p.m. when you can play games with others who feel the same way.
Adult DIY
At the free in-person adult DIY next Tuesday, February 18 from 1-2:30 p.m., Miranda will teach you how to make one-of-a-kind polymer jewelry, all supplies provided.
Spanish conversation
Practice your Spanish in a free group setting on Tuesday, February 18 from 4:30-5:30 p.m. No minimum skill level needed. This group meets twice a month, on the first and third Tuesdays.
Game night
Come play Scrabble, cribbage, cards or bring your own to Game Night next Thursday, February 20 from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Popcorn 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.
Elementary tutoring
Children ages six-11 are welcome at these free sessions on Wednesdays from 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. where they will build essential skills in core subjects. Pre-registration is required.
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.
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.
Local history books
“Indians of New Mexico” by Richard C. Sandoval is a history of tribes including the Rio Grande and Pecos Valley Indians which has just been added to our Hershey Collection section. “Sacred Objects and Sacred Places” by Andrew Gulliford, professor of history at Fort Lewis College in Durango, explores the importance of tribal preservation and historic places.
Other nonfiction
“Knitting Pretty” by Kris Percival is an illustrated guide to comfy projects. “Loving Life As It Is’ by Chakung Jigme Wangdrak is a Buddhist guide to ultimate happiness. “Stronger Than BPD” by Debbie Corso is a girl’s guide to taking control of intense emotions, drama and chaos from borderline personality disorder. “Cribsheet” by Emily Oster, named NPR Book of the Year, is a guide to more relaxed parenting from birth to preschool.
Mysteries, suspense and thrillers
“Robert Ludlum’s The Bourne Vendetta” by Brian Freedman is a Jason Bourne adventure. “Livid” by Patricia Cornwell is the latest in the Dr. Kay Scarpetta forensic pathologist series. “Witchcraft for Wayward Girls” by Grady Hendrix is a psychological Gothic thriller. “A Sea of Unspoken Things” by Adrienne Young takes place after the untimely death of a twin’s brother. “Beautiful Ugly” by Alice Feeney features a man who sees his missing wife on a remote Scottish island a year after her mysterious disappearance.
Other novels
“The Hypocrite” by Jo Hamya is about a daughter who writes a play based on her father’s faded career. “Lightfall” by Ed Crocker is book one of a new Everlands epic fantasy series. “Water Moon” by Samantha Sotto Yambao is set in a magical pawnshop behind a ramen shop. “Death of the Author” by Nnedi Okorafor is a tale of a disabled woman whose new sci-fi novel changes her life. “Good Material” by Dolly Alderton focuses on a stand-up comic exploring a ruined relationship.
New donation guidelines
The Friends of the Library have announced new guidelines for donations to the library. Books on time-sensitive topics that can quickly become out of date are wanted only if they have been published within the last five years. These subjects include politics/current events, health and medicine, sports/exercise, business, technology, science, education and travel guides. Not accepted are reference materials, textbooks and non-print material like CDs, DVDs, Blu Ray, VHS or cassette tapes because they do not sell at Friends of the Library sales.
When the library is open, high-quality used book donations are gratefully accepted at the front desk – not down the outside returns slot at the library or the dropbox at City Market, please. No more than two boxes at a time because of space constraints and all books in excellent condition, please.
Quotable Quote
“Never tread water. Always move ahead.” – Dick Button (1929-2025), two-time Olympic figure skater gold medal winner, five-time consecutive World Champion figure skater winner and Emmy award-winning TV sports analyst. He is considered the most accomplished men’s figure skater in history and is credited with taking figure skating into the mainstream with his ABC Wide World of Sports commentaries.
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.