Several years before the pandemic, scientist and journalist Michaeleen Doucleff began to notice that her naturally calm demeanor had changed.
She couldn’t fully relax on the weekends. Even when visiting magical places like the beach, far from her job or other responsibilities, there was a “constant hum of anxiety” preventing her from fully enjoying the moment. “What’s next?” kept running through her mind. She ate past the point where she was full, she didn’t feel comfortable away from her phone. She found herself arguing on social media. This was not who she was. What had happened?
The pandemic was Doucleff’s wake-up call. Life was no longer a guarantee, and she was determined not to live the years she had been granted in a perpetual state of anxiety. As a parent, she knew her young child needed her to do better. And she needed to find a way to not only shelter her child from her own erratic behavior, but to prevent her child from the same fate.
The result is a new book, “Dopamine Kids: A Science-Based Plan to Rewire Your Child’s Brain and Take Back Your Family in the Age of Screens and Ultraprocessed Foods.”
Doucelff’s findings center on the naturally occurring “molecule of motivation,” dopamine.
“For the first time in history,” Doucleff writes, “we are inundated with dopamine surges inside our brains, pulling us to technology and ultraprocessed foods like magnets.”
This imbalance affects not only adults, but children, and is a direct factor in the rising anxiety levels in our youth.
Doucleff prescribes a four-week plan toward building sanctuaries for conversation, focus, sleep and adventure as a buffer to our dopamine-overloaded society.
Parenting has changed, and you need new tools to confront the modern forces that make your child anxious and unhappy. “Dopamine Kids” may be just the prescription you’ve been looking for.
To reserve “Dopamine Kids” or to explore other similar titles, start at our website catalog link at www.pagosalibrary.org/ or give us a call at (970) 264-2209.
Matching grant funds needed
We are furiously submitting grant applications to fully fund our new library construction project, but the target keeps moving.
Water has been the main culprit, but hidden concrete pylons and old retaining walls in the parking lot also cost us lots of money to remove.
This month a faulty sump pump in the old crawl space released unwelcome water. The fix involves piping a new sump pump to the other side of the building’s exterior — an expensive job.
You may remember we won funding last year from the Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) in the amount of $840,000. DOLA is willing to provide us with up to $160,000 in supplemental funds, but we need to match the grant dollar for dollar.
Donations in any amount will help us leverage these state funds. You can donate online at www.pagosalibrary.org/donate-to-the-library-foundation, write a check to the Ruby Sisson Library Foundation or drop some cash in the conscience jar next time you visit the library.
Thanks so much for your help.
Construction update
So much is changing so quickly. Our roof is nearly finished, blue siding is transforming the exterior, and the drywall is up inside.
There will be a big transition in late June as we switch sides. We’ll transfer service to the new section while the old section gets a facelift. In mid-August, the two portions will be combined into one big, beautiful building. Our grand opening is tentatively set for Labor Day weekend.
Follow us on Facebook for periodic pictures of progress.
Tax forms and booklets available
Pick up Colorado tax forms and booklets, as well as federal 1040 and 1040A forms and instructions.
Tax help is still available by appointment. Contact Kathy at (970) 553-9150 or kathy.taxhelp@gmail.com to make an appointment.
GED by appointment only, citizenship classes added
If you are working toward your general education degree or a high school equivalency exam, if you’re working toward your U.S. citizenship test, or if you could use a tutoring session to help you with your educational goals, give the library a call at (970)264-2209 and we’ll connect you with our instructor.
Online author talks
Our free online author talks with New York Times bestselling authors continue in March with new authors.
On March 24 at noon will be “America’s Failed Response to the Opioid Crisis” with author Shoshana Walter and special guest host Barbara Kingsolver.
Watch live on Zoom or via a recording later this month.
For details and to register, go to https://libraryc.org/pagosalibrary/upcoming.
Ruby’s Book Club
Ruby’s Book Club is held the second Tuesday of each month, alternating between fiction and nonfiction titles.
Our April title, “The Mostly True Story of Tanner and Louise” by Colleen Oakley, is a novel about an unlikely friendship between 21-year-old college dropout Tanner and 84-year-old Louise, who go on a cross-country road trip after Louise’s past as a jewel thief catches up with her.
Anyone is welcome to attend the book club.
During construction, it takes place at the new Harman Park Transit Center, 83 Harman Park Drive, next to the Archuleta County Sheriff’s Office.
Writers Guild
Thursdays from 9 to 11 a.m., Ruby’s Writers Guild welcomes writers looking for support, guidance, resources and camaraderie with other writers at this free gathering.
During construction the group will meet at the Pagosa Senior Center, 451 Hot Springs Blvd. Enter through the left side of the building.
English as a second
We’re pausing our ESL classes for a few months. They will resume this summer.
New books collections brimming with
interesting titles
For a full list of new titles and to reserve your copy, go to www.pagosalibrary.org and choose Search the Catalog at the top of the screen.
New nonfiction
• “Medicare 101” by Kimberly Lankford is an essential primer on the government health care program.
• “Screen-Aware Early Childhood: A Realistic Approach to Helping Young Children Thrive in a Digitally Complex World” from Teachers College Press introduces the Screen-Aware Framework for Early Childhood, or SAFEC.
• “The Good Building Book: Principles of Efficient, Functional and Sustainable Design” provides practical design methods to reduce energy consumption and environmental impact.
New fiction
• “Best Offer Wins” is described as “a tale of blackest comedy, spiraling obsession, and ultimate horror.”
• “Discipline” by Larissa Pham is a debut novel about passion and revenge.
• “One Ordinary Man” by Steve Vesce is a historical novel based on the life of Harry Hopkins, U.S. commerce secretary who directed the New Deal.
New large print fiction
• “Until Our Time Comes” by Nicole M. Miller is a novel of World War II Poland.
• “All That is Hidden” is the newest Molly Murphy mystery from Rys Bowen.
• “The Antidote” by Karen Russell follows a prairie witch whose body serves as a bank vault for people’s memories.
New nonfiction in large print
• “The Power of Thank You” is a new perspective on Christian living from prolific author Joyce Meyer.
• Melinda Gates tells all in her newest memoir, “The Next Day, Transitions, Change, and Moving Forward.”
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