It surely comes as no surprise that when I travel across the United States, I stop into every public library. Of course I’m looking for good ideas to bring home. But more than that, I’m looking for insight into the local culture.
You can immerse in the marketing materials of any place you’re looking to visit, fawn over the professional pictures, and scour all the websites and books that match you with the best place to retire, the best place to raise a family, or the most affordable towns in America. But if you really want to understand a community’s culture and if you fit in, visit its public library.
Sometimes what you find is not surprising. Enter the children’s section of the Berkeley, California Public Library and you will be greeted with a sign depicting an immigrant family with the caption You Are Welcome Here. Travel to Miami-Dade County’s extensive system of library branches and all the signs will be in multiple languages, including Haitian-Creole. The huge Create and Construct section of the Janesville, Wisconsin Public Library signals that the practical do-it-yourself culture of the Midwest is very much alive. And the Oak Park, Illinois Public Library’s special collections dedicated to Frank Lloyd Wright and native son Ernest Hemingway speak to local pride, as does the Farmington, New Mexico Public Library’s collection of Native American artifacts and history.
There are, however, many surprises. One of my favorite library displays was in Missoula, Montana in December, and read “Every Month is African American History Month.”
What struck me most about the Salt Lake City Public Library was not its grandeur, but the staff compassion on display. Not only were itinerant people warmly welcomed, but special classes were offered to help them gain fast, employable skills. The same is true for Dallas, Texas, where the library opens early to offer hot coffee and conversation groups for people living on the streets. Some small towns not known for their wealth like Eaton, Colorado, have beautifully restored Carnegie libraries, other towns with greater means have left their libraries and parks in disrepair.
So what will a newcomer to Pagosa Springs learn about our community as they visit our new building for the first time? I have some ideas.
The 300 names that grace the donor wall as you walk into the new library send a clear message that this library was a community effort, and that many, many people are proud to have built it.
The bright new children’s space, complete with a garden, is the first space you see as you walk through the entryway, and says that our children are our community’s priority.
The large community room means we love to gather together, to talk, to learn, and to create.
Our new makerspace says we support our kids’ future in a high tech world where employment will require more than basic understanding of technology.
And our surrounding gardens, created with the expertise and care of community groups, is a true testament to our love of this magnificent place we call home.
I am proud of what we’re creating in Pagosa, and I hope you are, too. There are still many ways to help us get to our goal. Watch for our call for volunteers in advance of moving day. Contribute as you can. And if you’re feeling especially generous, naming opportunities are still available.
Thank you for all you’re doing to create this wonderful place that will serve our community for generations!
Construction Update
The parking lot is no more as we transition to a large community garden on the west side of the building. Our entrance remains the same and so does parking. You’ll notice the zircons are gone, providing you with a full view of the construction site while traveling down putt hill. June marks a big transition as we switch from the old side to the new side. We’ll transfer service to the new section while the old section gets a facelift. In late August, the two portions will be combined into one big, beautiful building. Our grand opening is tentatively set for Labor Day weekend! Follow us on Facebook for periodic pictures of progress.
Are You Participating in the Spring Reading Challenge?
Think of our Spring Reading Challenge as a warm up to our Summer Reading events. Get in the habit of recording your reading time on our Beanstack app and win prizes as you go. You can earn up to 18 unique badges through reading & doing short activities. Readers who log 10 hours complete the challenge and can come to the library for their reward. Pagosa read 54,530 minutes during our Winter Reading Challenge. Can we beat our own record? Hurry! The Challenge ends April 15th.
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.
GED Adds Citizenship Classes
If you are working toward your General Education Degree or a high school equivalency exam, if you’re working toward your U.S. Citizenship test, 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.
New 2026 Colorado Parks Passes for Checkout
It may seem like the wrong time of year to visit Colorado state parks, but with our mild winter, why not get outside and enjoy the parks’ off-season? The Ruby Sisson Library has free Colorado Parks passes for checkout that include a backpack with nature guides, binoculars, and fun activities. Reserve yours today.
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.
Online author talks
Tuesday, April 14th, 2026 at 5:00 PM: On Writing Action-Packed and Suspenseful Spycraft with Brad Taylor
Conversational Spanish
Our popular 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.
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 school tutoring
Free after-school tutoring for grades one-three takes place on Wednesdays from 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. Registration is required because of limited space so call your library 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.
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 On Hold
We’re pausing our ESL classes for a few months. They will resume this summer.
Our New Books Collections are Brimming with Interesting Titles!
For a full list of new titles and to reserve your copy, go to www.pagosalibrary.org and choose Search the Catalog at the top of the screen. Don’t forget, if there is a waiting list for the book, it may be available now in eBook or eAudiobook on CloudLibrary or Libby.
New Fiction
“In the Fields of Fatherless Children” by Pamela Steele is a love story set in 1960s Appalachia during the Vietnam war and follows a young couple torn apart by a divided country and their long standing family feud.
“The House of Hidden Letters” a novel by Izzy Broom, follows a lottery winner who buys a run down house in Greece and discovers the hidden past of the house and its former inhabitants.
“The Social Circle,” a new novel by Sophie Wan, is set at UC Berkely where a group of college students form the first social media platform and pass through phases of friendship and estrangements.
New in Large Print
“Ladies in Waiting: Jane Austen’s Unsung Characters” is a compilation of short stories from modern authors including Adriana Trigiani, Elinor Lipman, and Eloise James.
“The Meaning of Your Life,” the new title from happiness expert Arthur Brooks.
“Daughter of Egypt” by Marie Benedict stars Lady Evelyn Herbert, daughter of the archeologist credited with finding the treasure-filled tomb of Pharaoh Tutankhamun.
New Nonfiction
“Good Money: Six Steps to Building a Financial Life with Purpose,” by John Coleman.
“The Intelligent Crypto Investor,” by John Hardgrave.
“Days of Love and Rage: A Story of Ordinary People Forging a Revolution,” set in Syria, from author Anand Gopal, a regular contributor to The New Yorker.
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 !