Library celebrates National Volunteer Week

Like most non-profit organizations around the country, the Sisson Library is celebrating National Volunteer Week this week — April 27-May 3. Our staff members are cooking a delicious brunch this morning in honor of our volunteers, without whom we could not run the library. They put in an average of 90 hours a month — a total of 2,112 hours last year — doing crucial tasks to keep the library functioning well and our customer service top-notch.

Maintaining the collection is a never-ending operation. Shelving and making sure all the books and materials are in their proper place is another job we value from our volunteers. In addition, we encourage volunteers to participate in special events and programs including story-telling to preschoolers, helping with the children’s summer reading program and giving lectures or identifying other people to give lectures at the library.

We also want to pay tribute to the ladies of the Civic Club and to the Friends of the Library. The Civic Club is most famous for its Christmas Bazaar and the Friends for the summer book sale, both fund-raising events which result in generous support of the library. Less well known is the fact that the generosity, enthusiasm and hard work of these wonderful people contribute greatly to our library all year round.

If you would like to help make sure our library remains an active and vital part of our community, please join our team. To volunteer, to join the Civic Club or the Friends of the Library, or for more information, please call the director, Jackie Welch, at 264-2209.

National Volunteer Week was created in 1974 by President Nixon. A recent Gallop poll found that 44 percent of Americans volunteered in the year 2000, giving educational, health, cultural and human services organizations access to an extraordinary pool of talent they could never afford otherwise.

Author Everett Mámor once said, “The world is hugged by the faithful arms of volunteers.” We agree, and we are deeply grateful for their service” — all over the country and especially here at our library.

Non-fiction on CDs

Barack Obama’s memoir “Dreams from My Father” is read by the author and includes the senator’s 2004 Democratic convention keynote address. We also have this book in hardcover.

“A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose” is the latest by spiritual teacher Eckhart Tolle and also is read by the author.

“The Third Jesus: The Christ We Cannot Ignore” is the latest by spiritual leader Deepak Chopra.

“How to Meditate” by American-born Tibetan nun Pema Chodron presents the author’s first audio course for those new to meditation.

Fiction on CDs

“Change of Heart” by Jodi Picoult is a novel that explores capital punishment and the separation of church and state, and is narrated by a full cast.

“Remember Me?” by Sophie Kinsella tells of a woman who wakes up with amnesia after a car accident in London. We also have this book in hardcover.

“The Other Boleyn Girl” by Philippa Gregory is an historical novel that has been made into a major movie.

“A Prisoner of Birth” is the latest thriller by British author Jeffrey Archer. We also have this book in hard cover.

“7th Heaven” by James Patterson is the latest in the Women’s Murder Club series. We also have this book in hard cover.

“Lady Killer” is the latest mystery by Lisa Scottoline, which we also have in hard cover.

“Duma Key” is the latest supernatural thriller by Stephen King.

Advice and how-to books

“Stop Whining, Start Living” by marriage and family therapist Dr. Laura Schlessinger helps you reject negative thoughts and start living life to the fullest.

“Intelligence for Your Life” by radio host John Tesh is a memoir and guide to living better.

“Where Value Hides” by Stuart Jackson combines the principles of customer preference, producer economics and corporate finance to construct an accurate picture of a company’s opportunities.

Large print books

Mary Higgins Clark’s latest mystery is “Where Are You Now?”

Karen Robards’ latest romantic suspense is titled “Guilty.”

“How Come That’s Idiot’s Rich and I’m Not?” is a how-to book by Robert Shemin that shows you how to make money.

“Lonesome Cowboy & Texas Two-Step” is volume one of the Heart of Texas series by Debbie Macomber.

“Miss Julia Paints the Town” by Ann B. Ross tells of a plot by townspeople to fight condo developers.

“The Gods of Newport” by John Jakes tells of a robber baron trying to get acceptance for himself and his daughter with Newport society.

“Buckingham Palace Gardens” is a murder mystery by Anne Perry.

“Blue-Eyed Devil” is a contemporary romance about a Texas oilman by Lisa Kleypas.

