Your library’s free Spring Lifelong Learning Lectures series takes place on Wednesdays from April 16 through May 21 – and note that they are now happening in the afternoons, from 1 – 2:15pm. The time change was made from evenings because many patrons said they preferred not to have to drive at night to attend.
As always, these informative and interesting talks will cover a wide variety of topics with talented and knowledgeable speakers:
April 16 features Pat Hasenbuhler, who taught astronomy for 30 years, discussing the importance of dark skies in Pagosa and the Chimney Rock National Monument.
April 23 showcases Karina Guerrero, a financial planner, explaining the difference between wills and trusts and much more in an estate planning session.
April 30 with Kimberley Schooley of the Durango Dementia Coalition explores what it’s like to live well with dementia from a care partner’s perspective.
May 7 with Peggy Bergon goes back into history when Hispanic sheepherders expressed their loneliness and artistic talents with arborglyphs carved on aspen tress.
May 14 is a Zoom session by Dayton Romero introducing you to AARP Senior Planet live online classes for seniors on many topics from wellness to finance.
May 21 highlights the weather expertise of Arleen Prochazka discussing the 2025 monsoon in the Southern San Juans.
Pick up a brochure at your library with more details on all these outstanding talks.
More elementary tutors needed
We are in need of more tutors for our free elementary tutoring sessions for children ages six-11 on Wednesdays from 3:30 – 4:30pm to help them build essential skills in core subjects. This program has become so popular that we are looking for more tutors to participate. If you have teaching experience in early grades and are interested, please contact Barb Brattain, library director.
Online author talks
Our highly popular free online author talks with New York Times bestselling authors continue in April with one more talk for you to watch live on Zoom or via a recording later. For details and to register go to https://libraryc.org/pagosalibrary/upcoming. Thursday, April 24 at 5pm features “The Thrill of Writing Action, Adventure and Suspense” with Gregg Hurwitz.
Friday Flix tomorrow
Enjoy a PG movie chosen by participants plus free popcorn Friday, April 11 from 2-3:30 p.m.
Bilingual storytime Saturday
Join beloved retired high school Spanish teacher Mrs. Mable Martinez Barber Saturday, April 12 from 10-11 a.m. for Hora de Cuentos, a bilingual storytime. Children will enjoy a story and singing in both English and Spanish as well as a craft and free play together, all aimed at building early literacy skills. This special event happens on the first Saturday of every month.
High school math tutoring
Free high school math tutoring for ages 14 and up takes place Mondays from 4 – 5:30 p.m. Pre-registration is required.
Adult DIY
At the free in-person adult DIY next Tuesday, April 15 from 1-2:30 p.m., Gloria will teach you an ancient way to weave with cards, all supplies provided. Pre-registration is required.
Spanish conversation
Practice your Spanish in a free group setting on Tuesday, April 15 from 4:30-5:30 p.m. No minimum skill level needed. This group meets twice a month, on the first and third Tuesdays.
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.
Dungeons and Dragons
A community-library partnership is expanding the reach of Dungeons and Dragons for middle school students. They are invited to join friends at the Pagosa Community Initiative every Thursday from 4 – 5:30 p.m. 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.
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.
Mysteries, suspense and thrillers
“The Paris Express” by Emma Donoghue is an historical thriller set on a train from Normandy to Paris.
Other novels
“A Constant Love” by Tracie Peterson is a Hope of Cheyenne historical romance. “Harlem Rhapsody” by Victoria Christopher Murray features the first Black woman to become literary editor of a major magazine. “B is for Bonnet” by Shelley Shepard Gray is book two in the Amish ABCs series. “Buffalo Hunter” by Stephen Graham Jones follows a Blackfeet Indian in the early days of the state of Montana.
Large print
“High Tea and Misdemeanors” by Laura Childs is a Tea Shop mystery. “The Rivals” by Jane Pek is book two in the Claudia Lin series. “Count My Lies” by Sophie Stava starts with a lie. “Ward D” by Freida McFadden is set in a hospital’s mental health unit. “Broken Country” by Clare Leslie Hall tells of a woman pulled back into the life of a past lover. “The Queens of Crime” by Marie Benedict features a secret society of the five greatest women crime writers.
DVDs
“Reagan” starts Dennis Quaid. “All Creatures Great & Small” is season five. “Thomas Jefferson” and “The Statue of Liberty” are Ken Burns films. ”Frasier” is season one. “Billions” is the complete series of 84 episodes. “The Wonders of America’s State Parks” and “Epic Engineering Failures and the Lessons They Teach” are Great Courses DVDs.
Nonfiction
“The Ultimate Retirement Guide for 50+” by Suze Orman is a revised and updated version. “Jung: The Key Ideas” by Ruth Snowden explains the ideas of the founder of analytical psychology. “Farm-fresh Charcuterie Spreads” by Lana Stenner offers more than 40 recipes for boards, platters and grazing tables. “Brooke Shields is Not Allowed to Get Old” is a memoir by the actress that focuses on midlife.
Quotable Quote
“A real friend is one who walks in when others walk out.” – Walter Winchell (1897-1972), syndicated newspaper gossip columnist and radio news commentator, famous for pioneering the American fast-paced, gossip-dominated, politically charged media culture.
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