Annually at this time of year, Meg Wempe, library director, prepares an annual report for the library’s board of trustees summarizing the highlights of the past year.
The information also is used when your library applies for grants and it is required to be shared with state, county and town governments to keep them informed.
Here are details about your library’s 2023 operations. They show your library continues to flourish and 2023 was another banner year.
You can pick up the infographic version of this report at the library.
• Collection development: Providing our patrons with materials that are current and relevant to the diverse interests of the community is one of our principal goals.
We have 26,865 items in our collection. In 2023 we added 3,166 items, up from 3,025 last year, including 205 from donations worth $4,005.
• Usage stats: We checked out 92,594 physical items, up from 89,447 last year. As well, patrons downloaded 12,301 items — 6,621 e-books and 5,680 e-audio books — up from 9,816 last year. We welcomed 18,229 website visits.
• Programming: Providing programs for all ages is a very high priority. In 2023 we hosted 635 programs with 7,190 attendees, up significantly from 550 programs with 4,739 attendees last year. Examples of popular programs: 192 adult GED sessions, 535 English-as-a-second-language (ESL) sessions, and 181 Tech Time sessions.
• Volunteers: We are very fortunate to have the ongoing support of the community.
Our volunteers contributed 1,845 hours valued at $63,394, up from 1,575 hours last year.
• Resource sharing: The Colorado Library Consortium courier service provides five-times-a-week delivery to subscribing libraries throughout the state. In 2023 we borrowed 10,702 items, up from 9,913 last year, and loaned 2,430 items, up from 2,358 last year.
“These numbers make clear that we have a community that really uses their library, and that makes all of us on staff feel very good,” Wempe said. “We strive to inspire, inform and entertain both locals and tourists. We had more than 72,000 people come through our doors in 2023, and if you were not one of them, we hope you’ll become a patron in 2024.”
And finally, here’s a fun fact: Our most-checked-out adult fiction book last year was “West with Giraffes” by Lynda Rutledge. Inspired by true events, the novel tells of the 1938 cross-country 12-day road trip of two giraffes, one seasoned zookeeper and one desperate orphan. Unlikely companions, endurance, coming of age and overcoming obstacles are highlights of the story.
Online New York Times
Fans of The New York Times will be pleased to know that we have purchased an online subscription that allows you 24/7 free access to the online version of the newspaper from your home or any personal device.
Go to the library website at https://pagosalibrary.org. Click on Online Resources on the gray top line on the home page. Scroll down to the Ns for New York Times and click on that icon. Your access code will automatically be generated, good for 24 hours each time you sign on. You then will be asked for your email address to log in or to create an account.
Two new free programs this month
“Strategize Change in Your Life in 2024” is a weekly program for adults on Wednesdays beginning Feb. 7 from 1 to 2:15 p.m. that will happen only in February.
Led by a licensed professional counselor named Jennifer, the group will focus on goal setting and making positive changes to identify and change unwanted behaviors. Attendance is limited, so preregistration is required.
“Ready, Set, Learn” helps build important preschool skills such as tracing a line, cutting, identifying letters and holding a pencil. It will happen on Friday, Feb. 16, from 10 to 11 a.m. We are hoping this will become a monthly program.
Teen Great Stories Club
Teens are invited to join us on Thursday, Feb. 8, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. to discuss the book “American Street” by Ibi Zoboi and create art based on the book. The book explores the idea of the American Dream from the perspective of a young Haitian immigrant.
Pizza and beverages will be served at this free event, and everyone will come away with a free copy of the book.
Note that this event takes place at Pagosa Community Initiative’s studio space under the new Department of Human Services on Hot Springs Boulevard. Preregistration is required.
Teen violence dating workshop
Rise Above Violence will lead a “Love Shouldn’t Hurt” dating violence workshop for teens next Thursday, Feb. 8, from 4 to 5 p.m. in honor of Teen Violence Awareness Month.
This class will provide advice on how to deal with and avoid violence in teen relationships.
Popup book sale Feb. 10
On Saturday, Feb. 10, the Friends of the Library will host their first book sale of the year, a Cabin Fever popup event from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the library.
