The Friends of the Library will host a popup book fair at your library on Saturday, Oct. 12, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
This special event is the ideal way for you to purchase books for your personal library and for gifts to family and friends at discounted prices while at the same time helping the Friends raise money for your library’s programs and services.
Members of Friends of the Library, teachers and responders will receive a special buy-one-get-one-free discount. You can join now if you are not already a Friend.
New Lifelong Learning Lectures coming soon
Another popular fall event: Our new free weekly Lifelong Learning Lecture series begins next Thursday, Oct. 10, with six interesting presentations, all from 6 to 7:15 p.m. on Thursdays through Nov. 14:
• First up on Oct. 10 is a talk by Arleen Prochazka of Pagosa Weather discussing the snow outlook for our forthcoming 2024-2025 winter, and how she and her colleagues forecast it.
• On Oct. 17, 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.
• On 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.
Early library closure
Your library will close early on Monday, Oct. 7, for a staff meeting at 5 p.m. This is our regular staff meeting schedule — on the second Monday of the month.
Online author talks
Our highly popular free online author talks continue with two more opportunities 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.
Wednesday, Oct. 9, at 5 p.m. will showcase Silvia Moreno-Garcia discussing liberating Latin America genre fiction.
Tuesday, Oct. 22, at noon will feature Lori Gottlieb examining the truths and fiction we tell ourselves.
Gaming tomorrow
Enjoy free all-ages video gaming session on our Xbox tomorrow, Friday, Oct. 4, from 2 to 3:30 p.m.
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, Oct. 4, from 2 to 4 p.m.
LEGO Club Saturday
Kids aged 6-11 are invited to the free LEGO Club on Saturday, Oct. 5, from 11 a.m. to noon. Bring your own LEGOs or use ours to free build.
Music fun Monday
Pagosa Unplugged is free from 4 to 6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 7, 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.
Ruby’s Book Club next Tuesday
Ruby’s Book Club will meet from 2 to 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 8, to discuss “The Book of Lost Friends” by Lisa Wingate. 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 provided.
Dungeons and Dragons
Next Tuesday, Oct. 8, 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.
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.
Legal clinic
This month’s free legal clinic is by appointment on Wednesday, Oct. 9, from 2 to 3:40 p.m.
Come to the library to meet privately via Zoom with our volunteer civil attorney. To schedule an appointment, phone us at (970) 264-2209.
Registration opens the first of the month and is required as space is limited.
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. Note there will be no Tech time Oct. 3, 8, 10 or 15.
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.
Nonfiction
“Captain Solitude” by RC Shaw is billed as “one surfer’s search for the world’s greatest sailor.” “No Fear Shakespeare: Romeo and Juliet” provides the original text on the left page with a translation on the right. “Tuft the World” by Tiernan Alexander and Tim Eads is an illustrated guide to machine-tufting rugs, home décor and more.
Books on CD
“Spirit Crossing” by William Kent Krueger is a murder mystery featuring Cork O’Connor and the newly formed Lake Ojibwe Tribal Police Department. “Betrayal Road” by Christine Feehan is part of the Torpedo Ink Motorcycle Club series. “Den of Iniquity” by J.A. Jance is a J. P. Beaumont mystery.
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
“Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.” — Albert Camus (1913-1960), French philosopher, author, dramatist and political activist who received the 1957 Nobel Prize for literature at age 44, the second youngest recipient ever.
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.
