We will be celebrating the end of our highly successful Summer Reading Program with a fun, free all-ages mermaid parade and small party on Friday, August 5 from 2:30 – 4pm in the library for everyone from children to adults.
Every year since 1983, Coney Island in New York has put on the largest art parade in the U.S. to welcome summer. Artists come dressed in ocean-themed costumes that show off their skill and creativity.
Your library will be hosting our own version of this parade – and if you don’t have a costume to wear, you are invited to join us on Wednesday, August 2 from 2 – 3:30pm at a free session when we will provide a variety of beautiful materials you can use to make an ocean-themed costume for yourself.
Celebrating Josie’s Promotion
We are delighted to announce that Josie Snow, a hometown Pagosan, has been promoted to assistant director, effective this week. She also will continue in her current position of early literacy librarian that she has held since being hired in June 2019.
In her new role, Josie will be in charge when library director Meg Wempe is away. She also will be working more closely with volunteers and will create a calendar that includes a full picture of events and activities that occur throughout the year. “I am honored to have been selected for this position and excited for further opportunities to learn and grow at the library,” Josie said.
“Josie was chosen because of her demonstrated leadership as well as her desire to serve our community further,” said Meg. “Please stop by your library to congratulate her.”
Free early literacy program starts soon
If you want to participate in a new round of an exciting free 10-week literacy program that helps families and caregivers build their babies’ vocabulary, come to your library on August 3 from 11 – 11:45am for an information session, or attend August 4 from 7-7:45pm on Zoom, using passcode 895 4571 2561 to join.
Called LENA, the program comes from a partnership involving your library, AmeriCorps and the San Juan BOCES.
When you enroll in the workshops, you will get personalized information and ideas to help your child. Please contact Michelle Salmeron-Ramierez at 970-585-4293 or michellesr@unitedway-swco.org. The program is available in English and Spanish. It was created for babies from new-born to age three, and will help you use talking to build your child’s brain.
Library Speakers Consortium continues
On Wednesday, August 3 you are invited to the third in our new free Library Speakers Consortium series featuring New York Times bestselling fiction and nonfiction authors giving live, professionally moderated book discussions you can view on your computer, tablet or smartphone with internet access. You also will have an opportunity to ask questions.
The August 3 session at noon features 2021 Pulitzer Prize winner Dr. Marcia Chatelain, author of “Franchise: The Golden Arches in Black America.”
The next talk on Tuesday, August 9 will feature Liz Moore, author of “Long Bright River,” named the best book of the year by NPR in 2020.
To register for the consortium, click on the link on your library’s home page at https://pagosalibrary.org. If you cannot view the presentations live, the recorded events will be available afterwards at our website under the “Adult” tab. The full schedule is also posted there.
Children’s Spanish class debuts
Join us next Thursday, August 4 from 11 a.m. – noon for a new Spanish class for kids aged six to 11. Miss Josie and Miss Ruby will help you learn and improve your Spanish.
Family storytime
Wednesdays from 10-11 a.m. join us for free in-person children’s stories, games and plenty of reasons to get up and move.
Downloadable books
CloudLibrary has a wide variety of downloadable e-books and audiobooks for all ages and accessing this free digital collection has never been easier. You just need to download the cloudLibrary app, answer a few simple questions, select AspenCat Union Catalog for the name of your library, then enter your library card number and 4-digit PIN. You are now ready to browse, borrow and read e-books and audiobooks using cloudLibrary. Library staff are happy to help you set up your device if you need assistance.
Mysteries and thrillers
“Red on the River” by Christine Freehan is a romantic thriller set in Nevada. “Hatchet Island” by Paul Doiron features Maine game warden Mike Bowditch in a research station far off the coast. “The Girl Who Survived” by Lisa Jackson follows the survivors of a brutal family massacre. “Suspects” by Danielle Steel features a CIA agent helping a fashion icon after her family is kidnapped.
Other novels
“Project Namahana” explores the issues of wartime trauma and historical injustice on the Hawaiian island of Kauai. “Elsewhere” by Alexis Schaitkin is a fantasy that reveals a community where girls become wives, wives become mothers and some of them disappear. “Shadow of the Sith” by Adam Christopher is a Star Wars story.
Short stories
“The Angel of Rome and Other Stories” by National Book Award finalist Jess Walter is a collection of stories about the moments life changes you – for better, for worse, for the outrageous.
Books on CD
“The Island” by Adriana McKinty features a family on a working vacation overseas involved in a kidnapping. “Resolute” by Jack Campbell is the second book in the Lost Fleet: Outlands military sci-fi series. “Suspects” by Danielle Steel features a CIA agent helping a fashion icon after her family is kidnapped.
Nonfiction
“Freezing Order” by Bill Browder is the true story of money laundering, murder and surviving Putin’s wrath by an American-British financier who is one of the largest foreign investors in Russia. “Genius Kitchen” by Max Lugavere contains 100 recipes to help make your brain sharp, body strong and taste buds happy.
Donations
We are grateful to Rebecca Battles for a generous monetary donation. With the Friends of the Library sale just concluded, we and the Friends are taking a break from materials donations until August.
Quotable Quote
“No matter how busy you may think you are, you must find time for reading, or surrender yourself to self-chosen ignorance.” — Confucius, Chinese philosopher.
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.