My oldest son and I are big baseball fans and this year we were especially excited that the Milwaukee Brewers went to the World Series. While I simply love friendly competition and watching tremendously talented young athletes at play, Neil has more of an insider’s view. He talks about strategy and execution and the reason he so admired the Brewers this year. Simply put, they focus on the fundamentals. No show boating, no home run hitters. Work the counts, run the bases, put the ball in play. Selfless teamwork.
Here at the library, we focus on our own set of fundamentals. We build great collections and programs, serve each visitor with competence and good cheer, and carefully steward your tax dollars to deliver a great return on investment. Ask anyone in town why they love the library and the first thing they will say is the staff. It’s our team that makes us shine. Their creativity and enthusiasm build the collections and programs that delight you and inspire your children to learn. They tirelessly problem-solve your questions and technology puzzles to simplify your life and create a warm sense of belonging where everyone is welcome. They seek the grant funding to provide the extras, reusing and repurposing what we do have to keep us running on a small budget.
That makes for a championship team.
Stop in soon and see us, and if you have some free time November 9-11, join us for some planning sessions to help us decide what programs and services to prioritize for the next three years. The link to sign up for an in-person focus group is at www.pagosalibrary.org. Too busy to attend? Choose the option to take the online survey instead.
Public Comment Period Open on 2027 Budget
If you’re interested in seeing where our income comes from and how we spend the funds, now is the time for public comments on our 2027 budget proposal. You can view a copy of the proposed budget on our website at www.pagosalibrary.org. From now until November 18, you can submit your comments to director@pagosalibrary.org. A budget hearing will take place on November 18 at the library, at which time the Library Board will hold an open forum for your feedback before finalizing the budget.
Thanksgiving closure
The Library will be closed for the Thanksgiving holiday from Thursday, November 26 – Sunday, November 29. Don’t find yourself short of good books! Stop in and stock up soon!
Help Us Plan the Future
During the month of November, we are collecting feedback from everyone in the community about what you would like the library to prioritize for the next three years. We’ll begin the week of November 9th with in-person drop-in sessions to talk about the challenges of living in Pagosa, how the library affects your life, and how we can improve. We’re hoping to hear from parents and caregivers, seniors, Library Foundation and Friends members, and everyone in the community who has an interest in the library’s future.
Please join us at any of these one hour drop-in sessions. Sign up on the library’s website (www.pagosalibrary.org) or give us a call at 970-264-2209.
Can’t attend? Choose the online survey option instead. We appreciate your feedback!
Monday November 9:
10am
3pm
5pm
Tuesday November 10:
2pm
Wednesday November 11:
11:30am (Parent and Caregiver focus)
2pm
6pm
Thanks for helping us dream the future!
Required Minimum Distribution Looming? Consider the Library.
If you’re pondering how to manage this year’s required minimum distribution from your tax-deferred retirement account, consider making a direct transfer to the Ruby M. Sisson Library Foundation. You’ll avoid income taxes on the amount you transfer directly, and you’ll help the library do even more wonderful things. The Foundation EIN is 83-1063172. Contact foundation@pagosalibrary.org with any questions.
Six New Computers Available for Public Use
Thanks to a grant from the Statewide Internet Portal Authority, we’ve added six new public computers to our technology offerings. Internet, Microsoft Word, and printing available.
GED Program
Are you interested in becoming a volunteer tutor to help members of our community get their GED? Are you a retired teacher? Are you an expert in Math, Science, Language Arts or History who wants to make a difference and has some extra time to give? The library is looking for tutors to work with students one-on-one for a few hours a week to help us keep our Adult Education GED program thriving. If you are interested in becoming a tutor for the GED program; or are a student seeking tutoring; please email our Adult Basic Education Coordinator, Nicole at esl@pagosalibrary.org. No experience required; training and supervision provided.
