Youngsters aged 6-10 are invited to Steam Engines, a free science fun session, tomorrow, Friday, April 18, from 2 to 3:30 p.m.
Also tomorrow, Friday, April 18 from 2 to 3 p.m., is the latest in the Rise Above Violence series of fun, free events when teens and tweens are invited to decorate denim jeans and talk about the history of Denim Day and how denim affects our environment today. All supplies will be provided.
Lifelong Learning Lectures
Your library’s free Spring Lifelong Learning Lectures takes place every Wednesday through May 21 — and note that they are now happening in the afternoons, from 1 to 2:15 p.m.
The time change was made from evenings because many patrons said they preferred not to have to drive at night to attend.
As always, these informative and interesting talks will cover a wide variety of topics with talented and knowledgeable speakers:
• April 23 will showcase Karina Guerrero, a financial planner, explaining the difference between wills and trusts and much more in an estate planning session.
• April 30 with Kimberley Schooley of the Durango Dementia Coalition will explore what it’s like to live well with dementia from a care partner’s perspective.
• May 7 with Peggy Bergon will go back into history when Hispanic sheepherders expressed their loneliness and artistic talents with arborglyphs carved on aspen tress.
• May 14 will be a Zoom session by Dayton Romero introducing you to AARP Senior Planet live online classes for seniors on many topics from wellness to finance.
• May 21 will highlight the weather expertise of Arleen Prochazka discussing the 2025 monsoon in the Southern San Juans.
Pick up a brochure at your library with more details on all these outstanding talks.
Online author talks
Our highly popular free online author talks with New York Times bestselling authors continue in April with one more talk for you to watch live on Zoom or via a recording later.
For details and to register go to https://libraryc.org/pagosalibrary/upcoming .
Thursday, April 24, at 5 p.m. will feature “The Thrill of Writing Action, Adventure and Suspense” with Gregg Hurwitz.
Paws to Read tomorrow
Friday, April 18, from 2 to 3 p.m., youngsters are invited to share their favorite books with Maple, a therapy dog who love stories, at a free Paws to Read session.
LEGO play Saturday
Kids aged 6-11 are invited to the free LEGO play on Saturday, April 19, from 11 a.m. to noon. Bring your own LEGOs or use ours to free build.
Pokemon Club on Saturday
If you’re aged 6-11 and love Pokemon, this free club is for you. Bring your cards on Saturday, April 19, from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m.
Brain fitness program Monday
In a special community partnership program, Judy, adult services librarian, is leading an Ageless Grace exercise program at the Pagosa Senior Center every Monday in April from 10 to 10:45 a.m.
It is a brain fitness program consisting of 21 simple exercises designed for all ages and abilities, performed while sitting in a chair. The Senior Center location was chosen so participants have more privacy as they exercise.
Music fun Monday
Pagosa Unplugged is free from 4 to 6 p.m. Monday, April 15, for amateur musicians who would like a safe, supportive, non-bar setting to play, sing or both with other people. For information, contact Susan at (970) 946-3396.
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
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.
Writers Guild
Every Thursday 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.
Dungeons and Dragons
A community-library partnership is expanding the reach of Dungeons and Dragons for middle school students. They are invited to join friends at the Pagosa Community Initiative (PCI) every Thursday in April from 4 to 5:30 p.m. for a free after-school adventure.
Registration is required. Participants must be in middle school and registered with the PCI after-school programs.
This Dungeon and Dragons program will continue until the end of the school year.
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.
Books on CD
“Broken Country” by Clare Leslie Hall is a reawakened love story. “The Talent” by Daniel D. Addario is a behind-the-scenes look at five actresses competing for a major award. “Beneath the Stands” by Emily McIntire follows two people heading for a second-chance romance. “Dream Girl Dream” by Tessa Bailey is a romance featuring two people who are becoming step-siblings. “Nemesis” by Gregg Hurwitz is an Orphan X adventure. “The Paris Express” by Emma Donoghue” is a historical novel about a French railway disaster.
“Summer in the City” by Alex Aster is a rom-com set in New York City. “Hang On St. Christopher” by Adrian McKinty is part of the Edgar award-winning series set in Northern Ireland during the Troubles. “Dance on the Wind” and “Buffalo Palace” by Terry C. Johnston are the first two books in the Titus Bass western series. “Advent” by Seth Ring is the first book in the new Exlian Syndrome sci-fi series.
Large print
“The Second Fifty” by Debra Whitman is a guide to living well after you turn 50. “Blind Spots” by Dr. Marty Makary explores the effects on our health when medicine gets it wrong. “Girl Falling” by Hayley Scrivenor explores relationships of three friends after a tragic accident. “Betrayal at Blackthorn Park” by Julia Kelly is an Evelyne Redfern mystery. “The Ageless Brain” by Dr. Dale E. Bredesen shares the latest research on how to retain your vibrant mind.
DVDs
“Understanding and Applying Self-Defense Strategies” and “How to Draw” are Great Courses DVDs. “Moana 2” is the Disney animated musical. “The Count of Monte Cristo” stars Pierre Niney. “Mom and Dad’s Nipple Factory” is a documentary about how a husband supported his wife’s breast cancer needs. “Grizzly 399: Queen of the Tetons” is a Nature show. “Funny Woman” is set in the swinging ’60s. “The English Patient” won nine Academy Awards. “Jarhead” is an unconventional war story about Marines. “Thoroughly Modern Millie” stars Julie Andrews. “Young Frankenstein” is the Mel Brooks comedy.
Nonfiction
“South Africa” is an Insight travel guide. “The Basketball 100” by David Aldridge and John Hollinger is a tribute to the top 100 players of the sport. “The Postpartum Nutrition Cookbook” provides more than 100 nourishing recipes for new moms. “Eat Sleep Tantrum Repeat” by Dr. Rebekah Diamond is a handbook for the toddler years. “Whole House Repair Guide” is a Family Handyman reference book for DIYers.
Thanks to your donors
We are grateful to everyone who has contributed new or gently used copies of the classics to our growing collection. These books are very popular and your community is grateful to you for sharing such great works of literature.
Donations guidelines
The Friends of the Library have 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 nonprint 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 drop box at City Market, please.
No more than two boxes at a time because of space constraints and all books should be in excellent condition, please.
Quotable quote
“If you have stopped reading fiction, that’s a red flag for potential cognitive decline,” said Richard Restak, a neurologist and neuro-psychiatrist at the George Washington School of Medicine and Health Sciences in Washington, D.C.
Fiction, he said, “is a challenge to your working memory,” which has to follow a plot and keep track of characters.
Your memory is not as challenged by nonfiction, which lets you skip around and skim, according to this expert on how brains work.
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.
