If you would like help with your taxes, please call Kathy at (970) 553-9150 for an appointment for a free session at your library.
A representative of VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) will meet with those who have signed up in individual sessions next Monday, March 11, between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Registration is required in advance.
The VITA program from the IRS offers free, reliable basic tax return preparation to qualified individuals. A volunteer will help you collect all of the required information and transmit it to a remote site for preparation. The remote tax preparer will then set up a time to discuss the return over the phone with you to answer any questions that arise.
Library fundraiser on Saturday
We hope to see you this Saturday, March 9, at 4:30 p.m. for our third Late Night at the Library event, a fundraiser for our Mountains of Opportunity campaign to expand and renovate your library.
You’ll enjoy dinner and drinks, and a fun time making beaded bracelets, painting and creating other book crafts with all supplies provided.
Tickets are $50 per person. They can be purchased online at pagosalibrary.org or in person with cash or check at the library. This event is sponsored by Debby Donovan.
Early library closure
Your library will close early on Monday, March 11, for a staff meeting at 5 p.m. This is our regular staff meeting schedule — on the second Monday of the month.
Curbside service available
As we progress further into the winter germ season, we wanted to be sure you know that we continue to offer curbside service for those of you who prefer to have us bring your items outside to you to help limit your exposure to — or sharing of — potential germs. Or, you may have concerns about walking on snow or ice.
To take advantage of this service, simply phone us at (970) 264-2209 when you’re outside in the parking lot and we will be happy to bring your items to you.
Virtual 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 in March.
For details and to register, go to https://libraryc.org/pagosalibrary/upcoming .
Thursday, March 14, at 2 p.m. will showcase Christopher Paolini discussing “20 Years of Dragon Riding” in young adult fantasy.
On Thursday, March 21, at 5 p.m. we’ll interact with Madeline Miller discussing “On Retelling Greek Classics: An Exploration of Modern Epics.”
Online New York Times
We have purchased an online subscription to The New York Times 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.
Preschool playdough tomorrow
Preschoolers are invited to a free session to use stencils to make animals and other creations with playdough Friday, March 8, from 10 to 11 a.m.
Legal clinic tomorrow
This month’s legal clinic on civil issues is by appointment tomorrow, Friday, March 8, from 2 to 3 p.m. Come to the library to meet privately via Zoom with our volunteer attorney.
To schedule an appointment, at the beginning of the month send an email titled “Sign-up for Free Legal Clinic” with your first name and phone number to ruby@pagosalibrary.org, or phone (970) 264-2209 or stop by the library.
Friday Flix tomorrow
Enjoy a PG movie and free popcorn Friday, March 8, from 2 to 4 p.m.
Chess Club Saturday
Learn how to play chess with free, quick lessons and game time to practice your skills on Saturday, March 9, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. All ages and abilities are welcome.
Knitters Circle Saturday
Join new and experienced knitters this Saturday, March 9, 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.
Teen/tween art camp
Each month we explore a different style or medium at this free event. In March, it’s hand quilting with guest artist Mary Kurt-Mason. Join us Mondays, March 11 and 18, from 4 to 5 p.m. Preregistration is required.
Ruby’s Book Club Tuesday
Ruby’s Book Club will meet from 2 to 3 p.m. next Tuesday, March 12, to discuss “Valiant Women: The Extraordinary American Servicewomen Who Helped Win WW II” by Lena S. Andrews. Copies are available at your library.
This free book club is held the second Tuesday of each month, alternating between fiction and nonfiction titles, with snacks provided. Anyone is welcome to attend.
Dungeons and Dragons
Thursday, March 7, 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.
Therapy dog visit
Next Wednesday, March 13, from 11 to 11:45 a.m., you are invited to 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.
Knowledge Bowl
Our free Knowledge Bowl for tweens and teens takes place next Thursday, March 14, from 4 to 5 p.m. Test your trivia skills on a wide range of subjects.
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 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 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.
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
“Priscilla” is the story of Elvis’ young wife starting when they met in Germany. “Mudbound” follows two families, black and white, in the Mississippi Delta in the 1940s trying to survive in the Jim Crow South. “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” is the prequel to “The Hunger Games.”
Books on CD
“Antarctica Station” by A. G. Riddle is thriller about a secretive research project. “The Lantern’s Dance” by Laurie R. King is a suspense story featuring Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes. “Leopard’s Hunt” by Christine Feehan is a paranormal romance. “Forty-Niners” by William W. and J.A. Johnstone is the story of brave men and women in gold rush days. “Three-inch Teeth” by C.J. Box features Wyoming game warden Joe Pickett.
Nonfiction
“The Holy Grail of Investing” by Tony Robbins with Christopher Zook reveals the ultimate strategies of some of the world’s greatest investors. “How to Win Friends and Influence Fungi” edited by Nerd Nite co-founders Dr. Chris Balakrishnan and Matt Wasowski is a collection of articles about quirks of STEM (science, tech, engineering and math).
Large print
“The Friendship Club” by Robyn Carr revolves around women dealing with marriage and being single. “Harbor Lights” by James Lee Burke is an anthology of five stories about various forms of violence. “The Bad Weather Friend” by Dean Koontz is a sci-fi horror thriller. “The Fury” by Alex Michaelides follows friends of a celebrity invited to her private Greek island who are caught in a murder.
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.
Here are the Friends’ 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; 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
“Remember that there is only one important time, and that is now. The present moment is the only time over which we have dominion. The most important person is always the person you are with — and the most important pursuit is making the person at your side happy.” — Leo Tolstoy (1828-1910), Russian writer regarded as one of the greatest and most influential authors of all time for books like “War and Peace” and “Anna Karenina.” He received nominations for the Nobel Prize in Literature every year from 1902 to 1906 and for the Nobel Peace Prize in 1901, 1902 and 1909.
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.
