If you would like to expand your reading choices, we suggest you go to our NoveList database where you’ll find a multitude of options to enrich your reading life. With more than 135,000 fiction titles, there are categories for all genres including fantasy, historical novels, Christian fiction, mysteries, romance, sci-fi, westerns and more.
Access is available free by clicking on “Digital Collections” on the top of the library’s website. Scroll down to NoveList, click on the icon, enter your library card number and see the many opportunities for all ages. They’re presented for adults, teens, ages 9-12 and ages 0-8.
For kids, there also is a separate online database called NoveList K-8. It is designed for the younger readers, as the name implies, and provides the same helpful reader advisory tools. Here you can find read-alike recommendations, reading lists and more.
Happy searching and happy reading!
Lifelong Learning Lectures
Your library’s free Spring Lifelong Learning Lectures series takes place every Wednesday through May 21 – and note that they are now happening in the afternoons, from 1 – 2:15 p.m. The time change was made from evenings because many patrons said they preferred not to have to drive at night to attend.
As always, these informative and interesting talks will cover a wide variety of topics with talented and knowledgeable speakers:
April 30 with Kimberley Schooley of the Durango Dementia Coalition explores what it’s like to live well with dementia from a care partner’s perspective. May 7 with Peggy Bergon goes back into history when Hispanic sheepherders expressed their loneliness and artistic talents with arborglyphs carved on aspen tress.
May 14 is a Zoom session by Dayton Romero introducing you to AARP Senior Planet live online classes for seniors on many topics from wellness to finance. May 21 highlights the weather expertise of Arleen Prochazka discussing the 2025 monsoon in the Southern San Juans.
Pick up a brochure at your library with more details on all these outstanding talks.
Online author talks
Our highly popular free online author talks with New York Times bestselling authors continue in April with one more talk for you to watch live on Zoom or via a recording later. For details and to register go to https://libraryc.org/pagosalibrary/upcoming. Today, Thursday, April 24 at 5 p.m. features “The Thrill of Writing Action, Adventure and Suspense” with Gregg Hurwitz.
Craftapalooza tomorrow
All ages are invited to create a variety of crafts Friday, April 25 from 2-3:30 p.m. All supplies provided.
Adult knitting Saturday
Join new and experienced knitters Saturday, April 26 our free Knitters Circle from 1-3 p.m. It is aimed at anyone over the age of 18 who would like to knit together or get some help if you are stuck on your project. All types of needleworkers are welcome.
Ageless Grace exercise Monday
In a special community partnership, Judy, adult services librarian, is leading an Ageless Grace exercise session at the Senior Center Mondays from 10 – 10:45 a.m. It is a brain fitness program consisting of 21 simple exercises designed for all ages and abilities, performed while sitting in a chair. The Senior Center location was chosen so participants have more privacy as they exercise.
Fraud protection
Next Tuesday, April 29 from 1 – 2:15 p.m. a Bank of the San Juans representative will talk about how to protect yourself from fraud and what to do if you become a victim at this free event.
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 opportunities, support, resources and camaraderie with other writers at this free gathering.
Tech Time schedule change
Free in-person slots are available from 10 a.m.-noon Tuesdays and 2-4 p.m. Thursdays this month. But beginning May 1 the schedule changes to only one session each week, on Thursdays from 2-4 p.m. Judy 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
Free in-person evening classes take place 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. Please help us pass the word about these classes.
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.
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.
Short story collections
“Best Stories of O. Henry” includes “Gift of the Magi,” “The Ransom of the Red Chef,” “Mammon and the Archer” and more, many centering around New York. “The Edith Wharton Collection” by this Pulitzer Prize winning author contains her six most acclaimed works including “The Age of Innocence” and “The Custom of the Country.” “If It Bleeds” by Stephen King contains four supernatural novellas.
Large print
“A Map to Paradise” by Susan Meissner is a mystery set in Malibu in 1956. “Fight or Flight” by Fern Michaels features a bestselling reclusive author. “The Paris Express” by Emma Donoghue is based on the true story of a French train accident. “Lethal Prey” by John Sanford is a Lucas Davenport-Virgil Flowers mystery. “Onyx Storm” by Rebecca Yarros is book three in the Empyrean romantic fantasy series.
Books on CD
“Bonded in Death” by J.D. Robb is an Eve Dallas mystery. “Don’t Tell Me How to Die” by Marshall Karp is a thriller about a dying woman searching for a perfect woman to take her place “The Queens of Crime” by Marie Benedict features the five greatest women mystery writers. “The Border Legion” is a Zane Grey western adventure. “The Unworthy” by Agustina Bazterrica is set in a convent after a climate catastrophe.
Novels
“The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” by Washington Irving is one of many classics just added to our new classics section of your library “Chloe” by Connie Briscoe is a modern update of Daphne du Maurier’s classic “Rebecca.” “The Love We Found” by Jill Santopolo begins when a woman finds an address in Rome in an old photo box. “The Antidote” by Karen Russell is an historical fantasy bookended by two real weather events in Nebraska. “The World’s Fair Quilt” by Jennifer Chiaverini is part of the Aelm Creek Quilts series. “Onyx Storm” by Rebecca Yarros is a romantic fantasy.
Nonfiction
“On Air” by Steve Oney is a history of National Public Radio. “The Icarus Curse” by former Belgian minister of finance Johan Van Overtveldt analyzes the economic forces have brought western democracies into crisis and internal division. We have two New Camp cookbooks by Emily Vikre — “Fireside Warmers” with drinks, sweets and shareables to enjoy around the campfire, and “On The Trail” with easy-to-pack meals and snacks.
Library donations
When the library is open, high-quality used book donations are gratefully accepted at the front desk – not down the outside returns slot at the library or the dropbox at City Market, please. No more than two boxes at a time because of space constraints and all books in excellent condition, please.
Quotable Quote
“There are three ways to ultimate success: The first way is to be kind. The second way is to be kind. The third way is to be kind.” – Fred Rogers, also known as Mister Rogers (1928-2003). He was a Presbyterian minister, TV host, author and composer who was a pioneer in children’s programming, having created, hosted and written the preschool show “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” from 1968 to 2001. He also composed the show’s music.
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.