Intercambio/English as a Second Language (ESL)
If you are someone who enjoys cultural exchanges, or are looking to brush up on your Spanish, think about joining our new Intercambio program at the Library. Intercambio connects volunteers with adult English language learners through relationship-based one-on-one classes. Our English as a Second Language (ESL) curriculum requires no prior teaching or second language experience. Just a positive attitude and a little extra time in your week. Our curriculum, training, and ongoing support make teaching easy, enjoyable, and impactful.
If you are interested in learning more about our Adult Basic Education classes, either as a volunteer tutor, or a student, please email our Adult Basic Education Coordinator, Nicole at esl@pagosalibrary.org.
New Meeting Rooms Ready to Reserve
Your new library offers one large community room that can be divided into two smaller rooms. We also have two new study rooms. If you or your club or organization would like to reserve a room, give us a call. (970-264-2209)
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.
This coming week’s featured programs:
Baby Storytime (ages 0-2) Friday, November 6 11am.
Puzzle Palooza Saturday, November 7 11am-noon
Conversational Spanish Monday, November 9 4-5pm
Ruby’s Book Club Tuesday, November 10 2-3pm
Cricut Card Making Makerspace Class Tuesday November 10 2-4pm
Teen Secret Snacks Tuesday, November 10 4-5pm
Family Storytime Wednesdays 10-11am
Notary drop-ins Wednesdays 3-4pm
Free Legal Clinic Wednesday, November 11 3-4pm (registration required)
Make Your Own Claw Machine Wednesday, November 11 4-5pm
New Fall Titles Ready for Checkout
Thanks to the State Grants to Libraries program offered through the Colorado State Library, we will be investing an extra $1482 in large print titles this year and providing a year of access to Hoopla e-books and e-audiobooks. We greatly appreciate this state support!
New In Large Print
Author Leigh Bardugo’s final installment in the Ninth House horror series, “Dead Beat,” arrives just in time for Halloween. Alex Stern returns from hell but leaves the underworld door open, unleashing demons onto the Yale campus and the streets of New Haven.
Beloved lady detective Mma Ramotswe returns to save the reputation of the local elephant sanctuary in “The Big Cats Dance Party,” Alexander McCall Smith’s 27th installment in his “ No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency” series.
In Jeffrey Archer’s final novel, “Adam and Eve,” the daughter of an Earl pairs with the son of a local shepherd to resist Hitler’s invasion of the British Isles.
Danielle Steel returns with “Ruthless.” A senior magazine editor forms an unlikely alliance with a tech billionaire to uncover the evil acts of the man she’s been assigned to profile.
New Nonfiction
In “The Confederacy Myth: How an Insurrection of Slaveholders Tried to Destroy the United States,” historian Connor Williams poses one big question: What can Americans learn about our divided country today from the Civil War that divided us in the past?
“Redemption” from Pulitzer Prize winner Lawrence Wright, recounts the story of seven condemned women on death row in Texas and the Sisters of Mary Morning Star nuns dedicated to their redemption.
“Simply Ina: A Barefoot Contessa Cookbook” from popular chef Ina Garten provides simple, fast recipes for everyday great meals.
New Fiction
Another high octane thriller from Lee Child and Andrew Child, “Chain Reaction” is the 31st novel in the Jack Reacher series. General Susan Turner needs someone to find out who murdered a team member, someone who will subsequently disappear. Reacher heads for Summertown, Colorado to do just that.
Author and podcaster Greta Kelly pens a new thriller, “The Throwaways.” When Aster Calloway sold her grandmother’s bejeweled music box she had no idea that inside that box was a list of names that protected defected KGB operatives, including her grandmother.
Bestselling fantasy author Rebecca Yarros delivers the long-awaited #3.5 in her Empyrean series. Welcome to “Threshing Day,” the brutal, high-stakes trial where would-be riders at Basgiath War College fight to earn the bond of a dragon or die trying. (also available on CD audiobook)
Richard Paul Evans’s new novel, “Mercy’s Child,” is set in 1874 gilded New York where a wealthy woman’s determination to save a child from the unspeakable conditions in Hell’s Kitchen sets up a battle against the city’s most powerful institutions.
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 Hoopla or Libby.
Need help? Just ask! We love talking about books.
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 !