In a cozy corner of your library, there is a treasure trove of local history available for your reading pleasure, thanks to the generosity of one of Pagosa’s long-time residents and the Chimney Rock Interpretive Association (CRIA).
You can find these materials easily by coming in the library front door, turning right at the front desk and walking toward the Turner Reading Room.
On your immediate right you will find six wide shelves holding books, maps and newspaper articles under a sign saying Hershey Collection. It is adjacent to a welcoming lounge area with comfortable seating underneath huge windows.
During their time at Four Mile Ranch in Pagosa, Terese and Jacob Hershey built an impressive collection of printed materials about the Four Corners region which they donated to our library for our community’s continued enrichment and enjoyment.
You’ll find guide books about Rocky Mountain gardening and wildflowers, San Juan Mountain hiking areas, fishing and camping spots, mining history and ghost towns, local wildlife and birds, railroad history, and much more.
Local history buffs will be enthralled by five history books authored by the late journalist John Motter as well a collection of his popular columns from The Pagosa Springs SUN.
Also situated within the Hershey Collection are five rows of materials donated by CRIA on ancient Puebloans and the history of the Chimney Rock National Monument. This famous archaeological site is located only a half an hour away, driving on U.S. 160 toward Durango, then on Colo. 151.
We hope you’ll take advantage of this treasure trove of local history available for your reading pleasure at the library or to check out.
One more Lifelong Learning Lecture
Our free weekly Lifelong Learning Lecture fall series comes to an end today, Nov. 14, with one last presentation from 6 to 7:15 p.m.
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 have celebrated diverse cultural experiences and National Native American History Month. They offer two 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.
Saturday, Nov. 9, showcased a Spanish-language conversation with Javier Zamora, author of “Solito,” on “Sobre la Migracion Infantil Desde Centroamerica.” Now he offers that same presentation in English today, 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.”
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.
Science fun tomorrow
Youngsters aged 6 to 10 are invited to experience awesome science experiments at a free session tomorrow, Friday, Nov. 15, from 2 to 3:30 p.m.
Healthy boundaries for teens
Teens and tweens are invited to join Rise Above Violence for a free session on setting healthy boundaries and why it’s important tomorrow, Friday, Nov. 15, from 2 to 3 p.m.
Paws to Read tomorrow
Friday, Nov. 15, from 2 to 3 p.m., youngsters are invited to share their favorite books with Maple, a therapy dog who love stories, at a free Paws to Read session.
LEGO Club Saturday
Kids aged 6-11 are invited to the free LEGO Club on Saturday, Nov. 16, from 11 a.m. to noon. Bring your own LEGOs or use ours to free build.
Pokemon Club on Saturday
If you’re aged 6-11 and love Pokemon, this free club is for you. Bring your cards on Saturday, Nov. 16, from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m.
Knitting and crochet lessons
Learn to knit or crochet on Monday, Nov. 18, 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, Nov. 18, for amateur musicians of all abilities and expertise to jam and sing with others.
Adult DIY next Tuesday
At the free in-person adult DIY next Tuesday, Nov. 19, from 1 to 2:30 p.m., we will enjoy creative gift wrapping with natural elements. Registration is required.
Spanish conversation
Practice your Spanish in a free group setting on Tuesday, Nov. 19, 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.
Dungeons and Dragons
Thursday, Nov. 21, 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.
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.
Short stories collection
“The Man in Black and Other Stories” by Elly Griffiths, author of the Ruth Galloway mysteries, is a short-story collection of 19 ghost stories, cozy mysteries, tales of psychological suspense and poignant vignettes of love and loss.
Large print
“Ghost Soldier” by Mike Maden is a Clive Cussler Oregon Files adventure. “Robert B. Parker’s Buzz Kill” by Alison Gaylin is a Sunny Randall mystery. “An Eye for an Eye” by Jeffrey Archer is a William Warwick thriller. “Bad Liar” by Tami Hoag is a Broussard and Fourcade mystery. “By Any Other Name” by Jody Picoult follows a female playwright who anonymously writes for Shakespeare.
DVDs
“Cabrini” is based on the true story of an Italian immigrant working for housing and health care in New York City. “Over the Garden Wall” is the Cartoon Network’s first animated miniseries. “Frozen Empire” is a Ghostbusters action story. “Manhunt” is a mystery based on the true story of a shocking murder in London. “Abigail” is a vampire movie about the kidnapping of a young ballerina.
Novels
“Sky Full of Elephants” by Cebo Campbell follows a father and daughter exploring a new world without white people. “The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife” by Anna Johnson tells of an extremely kind elderly man assuming a new life in a nursing home. “The Witches of El Paso” by Luis Jaramillo features a lawyer and her elderly great aunt with supernatural gifts in this fantasy story.
Nonfiction
“Taste: My Life Through Food” by Stanley Tucci is a memoir about food, family and travels containing a multitude of recipes from this actor known for his love of food from his CNN series “Searching for Italy.” “Targeted Beirut” by Jack Carr and James M. Scott is an in-depth account of the deadly 1983 Marine barracks bombing. “Rebels with a Cause” by Dr. Niobe Way provides research and suggestions for culture change to help boys and young men make social and emotional connections.
Quotable quote
“I’m the queen of advice. My brother always says, ‘You write books just so you can give everybody tips.’ I’ve written 10 books full of tips. I love sharing information. I think it’s because I’m a middle child.” — Marilu Henner, stage and screen star and five-time Grammy nominee, health advocate, and author whose books are available at our library.
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.
