Library patrons and visitors know from personal experience what an exceptional library we have in our community.
And, statistics from the Colorado State Library show that your library staff are providing superior programs and services in a very impressive way from a money-management standpoint.
Statewide numbers show that our library’s per capita income — meaning the revenue we receive from your taxes as well as from donations and grants — falls just above the median for other libraries our size in Colorado — and well below the median for tourist community libraries. (For the non-math folks among us, the median means we are in the middle, with the same number of libraries in the state above us as below us.)
Yet our stats show impressive results when we are compared with libraries of all sizes in Colorado, including those much bigger. In fact, our circulation per capita is nearly that of the wealthiest libraries in the state, including those in major tourist locations like Aspen and Telluride.
As well, our number of library card holders as a percent of population exceeds the median for all tourist libraries throughout the state.
These results translate into exceptional value for our taxpayers, and we all should be hugely proud of our staff for such money-management skills, according to Library Director Barb Brattin.
She can offer a relatively unbiased view since she arrived here from Wisconsin to be our new library director only two months ago.
“I inherited this success,” she said. “Based on more than 30 years working in libraries, I am very impressed.”
As Brattin told the library Board of Trustees at their Oct. 16 meeting when she reviewed the statewide stats, “It’s clear from my interactions with the public since I came here in September, our library is a beloved local institution — and all the praise goes to library staff for providing this community with the service they value and appreciate. It’s impressive to see that this goodwill is backed up by statistics that put our library in such a remarkable position statewide.”
Early library closure
Your library will close early on Monday, Nov. 11, for our regular monthly staff meeting at 5 p.m.
‘Real Friends, Real You’ for teens/tweens
Join local author Kimberly Young tomorrow, Friday, Nov. 8, from 2 to 3 p.m. to chat about managing conflict and staying true to yourself while being a real friend.
Special Friends event
Next Wednesday, Nov. 13, from 4 to 6 p.m., 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 today with two more interesting presentations, both from 6 to 7:15 p.m.:
• Today, 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.
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.
Today, 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.”
Chess Club Saturday
Learn how to play chess with free quick lessons and game time to practice your skills on Saturday, Nov. 9, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. All ages and abilities are welcome.
Adult knitting Saturday
Join new and experienced knitters Saturday, Nov. 9, for our free Knitters Circle from 1 to 3 p.m. It is aimed at anyone over the age of 18 who would like to knit together or get some help if you are stuck on your project.
Math tutoring Monday
High school math tutors will be available for ages 14 and up Mondays from 4 to 5:30 p.m. except for the second Monday each month when it ends at 5 p.m. because of our staff meeting. Registration is required.
Math tutoring will continue depending on demand and tutor availability.
Shakespeare read-aloud
Shakespeare fans of all ages are invited to join in reading aloud “Romeo and Juliet” on Monday, Nov. 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.
Ruby’s Book Club next Tuesday
Ruby’s Book Club will meet from 2 to 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 12, to discuss “The Lost City of Z” by David Grann. Copies are available at your library.
This book club is held the second Tuesday of each month, alternating between fiction and nonfiction titles. Anyone is welcome to attend. Snacks will be provided.
Legal clinic next Wednesday
This month’s free legal clinic is by appointment on Wednesday, Nov. 13, from 2 to 3:40 p.m. at the library. Meet privately via Zoom with our volunteer civil attorney.
For an appointment, phone us at (970) 264-2209. Registration opens the first of the month and is required as space is limited.
Therapy dog visit
Next Wednesday, Nov. 13, from 11 to 11:45 a.m., all ages are invited to a free visit with a certified therapy dog. The visits will be limited to 10-15 minutes.
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.
Dungeons and Dragons
Tuesday, Nov. 12, from 4 to 5:30 p.m., join our Dungeons and Dragons game free for teens and young adults. Preregistration is required because space is limited. Contact Josie@pagosalibrary.org to join.
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.
DVDs
“Halo” is a four-disc collection of season two episodes. “Despicable Me” is a four-movie collection of Illumination’s family comedy films. “Bikeriders” follows Midwestern biking club members evolving from a friendly gathering to a violent underworld. “Alpha” is an epic adventure of a man and a wolf set in the Ice Age.
Mysteries, suspense and thrillers
“Identity Unknown” by Patricia Cornwall is a Kay Scarpetta forensic science mystery. “The Women Behind the Door” by Booker Prize-winner Roddy Doyle features a mother and daughter untangling past memories and revelations. “The City and The City” by China Mieville is a gritty sci-fi murder mystery set in two cities whose residents are not allowed to interact. “The Village Library Demon-Hunting Society” by C.M. Waggoner is a Cozy fantasy mystery.
Large print
“The Forest of Lost Souls” by Dean Koontz tells of an accident that may have been more than that. “Shadow State” by M.P. Woodward is a Tom Clancy Jack Ryan Jr. adventure. “I Need You to Read This” by Jessa Maxwell is a murder mystery involving an advice columnist. “Proof” by Fern Michaels is a Lost and Found mystery that begins with an old dresser.
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
“Everybody thinks of changing humanity, and nobody thinks of changing himself.” — Leo Tolstoy (1878-1910), Russian writer regarded as one of the greatest authors of all time.
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.
