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.
Free pumpkins available
Starting next Wednesday, Oct. 23, you are welcome to pick up free pumpkins at your library to decorate for the pumpkin contest. One per family while supplies last.
The decorated entries are due Oct. 30 or 31. Fun prizes for the winners will happen at a Halloween party from 4 to 5 p.m. on Oct. 31.
Friends book sale
Our new free weekly Lifelong Learning Lecture series continues today with five more interesting presentations, all from 6 to 7:15 p.m. on Thursdays through Nov. 14:
• Today’s talk, Oct. 17, features Cindi Galabota, library foundation director, and Barb Brattin, our new library director, will review the status of our library expansion, and share the architectural drawings and fundraising plans. We have raised more than $2.2 million of our $4.5 million goal.
• Oct. 24, Bill Trimarco from the Wildfire Adapted Partnership will share tips on how you can make your property fire safe by creating defensible space, planning evacuations and preparing well.
• 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 continue with one more opportunity in October 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.
Tuesday, Oct. 22, at noon will feature Lori Gottlieb examining the truths and fiction we tell ourselves.
Messy art and crafts
All ages are invited to get messy for the fun of making art tomorrow, Friday, Oct. 18, from 2 to 3:30 p.m. at this free session when we will make sculptures out of natural materials. All supplies will be provided.
LEGO Club Saturday
Kids aged 6-11 are invited to the free LEGO Club on Saturday, Oct. 19, from 11 a.m. to noon. Bring your own LEGOs or use ours to free build.
Pokemon Club Saturday
If you’re aged 6-11 and love Pokemon, this free club is for you. Bring your cards on Saturday, Oct. 19, from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m.
Knitting and crochet
lessons
Learn to knit or crochet on Monday, Oct. 21, at our free gathering from 2 to 3:15 p.m. for ages 8 and up. Supplies provided.
Music fun Monday
Pagosa Unplugged is free from 4 to 6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 21, 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.
Shakespeare read-aloud Monday
Shakespeare fans of all ages are invited to join in reading aloud “Romeo and Juliet” Mondays, Oct. 21 and 28, from 3:30 to 5 p.m. as the free Shakespeare Read Aloud Club restarts. This is an all-ages program. Call Jenny at (240) 426-7887 for more information.
Adult DIY next Tuesday
At the free adult DIY next Tuesday, Oct. 22, from 1 to 2:30 p.m., Renee will help you create a masterpiece via the art of collage. All supplies will be provided.
Dungeons and Dragons
Today, Thursday, Oct. 17, and next Tuesday, Oct. 22, from 4 to 5:30 p.m., join our Dungeons and Dragons game free for teens and young adults. Create a character and join the adventure. Preregistration is required because space is limited. Contact Josie@pagosalibrary.org to join.
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
“Ghost Files” by Clive Cussler is an Oregon Files adventure. “Tell Me Everything” by Pulitzer Prizer winner Elizabeth Strout returns to the town of Crosby, Maine, for a story about people involved in a murder investigation.
Other novels
“Lady Flyer” by Heather B. Moore is based on the true story of a young woman inspired by barnstormer pilots. “Familiaris” by David Wroblewski is the latest in the Sawtelle family saga and an Oprah Book Club pick. “In Memoriam” by Alice Winn tells of two young men who fall in love during World War I. “Coco Man” by Laken Hayson Schmalz is a thriller romance featuring a woman with no recollection of the past 12 years. “Under the Whispering Door” by T.J. Klune is a fantasy romance. “The Unicorn Woman” by Gayl Jones features a World War II Black soldier returning to the segregated South searching for a mythical ideal. “All the Summers in Between” by Brooke Lea Foster tells of two women reunited after a fateful summer 10 years ago.
Nonfiction
“Bayou” by Melissa M. Martin is a recipe book with a multitude of gorgeous photos that celebrates a year of holiday gatherings and the food and traditions of the bayou. “Cargo of Hope” by Shane Granger documents the adventures of the author and Meggi Macoun, who sailed their ship loaded with donated aid and medical supplies to areas decimated by the deadliest tsunami in recorded history.
Large print
“The Dark Wives” by Ann Cleeves is a mystery featuring DI Vera Stanhope. “In My Time of Dying” by award-winning war reporter Sebastian Junger tells of the author’s experience with the idea of an afterlife while in the hospital.
Donation guidelines
We are grateful to Joanne Fesko for her materials donations.
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
“Writing is everything in Hollywood. I remember reading ‘Field of Dreams’ and knowing beyond a shadow of a doubt that it was magical, that it had some gold dust to it. You have to see the moments in the script that would be a reason why someone would leave their house and pay for a babysitter.” — Kevin Costner, actor, director and producer; winner of two Academy Awards, three Golden Globes and a Primetime Emmy.
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.