“Half a Heart” by Rosellen Brown tells of the appearance of a biracial daughter who must be introduced to Houston society and a white New England town.

“Skinner’s Drift” by Lisa Fugard is the story of a South African woman returning to her post-apartheid home because her father is dying.

“Mourning Ruby” by Helen Dunmore is the story of a woman, abandoned in a shoebox as a baby, who builds a beautiful life and then faces tragedy.

Colorado history

“A Silver Camp Called Creede” by Richard C. Huston explores the history of the last of the Colorado boomtowns, bringing great opportunities for some and financial ruin for others.

Mysteries and thrillers

“The Dark Tide” is a crime novel set in New York City by Andrew Gross.

“Black Widow” is the story of blackmail of a new bride by Randy Wayne White.

“Killer Heat” is an Alex Cooper murder mystery by Linda Fairstein set in Manhattan in August.

“Mountain Top” by Robert Whitlow is a legal thriller with a supernatural twist.

“Tumbling Blocks” is the latest murder mystery in the Benni Harper series by Earlene Fowler.

“Winter Study” is the latest in the Anna Pigeon national park mystery series by Nevada Barr.

Quotable quote

“Outside of a dog, a book is man’s best friend. Inside of a dog, it’s too dark to read.” — American comedian and film star Groucho Marx.

Thanks to our donors

We are grateful to Teresa Huft for her monetary donation to our new teen area, and to Kent Davis for a subscription to YES magazine and Kay Grams for a subscription to the Christian Science Monitor. For books and materials this week we thank Gene Cortright, John Coughlin, JoAnna Ester, Barbara Ferrick, Jim Gavic, Kathy Golden, Alice Hunt, Susan Lomperis, Carole Nasralla, Carol Otis, Marilyn Otteman, Lisa Peterson, Glen Schneider, Charleen Stipe and Peter Welch.

PREVIEW photo/Carole Howard
A Pagosa visitor has donated a copy of a computer guide that is a best-seller in Canada.  Called “Computer and Internet Guide/Third Edition: An Easy and Fun Beginner Computer Guide,” the book was initially written for the author’s parents who, she says, “reluctantly came to agree that computers can be useful.”   This book is one of about 30 books on using computers in the library, which also offers a basic adult computer class on accessing the Internet, Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint. 

Hone your computer skills with library resources

Randi Sands, a Vancouver resident who visited relatives in Pagosa a few summers ago, has given the library a copy of a computer guide that is a best-seller in Canada. Called “Computer and Internet Guide/Third Edition: An Easy and Fun Beginner Computer Guide,” the book was initially written by its author Louise Latremouille for her parents who, she says, “reluctantly came to agree that computers can be useful.” Another reason for the book’s popularity may be the fact that proceeds from its sales go to support cancer research.

This book takes you through the basics, like the parts of a computer plus how and where to set it up. Then it gets to more complicated functions such as inserting photos into your text, formatting a document, using tools like spell-checker and word count, plus email and internet searches. Everything is explained in a pleasant, easy-to-understand style.

This book is one of about 30 books on using computers that we currently have in the library. Recently the staff has weeded and replaced many of our computer books so you will have the latest information available to help you learn and hone your skills. You will find the computer books in ANF 004-005, which is the first stack behind the junior nonfiction.

We also have a basic adult computer class that covers accessing the internet, Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint. This is an open class for all levels; no registration is required. It is held on Tuesdays from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Bilingual help is available. Clases de computation para adultos los Martes a las 9:30 de la manana.

Lifelong Learning lecture

The fifth spring Lifelong Learning lecture takes place this Saturday, April 19, at 3 p.m. when Dr. John Condie speaks on “Evolution and Creation: A Biologist’s Eye View” at the library. For the complete lineup of the free spring series lectures arranged by program organizer Biz Greene, visit the Lifelong Learning page on the library Web site at www.pagosalibrary.org.

Books for pre-teens

We have two new books aimed at kids in the third through seventh grades.

“Words of Stone” by Kevin Henkes is the story of a deep but difficult friendship between two ten-year-olds.

