The hugely popular three-day Friends of the Library book sale happens this weekend 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.
Today, 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.
Friday, July 18 from 9am to 3pm and Saturday, July 19 from 9am to noon the book sale is open to the public.
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.
Long-awaited Library expansion
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.
The circulation desk will remain in place with your dedicated, knowledgeable staff there to help you, but you’ll enter the building by a different route. Parking moves to a new lot west of the library, which you’ll enter off Highway 160.
You’ll have the same copy, fax and print services available, but fewer computers and no meeting rooms during construction. Children’s programs will move temporarily to the Turner Reading Room, and the Hershey and Chimney Rock Collections will go into storage to make this happen. Inside bathrooms cannot be accessed so porta-potties will have to do.
Barb said that she and her team are looking for space elsewhere in the community to temporarily house programs like after-school tutoring, adult crafts and book clubs.
“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.
Special birds event for kids today
Today, Thursday, July 17, from 2:30 – 4 p.m. Keith Burns 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.
Fun paper arts event tomorrow
Tomorrow, Friday, July 18 from 1 – 2:30 p.m. our Summer Reading Program presents Paper Arts & Printables, free crafts fun for all ages when we’ll enjoying coloring, calligraphy and paper mache.
LEGO play Saturday
Kids aged six-11 are invited to the free LEGO build on Saturday, July 19 from 11 a.m. – noon. Bring your own LEGOs or use ours.
Pokemon Club on Saturday
If you love Pokemon, this club is for you. Bring your cards to a fun free all-ages event on Saturday, July 19 from 12:30 – 2:30 p.m. when you can play games with others who feel the same way. No experience required.
Music fun Monday
Pagosa Unplugged is free from 4-6 p.m. Monday, July 21 for amateur musicians of all abilities to play, sing and jam with other people.
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.
How-to and self-help
“The Gut-Brain Paradox” by Dr. Steven R. Gundry uses science and recipes to offer tips on how to heal our microbiomes to take back control of our minds. “The Good Death” by hospice nurse Suzanne B. O’Brien provides practical advice and emotional supports for end-of-life planning. “The ABCs of Reloading/10th edition” by Philip P. Massaro is a guide to making your own ammunition. “Practical Shooting Training” by Ben Stoeger and Joel Park offers dryfire and live fire training drills. “Home Winemaking” by Jack B. Keller, Jr. provides 65 recipes for grapes, fruits and flowers. “The Disaster Ready Home” by Creek Stewart is a step-by-step emergency preparedness manual for sheltering in place.
Other nonfiction
“The World Walk” by Tom Turcich documents seven years, 28,000 miles and six continents of a man’s walk around the world with his dog. “The Book of Stones” by Rob Connoley Robert Simmons and Naisha Ahsian is an expanded guide to crystals, minerals, gemstones and their metaphysical energies. “Hiking Colorado’s Western Slope” is a Falcon Guide featuring 39 of the best trails in the region. “Philosophy of the Future” by Jason Reza Jorjani shares six original concepts at the core of his beliefs.
Novels
“All We Were Promised” by Ashton Lattimore follows three young Black women in pre-Civil War Philadelphia whose lives cross unexpectedly and dangerously.
Books on CD
“The Stolen Life of Colette Marceau” by Kristin Harmel begins with the findings of a long-lost stolen bracelet. “The Death Mask” by Iris Johansen is an Eve Duncan thriller. “The President’s Shadow” by James Patterson and Richard Dilallo features a crusader with next-generation scientific skills. “Don’t Let Him In” by Lisa Jewell focuses on a man with a dark past. “Knave of Diamonds” by Laurie R. King is a suspense story featuring a woman and her uncle Sherlock Holmes. “Line of Demarcation” by Tom Clancy is a Jack Ryan Jr. adventure.
DVDs
“Recipes for Love and Murder” is series two. “The President’s Wife” set in France stars Catherine Deneuvre. “Signora Volpe” is series one. “Totem” is a film about a loving Mexican family celebrating a terminally ill father’s birthday. “The Friend” stars Bill Murray and Naomi Watts. “A Minecraft Movie” is a fantasy inspired by the video game. We have series one and two of “My Life is Murder.”
Quotable Quote
“[UCLA basketball coach John Wooden] was determined that we become better men first and better basketball players second. He didn’t focus on winning, but he taught us in such a way that winning was a natural by-product of our striving.” — Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who won a record six NBA Most Valuable Player awards.
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.