Friends members, teachers, nurses and first responders enjoy “buy one, get one free” with proof of membership or employment. To learn about becoming a Friend or to renew your membership, stop by your library or email friends@pagosalibrary.org.
Virtual author talks
Our highly popular free online author talks continue with three more opportunities for you to interact with New York Times bestselling authors and ask questions in February.
For details and to register, go to https://libraryc.org/pagosalibrary/upcoming.
Thursday, Feb. 8, at 6 p.m. will feature rom-com multi-book author Tessa Bailey.
On Tuesday, Feb. 20, at 2 p.m. we will explore identity, love and being Black in America with Jason Mott.
Wednesday, Feb. 28, at noon will showcase Kim Scott, author of “Be a Kick-Ass Boss Without Losing Your Humanity.”
Dungeons and Dragons
Today, Thursday, Feb.1, 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.
Tween/teen takeover
We are setting aside the large meeting room and some of the computers for teens and tweens to use and spend time with friends tomorrow, Friday, Feb. 2, from 2 to 3 p.m.
Video gaming
Play free, age-appropriate video games on an Xbox tomorrow, Friday, Feb. 2, from 3 to 5 p.m.
LEGO Club Saturday
Kids aged 6-11 are invited to bring your imaginations on Saturday, Feb. 3, from 11 a.m. to noon for the free LEGO Club. Bring your own LEGOs or use ours.
Knitting and crochet lessons
Learn to knit or crochet on Mondays, Feb. 5 and 12, at our free gathering from 2 to 3:15 p.m. for ages 8 and up. Supplies will be provided. Note this gathering will now happen twice a month.
Shakespeare Read-Aloud
The Shakespeare Read-Aloud Club features “As You Like It” on the agenda Mondays, Feb. 5 and 12, from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Call Jenny at (240) 426-7887 for more information. This is an all-ages event.
Teen/tween art camp
Each month we explore a different style or medium at this free event. In February, it’s pastels. Join us Mondays, Feb. 5, 12 and 26, from 4 to 5 p.m. Registration is required.
Music fun
Pagosa Unplugged is free from 4 to 6 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 5, for amateur musicians who would like a safe, supportive, non-bar setting to play, sing or both with other people. For more information, contact Susan at (970) 946-3396.
Avalanche awareness
Come hear from Matt Huber on Tuesday, Feb. 6, from 2 to 3:30 p.m. about what to know, what to bring and how to stay alive in the mountains during snow season.
Spanish conversation
Practice your Spanish in a free group setting on Tuesday, Feb. 6, from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. No minimum skill level is needed. This group now meets twice a month, on the first and third Tuesdays.
New basic quilting classes
Adults are invited to a free quilting class next Wednesday, Feb. 7, and every Wednesday until March 6 from 1 to 3 p.m. led by Wanita Martin, a local quilter and member of the quilters’ guild.
Preregistration is required and classes are limited to six participants who 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.
Therapy dog visit
Next Wednesday, Feb. 7, from 11 to 11:45 a.m., come to the library for a free visit with a certified therapy dog. Visits are limited to 10-15 minutes — just the right amount of time to pet the dog, read to the dog or just say “Hi.” This is an all-ages activity.
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.
DVDs
“The Holdovers,” about a teacher forced to stay at a prep school with several students over the holidays, won three Golden Globes and is nominated for five Academy Awards, including best picture. “Succession,” which has won Golden Globes and Emmys in multiple years, is the complete series. “Fremont” is a cross-cultural comedy about a former Afghan translator living in California.
Mysteries, thrillers and suspense
“What Waits in the Woods” by Terri Parlato follows an injured professional ballerina who returns home to a murder. “The Helsinki Affair” by Anna Pitoniak features a young CIA officer in a globe-trotting thriller. “The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store” by James McBride is a mystery about small-town secrets. “Dead of Night” by Simon Scarrow is about two seemingly unconnected murders in 1940s Berlin. “The Berry Pickers” by Amanda Peters begins when a 4-year-old disappears.
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.
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
“People are drawn to hope ... They just want to be pushed in the swing set of life every once in a while and say, ‘Whee!’” — Deion Sanders, University of Colorado- Boulder head football coach.
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.