“Night of the Howling Dogs” by Graham Salisbury is the true story of a disaster that befalls a Scout troop on the Big Island of Hawaii that teaches everyone the true meaning of leadership.

Adult non-fiction

“Earth: The Sequel” by Fred Krupp, longtime president of Environmental Defense Fund, and Mariam Horn offers solutions to global warming by reinventing energy and the way we use it.

“Beautiful Boy” by David Sheff describes a father’s journey through his son’s addiction.

“The Age of Miracles: Embracing the New Midlife” by Marianne Williamson explores the advantages of going slower physically in order to rev up psychically.

“A Solitary War: A Diplomat’s Chronicle of the Iraq War” by Heraldo Munoz, ambassador of Chile to the United Nations, offers his view as to why a multilateral approach to foreign policy is imperatiove in today’s world.

Celebrity autobiographies

“Losing It — And Gaining My Life Back One Pound at a Time” by Valerie Bertinelli is her behind-the-scenes account of the ups and down of teen stardom, her complicated marriage to a tormented musical genius and her very public struggle with her weight.

“Send Yourself Roses” is the memoir of actress Kathleen Turner, who describes the risks she has taken and the lessons she has learned, sometimes the hard way — plus what it’s like to work with legends such as Jack Nicholson and Michael Douglas.

Large print books

“Dream Chaser” is a futuristic romance from the series featuring Dream-Hunter Xypher by Sherrilyn Kenyon.

“Shotgun” by Elmer Kelton is a western novel set in Texas.

“The Prince” is book three in the Sons of Encouragement historical fiction series by Francine Rivers.

“When the Light Goes” is a novel by Larry McMurtry about a man back from Egypt having trouble readjusting to life in West Texas.

“The Faith Club” by Ranya Idliby, Suzanne Oliver and Priscilla Warmer is a memoir of spiritual reflections by three mothers — a Muslim, a Christian and a Jew — brought together after Sept.11.

“Spanish Dagger” by Susan Wittig Albert is one of the China Bayles mystery series.

“The Long Night of Winchell Dear” by Robert James Waller is a novel featuring an old-time Texas poker player.

“Once Around the Track” is a novel by Sharyn McCrumb about the first all-women’s team in stock-car racing history.

Adult novels

“Christ the Lord: The Road to Cana” is the second book in Anne Rice’s life of Christ, the sequel to’“Out of Egypt,” the opening novel.

“Melody and Cordoba” is a trio of three western stories featuring Lew Melody, narrated by Max Brand.

“Lush Life” by Richard Price is the story of Eric Cash, who is falling farther and farther behind in his plans to become an actor, writer or restaurateur.

Quotable quote

“My parents weren’t overly demanding, but my mom did like me to read. She’d take us to the library every week, and we’d come back with 10 books. Then we’d go back the next week and get 10 more.” — Joyce King Thomas, chief creative director at the McCann Erickson Worldwide advertising agency and creator of the MasterCard “priceless” ad campaign, on the key components behind her successful career, in a Wall Street Journal interview April 1.

Thanks to our donors

For books and materials this week we thank Diane Bower, Barbara Brashar, Susan Dussell, Jean Folgelberg, Marti Gallo, Scottie Gibson, Donna Geiger, Kathy Hamilton, Dianne McInnis, Jana Parkes, Monte Peterson, Cindy Quigley, Barbara Rotureau, Kent Schafer, Siri Schuchardt, Gail Shepherd, Sandy Sinclair, Susan Thorpe, Christine Trout and Kelly Wilderson.

Photo courtesy Carole Howard
Local author Patty Tillerson with her latest book, “Spiritual Wisdom Ignored: The Tragedy of America,” which she has donated to the library.  Tillerson, who writes under her maiden name Patty Sue Patton, has written five other books — various family histories — that also are available at the library.  In her current book, Tillerson presents her view of the parallels between America’s treatment of the Indians and Israel’s treatment of the people of Palestine.

