With our community’s youngsters back in school, we want to be sure you know that your library has a multitude of resources for students of all ages. You can find nonfiction books and periodicals on a variety of topics from archaeology to zoology. Importantly, you also can find online resources 24/7 at www.pagosalibrary.org. Select the tab “Online Resources” at the top of the home page. The resources are listed in alphabetical order.
Britannica School is an online resource where students can discover encyclopedia articles, multimedia, primary sources, e-books and other learning resources that support student research and reinforce curriculum standards.
Another useful online resource is Middle Search Plus where students can access biographies, historical essays, encyclopedias, and popular middle-school magazines. Your library card number is needed to access this resource.
If you do not see what you are looking for in the Sisson Library physical collection or online, talk with one of our friendly library staff who can help you search further.
Book sale October 11
Thanks to your generosity donating like-new books to their book drive on September 13, the Friends of the Library have accumulated enough treasures to host a pop-up book sale on Saturday, October 11 from 9am – 3pm at Church of Christ, 277 Lewis Street. Friends, teachers, nurses and first responders will benefit from a buy-one-get-one-free offer for up to 10 books. We hope you’ll take this opportunity to purchase new or lightly used books from the Friends at this event. Proceeds from their book sales are vital to the ongoing health of your library.
Activities’ locations are changed
Now that we have much less space for our operations and no meeting rooms during construction, several of our regular activities and special events are happening in other locations. Please check the listings in this column and on your library’s website at https://pagosalibrary.org for location changes throughout the construction. If no other location is mentioned, the activity will stay at your library.
No more book donations, please
Regretfully, we must cease accepting book donations for a year beginning immediately. The reality of operating in a much smaller space while construction happens on the first phase of your library’s long-awaited expansion has made the action a necessity.
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.
Online author talks
Our free online author talks with New York Times bestselling authors continue in October with four talks this month for you to watch live on Zoom or via a recording later this month. For details and to register go to https://libraryc.org/pagosalibrary/upcoming. Today, Thursday, October 2 at noon, Smithsonian educators will discuss “Nuestra America: Stories of 30 inspiring Latinas and Latinos Who Have Shaped the U.S.” Thursday, October 9 at 5pm showcases Leigh Bardugo discussing “10 Years of Daring Heists and Loveable Outcasts in YA fantasy.” Wednesday, October 22 at 5pm features Malata Yousafzal, the youngest-ever Nobel Peace Prize winner, who is also an educational activist, bestselling author and film producer from Pakistan. Wednesday, October 29 at noon we’ll interact with Philippa Gregory, historical fiction author, on “Courtly Intrigue and Whispers as Weapons.”
LEGO play Saturday
Kids aged six-11 are invited to the free LEGO build on Saturday, October 4 from 11am – noon. Bring your own LEGOs or use ours.
Virtual legal clinic
Participation is by appointment for this month’s free legal clinic on Wednesday, October 8 from 2 – 3:40 p.m. for you to meet with a volunteer civil attorney by phone. To schedule an appointment, phone 970-264-2209. When you call, let us know if you need a translator. Registration is required because space is limited.
Elementary school tutoring
Free after-school tutoring for grades one-three takes place on Wednesdays from 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. as of October 1. Registration is required because of limited space so call your library now at 970-264-2209 to enroll your child. This invaluable tutoring involves one-on-one and small group help for math, literacy, writing and spelling. Note that because of construction at the library these sessions will take place at the Elementary School.
Family storytime
Wednesdays from 10-11 a.m. join a free educational hour of reading, singing and free play to build early literacy skills.
ESL classes
Free in-person evening classes happen 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 at St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church, 225 S. Pagosa Street. Please help us pass the word about these classes. During construction they take place
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. Durante el plazo de la nueva construcción en la biblioteca, las clases se llevarán a cabo en St. Patrick ‘s Episcopal Church, 225 S. Pagosa Street.
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. Note no PALS sessions October 7 or 9.
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 on our website, 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.
How-to and self-help
“Psilocybin Mushrooms in Their Natural Habitats” by Paul Stamets is a guide to psychoactive fungi. “Eavesdropping on Animals” by George Bumann helps you decode secret conversations of wild animals. “Mammals of Colorado” by Stan Tekiela is a field guide. “Yosemite National Park” about the best day hikes is an American Hiking Society guide.
Other nonfiction
“The Place of Tides” by James Rebanks explores the life and skills of a woman on a remote Norwegian island who collects eiderdown from birds. “Thinking Like a Wolf” by Rick McIntyre explains how two major wolf dynasties in “Yellowstone” are thriving. “To The Success of Our Hopeless Cause” by Pulitzer Prize winner Benjamin Nathans is a history of the dissidents who brought down the Soviet Union. “Without Exception” by Pam Houston illuminates the history of abortion in the U.S.
DVDs
“La Civil” is a narco-western set in northern New Mexico. “Elio” is a Disney Pixar family animated film. “Jurassic World Rebirth” is the latest in the Jurassic Park dinosaur series. “Ballerina” is a John Wick Russian assassin story.
Mysteries and thrillers
“The Locked Ward” by Sarah Pekkanen follows two sisters, one accused of the crime of the decade. “These Blue Mountains” by Sarah Loudin Thomas tells of a woman tracing her fiancé who, she thought, died in a U.S. German enemy alien camp. “Jenny Cooper Has a Secret” by Joy Fielding is a psychological thriller set in a nursing home.
Other novels
“1984” is the 75th anniversary edition of George Orwell’s classic. “Love Forms” by Pulitzer Prize winner Claire Adam follows a woman trying to track down a baby she gave up for adoption 40 years ago. “Katabasis” by R.F. Kuang is a dark academia fantasy. “Flashlight” by Susan Choi follows a mother and daughter facing personal tragedy amid invisible currents of history.
Quotable Quote
“Fall forward…. You’ve got to take risks. And I’m sure you’ve probably heard that before. But I want to talk about why it’s so important…. You will fail at some point in your life. Accept it. You will lose. You will embarrass yourself. You will suck at something. There is no doubt about it.
“That’s probably not a traditional message for a graduation ceremony. But, hey, I’m telling you—embrace it. Because it’s inevitable…. The point is, every graduate here today has the training and the talent to succeed. But do you have guts to fail? … And I can’t think of a better message as we send you off today. To not only take risks, but to be open to life.” — Denzel Washington commencement speech at the University of Pennsylvania on May 16, 2025. He is an award-winning American actor, producer and director known for his dramatic roles. He won two Academy Awards, two Golden Globes and a Tony Award, and has been nominated for multiple Emmys and a Grammy.
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.
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