Creative people of all ages are invited to show off your building skills by competing in our first-ever free cardboard construction-a-thon that offers prizes for each of five age categories: Preschool, ages 5-7, ages 8-11, ages 12-17 and adult 18 and up.
Submissions must be brought to the library by 5 p.m. tomorrow, Friday, March 25. Winners will be announced on Saturday, March 26 at 12:15pm.
Entries may not exceed 36” x 36” x 36” and must be built ahead of time. Your creation must be made entirely of cardboard – but tape, glue, paperclips or brads may be used to hold pieces together. While you are welcome to decorate your creation, please note that we will be judging based on construction and not final decorations. One entry per person.
Elegant library fundraiser
Tickets are available now for a special fundraiser on Saturday, April 9 from 6-8:30 p.m. at the PLPOA clubhouse to raise funds for the Ruby Sisson Library Foundation’s campaign to expand and renovate your library. This elegant event will feature a silent auction for 17 creatively-decorated table settings for up to eight people based on popular books including “Like Water for Chocolate,” “Pride and Prejudice,” “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy,” “Under the Tuscan Sun” and “Where the Wild Things Are.” You also can vote online for your favorite table with a $1 donation per vote.
Purchase tickets at $50 per person at your library (cash or check only) or at https:pagosalibrary.org/library-foundation/the-library-affair. Watch for more details in next week’s Library News column, and find them at that website.
LEGO Club on Saturday
Kids aged six and up are invited to bring your imaginations – LEGOs are provided – on Saturday, March 26 from 11 a.m.-noon for the free LEGO Club. LEGO challenges also are posted on Facebook if you can’t make it to the library.
Teen writers meet next week
Teen writers are invited to your library on Wednesday, March 30 from 4 – 5 p.m. Stories, poetry, graphic novels, fan fiction – it’s all welcome.
S.T.E.A.M enrichment kits
Participants in this free enrichment program for youngsters aged five and up receive a kit guiding you through science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (S.T.E.A.M.) projects. The kits are available all month but registration is required by calling your library at 970-264-2209.
ESL classes
Free in-person evening classes take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays with 4-5 p.m. reserved for beginners and 5-7 p.m. for both intermediate and advanced students. Please help us spread the word about these classes to others in our community who would be interested, and contact us by phone or email if you have any questions.
Las clases de ESL
Las clases nocturnas gratuitas en persona se llevan a cabo los martes y jueves de 4 a 7 p.m. Los estudiantes principiantes asisten de 4 a 5 p.m., estudiantes intermedios de 5-6 p.m. y estudiantes avanzados de 7-8 p.m. Por favor, ayúdenos a correr la voz sobre estas clases a otras personas en nuestra comunidad que estén interesadas, y contáctenos por teléfono o correo electrónico si tiene alguna pregunta.
Tech Time
Free in-person slots are available from 10 a.m.-noon Tuesdays and 2-4 p.m. Thursdays. Brad will help you resolve issues with your computer, smartphone, tablet and other electronic devices. Note no Tech Time today, March 24.
Adult education
Our free PALS (Pagosa Adult Learning Services) session take place on Thursdays from 5:30-8 p.m. when Mark helps with high school equivalency, GED, college prep, financial aid, tutoring and more.
Writing challenge
A new all-ages writing challenge will be posted March 28 on the library’s Facebook page. We hope you will challenge your creativity by participating in this free all-ages activity.
Library hours
Most of our programs are happening in person and curbside service continues. Also, our hours are back to pre-COVID levels – and even more on weekdays:
Monday, Wednesday and Friday open 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Tuesdays and Thursdays open 9 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Saturdays open 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Books on CD
“City of the Dead” by Jonathan Kellerman is an Alex Delaware mystery. “Nothing to Lose” by J.A. Jance features former Seattle homicide detective J.P. Beaumont. “The Paris Apartment” by Lucy Foley focuses on a sister’s search for her half-brother. “The Ghost Rifle” by Max McCoy is an America’s Last Frontier western. “This Side of Hell” by Brett Cogburn is a Widowmaker Jones western. “Slaughter of the Mountain Man” by William W. and J.A. Johnstone is a western featuring Smoke Jensen.
Large print
“Caramel Pecan Roll Murder” by Joanne Fluke is a Hannah Swenson mystery with recipes.
DVDs
“Mysteries of Mental Illness” is a PBS documentary exploring the evolution of understanding and treating mental illness throughout history. “The North Water” is an adaptation of the novel about a surgeon on an Arctic whaling trip. “Clifford The Big Red Dog” is a family-friendly comedy story.
Nonfiction
“52 Ways to Walk” by Annabel Streets offers new ways to walk for better health and exercise. “What Bees Want” by Susan Knilans and Jacqueline Freeman is a guide to beekeeping practices to support struggling honeybee populations. “The Backyard Bird Sanctuary” by Alan Baczkiewicz is a beginner’s guide to creating bird habitats to feed and shelter your favorite species. “Burning Questions” is a collection of more than 50 essays by Margaret Atwood written from 2004 to 2021.
Mysteries and thrillers
“Death of a Green Eyed Monster” by M.C. Beaton is a Hamish Macbeth mystery set in Scotland. “The Night Shift” by Alex Finlay connects two crime events, both with only one teen survivor. “The Lightning Rod” by Brad Meltzer is book two in the Zig and Nola thriller series.
Library foundation
Please consider a tax-deductible donation to the Ruby M. Sisson Memorial Library Foundation to support and enhance your library by raising funds for information resources, programs, services and facilities. Mail checks to P.O. Box 2045, Pagosa Springs, CO 81147 or call Cindi Galabota at 970-264-2209.
Quotable Quote
“Every now and then it helps to be a little deaf…. That advice has stood me in good stead. Not simply in dealing with my marriage, but in dealing with my colleagues.” – Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg (1933-2020), former associate justice of the U.S. Supreme Court.
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
The Ruby Sisson Memorial Library has been located at 811 San Juan Street (corner of S. 8th and Hwy 160) since 1989. The library is overseen by the Upper San Juan Library District, a tax-funded special district in Archuleta County.