Correction: In the May 15 “Library News” column, “Those Who Walked Before: How Ice Age Footprints in New Mexico Retell the Stories of the First Americans” was listed under new and notable adult fiction, but is nonfiction.
Additionally, co-author David F. Bustos is a biologist turned resource-program manager. Matthew Bennett is a renowned geoscience professor from the UK who assisted in the discovery of the ice age footprints.
Original: When I think of summer’s cherished opportunities for long, sunny days, golden afternoons on my bicycle, and getting out to explore the high country, I always also think about how much I absolutely love summer reading.
I treasure the extra time I squeeze in between the pages of a good book during these months, made even sweeter by the promised incentives I’d earn after a certain amount of time spent reading. I have so many fond memories as a kid of my local library’s annual challenges and passing the time doing fun (and free) activities.
Now, as a librarian, I look forward to facilitating these experiences for our young community members and their families each summer.
At their core, library summer reading programs help prevent summer learning loss while inspiring a lifelong love of reading in children and teens across our communities. Through engaging, independent activities, hands-on programs and exciting prizes, we make learning both accessible and fun.
This year our summer reading program theme is “Read Wild!” and it is inspired by our natural mountain environment and Jack London’s novel “Call of the Wild.” This classic book symbolizes the westward struggle and pioneering spirit that settled the American West.
In homage to America’s 250th anniversary and Colorado’s 150th, we’ll be doing a community read of this book — giving away free copies of the book and facilitating discussions.
Our collective reading goal for Pagosa Springs is 250,000 minutes, and we’ll be offering rewards for participants for every two hours read along the way.
Between June 1 and Aug. 30, summer readers can track their reading on the Beanstack app, complete bingo activity challenges, and attend free events at the library and across the community.
With our ongoing construction project and reduced programming space, we’ll be hosting some events at places like Yamaguchi Park, Chimney Rock National Monument and more. These field trips are for all ages, and any entry admission will be covered by the library.
We’ll have a whole lineup of “Read Wild!” themed events in addition to our standing offerings for children, teens, and adults.
You can visit pagosalibrary.org/summer for more details.
Construction update
At the end of this month, we’ll see the landscaping transformation begin in earnest, although I’m sure you’ve already noticed the exterior site work on the parking lot. After project completion, parking access will return to the 8th Street entry.
With the new outdoor experience you will notice the children’s garden patio, a picnic area for all, and a reading garden with comfortable seating and event space.
June marks a big transition as we switch from the old side to the new side. We’ll transfer service to the new section while the old section gets a facelift. In late 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.
Adopt-a-Tree Program
We have 26 new trees planned for our outdoor community garden, and you could put your name on one of them in exchange for a $500 donation. Individuals, families, clubs, businesses and organizations are welcome to participate.
Interested? Here’s how to get started: Write a check to Ruby Sisson Library or donate online at https://www.pagosalibrary.org. Fill out a donation form telling us what you want your garden stake to say in 6 words or less. Forms are available on our website or in paper form at the library.
Thanks for helping us create a beautiful new outdoor space in our community.
Friends of the Library book donation opportunity
The Friends of the Library are accepting donations of gently used books in the library parking lot on Saturday, May 16, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Donations will be included Friends annual sale, which will be held July 16-18 at the Community United Methodist Church.
Thank you to our Friends for hosting this opportunity because the library cannot accept book donations during construction.
Collecting for local food banks
Are you heading out for the summer? Are you moving away? If you have an extra can or two of food you can share, or some dried food in sturdy packaging, please bring it to the library. Our local agencies will pick up and distribute the food where it’s needed.
Citizenship classes
Join our test prep classes for the U.S. citizenship test on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2 to 4 p.m. at St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church on South Pagosa Boulevard.
Colorado Parks Passes for checkout
The weather is perfect to get outside. Colorado state parks require a paid pass to enter, but you can borrow one from the library for a few days at no cost to you.
Passes come with a backpack filled with nature guides, binoculars and fun activities. Reserve yours today.
Meet us out in the community
Now that we have much less space for our operations and no meeting rooms during construction, several of our regular activities and special events are happening in other locations.
