We’ve hired an additional children’s librarian and that means we have a whole lot more fun in store for our young visitors. New programs in May include a storytime just for babies, Preschool Pasta Art, and Super Mario Bingo. Old favorites like Wednesday storytimes for all ages with Miss Sherry and Saturday LEGO Play continue, but get an enhancement with added movement and themed LEGO challenges. After School Tutoring at the elementary school continues weekly on Wednesdays and our Therapy Dog Visits happen twice in May. Join Miss Sherry and Miss Saira as they delight and entertain you.
Here’s the full schedule:
Baby Storytime (ages 0-2) You and your baby are invited to join us for a morning of stories, songs, and giggles. Stay and play after storytime, connecting with fellow caregivers. Friday, May 8 and 22, from 10-11am
Family Storytime (all ages) Join us for an educational hour of reading, singing, and free play, building early literacy skills together. Wednesdays, 10-11am
LEGO Play (ages 6-11) Bring your own, or use our LEGOs to free build. Each session will have a guided theme. Saturday May 16 from 11am-noon
Preschool Pasta Art (ages 3-5) Make necklaces out of uncooked pasta. Tuesday, May 12 from 4-5pm
Super Mario Bingo (grades 1-5) Play bingo with the characters from the newest Super Mario movie. Winners will receive a prize and every participant will receive a small reward. Thursday, May 21, from 4-5pm
Therapy Dog Visits (all ages) After storytime, take a moment to visit with certified therapy dog Mia. It’s a great way to destress, boost your mood, and relax. Wednesdays, May 20th and 27, from 11am-noon.
After School Tutoring in reading and math every Wednesday, 3:30-4:30pm at Pagosa Elementary School. (no tutoring on May 27)
Pick up a schedule at the library’s front desk, or find it online at https://www.pagosalibrary.org/events-calendar. Hope to see you at the library!
Thank you, Susan McAdams! When we lost our beloved friend and library cataloger Jeanne Hanson, we experienced a big backlog of new books to add to our catalog. In stepped Susan McAdams, retired library employee and cataloger, to save the day. Susan caught us up in a matter of weeks, meaning our community got their new books faster. Thank you, Susan, for your tremendous help!
Library by the Numbers
127 The number of tutor volunteer hours this school year
1,723 The number of electronic books downloaded from Libby and Cloud Library in March
16,984 The number of people with a Ruby Sisson Library card
19,564 The number of physical items checked out the first three months of 2026
Construction Update
We have a fiber optic internet connection waiting for us on the other side of the alley that we are going to connect for an even faster library internet experience. To mitigate any road damage, we will bore a fiber optic pathway underneath the alleyway to run the cable across.
Washable rubber flooring in pretty colors will go into the children’s room in May to cushion toddler falls and reduce the traveling noise of happy children. Once all the flooring is installed in the addition, we’ll be able to add our new service desk and set up the children’s room. How fun!
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.
Get Ready for Summer Reading!
It won’t be long till we kick off Summer Reading 2026! This year’s theme is READ WILD! And features books filled with action and adventure plus lots of fun field trips and activities for all ages.
Collecting for Local Food Banks
Are you heading out for the summer? Are you moving away? If you have an extra can or two of food you can share, or some dried food in sturdy unopened packaging, please bring it to the library. Our local agencies will pick up and distribute the food to where it’s needed.
ESL Switches to Citizenship Classes
Join our test prep classes for the U.S. Citizenship test on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2-4pm at St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church on South Pagosa Street.
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
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.
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.
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 and Notable Nonfiction
“Boom: The True Story of the Wickedest Town in Texas,” is the true story of lawless Borger, Texas and the Texas Ranger sent to tame it.
“Pope Leo XIV: The Biography,” by Rome correspondent Elise Ann Allen.
“Last Branch Standing: A Potentially Surprising, Occasionally Witty Journey Inside Today’s Supreme Court,” by Advisory Opinions podcaster Sarah Isgur.
College Prep
“How to Write a Winning Scholarship Essay,” and “Accepted! 50 Successful College Admission Essays” from experts Gen and Kelly Tanabe.
For Your Health
“How to Mediate Without Even Trying,” by Peter Russell, foreword by Eckhart Tolle.
“Confronting Chronic Pain: A Guide to Relief,” from Johns Hopkins Press.
Debut Novels Worth a Look
“I am Agatha,” by Nancy Foley, described as “a beautiful love story and meditation on grief, memory, and art.”
“Upward Bound,” from autistic, non-speaking author Woody Brown, is set in a dreary daycare for adults with disabilities, and is filled with unforgettable characters who have a thing or two to teach us.
New Literary Fiction
“Small Boat,” from French philosopher Vincent Delecroix, shortlisted for the International Booker Prize, a fictional account of the French radio operator responsible for the deaths of a boatful of desperate migrants.
“Transcription,” a novel from poet Ben Lerner, “an exploration of fathers and sons, male friendship and rivalry.”
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 !