Our new free weekly Lifelong Learning Lecture series begins today, Thursday, October 10 with six interesting presentations, all from 6 – 7:15pm on Thursdays through November 14. Today’s talk features Arleen Prochazka of Pagosa Weather discussing the snow outlook for our forthcoming winter and how she and her colleagues forecast it.
October 17 Cindi Galabota, library foundation director, and Barb Brattin, our new library director, will review the status of our library expansion and share the architectural drawings and fundraising plans. We have raised more than $2.2 million of our $4.5 million goal.
October 24 Bill Trimarco from the Wildfire Adapted Partnership will share tips on how you can make your property fire safe by creating defensible space, planning evacuations and preparing well.
October 31 showcases Dayton Romero on Zoom discussing the many opportunities the Senior Planet social media platform offers you via their OATS (Older Adults Technology Services) program. Senior Planet is an AARP nonprofit offering many free classes for seniors.
November 7 Matt Huber from the Colorado Avalanche Information Center will explain the power of avalanches and give you practice advice on how you can have safe fun in the mountains during the winter.
November 14 Doug Coombs, a member of the Pagosa Photography Club, will share his remarkable photos from four different trips to Africa and describe options for traveling to Africa.
Pick up a brochure at the library for more details on each of these presenters and their informative talks. No registration is required to attend.
Friends book sale
Friends of the Library will host a popup book sale at your library this Saturday, October 12 from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. This special event is the ideal way for you to purchase books for your personal library and for gifts to family and friends at discounted prices while at the same time helping the Friends raise money for your library’s programs and services. Members of Friends of the Library, teachers and responders will receive a special buy-one-get-one-free discount. You can join now if you are not already a Friend.
All-ages playdough tomorrow
Join us for free playdough exploration and fun Friday, October 11 from 2 – 3:30 p.m.
Escape Room adventure tomorrow
Teens and tweens are invited to solve puzzles and find clues quickly to get out of the room before the deadline on Friday, October 11 at this free Escape Room session from 4 – 5:30 p.m.
Chess Club Saturday
Learn how to play chess with free quick lessons and game time to practice your skills on Saturday, October 12 from 9:30-11:30 a.m. All ages and abilities are welcome.
Shakespeare read-aloud returns
Shakespeare fans of all ages are invited to join in reading aloud “Romeo and Juliet” Mondays, October 14, 21 and 28 from 3:30 – 5 p.m. as the free Shakespeare Read Aloud Club restarts. This is an all-ages program. Call Jenny at 240-426-7887 for more information.
Spanish conversation
Practice your Spanish in a free group setting on Tuesday, October 15 from 4:30-5:30 p.m. No minimum skill level needed. This group meets twice a month, on the first and third Tuesdays.
Therapy dog visit
Next Wednesday, October 16 from 11 – 11:45 you are invited to come to the library for a free visit with Kate, a certified therapy dog. Visits are limited to 10-15 minutes – just the right amount of time to pet the dog, read to the dog or just say “Hi.” This is an all-ages activity.
Elementary tutoring resumes
Children ages six-11 are welcome at these free sessions on Wednesdays from 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. starting October 16 where they will build essential skills in core subjects. Pre-registration is required.
Family storytimes
Wednesdays from 10-11 a.m. join a free educational hour of reading, singing and free play to build early literacy skills.
Writers Guild
Every Thursday 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. The guild has published a new anthology, “Tales from the San Juans,” which the members say includes “life musings, creative short fiction, retrospectives, poetry, novellas and short observations — all inspired by the beauty that surrounds us.” The book is available at the library for $21.50, with net proceeds going to the library’s building campaign.
Pagosa Adult Learning Services (PALS)
Join Mark or Sally for free 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. PALS stands for Pagosa Adult Learning Services. Note no PALS October 10 or 15.
Spanish-language autobiography
“Gracias!” (“Thank you!”) by Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador is a memoir by the outgoing president of Mexico covering his six years in office.
DVDs
“The Crown” is the complete final season. “Ride” features a bullfighter who steals to pay for his daughter’s cancer treatment. “Horizon” is the Kevin Costner western saga movie. “Knuckles” is a collection of the comedy episodes. “Inside Out 2” is a Disney Pixar animated movie. “Reacher” is season two.
Short stories
“Safe Enough” by Lee Child is a collection of 20 fictional crime stories by the creator of Jack Reacher.
Mysteries, suspense and thrillers
“Capture or Kill” by Vince Flynn is a thriller featuring CIA operative Mitch Rapp. “On the Hunt” by Iris Johansen introduces Kira Drake, a new heroine, and her search and rescue dog. “Paws to Remember” by Sofie Kelly tells of a librarian and her cats involvement in solving a cold case.
Other novels
“We’ll Prescribe You a Cat” by Syou Ishida is a celebration of the healing power of cats. “Madwoman” by Chelsea Bieker begins when a woman’s life is upended after receiving a letter from a women’s prison. “The Fallen Fruit” by Shawntelle Madison follows a Black woman searching for land she inherited from her father’s family. “The Life Impossible” by Matt Haig tells of a retired math teacher who is left a Mediterranean house by a long-lost friend. “Elaine” by Will Shelf is a portrait of a 1950s housewife based on the restricted life of the author’s mother. “The Fragile Threads of Power” by V.E. Schwab is a fantasy set in the three worlds of London.
Nonfiction
“Rethinking College” by Karin Klein is a guide to thriving without a degree. “Take It Easy” by Gaby Dalkin offers no stress, easy recipes for you to make.
Donor guidelines
When we are open, materials donations are gratefully accepted for the Friends of the Library at the front desk – not down the outside returns slot at the library or the dropbox at City Market, please. Guidelines for donations: Yes to popular fiction books published in 2013 or later, nonfiction books published 2018 or later, and children’s and young adult books – all in excellent condition, please. No need for CDs, DVDs, Blu Ray, VHS or cassette tapes, textbooks, outdated travel books or reference books because they do not sell at Friends sales. No more than two boxes at a time because of space constraints, please.
Quotable Quote
“A problem is a chance for you to do your best.” — Duke Ellington (1899-1974), American jazz pianist, composer and leader of his world famous jazz orchestra from 1923 through the rest of his life.
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