Prizes for pumpkin contest winners of all ages will be awarded at a free Halloween party from 4 to 5 p.m. today, Oct. 31. Wear your costume and come share Halloween treats, spooky crafts and fun. Decorated pumpkin entries had to be turned in yesterday at the library.
Also, people interested in Medicare will want to attend the free session next Wednesday, Nov. 6, from 1 to 2:30 p.m. to learn about common Medicare fraud schemes and how to protect yourself, as well as other Medicare issues important for 2025.
As well, high school math tutors will be available for ages 14 and up beginning Monday, Nov. 4, and continuing every Thursday this month from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Registration is required. Math tutoring will continue depending on demand and tutor availability.
Save the date for Friends event
Wednesday, Nov. 13, from 4 to 6 p.m., our new library director, Barb Brattin, will join the Friends of the Library for a social gathering and potluck.
This is an excellent opportunity to meet Brattin and hear about her background and plans. Bring an appetizer to share; the Library Foundation will provide sodas, water, beer and wine.
If you’re not already a Friend, consider making this a perfect reason to join.
Annual memberships are $15 per person or $25 for a family, with lifetime memberships available for $150 per person.
Lifelong Learning Lectures continue
Our new free weekly Lifelong Learning Lecture series continues with more interesting presentations, all from 6 to 7:15 p.m. on Thursdays through Nov. 14:
• Today, Oct. 31, will showcase Dayton Romero on Zoom discussing the many opportunities the Senior Planet social media platform offers you via their OATS (Older Adults Technology Services) program. Senior Planet is an AARP nonprofit offering many free classes for seniors.
• On Nov. 7, Matt Huber from the Colorado Avalanche Information Center will explain the power of avalanches and give you practical advice on how you can have safe fun in the mountains during the winter.
• On Nov. 14 Doug Coombs, a member of the Pagosa Springs Photography Club, will share his remarkable photos from four different trips to Africa and describe options for traveling to Africa.
Pick up a brochure at the library for more details on each of these presenters and their informative talks. No registration is required to attend.
Online author talks
Our highly popular free online author talks in November will celebrate diverse cultural experiences and National Native American History Month. They offer four more opportunities this month for you to interact with New York Times bestselling authors and ask questions.
For details and to register, go to https://libraryc.org/pagosalibrary/upcoming.
Next Thursday, Nov. 7, at 5 p.m. will feature “A Navajo Investigator’s Search for the Unexplained,” a conversation with Stanley Mitford Jr., known for his shows about Skinwalker Ranch on Netflix and the History Channel.
Saturday, Nov. 9, at noon will showcase a Spanish-language conversation with Javier Zamora, author of “Solito,” on “Sobre la Migracion Infantil Desde Centroamerica,” followed by the same presentation in English on Thursday, Nov. 14, at 2 p.m.
On Nov. 20 at 5 p.m., we’ll enjoy a conversation with Mona Susan Power, PEN/Hemingway Prize winner and member of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, on “Native Rights and Culture in Fiction.”
Teen/tween takeover tomorrow
We are setting aside the large meeting room and some of the computers for tweens and teens to use and spend time with friends Friday, Nov. 1, from 2 to 3 p.m.
Knitting and crochet lessons
Learn to knit or crochet on Monday, Nov. 4 at our free gathering from 2 to 3:15 p.m. for ages eight and up. Supplies provided.
Shakespeare read-aloud
Shakespeare fans of all ages are invited to join in reading aloud “Romeo and Juliet” on Mondays, Nov. 4 and 11, plus Nov. 18 if needed, from 3:30 to 5 p.m. at the free Shakespeare Read Aloud Club. This is an all-ages program. Call Jenny at (240) 426-7887 for more information.
Music fun Monday
Pagosa Unplugged is free from 4 to 6 p.m. Monday, Nov. 4, for amateur musicians who would like a safe, supportive, non-bar setting to play, sing or both with other people. For information, contact Susan at (970) 946-3396.
Spanish conversation
Practice your Spanish in a free group setting on Tuesday, Nov. 5, from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. There is no minimum skill level needed.
Note this group now meets twice a month, on the first and third Tuesdays.
Elementary tutoring sessions
Children in first through third grade are invited to free sessions on Wednesdays from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. where they will build essential skills in core subjects as they are tutored in reading and math. Preregistration is required.
Family storytime
Wednesdays from 10 to 11 a.m., join a free educational hour of reading, singing and free play to build early literacy skills.
