LIBRARY NEWS: Community Partnerships Expand Your Library’s Reach

In a new community outreach program, Judy, adult services librarian, is leading a free Ageless Grace exercise program at the Senior Center every Monday from 10 – 10:45am. It is a brain fitness program consisting of 21 simple exercises designed for all ages and abilities, performed while sitting in a chair.

The Senior Center location was chosen so participants have more privacy as they exercise, and we are delighted to make this healthy and fun program available in a convenient location.

Another partnership is expanding the reach of Dungeons and Dragons for middle school students. They are invited to join friends at the Pagosa Community Initiative on Thursdays 4 – 5:30pm for a free afterschool adventure. Registration is required. Participants must be in middle school and registered with the PCI afterschool programs. This Dungeon and Dragons program will continue until the end of the school year.

Science fun for kids tomorrow
Youngsters aged six-10 are invited to Steam Engines, a free science fun session, tomorrow, Friday, March 14, from 2 – 3:30 p.m.

Paws to Read tomorrow
Friday, March 14 from 2-3 p.m., youngsters are invited to share their favorite books with Maple, a therapy dog who loves stories, at a free Paws to Read session.

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, March 15 from 12:30 – 2:30 p.m. when you can play games with others who feel the same way.

Music fun Monday
Pagosa Unplugged is free from 4-6 p.m. Monday, March 17 for amateur musicians of all abilities to play, sing and jam with other people.

Adult DIY
At the free in-person adult DIY next Tuesday, March 18 we will follow along and learn to paint with Bob Ross as he creates a painting. All supplies provided.

Spanish conversation
Practice your Spanish in a free group setting on Tuesday, March 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.

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.

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.

Local authors
We have added two books to our collection by local authors, both of whom are members of the Wolf Creek Christian Writers group.  “Do Unto Others” by Lynn Moffett features Sofia, who runs a teen center where she faces one challenge after another as she tries to help others – and also handle her own family issues. “Her Father’s Heart” by Helene Prins Smith is a contemporary coming of age novel about a young woman who lives with her emotionally distant, controlling father who holds tightly to family secrets.

Large print
“Last Twilight in P:aris” by Pam Jenoff begins when a woman discovers a necklace in a London secondhand shop. “Bonded in Death” by J.D. Robb is an Eve Dallas mystery. “Citizen” is Bill Clinton’s memoir about his life after the White House. “A Grave in the Woods” by Martin Walker is a Bruno, chief of police, mystery. “A Farewell to Arfs” by Spencer Quinn is a crime story featuring Chet the dog and his human partner. “Robert B. Parker’s Buried Secrets” by Christopher Farnsworth is a Jesse Stone mystery. “Pro Bono” by Thomas Perry tells of an investigator following the trail of lost money.

Books on CD
“Red Clay” by Charles B. Fancher is a multigenerational saga about an enslaved Black family and their white owners. “Citizen” is Bill Clinton’s memoir about his life after the White House. “Waiting for the Long Night Moon” by Amanda Peters explores the indigenous experience from contact with the first European settlers to present day. “Beautiful Ugly” by Alice Feeney is a thriller about marriage and revenge involving a missing woman.
“Battle Mountain” by C.J. Box features Joe Pickett and Nate Romanowski.

Nonfiction
We have four new Mayo Clinic medical books: “Guide to Holistic Health” by Dr. Brent A. Bauer, “Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy” by Dr. Myra J. Wick, “Guide to Home Remedies” by Dr. Cindy A. Kermott and Gail M Boriel, and “First-aid Guide for Outdoor Adventures” by Dr. Nora P. Raukar. “For the Bees” by Tara Dawn Chapman is an illustrated handbook for happy beekeeping. “Tomoko Fuse’s Origami Boxes” shows you how to create beautiful paper gift boxes.

Mysteries, suspense and thrillers
“Been Wrong So Long It Feels Like Right” by Walter Mosley is a PI Joe King mystery. “Robert B. Parker’s Buried Secrets” by Christopher Farnsworth is a Jesse Stone mystery. “The Medici Return” by Steve Berry is a Cotton Malone search for a forgotten 16th century document.

Other novels
“We All Live Here” by Jojo Moyes follows a fractured family all living together. “Hold Strong” by Robert Dugoni is based on the true story of one of the most shocking acts of World War II.

DVDs
“The Substance” starring Demi Moore received five Academy Award nominations and won one. “Ghost in a Shell” is a sci-fi animated film. “Alien Romulus” is a sci-fi horror film. We have three contemporary classics: “The Bridges of Madison County” starring Clint Eastwood and Meryl Streep, “When Harry Met Sally” starring Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan, and “Groundhog Day” starring Bill Murray.

Donation guidelines
The Friends of the Library have 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
“Without our books, without knowing things, without knowing their special meaning—this isn’t movies, this is not someone drawing you images. This is a book, and you have the movie in your head.” – Keith Richards, English musician who has been the lead guitarist and primary musical force for the Rolling Stones since the band’s formation in 1962. His songwriting partnership with Mick Jagger is considered one of the most successful in history. His two memoirs are both available through your library: “Life” and “Gus & Me: The Story of My Granddad and My First Guitar.”

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.

Carole Howard & Library Staff

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.