Teens and tweens who are “Hunger Games” fans are invited to a free party tomorrow, Friday, Jan. 12, from 4 to 5 p.m. Come join us for crafts and activities based on the books.
Our first Late Night at the Library was such a success that we’re doing it a second time. We hope to see you this Saturday, Jan. 13, from 4 to 7 p.m., when we will have a fun fundraiser for our Mountains of Opportunity campaign to expand and renovate your library.
This time we will be creating all types of cards, gift tags and other crafts out of books and other supplies. Tickets are $50, which covers your hors d’oeuvres and drinks plus all your crafting supplies.
Tickets can be purchased online at pagosalibrary.org or in person with cash or check at the library. Attendees must be 21 or older.
New basic quilting classes
Adults interested in learning about upcoming basic quilting classes are invited to an information session next Wednesday, Jan. 17, from 1 to 3 p.m. The free classes will be led by Wanita Martin, a local quilter and member of the quilters’ guild. They will happen on Wednesdays from Jan. 31 to March 6 from 1 to 3 p.m. Preregistration is required and the classes are limited to six participants.
Participants will need to do some homework. You also will need access to a sewing machine, a ruler, good scissors, a marking pen, straight pins, thread, an iron and an ironing board.
Library closure
Your library will be closed on Monday, Jan. 15, in observance of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday.
Alert about teen programs
There will be no teen programs the weeks of Jan. 15 or Jan. 22 because Josie will be on vacation. In addition, the Teen Art Club is taking a break in January, but will return in February.
Legal clinic tomorrow
This month’s free legal clinic on civil issues is by appointment tomorrow, Friday, Jan. 12, from 2 to 3 p.m. Come to the library to meet privately via Zoom with our volunteer attorney.
To schedule an appointment, at the beginning of the month send an email titled “Sign-up for Free Legal Clinic” with your first name and phone number to ruby@pagosalibrary.org, or phone (970) 264-2209 or stop by the library.
‘Mario Kart’ fun tomorrow
If you love playing ‘Mario Kart,’ you’ll want to play in real life at this free drop-in program tomorrow, Friday, Jan. 12, from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Participants will race around the course on space hoppers.
Chess Club Saturday
Learn how to play chess with free quick lessons and game time to practice your skills on Saturday, Jan. 13, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. All ages and abilities are welcome.
Adult knitting Saturday
Join new and experienced knitters this Saturday, Jan. 13, 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.
Read-Aloud Shakespeare
Shakespeare fans of all ages will be pleased to know that the Shakespeare Read-Aloud Club is returning this month, with “As You Like It” on the agenda. Join us every Monday in January from 3:30 to 5 p.m. except for Jan. 15 because of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. Call Jenny at (240) 426-7887 for more information.
Online author talks
Our highly popular free online author talks continue with two more opportunities for you to interact with New York Times bestselling authors and ask questions this month. For details and to register, go to https://libraryc.org/pagosalibrary/upcoming.
Thursday, Jan. 23, at noon will showcase a conversation with Rajiv Nagaich, author of “Your Retirement.”
On Jan. 30 at noon, we will talk with Dr. Robert Lustig, author of “The Lure and the Lies of Processed Food, Nutrition and Modern Medicine.”
Knitting and crochet lessons
Learn to knit or crochet on Mondays from 2 to 3:15 p.m. for ages 8 and up. Supplies will be provided.
Note that this group now meets the first three Mondays of the month, except for Jan. 15 because of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday.
Adult DIY
At the free adult DIY next Tuesday, Jan. 16, from 1 to 2:30 p.m., you will create your own jar of bath salts for a gift or to treat yourself to a relaxing bath. It’s a great gift for that special someone in your life. All supplies will be provided. Note the time and day change this month.
Spanish conversation
Practice your Spanish in a free group setting on Tuesday, Jan. 16, 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 ages 6-11 are welcome at these free sessions on Wednesdays from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. where they will build essential skills in core subjects. Preregistration is required.
Family storytimes
Wednesdays from 10 to 11 a.m., join us for a free educational hour of reading, singing and free play to build early literacy skills.