Teen/tween activity
Join us in the teen area every Wednesday after school from 4 to 4:30 p.m. this month for a fun craft or challenge. Activities will range from taste tests to art challenges to minute-to-win-it-style games.
Writers Guild
Every Thursday from 9 to 11 a.m., the Ruby’s Writers Guild welcomes writers looking for opportunities, support, resources and camaraderie with other writers at this free gathering.
The guild has published a new anthology, “Tales from the San Juans,” which the members say includes “life musings, creative short fiction, retrospectives, poetry, novellas and short observations — all inspired by the beauty that surrounds us.”
The book is available at the library, with net proceeds going to the library’s building campaign.
ESL classes
Free in-person evening classes take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays, with 4 to 5 p.m. reserved for beginners, 5 to 6 p.m. for intermediate and 6 to 7 p.m. for advanced students. Please help us share the word about these classes.
Tech Time
Free in-person slots are available from 10 a.m. to noon Tuesdays and 2 to 4 p.m. Thursdays. Judy helps you with basic questions relating to computers, smartphones and tablets, and also provides assistance in accessing the library’s online resources.
No appointment is needed for these drop-in sessions, but please bring your device’s charger and passwords with you.
Pagosa Adult Learning Services (PALS)
Join Mark or Sally for free PALS sessions Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:30 to 8 p.m. to help with high school equivalency, GED, college prep, financial aid, tutoring and more.
Activities calendars
Pick up monthly events calendars at the library so you don’t miss any of the free activities available to you and your family.
Downloadable books
CloudLibrary has a wide variety of downloadable e-books and audiobooks for all ages. To access this free digital collection, 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 four-digit PIN. Library staff are happy to help you set up your device if you need assistance.
Mysteries, suspense and thrillers
“The Night We Lost Him” by Laura Dave tells of estranged siblings trying to unravel a family secret. “The Housemaid is Watching” by Frieda McFadden features a former house cleaning lady facing upending of her new life. “I Dreamed of Falling” by Julia Dahl is a murder mystery set in a New York City suburb.
Other novels
“Here One Moment” by Liane Moriarty follows plane passengers on a flight who learn how they will die. “The Sound of a Thousand Stars” by Rachel Robbins is a love story of two physicists on the Oppenheimer project in Los Alamos. “A Healing Touch” by Suzanne Woods Fisher features a compassionate doctor in the Amish Stoney Ridge community.
Nonfiction
“Good Energy” by Dr. Casey Means explains the importance of metabolic functions to good health and avoidance of illnesses, and offers a four-week plan. “The Well-Watered Woman” by Gretchen Saffles offers tools and a path for spiritual women wanting to know and live a life with Jesus.
Books on CD
“Intermezzo” by Sally Rooney tells of two grieving brothers in Ireland. “Passions in Death” by J.D. Robb is an Eve Dallas mystery. “Ghost Soldier” by Clive Cussler is an Oregon Files adventure. “An Honorable Assassin” by Steve Hamilton is a Nick Mason thriller. “Shadow of Doubt” by Brad Thor is a spy story. “The Dark Wives” by Ann Cleeves is a Vera Stanhope mystery.
Large print
“Swamp Kings” by Jason Ryan tells of a century of power by the Murdaugh family in South Carolina. “Challenger” by Adam Higgenbotham explores the heroism and disaster of the space shuttle. “Confronting the Presidents” by Bill O’Reilly and Martin Dugard offers assessments of all 45 U.S. presidents from Washington to Biden.
Donation guidelines
When we are open, material donations are accepted for the Friends of the Library at the front desk — not down the outside returns slot at the library or the drop box at City Market, please.
Guidelines for donations: Yes to popular fiction books published in 2013 or later, nonfiction books published 2018 or later, and children’s and young adult books — all in excellent condition, please. No to CDs, DVDs, Blu-ray, VHS or cassette tapes; textbooks, outdated travel books or reference books because they do not sell. No more than two boxes at a time because of space constraints.
Quotable quote
“The secret to aging gracefully is simple. Just have a good attitude. Enjoy who you are. Remember that life is a wonderful thing.” — Mitzi Gaynor (1931-2024), actress, singer and dancer most famous for her roles in film musicals like “There’s No Business Like Show Business” and “South Pacific” in the Golden Age of Hollywood musicals; she died Oct. 17 at age 93.
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.
