In Icelandic culture, it is common for people to choose ten or more occupations in a lifetime. This is not due to layoffs or firings, but a matter of personal choice. Icelanders believe in refreshing the mind and spirit by expressing their multiple talents and interests, and changing careers is a great way to do that.
Interspersed among these career changes are periods of several months or even years where they hold no job at all, focusing completely on what they want to do.
American author and podcaster Jillian Johnsrud expands on this theme in her new book, Retire Often: How Anyone Can Take Multiple Career Breaks to Unlock Adventure, Advance Their Career, and Find Financial Freedom. By the time she was 40, Jillian and her husband had taken a dozen such mini-retirements, sometimes as sabbaticals from their jobs, sometimes by walking away from the jobs they had. They did it with careful planning and determination, and Jillian is determined to coach anyone who will listen to do the same.
“Why do we have to work for 40 years and only retire once?” she asks. “Why can’t we take occasional career breaks to focus on the other areas of life that matter: family, friends, adventure, rest, hobbies, our health, and achieving long-held dreams?”
So if that epic adventure is calling, or if deferring your hobbies for one more year feels like too long, pick up a copy of Retire Often. It may just inspire you to finally live your dreams.
Collecting for Local Food Banks
If you have an extra can or two of food you can share, or some dried food in sturdy packaging, please bring it to the library. Our local agencies will pick up and distribute the food to where it’s needed.
Tax Forms and Booklets Available
Pick up Colorado tax forms and booklets as well as federal 1040 and 1040A forms and instructions.
GED by Appointment Only
As we gear up for the grand opening of our new library space, we’re taking a break from regular GED hours. If you are working toward your General Education Degree or a high school equivalency exam, or if you could use a tutoring session to help you with your educational goals, give the library a call at 970-264-2209 and we’ll connect you with our instructor.
Construction Update
Our clerestory windows were almost finished before the big snowstorm. Just a few remain to be installed. Insulation and drywall are underway and you will see the eaves clad in metal as soon as the weather cooperates. The building should be ready sometime in August and our grand opening is tentatively set for Labor Day weekend! Follow us on Facebook for periodic pictures of progress.
Meet us Out in the Community
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 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.
Activities calendars
Pick up monthly calendars at the library or check the website at https://www.pagosalibrary.org/events-calendar so you don’t miss any of the free programs, events and activities available to you and your family.
Conversational Spanish
The Conversational Spanish group continues on Mondays from 4-5 p.m. at St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church at 225 South Pagosa. This is a great opportunity to practice your Spanish in a free group setting. No minimum skill level needed.
Adult book club
Join us for Ruby’s Book Club is held the second Tuesday of each month, alternating between fiction and nonfiction titles. Our March title is Educated, a bestselling 2018 memoir by Tara Westover about her journey from a survivalist family in rural Idaho, where she received no formal education, to earning a PhD from Cambridge University. Anyone is welcome to attend. During construction it takes place at the new Harman Park Transit Center, 83 Harman Park Drive, next to the Sheriff’s Office.
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 support, guidance, resources and camaraderie with other writers at this free gathering. During construction the group will meet at the Senior Center, 451 Hot Springs Blvd. Enter through the left side of the building.
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.
ESL Classes Expanded!
Free in-person evening classes happen on Mondays from 10am-noon, Tuesdays 3-5pm, and Thursdays, from 4-6 pm for students of all levels at St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church, 225 S. Pagosa Street. Please help us pass the word about these classes.
Clases de inglés
Clases gratis de inglés cada lunes 10am-12, martes 3-5pm y Jueves de 4-6 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.
Our New Books Collections
For a full list of new titles and to reserve your copy, go to www.pagosalibrary.org and choose New Items under the Quicklinks menu.
New Fiction
Stewart O’Nan is back with a charming new novel, Evensong, about a group of elderly women who band together to help one another.
Where the Wildflowers Grow, by Tarah Shelton Harris, described as “a poignant story of survival and redemption that questions what it means to stop existing and start living.”
So Old, So Young, by Grant Grinder, stars six college friends and their relationships over a twenty year history.
Notable Nonfiction
The Journey of Desire: Searching for the Life You’ve Always Dreamed Of, by John Eldredge.
How to Live a Meaningful Life: Using Design Thinking to Unlock Purpose, Joy, and Flow Every Day, by Bill Burnett and Dave Evans.
American Struggle: Democracy, Dissent, and the Pursuit of a More Perfect Union, by Jon Meacham.
Barbara Brattin is honored to lead the Ruby M. Sisson Memorial Library through this exciting time in its history. When she's not at the library, she's hiking with her Anatolian Shepherd Gigi and Rez dog Vic, traveling the world, visiting her grandchildren, or... you guessed it... reading !