Katherine from Vita Tax Help returns to your library one more time next Monday, May 5 from 9–5 p.m. to help patrons who are filing returns late. But you need to do some homework before you take advantage of her generous offer to provide face-to-face help. Katherine has left tax packets that must be filled out fully before you make your appointment. Then, once you have completed that required step, appointments must be made in advance by calling her at 970-553-9150.
We are very grateful to Katherine for donating her time and sharing her tax experience and expertise with our patrons free of charge.
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:
May 7 with Peggy Bergon goes back into history when Hispanic sheepherders expressed their loneliness and artistic talents with arborglyphs carved on aspen trees. 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.
Tween/teen takeover tomorrow
We are setting aside the large meeting room and some of our computers for tweens and teens to use and spend time with friends tomorrow, Friday, May 2 from 2-4 p.m.
Ageless Grace exercise Monday
In a 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.
Music fun Monday
Pagosa Unplugged is free from 4-6 p.m. Monday, May 5 for amateur musicians of all abilities to play, sing and jam with other people.
High school math tutoring
Free high school math tutoring for ages 14 and up takes place Mondays from 4 – 5:30 p.m. Pre-registration is required.
Dungeons and Dragons
A community-library partnership is expanding the reach of Dungeons and Dragons for middle school students. They are invited to join friends at the Pagosa Community Initiative every Thursday from 4 – 5:30 p.m. for a free afterschool adventure. Registration is required. Participants must be in middle school and registered with the PCI afterschool programs. This Dungeon and Dragons program will continue until the end of the school year.
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 2-4 p.m. only on Thursdays beginning this month. 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. Note: No Tech Time May 30.
Activities calendars
Pick up monthly calendars at the library so you don’t miss any of the free programs, events and activities available to you and your family.
Downloadable books
CloudLibrary has a wide variety of downloadable e-books and audiobooks for all ages. To access this free digital collection, download the cloudLibrary app, answer a few simple questions, select AspenCat Union Catalog for the name of your library, then enter your library card number and 4-digit PIN. Library staff are happy to help you set up your device if you need assistance.
Short stories collection
“The Problem You Have” by Robert Garner McBrearty contains stories about a diverse group of characters encountering turning points in their lives, some with dark themes and all with compassion and humor. They include a minor criminal seeking warmth on a frigid night, an over-the-hill pitcher refusing to leave the mound and a young couple meeting a couple they never want to become.
How-to and self-help
“Parent Yourself First” by marriage and family therapist Bryana Kappadakunnel offers advice on how to address common woes like tantrums. “Knitted Animal Friends” and “Knitted Animal Toys” by Louise Crowther contain patterns for animal dolls, clothes and accessories. “Advanced Home Wiring” is the updated sixth edition of this Black & Decker guide. “The Science of Cleaning” by Dr. Dario Bressanini is a guide to cleaning everything in your home in a sustainable way. “Parents in Recovery” by Sarah Allen Benton is a personal guide to coping wisely.
Other nonfiction
“Pay the People!” by John Driscoll, Morris Pearl and a group calling themselves The Patriotic Millionaires documents why fair pay is good for business and great for America. “Estonia, Latvia & Lithuania,” “Australia” and “The Netherlands” are Insight travel guides. “Carbon: The Book of Life” by Paul Hawken explores the most versatile element on the planet. “Cadillac Desert” by Marc Reisner is a history of the American West and its disappearing water. .
DVDs
“Mufasa” is the Disney movie about the rise of the Lion King. “Tulsa King” starring Sylvester Stallone is season two. “Your Honor” starring Bryan Cranston are season one and two on two discs. “Dog Man” is a Dreamworks animation film. “Ex-husbands” is a comedy drama. “Prey” is an action thriller set in the Comanche Nation. “Regular Show” is the complete animated series. “The Night Agent” is season one.
Mysteries and thrillers
“Girl Anonymous” by Christina Dodd is a dark romantic thriller “Nobody’s Fool” by Harlan Coben features Det. Sami Kierce, now a PI. “The Wharton Plot” by Mariah Frederick’s is based on a true story about Edith Wharton. “Murder Road” by Simone St. James begins when a young couple picks up a hitchhiker. “Rosarita” by Anita Desai is a mystery about a mother’s past set in San Miguel, Mexico. “House of Bone and Rain” by Cabino Iglesias follows three young men intent6 on vengeance after one of their mothers is murdered.
Other novels
“Everybody Says It’s Everything” by Xhenet Aliu features adopted twins separated by divergent interests as teens. “The Filling Station” by Vanesse Miller follows two sisters coping with the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre that destroyed Oklahoma’s Black Wall Street. “Too Soon” by Betty Shamieh tells of a woman, her mother and grandmother fleeing wartorn Jaffa, chasing the American dream and daring to stage a show in Palestine.
Quotable Quote
“Do anything you can to keep on an even keel with your family and friends, no matter what happens in your life. That’s all we have. Don’t hide things. You’ve got to get up every day thinking about how you’re going to make it easier for the people that you’re working with or that you love…. Because it’s infectious; everybody starts feeling good.” – Danny DeVito, actor, producer and director who became famous for his role in the TV sitcom “Taxi,” winning an Emmy and Golden Globe for his performance.
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