Next month we will launch two new free programs, one for preschool-age youngsters and another for adults.
“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.
Pop-up book sale Feb. 10
Mark your calendars for Saturday, Feb. 10, when the Friends of the Library are hosting their first book sale of the year, a Cabin Fever pop-up event from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the library.
These book sales are a superb opportunity for you to purchase books for yourself and your family and as gifts at remarkably low prices while also benefiting your library, which gets all the proceeds.
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 go to friends@pagosalibrary.org.
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.
On Tuesday, 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.”
Save the date for 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 Building on Hot Springs Boulevard. Preregistration is required.
Friday Flix tomorrow
Enjoy a PG movie and free popcorn Friday, Jan. 26 from 2 to 4 p.m.
Adult knitting Saturday
Join new and experienced knitters this Saturday, Jan. 27, 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.
Shakespeare Read-Aloud
The Shakespeare Read-Aloud Club’s last session this month features “As You Like It” on the agenda on Monday, Jan. 29, from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Call Jenny at (240) 426-7887 for more information. This is an all-ages event.
Tween/teen hangout
We are setting aside the large meeting room for teens and tweens to use and spend time with friends on Monday, Jan. 29, from 4 to 5 p.m.
Dungeons and Dragons
Next Tuesday, Jan. 30, and 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.
New basic quilting classes
Adults are invited to the first new quilting class next Wednesday, Jan. 31, 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 through March 6. 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.
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
“Story Ave.” features a South Bronx teen with great artistic skills rescued from the gang life. “Pinocchio” is the classic tale of a puppet boy and his maker. “Miss Scarlet & The Duke” is the complete seasons one through three. “Five Nights at Freddy’s” brings the horror game phenomenon to life.
Nonfiction
“Made Whole” by Tiffany “The Budgetnista” Aliche is a practical guide to reaching your financial goals. “Guilded Youth” by Tom Quinn looks at centuries of royal children’s upbringing in England from Edward VII to princes William and Harry.
“Lessons for Living” by therapist Phil Stutz is a collection of essays with insights into the challenges everyone faces. “Snacking Bakes” by Vossy Arefi contains simple recipes for cookies, bars, brownies, cakes and more.
Mysteries, thrillers and suspense
“Dirty Thirty” by Janet Evanovich is a Stephanie Plum mystery. “The Frozen River” by Ariel Lawhon is a historical mystery inspired by an 18th century midwife. “A Different Kind of Gone” by Catherine Ryan Hyde begins when a search and rescue volunteer finds a teen huddled in a cave. “Murder of an Amish bridegroom” by Patricia James is an Amish Seamstress mystery. “From a Far and Lovely Country” by Alexander McCall Smith is the latest No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency mystery. “Dissolved” by Sara Blaedel and Mads Peder Nordbo is a thriller by this highly popular writing team from Denmark.
Other novels
“The Lost Journals of Sacajawea” by Indigenous author Debra Magpie Earling is a new look at the life of Lewis and Clark’s guide. “Day” by Pulitzer Prize-winner Michael Cunningham deals with a family already facing domestic issues even before COVID puts them into lockdown. “The Refugee Ocean” by Pauls Toutonghi follows two refugees whose lives become linked over time and distance. “Lone Oaks Crossing” by Janet Dailey explores the new life of a Kentucky Derby horse trainer when she comes home to save her family farm. “Flores and Miss Paula” by Melissa Rivero features a Peruvian immigrant mother and her millennial daughter.
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
“Over the years I’ve learned that you can tell a lot about people by the way they handle rainy days, lost luggage and tangled Christmas tree lights. I’ve learned that making a living is not the same as making a life. I’ve learned that you shouldn’t go through life with a catcher’s mitt on both hands, that you need to be able to throw something back. ... I’ve learned that people will forget what you said and what you did — but never how you made them feel.” — Maya Angelou (1928-2014), American author, poet and civil rights activist who received dozens of awards and more than 50 honorary degrees.
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.