Writers’ guild
Thursdays from 9 to 11 a.m., Ruby’s Writers Guild welcomes writers looking for opportunities, support, resources and camaraderie with other writers at this free gathering.
ESL
Free in-person evening classes take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays: 4 to 5 p.m. is reserved for beginners, 5 to 6 p.m. for intermediate and 6 to 7 p.m. for advanced students. Please help us spread the word about these classes to others in our community who would be interested, and contact us by phone or email if you have any questions.
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 any of the library’s online resources.
No appointment is needed for these drop-in sessions, but it is important that you bring both your device’s charger and also your device 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. PALS stands for Pagosa Adult Learning Services.
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.
Large print fiction
“Just Once” by Karen Kingsbury is a love story set during World War II. “Absolution” by Alice McDermott tells of a reunion of women who first met in Saigon in 1963. “Robert B. Parker’s Broken Trust” by Mike Lupica is a Spenser mystery. “Manner of Death” by Robin Cook is a medical thriller. “The Watchmaker’s Hand” by Jeffery Deaver is a Lincoln Rhyme mystery. “The Proof of the Pudding” by Rhys Bowen is a Royal Spyness mystery. “A Chateau Under Siege” by Martin Walker is a Bruno, Chief of Police, mystery. “Wyoming Proud” by Diana Palmer is a Wyoming Men romance. “Inheritance” by Nora Roberts is the first book in a new Lost Bride trilogy.
Large print nonfiction
“The Possibility of Life: Science, Imagination and Our Quest for Kinship in the Cosmos” by Jaime Green looks at whether we humans are alone in the universe. “Luck of the Draw” by Frank Murphy is a first-person account of the air war in Europe and an American who survived a German prisoner-of-war camp.
Books on CD
“Dazzling” by Chikodili Emelumadu is a new take on West African mythology. “Tom Clancy Command and Control” by Marc Cameron is a Jack Ryan adventure. “Dark Night of the Mountain Men,” “The Scavengers” and “Devil’s Gulch” by William W. and J.A. Johnstone are westerns. “The Narrow Road Between Desires” by Patrick Rothfuss is a Kingkiller Chronicle fantasy. “Alone on the Wall” by Alex Honnold recounts his seven most astonishing climbing achievements.
Nonfiction: self-help and how to
“Promote Your Book” by Eleanor C. Whitney is a guide to getting your work into readers’ hands. “Hidden Potential” by Adam Grant shows how you can rise to achieve greater things. “The Vegetable Garden Planner” by Lynn Byczymski is a crop-by-crop guide from seed to harvest. “Growing an Edible Landscape” by Gary Pilarchik and Chiara d’Amore details how to transform outdoor space into a food garden. “Strong Girls, Strong World” by Dale Hanson Bourke offers practice steps we can take to help girls excel.
Other nonfiction
“Teddy and Booker T.” by Brian Kilmeade explores how two American icons blazed a path for racial equality. “Ours was the Shining Future” by Pulitzer Prize-winner David Leonhardt reviews the rise and fall of the American Dream for the average person. “Unwoke” by Ted Cruz outlines the senator’s ideas on how to defeat the woke assault on America. “Romney” by McKay Coppins is a biography of the Utah senator’s three decades in politics. “The Sisterhood” by Liza Mundy documents three generations of women in the CIA.
Mysteries, thrillers and suspense
“Deus X” by Stephen Mack Jones explores the mysterious retirement of a popular Catholic priest.
Other novels
“The Fraud” by Zadie Smith, based on real events, tells of a butcher claiming to be heir to a title and estate. “Nineteen Steps” by Millie Bobby Brown features a London woman who meets an American airman.
Thanks to our donors
We are grateful to Patrick Shettle and Joanne and Vuc Lucaniello for their generous monetary donation.
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.
The Friends recently announced new guidelines for donations: Yes to popular fiction books published in 2014 or later, nonfiction books published 2019 or later, and children’s and young adult books — all in excellent condition, please. No to CDs, DVDs, Blu-ray, VHS or cassette tapes; or 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
“You can’t stop the waves, but you can learn how to surf.” — Jon Kabat-Zinn, American professor of medicine and mindfulness guru.
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.
