By Carole Howard | PREVIEW Columnist, and the library staff
Shakespeare fans will want to save the date of Monday, Sept. 25, from 3:30 to 5 p.m. for a new free all-ages Shakespeare Read Aloud Club that will meet on the second and fourth Mondays throughout the fall.
“A Midsummer Night’s Dream” will be the first play enjoyed by the club. It’s a romantic comedy that features several sets of lovers who must overcome obstacles and misunderstandings before they finally are united in marriage. It has multiple songs, dance and beautiful scenes.
People of all ages are invited to gather to read the play aloud together, with different roles chosen and discussed at each session. Participants can play one character or mix it up and be many.
You can bring your own copy of the play or borrow one of the library’s copies. The club will use the “No Fear Shakespeare” version with the original text on one page and the modern English translation on the other.
This new club is being organized by Jenny, a Pagosa resident with a lifelong interest in Shakespeare and the theater. She envisions this to be a multigenerational event and hopes involve adults, teens and children. You’re welcome to drop in for one meeting, several or all gatherings.
Costumes are optional. All that is required is a desire to have fun, learn something new, read together with others and experience some magic. For more information, contact Jenny at (240) 426-7887.
New nonfiction large print purchase plan
Your library’s many fans of large print nonfiction books will be pleased to know that Meg Wempe, our library director, has signed up for a standing-order plan with our large print vendor to receive two of these coveted books every month.
As well, staff will continue to supplement these titles with additional ones that we think would be of interest to our patrons.
These two purchasing steps should even out the sometimes erratic availability of nonfiction large print caused by varying publication dates, and ensure we avoid the situation in the past where some months we haven’t received any large print nonfiction books at all.
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.
Virtual author talks
Our highly popular virtual author talks continue this month with two more opportunities for you to interact with New York Times bestselling authors with an opportunity to ask questions.
Wednesday, Sept. 20, at noon will feature New York University psychologist Adam Alter, author of “Anatomy of a Breakthrough: How To Get Unstuck When It Matters Most,” a guide to freeing you from habits and relationships that prevent you from achieving your full potential.
Wednesday, Sept. 27, at 6 p.m. will showcase Amor Towles, author of three novels: “The Rules of Civility,” “A Gentleman in Moscow” and “The Lincoln Highway.” His first novel was so successful that he was able to retire from investment banking and write full time.
For details and to register, go to https://libraryc.org/pagosalibrary/upcoming.
Legal clinic tomorrow
This month’s legal clinic on civil issues is by appointment tomorrow, Friday, Sept. 15, 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.
Paws to Read tomorrow
Friday, Sept. 15, from 2 to 3 p.m., youngsters are invited to share their favorite books with Muppet or Maple, therapy dogs who love stories, at a free Paws to Read session.
Messy art tomorrow
Let’s get messy and make paper mache candle holders Friday, Sept. 15 from 3 to 5 p.m. All supplies will be provided for this free all-ages art event.
Magic the Gathering
tomorrow
Teens and tweens are invited to join us for this strategic fantasy card game on Friday, Sept. 15, from 4 to 6 p.m. All playing levels are welcome. Bring your own deck.
Pokemon Club
on Saturday
If you love Pokemon, this club is for you. Bring your cards to a fun, free event for ages 6-11 on Saturday, Sept. 16, from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. when you can play games with others who feel the same way. No experience is required.
Knitting and
crochet lessons
Learn to knit or crochet on Monday, Sept. 18, at our free gathering from 2 to 3:15 p.m. for ages 8 and up. Supplies provided. Note the new day and time.
Music fun Monday
Pagosa Unplugged is free from 4 to 6 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 18, for amateur musicians who would like a safe, supportive, non-bar setting to play, sing or both with other people. Anyone under age 18 is welcome with a signed parental permission, available at your library. For program information, contact Susan at (970) 946-3396 (not the library).
Adult DIY
At the free adult DIY next Tuesday, Sept. 19, from 1 to 2:30 p.m., you will paint glassware. All supplies will be provided.
Spanish conversation
Practice your Spanish in a free group setting on Tuesday, Sept. 19, from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. No minimum skill level is needed. Note this group now meets twice a month, on the first and third Tuesdays.
Dungeons and Dragons
Tuesday, Sept. 19, 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 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 support group
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 class times
Free in-person evening classes take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and there is a change in the way the time is divided: 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 your device’s charger with you. Note there will be no Tech Time Thursday, Sept. 21.
PALS/GED adult
education
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.
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.
DVDs
“Blackberry” is the true story of the spectacular rise and fall of the Canadian company that created the world’s first smartphone and launched the global smartphone industry. “John Wick: Chapter 4” is an action thriller starring Keanu Reeves. “1923: A Yellowstone Origin Story” is season one starring Harrison Ford and Helen Mirren. “The Flash” uses his superpowers to travel back in time. “Being Thunder” is a portrait of an Indigenous two-spirit teenager.
Large print
“Hello Stranger” by Katherine Center tells of a woman who suddenly suffers from face blindness. “Mother of the Bride Murder” by Leslie Meier is a Lucy Stone mystery set at a French chateau. “Pink Lemonade Cake Murder” by Joanne Fluke is a Hannah Swenson mystery with more than a dozen cookie and dessert recipes. “Birder She Wrote” by Donna Andrews is a Meg Langslow mystery. “The Happiness Plan” by Susan Mallery is a romance. “Dead Fall” by Brad Thor is a Scot Harvath thriller. “His Majesty’s Airship” by S.C. Gwynne chronicles the British plan to link its far-flung empire by air.
Nonfiction
“How to Beach” by Tim Rayborn is a guide to getting the most out of your excursions to the beach as a single, couple or family. “Mother Nature’s Pedagogy” by Peter Gray explores the biological foundations for children’s self-directed education.
Mysteries and thrillers
“The Dark Edge of Night” by Mark Pryor centers on a missing man in Paris during World War II. “Lion and Lamb” by James Patterson and Duane Swierczynski features two PIs working on a notorious Philadelphia murder.
Other novels
“The Invisible Hour” by Alice Hoffman features a woman greatly affected by Hawthorne’s “The Scarlet Letter.” “Lady Tan’s Circle of Women” by Lisa See tells of the friendship of two young women in China.
Books on CD
“After That Night” by Karin Slaughter is a Will Trent and Sara Linton thriller. “The Invisible Hour” by Alice Hoffman features a woman whose life is saved by a book and a long-dead author. “Happiness” by Danielle Steel follows an author who inherits a grand estate near London.
Thanks to our donors
We are grateful to Rob Pew and Jim Garrett for their generous monetary donations, and to John Prutsman for his materials 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 take fiction published in 2013 or newer and nonfiction from 2018 or newer. Limited workroom space means we can only accept one or two small boxes at a time.
Quotable quote
“In my older face, I see my life. My face carries all my memories. Why should I erase them?” – Diane von Furstenberg, Belgian-born American fashion designer, business woman and philanthropist who lives in Connecticut.
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.
