One of the greatest gifts you can give your babies and toddlers is to sign them up for a free early literacy reading program called “1,000 Books before Kindergarten” for children from birth to 5 years old.
You can sign up any time at your library. You will receive a folder with bubbles to keep track of the books you read to your child. The concept is simple: Read 1,000 books to your newborn, infant or toddler — yes, you can repeat books — before your precious one starts kindergarten. You’ll get a free book each time your child completes 100 books.
One thousand may sound like a huge number of books, but it’s not really. If you read just one book a night, you will have read 365 books in a year. That is 730 books in two years and 1,095 books in three years. If you consider that most children start kindergarten at around 5 years of age, you have more time than you may think.
Library closure
Your library will be closed Monday, Feb. 17, in honor of Presidents Day.
Online author talks
Our highly popular free online author talks with New York Times bestselling authors continue in February with one more opportunity for you to interact with bestselling authors.
Tuesday, Feb. 18, at noon will feature Lee Hawkins, author of “I am Nobody’s Slave,” discussing “How Uncovering My Family’s History Set Me Free.”
For details and to register, go to https://libraryc.org/pagosalibrary/upcoming.
Friday Flix tomorrow
Enjoy a PG movie chosen by participants plus free popcorn Friday, Feb. 14, from 2 to 3:30 p.m.
LEGO Club Saturday
Kids aged 6-11 are invited to the free LEGO Club on Saturday, Feb. 15, from 11 a.m. to noon. Bring your own LEGOs or use ours to free build.
Pokemon Club on
Saturday
If you’re aged 6 to 11 and love Pokemon, this free club is for you. Bring your cards on Saturday, Feb. 15, from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m.
Adult DIY
At the free in-person adult DIY next Tuesday, Feb. 18, from 1 to 2:30 p.m., Miranda will teach you how to make one-of-a-kind polymer jewelry. All supplies will be provided.
Spanish conversation
Practice your Spanish in a free group setting on Tuesday, Feb. 18, 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.
Game night
Come play Scrabble, cribbage, cards or bring your own game to Game Night next Thursday, Feb. 20, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Popcorn will be provided.
High school math tutoring
Free high school math tutoring for ages 14 and up takes place Mondays from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Registration is required.
Family storytimes
Wednesdays from 10 to 11 a.m., join a free educational hour of reading, singing and free play to build early literacy skills.
Elementary tutoring sessions
Children ages 6 to 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.
Ruby’s 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.
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.
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. No appointment is necessary.
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.
Local history books
“Indians of New Mexico” by Richard C. Sandoval is a history of tribes including the Rio Grande and Pecos Valley Indians which has just been added to our Hershey Collection section. “Sacred Objects and Sacred Places” by Andrew Gulliford, professor of history at Fort Lewis College in Durango, explores the importance of tribal preservation and historic places.
Other nonfiction
“Knitting Pretty” by Kris Percival is an illustrated guide to comfy projects. “Loving Life As It Is” by Chakung Jigme Wangdrak is a Buddhist guide to ultimate happiness. “Stronger Than BPD” by Debbie Corso is a girl’s guide to taking control of intense emotions, drama and chaos from borderline personality disorder. “Cribsheet” by Emily Oster, named NPR Book of the Year, is a guide to more relaxed parenting from birth to preschool. “The Trauma of Burnout” by clinical psychologist Claire Plumbly offers advice on dealing with anxiety, trauma and burnout.
Mysteries, suspense and thrillers
“Robert Ludlum’s The Bourne Vendetta” by Brian Freedman is a Jason Bourne adventure. “Livid” by Patricia Cornwell is the latest in the Dr. Kay Scarpetta forensic pathologist series. “Witchcraft for Wayward Girls” by Grady Hendrix is a psychological Gothic thriller. “A Sea of Unspoken Things” by Adrienne Young takes place after the untimely death of a twin’s brother. “Beautiful Ugly” by Alice Feeney features a man who sees his missing wife on a remote Scottish island a year after her mysterious disappearance.
“Gathering Mist” by Margaret Mizushima is a Timber Creek K-9 mystery. “Grave Danger” by James Grippando is a Jack Swyteck mystery. “Still See You Everywhere” by Lisa Gardner focuses on a search for a murderer’s long-lost sister. “Imposter Syndrome” by Joseph Knox is about a con artist dragged into the lavish London underbelly. “The Note” by Alistair Burke explores the complex bond of female friendships after a prank goes wrong on a Hamptons vacation.
Other novels
“The Hypocrite” by Jo Hamya is about a daughter who writes a play based on her father’s faded career. “Lightfall” by Ed Crocker is book one of a new Everlands epic fantasy series. “Water Moon” by Samantha Sotto Yambao is set in a magical pawnshop behind a ramen shop. “Death of the Author” by Nnedi Okorafor is a tale of a disabled woman whose new sci-fi novel changes her life. “Good Material” by Dolly Alderton focuses on a stand-up comic exploring a ruined relationship.
“How to End a Love Story” by Yulin Kuang features a successful YA author and a popular screenwriter. “The Lotus Shoes” by Jane Yang is a tale of two women from opposite sides of society in 1800s China. “How to Sleep at Night” by Elizabeth Harris opens when a husband announces he wants to run for Congress. “You Dreamed of Empires” by Alvaro Enrigue is a reimagining of the destiny of Tenochtitlan, today’s Mexico City. “Homeseeking” follows two separated lovers through six decades of Chinese history.
New donations
guidelines
The Friends of the Library have announced new guidelines for donations to the library.
Books on time-sensitive topics that can quickly become out of date are wanted only if they have been published within the last five years. These subjects include politics/current events, health and medicine, sports/exercise, business, technology, science, education and travel guides. Not accepted are reference materials, textbooks and non-print material like CDs, DVDs, Blu Ray, VHS or cassette tapes because they do not sell at Friends of the Library sales.
When the library is open, high-quality used book donations are gratefully accepted at the front desk – not down the outside returns slot at the library or the dropbox at City Market, please. No more than two boxes at a time because of space constraints and all books in excellent condition, please.
Quotable quote
“Never tread water. Always move ahead.” — Dick Button (1929-2025), two-time Olympic figure skater gold medal winner, five-time consecutive world champion and Emmy award-winning TV sports analyst. He is considered the most accomplished men’s figure skater in history and is credited with taking figure skating into the mainstream with his ABC “Wide World of Sports” commentaries.
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.
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