Every summer the library is filled with eager young faces excited to have the time to read all the books in the library and earn every summer reading challenge prize. These children have worked hard for years learning their alphabet, recognizing the sounds that go with each letter, and decoding all the combinations of letters into words that have meaning. If you’ve ever tried to help a child learn to read, you know that it isn’t always a small thing. Every child loves stories and puzzles and they will do a lot of guessing instead of slowly decoding the words they see. Getting them to slow down and think it through can take months, but when they finally master the means to decode, there is nothing more satisfying than watching their eyes shine with recognition. They know they have discovered a secret that will serve them for a lifetime.
Here at the library, we inspire small children to do the hard work ahead by delighting them with stories. We start with babies and continue through until they reach kindergarten. We don’t teach them to read. We teach them to love the reward, to know that the hard work ahead of learning to read will open up an entire lifetime of joy.
To all the teachers who do the hard work alongside every student, we are forever in awe of your patience and dedication. Thank you for giving generations the skill to learn anything, be anything, and escape the hardships of the world by immersing in stories.
Library Closed June 15-21 for Moving Days
It’s almost time to move into the new addition and vacate the old section for renovations. We’re hoping it will only take a week, but please be patient with us if we take a little longer. If all goes well, we’ll be open again on June 22nd and you’ll be parking in the new south side parking lot and walking through the new front entrance on the west side of the building. The children’s room will be all set up and we’ll be ready to plant a garden out back. We’ll have public computers, and resume copy, scan, and fax service. And we will have a meeting room for you to reserve.
Watch our calendar to see what summer programs are in the new library and what is being held out in the community. We’re going to have a lot going on this summer!
If you are strong enough to help set up shelving, box up books, and shelve our collections, we need you! Please reach out to Judy at the library 970-264-2205 to schedule a shift. And if you have any sturdy, clean medium sized boxes you can provide for the move, we would love to have them. Just bring them by, broken down, if possible.
Adopt-a-Tree Program
We have 26 new trees planned for our outdoor community garden and you could put your name on one of them in exchange for a $500 donation. Individuals, families, clubs, businesses and organizations are welcome to participate.
Interested? Here’s how to get started. Write a check to Ruby Sisson Library or donate online at https://www.pagosalibrary.org. Fill out a donation form telling us what you want your garden stake to say in 6 words or less. Forms are available on our website or in paper form at the library. Thanks for helping us create a beautiful new outdoor space in our community!
Summer Reading Program Underway – Register Now
Between June 1 and August 30, summer readers can track their reading on the Beanstack app, complete BINGO activity challenges, and attend free events at the library and across the community. With our ongoing construction project and reduced programming space, we’ll be hosting some events at places like Yamaguchi Park, Chimney Rock National Monument, the Rocky Mountain Wildlife Park, and more. These field trips are for all ages and any entry admission will be covered by the library. We’ll have a whole lineup of “Read Wild!” themed events in addition to our standing offerings for children, teens, and adults. You can visit pagosalibrary.org/summer for more details.
Citizenship Classes Taking a Summer Break June 9th-16th.
2026 Colorado Parks Passes for Checkout
The weather is perfect to get outside! Colorado state parks require a paid pass to enter, but you can borrow one from the library for a few days at no cost to you. Passes come with a backpack filled with nature guides, binoculars, and fun activities. Reserve yours today.
Meet Us Out in the Community
Now that we have much less space for our operations and no meeting rooms during construction, several of our regular activities and special events are happening in other locations.
Please check the listings on your library’s website at https://pagosalibrary.org for location changes throughout the construction. If no other location is mentioned, the activity will stay at your library.
Activities calendars
Pick up monthly calendars at the library or check the website at https://www.pagosalibrary.org/events-calendar so you don’t miss any of the free programs, events and activities available to you and your family.
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. During construction the group will meet at the Senior Center, 451 Hot Springs Blvd. Enter through the left side of the building.
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.
Our New Books Collections are Brimming with Interesting Titles!
For a full list of new titles and to reserve your copy, go to www.pagosalibrary.org and choose Search the Catalog at the top of the screen. Don’t forget, if there is a waiting list for the book, it may be available now in eBook or eAudiobook on CloudLibrary or Libby.
New in Health
“Brain Fitness Blueprint: Integrating Ancient Wisdom and Modern Technologies for Peak Performance,” by Patrick Porter
Mayo Clinic Guide to a Heathy, Happy Heart
“Skin: An Owner’s Guide,” by Dr. Emma Craythorne
New in Science and Technology
“The Curious World of Bacteria,” by Ludger Wess
“The Art of Physics: How Science Explains the Chaos, Contradictions, and Unpredictability of Life,” by Zahaan Bharmal
“The Next Big Thing: Innovations for a Better, Smarter, Stronger Tomorrow,” by meteorologist Rob Marciano
For the Do-It-Yourself Crowd
“The Self-Fed Farm and Garden: A Return to the Roots of the Organic Method,” by Eliot Coleman, focuses on creating biologically active soils through time honored practices.
“Essential Food Preserving: The Comprehensive Guide,” by Julia Skinner, walks you through canning, freezing, drying and fermenting techniques for all your garden produce.
“Mending Handbook: Repair and Restore Fabric and Textiles,” by Shannon Roudhan, teaches you how to repair clothing with a variety of stitches that not only mend, but create works of art.
New Fiction Books from Iconic Writers
“The Phoebe Variations,” by Jane Hamilton, about an adopted teen who meets her biological parents at her high school graduation.
“Whistler,” by Ann Patchett, a novel about “how love endures and how being known by another person, even for a short period of time, can change everything.”
“Python’s Kiss,” by Louise Erdrich is a new short story collection featuring a range of tribal characters.
New in Large Print
“When the Cranes Fly South,” an international bestseller by Swedish novelist Lisa Ridzen, about aging and the process of saying goodbye.
“Last Night in Brooklyn” by Xochitl Gonzales, follows 26 year old Alicia Canales who dares to imagine for herself the fearlessness she discovers in the house parties of her neighborhood.
“Comancheria,” Book #1 in the Hollow Frontier western series by Reavis Wortham, follows Texas Ranger Buck Dallas on a haunting mission to rescue a missing girl.
Barbara Brattin is honored to lead the Ruby M. Sisson Memorial Library through this exciting time in its history. When she's not at the library, she's hiking with her Anatolian Shepherd Gigi and Rez dog Vic, traveling the world, visiting her grandchildren, or... you guessed it... reading !