The hugely popular three-day Friends of the Library book sale happens next week at the Community Methodist Church located downtown at 434 Lewis Street when you can take advantage of great bargains on books of all genres for all ages while helping the Friends raise money for your library’s programs and operations.
Thursday, July 17 from 5:30 – 7:30pm is the members-only early shopping opportunity — and if you are not a member you’re welcome to join at the door. Annual memberships are $15 per person or $25 per family. Lifetime memberships are $150 per person. The book sale is open to the public Friday, July 18 from 9 am-3pm and Saturday, July 19 from 9am- noon.
Special birds event for kids
Next Thursday, July 17, from 2:30 – 4pm Keith Bruno from the Audubon Society’s Community Naturalist Program will share lots of fun facts about local birds including their camouflage coloring at a free event for children.
Library closure
We will close Monday, August 4 through Saturday, August 9 to keep you safe as construction begins on our expansion project. At that time we will be constructing a new entrance and walkway from the new parking lot to the west and also building a temporary wall to separate our inside service area from construction activity. We will welcome you back to our temporarily much reduced library space on Monday, August 11.
No more book donations, please
Regretfully, director Barb Brattin has made the decision to cease accepting book donations for a year beginning immediately. The reality of operating in a much smaller space while construction happens on the first phase of your library’s long-awaited expansion has made the action a necessity. Library staff are deep into planning to minimize disruption to programs and patrons during construction. Digging up the current parking lot will be the first step, signaling the start of the project on Monday, August 4, which is expected to continue through June 2026.
Initial construction involves creating a new entrance to the library on the west side of the building where you’ll enter through the community garden. The new addition will feature a large program room that can accommodate 100 people or be divided in two for smaller groups, as well as a children’s room and an adjacent children’s garden. Eagerly awaited improvements like these will happen only with some temporary dislocation to library operations as construction proceeds, according to Barb. “But the good news is that we are staying in the building during construction,” she said.
“We’re determined to keep disruptions to a minimum as construction proceeds over the next two years,” Barb said. “We’re excited because we know the end result will make the temporary interruptions more than worthwhile as the new building will provide so many of the facilities our patrons have requested for a very long time.”
Barb pointed out that the expansion is totally paid for by private donations and grants — not taxpayer money — that has raised $4.2 million. As an example, she cited a $840,000 grant from DOLA, the Colorado Department of Local Affairs. Fundraising continues for upgrades to the existing building.
“All of us on staff are already dreaming of the new and improved programs and services we’ll be able to offer when the construction is complete,” she said.
Free musical fun
Tomorrow, Friday, July 11 from 1 – 2:30pm, a local musician, Kim, will play her favorite instruments — bass, violin or viola. Patrons will use tambourines, shakers and bells to accompany Kim and her songs.
Adult knitting and needlework
Join new and experienced knitters Saturday, July 12 for 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. Any type of needleworker is welcome.
Conversational Spanish
The Conversational Spanish group will meet Monday, July 14 from 4-5 p.m. This is a great opportunity to practice your Spanish in a free group setting. No minimum skill level needed.
Adult DIY
At the free in-person adult DIY next Tuesday, July 15 from 1-2:30 p.m., we will learn about calligraphy, the art of beautifully stylized hand writing. All supplies provided.
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.
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
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. Note no PALS Time today, June 19 because of the holiday.
Reading rewards
Pick up your free Summer Reading Program bingo sheets every week at the library through August 1. Then complete activities to earn rewards throughout the summer and a chance to win a grand prize. There will be awards for different age groups: infants and pre-school, youth aged five – 11, tweens and teens, and adults.
Watch for details of Summer Reading events and activities in Library News columns throughout the summer. And pick up the Summer Reading Program flyers at the library so you don’t miss any of the free fun available to you and your family.
Mysteries and thrillers
“Silent Are the Dead” by D.M. Rowell features a Kiowa woman facing threats to her tribe and identity. “Bad Lands” by Preston & Child tells of an archeologist and FBI agent investigating bizarre deaths in the New Mexico badlands. “Broken Fields” by Marcie R. Rendon explores American Indian life in Northern Minnesota. “Anita de Monte Laughs Last” by Xochitl Gonzalez is about an art history student who becomes fascinated by the death of an artist now forgotten. “Hidden Nature” by Nora Roberts is a mystery featuring police officer Sloan Cooper and her partner.
Other novels
“Zeal” by Morgan Jerkins is a multigenerational epic about black star-crossed lovers and their families. “Heart Be At Peace” by Donal Ryan is a story of a small town in Ireland told in 21 voices. “Dream Count” by Ngozi Adichie focuses on four Nigerian women whose lives interact. “A Little Life” by Hanya Yanagihara explores the relationships of four male classmates who move from a small town to New York City. “Colton Gray” by William W. and J.A. Johnstone is a new western series about a brazen young deputy marshal.
Large print
“Return to Sender” in Craig Johnson is a Longmire adventure. “Hidden Nature” by Nora Roberts is a mystery featuring police officer Sloan Cooper and her partner. “Don’t forget me, Little Bessie” by James Lee Burke focuses on a woman who accidently killed a man to defend her father. “The River is Waiting” by Wally Lamb tells of a prisoner who begins to transcend the boundaries of his confinement. “Stuart Woods Finders Keepers” by Brett Battles is a Stone Barrington adventure.
DVDs
“Mission: Impossible Dead Reckoning” stars Tom Cruise. “Tom Cruise Mission: Impossible” is a six-movie collection. “Agatha Raisin” is series three of this British mystery series. “Talk to Me” is a supernatural movie. “Bugs That Rule the World” is a PBS documentary.
Nonfiction
“The Holy Bible King James version” is a beautifully designed edition. “Bright From The Start” by Jill Stamm is a science-based way to nurture your child’s developing mind from birth to age three. “Strategic Responsiveness: How Congress Confronts Presidential Power” by Scott H. Ainsworth, Brian M. Harward and Kenneth W. Moffett explores the separation of powers system of government. “The Many Loves of Mama Love” by Lara Love Hardin is a memoir of a woman who went from wealthy soccer mom to the jailhouse.
Quotable Quote
“ Someone is sitting in the shade today because someone else planted a tree a long time ago.” – Warren Buffet, American investor and philanthropist who is CEO and chairman of Berkshire Hathaway in Omaha, Nebraska. He is considered one of the most successful investors of the 20th and 21st centuries.
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.