May brings two very special events to your library that will be of interest to you and your family.
Starting May 27 through June 6, we will be hosting the first-in-the world virtual reality exhibition with five unique films featuring Holocaust survivors walking us through their hometowns, memories and concentration camp experiences as they share their stories of survival.
“The Journey Back” applies cutting-edge technology to engage visitors with the survivors’ incredibly important stories. We are privileged to share it with you, thanks to a generous loan from the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center.
The films begin daily on Tuesday, May 27 from 10am – 3pm.
Then, Friday afternoon, May 30 brings you the Summer Reading Kickoff Party from 1:30 – 4:30pm.
Book lovers of all ages will enjoy food, crafts and fun at this annual event that marks the start of the many highly popular Summer Reading activities that result in prizes for all ages.
Watch for more details with dates and times in future Library News columns.
Lifelong Learning Lectures
Your library’s free Spring Lifelong Learning Lectures series takes place every Wednesday through May 21 – and note that they are now happening in the afternoons, from 1 – 2:15pm.
As always, these informative and interesting talks will cover a wide variety of topics with talented and knowledgeable speakers:
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.
Friday Flix tomorrow
Enjoy a PG movie chosen by participants plus free popcorn Friday, May 9 from 2-3:30 p.m.
Bilingual storytime Saturday
Join beloved retired high school Spanish teacher Mrs. Mable Martinez Barber Saturday, May 10 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.
Adult knitting and needlework
Join new and experienced knitters Saturday, May 10 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. Any type of needleworker is welcome.
Ageless Grace exercise Monday
In a community partnership, Judy, adult services librarian, is leading an Ageless Grace exercise session at the Senior Center Mondays from 10 – 10:45 a.m. 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.
Family storytime
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 tutoring 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 schedule change
Free in-person slots are available from 2-4 p.m. only on Thursdays beginning this month. 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. Note: No Tech Time May 30.
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.
Pagosa Adult Learning Services (PALS)
Join Mark or Sally for free individualized 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.
Pope Francis memoir
“Hope” is the autobiography by Pope Francis that was intended to appear only after his death. Written over six years, with photos, it is the first autobiography ever written by a pope.
DVDs
“Every Little Thing” tells of the lives of injured hummingbirds in Los Angeles. “Heroes of the Bible” is a five-movie collection including “Samson,” “The Book of Esther,” “The Book of Daniel,” “Apostle Peter and the Last Supper” and “The Book of Ruth.” “Piece by Piece” is a LEGO-animated film about the life of Pharrell Williams. “The Chosen” is season three. “Living” tells of a U.K. civil servant struggling to maintain order while bogged down by paperwork. “Practicing Mindfulness” is a Great Courses lecture collection on medication.
Mysteries and thrillers
“Goddess Complex” by Sanjena Sathian examines millennial adulthood in this psychological thriller. “Silent as the Grave” by Rhys Bowen and Clare Broyles is a Molly Murphy mystery. “Strangers in Time” by David Baldacci is set in World War II London. “Gifted & Talented” by Olivie Blake is a fantasy featuring three telepathic siblings after their father’s death. “The Maid’s Secret” by Nita Prose begins with the loss of a priceless treasure. “Stone Yard Devotional” by Charlotte Wood follows a burnt out woman who retreats to a convent.
Other novels
“Sandwich” by Catherine Newman brings unusual events to a family’s annual Cape Cod vacation. “Tilt” by Emma Pattee follows a pregnant woman after the long-predicted massive Pacific Northwest earthquake. “Blood Test” by Charles Baxter is a comedic novel about a divorced midwestern dad. “Flesh” by David Szalay features a teen living in Hungary. “I See You’ve Called In Sick” by John Kenney is about a very unhappy obituary writer.
“Summer Light on Nantucket” by Nancy Thayer is about rekindled relationships.
Books on CD
“The Perfect Divorce” by Jeneva Rose is a thriller. “When She Was Gone” by Sara Foster is a psychological thriller. “Into the Gray Zone” by Brad Taylor is a Pike Logan thriller. “Earthbreaker” by Hannah Kaner is the third and final book in the Fallen Gods fantasy series. “Shadow of the Solstice” by Anne Hillerman is a Leaphorn, Chee and Manuelito Navajo Nation mystery.
Thanks to our donors
We are grateful for the generous monetary gift from Lawrence Shideler.
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
“Friendship adds a brighter radiance to prosperity and lessens the burden of adversity by dividing and sharing it.” – Cicero, Roman scholar, lawyer, philosopher, orator and writer who lived during Julius Caeser’s reign.
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