Today, Thursday, June 12, is a special all-ages archaeology and fossils event from 12:30 – 1:45pm.
You’ll be able to hold and examine both real and replica artifacts as well as tools used in the field as you learn from archeologist Paul Landrum, an expert on this fascinating field of science. Coming to us from Durango, he is president of the San Juan Basin Archaeological Society and he will bring interesting items to touch and look at.
As well, we have two kits with replica fossil artifacts and tools from the Colorado State Library to display,
Summer book sale plans
Mark your calendar for the hugely popular Friends of the Library book sale in July at the Community Methodist Church located downtown at 434 Lewis Street when you can take advantage of great bargains on books of all genres for all ages while helping the Friends raise money for your library.
Thursday, July 17 from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. is the members-only early shopping opportunity – and if you are not a member you’re welcome to join at the door. Annual memberships are $15 per person or $25 per family. Lifetime memberships are $150 per person.
Friday, July 18 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Saturday, July 19 from 9 a.m. to noon the book sale is open to the public.
To prepare for the book sale, the Friends are organizing a book drive on June 28 from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. in the library parking lot where they will accept gently used books – and you’ll get a coupon for a free book. Please note that damaged books will not be accepted.
Here are the guidelines for your donations:
Books on time-sensitive topics that can quickly become out of date are wanted only if they have been published within the last five years.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 the Friends sales.
Last chance for book donations
Book donations to the summer book sale outlined above is the last chance you have to donate books to your library for the next 12 months. That’s because we expect to be breaking ground for our expansion construction on August 1. In anticipation, we are clearing out as much as we can so we can stay in the building during the construction.
Holiday closure
Your library will be closed next Thursday, June 19 for Juneteenth, a federal holiday celebrated to commemorate the ending of slavery in the United States.
Reading rewards
Pick up your free Summer Reading Program bingo sheets every week at the library through August 1. Then complete activities to earn rewards throughout the summer and a chance to win a grand prize. There will be awards for different age groups: infants and pre-school, youth aged five – 11, tweens and teens, and adults.
Watch for details with dates and times of Summer Reading events and activities in future Library News columns throughout the summer. And pick up the Summer Reading Program flyer at the library so you don’t miss any of the free programs, events and activities available to you and your family.
Friday arts and crafts
Every Friday through August 1 we are hosting special free all-ages events from 1 – 2:30 p.m. with experts leading sessions on different arts and crafts skills.
Tomorrow, June 13, is fiber arts and wearables, when we’ll create a quilt square or potholder. June 20 showcases photographer Mark Langford helping us explore life through a lens. June 27 features Jesse Krebs, survivalist and “Alone” star, teaching us to make a survival bracelet. All materials will be provided.
Adult knitting and needlework
Join new and experienced knitters Saturday, June 14 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.
Changes for conversational Spanish
The Conversational Spanish group now gathers on the second and fourth Mondays of the month from 4-5 p.m. This is a great opportunity to practice your Spanish in a free group setting. No minimum skill level needed.
Ageless Grace exercise Monday
In a community partnership, Judy, adult services librarian, is leading a free 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.
Music fun Monday
Pagosa Unplugged is free from 4-6 p.m. Monday, June 16 for amateur musicians of all abilities to play, sing and jam with other people.
Family storytime
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.
Tech Time
Free in-person slots are available from 2-4 p.m. on Thursdays. Taylor 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 June 19 because of the holiday.
Activities calendars
Pick up monthly calendars at the library so you don’t miss any of the free programs, events and activities available to you and your family.
Large print
“The Ladies Road Guide to Utter Ruin” by Alison Goodman is book two in the Ill-Mannered Ladies series. “See How They Hide” by Allison Brennan is a Quinn & Costa thriller. “The Last Sunrise” by Anna Todd is a romance set in Spain. “The Quiet Librarian” by Allen Eskens begins when a woman learns her best friend has been murdered. “South of Nowhere” by Jeffery Deaver is a Colter Shaw thriller.
DVDs
We have seasons four, five and six of “Call the Midwife.” “Landman” is an upstairs/downstairs tale of roughnecks and billionaires working in the world of West Texas oil rigs with stars including Billy Bob Thorton and Demi Moore. “Dune Prophecy” is the first season of the HBO series. “Resistance: They Fought Back” documents the many Jewish resistance efforts in the Warsaw Ghetto.
Novels
“My Name is Emilia Del Valle” by Isabel Allende is an historical novel featuring an adventurous female reporter covering the war in Chile. “The Emperor of Gladness” by Ocean Yuong features a young man saved from suicide by an elderly woman with dementia. “Tough Choices” by Linda Byler is book three of the Amish Stepping Stones romance series.
Quotable Quote
“Circana BookScan data shows book sales are up – there were more than 797,000,000 print books sold in the U.S. last year, up 2 percent from 2023 and 14 percent from 2019. The contemporary women’s fiction category…ended 2024 with a nearly 30 percent increase in sales over 2019 numbers.” – Figures cited in Time magazine’s May 28, 2025 issue.
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.