Thursday, April 10, 2008

Library celebrates National Library Week and the Week of the Young Child

April 13-19 is National Library Week, a chance for library lovers to stop for a few minutes to reflect on how dull life would be if we did not have access to the wonderful books, magazines, videos, music and databases available free for our use from our library — not to mention the free classes, lectures and research materials that stimulate our minds and enrich our lives. Here’s what three famous people said about libraries:

• American writer Mark Twain: “A public library is the most enduring of memorials, the trustiest monument for the preservation of an event or an affection; for it, and it only, is respected by wars and revolutions, and survives them.”

• Kentucky politician Wendell Ford: “If information is the currency of democracy, libraries are its bank.”

• Lady Bird Johnson: “Perhaps no place is so totally democratic as the town library. The only entrance requirement is interest.”

Libraries go back to the days of ancient Egypt. Classical Greece was famous for private and personal libraries as far back as the fifth century B.C. In China, one of the curators of the Han Dynasty imperial library is believed to have been the first to establish a library classification system and the first book notation system around 100 B.C. In the west, the first public libraries were established under the Roman Empire, as each succeeding emperor strove to open one or many to outshine his predecessor. The modern free, open-access library system began in England when a law in 1850 allowed all cities with populations exceeding 10,000 to levy taxes for the support of public libraries.

Week of the Young Child

Coincidentally, April 13-19 also is the Week of the Young Child, an annual celebration sponsored by the National Association for the Education of Young Children. Its purpose is to focus public attention on the needs of youngsters and their families, recognizing that the early childhood years lay the foundation for children’s success in school and later life. Here in Pagosa, several organizations including the library, Head Start, San Juan Basin Health and Seeds of Learning have banded together to host events during this special week. At the library we will have two story time sessions on Wednesday, at 9:30 and 10:45 a.m., with kids from Seeds of Learning and Head Start as our special guests. The library also will have a booth with fun games for youngsters at the Kids’ Fair 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the elementary school.

Free lifelong learning lecture

The fourth spring lifelong learning lecture takes place this Saturday, April 12 at 3 p.m. when Drs. Chuck and Cheryl Carson speak on “Left Brain or Right Brain: Science or Pop Science” at the library. For the complete lineup of the free spring series lectures arranged by program organizer Biz Greene, please visit the lifelong learning page on the library web site at www.pagosalibrary.org.

New series for teens

We have the first two books in the Chronicles of Ancient Darkness series by Michelle Paver, featuring 12-year-old Torak and his wolf-cub companion — “Wolf Brother” and its sequel “Spirit Walker.” These books are written for students in the seventh grade and older.

Large print books

“The Willing Heart: Faith and Love Hold Generations Together” is book four in the New Mexico Sunrise series by Tracie Peterson. “White Chocolate Moments” by Lori Wick is the story of a young woman who loses her parents in a car accident. “Waiting for Morning” by Karen Kingsbury tells of a woman’s response to a devastating car accident that wipes out her family.

Christian books

“The Third Jesus: The Christ We Cannot Ignore” is the latest book by spiritual leader Deepak Chopra. “God’s Problem: How the Bible fails to answer our most important question – why we suffer” is a book by Bible scholar Bart D. Ehrman that examines the biblical responses to suffering. “The Gift” by T. David Bunn is a new novel by the author of “The Quilt.”

Adult science fiction

“The Shadow of Saganami” is the first book of the new Saganami Island series by David Weber. We also have books 10 and 11 of this popular sci-fi author’s Honor Harrington series. “Jumper: Griffin’s Story” by Steven Gould, based on the film “Jumper,” is about a little boy with teleportation powers.

Adult novels

“Someday” by Karen Kingsbury is the latest in the Baxter Family Drama — Sunrise Series #3.

Mysteries and thrillers

“Lady Killer” by best-selling thriller author Lisa Scottoline tells of a young woman’s search for her missing rival from high school. “An Incomplete Revenge” by Jacqueline Winspear is another in the mystery series featuring psychologist and investigator Maisie Dobbs, this one set in a small rural community in Kent.

Thanks to our donors

For books and materials this week we thank Cathy Baer, Kim Braselman, David Durkee, Karen Gavic, Kathy Hamilton, Teresa Lydick, Michelle Mesker, Lisa Peterson, Shirley Snider, Kitty Storm, and Jim and Margaret Wilson.