Please check the listings in this column and on your library’s website, pagosalibrary.org, for location changes throughout the construction. If no other location is mentioned, the activity will stay at your library.
Online author talks
Join us live or catch the presentation later. Reserve your spot at libraryc.org/pagosalibrary.
On Thursday, May 14, at noon, join in conversation with Ruchika Sikri and Dr. Patrick Porter to chat about their book, “Brain Fitness Blueprint,” in which they present a 30-day action plan to supercharge your brain and achieve peak performance.
At noon on Tuesday, May 19, at noon, join for “Reshape Your Beliefs and Unlock Your True Potential” with author Nir Eyal.
Conversational Spanish
Our popular Conversational Spanish group continues on Mondays from 4 to 5 p.m. at St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church at 225 S. Pagosa Blvd. This is a great opportunity to practice your Spanish in a free, friendly group setting. No minimum skill level is needed.
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.
Tech Time
Free in-person slots are available from 2 to 4 p.m. on Thursdays. Taylor helps with basic questions relating to computers, smartphones and tablets, and also provides assistance in accessing the library’s online resources. No appointment is needed, but please bring your device’s charger and passwords with you.
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.
Don’t forget, if there is a waiting list for the book, it may be available now as an e-book or e-audiobook on CloudLibrary or Libby.
New nonfiction for young readers to commemorate America’s 250
• “The History of the American Revolution: A History Book for New Readers” by Emma Carlson Berne is colorfully illustrated, taking readers on a journey through the events to revolution, the war itself and the birth of a new nation.
• “The Constitution Decoded: A Guide to the Document That Shapes Our Nation” by Kate Kennedy explains the original document with a direct translation of the text, dissecting every word, phrase and idea. Then it connects the document to major historical figures and events using full-color illustrations and examples of how the document works in practice.
• “Your Freedom, Your Power: A Kid’s Guide to the First Amendment” by Allison Matulli is a nonpartisan, unbiased look at the First Amendment and how it informs our daily lives. This book clearly explains the fundamentals of American politics to middle grade readers.
New and notable adult fiction
• Trent Preszler’s “Evergreen: The Trees That Shaped America” is a sweeping natural history of the humble trees that built nations, sparked wars and became the world’s most cherished holiday tradition.
• Jeffrey Marlow writes in “The Dark Frontier: Unlocking the Secrets of the Deep Sea” about how this last frontier is critically important and central to the future of life on this planet.
• “Those Who Walked Before: How Ice Age Footprints in New Mexico Retell the Stories of the First Americans” by Matthew Bennett shares his experience as a biologist turned resource-program manager in White Sands National Park.
New cookbooks
• “The Beauty Chef” by Carla Oates includes more than 150 recipes that are gluten-free and mostly dairy-free recipes will feed both your skin and your gut.
• “Cook Out: Recipes and Tips for the Great Outdoors” by Rashad Frazier includes 60 recipes and practical tips for cooking outside.
• Taste of Home presents “What Can I Bring? Vol. 2: 300 Plus Recipes for Potlucks Bake Sales and Gatherings.”
New fiction books
• In “The Original: A Novel,” author Priya Parmar writes about 1930s Hollywood through the lens of Katharine Hepburn as she leaves home at 21 to pursue an acting career.
• “The Unforgettable Mailman” by April Howells is a heartwarming story about intergenerational friendship and the power of human connection, perfect for fans of Fredrik Backman and Virginia Evans’ “The Correspondent.”
• “Yesteryear” by Caro Claire Burke is a sensational debut novel that follows Natalie Heller Mills, who is a social media celebrity, a wife and mother who sells her fantasy pioneer lifestyle of sourdough and farm-fresh eggs to her millions of followers. She suddenly wakes up cold, dirty and hungry in the year 1805 and must uncover the nature — hoax, reality show, test from God — of her terrifying new existence.
New DVDs
• “Nuremberg” (2026): The Allies, led by the unyielding chief prosecutor, Robert H. Jackson, have the task of ensuring high-ranking Nazi officials answer for the Holocaust in the trial of the century.
• “The Housemaid” (2026): What begins as a dream job for Millie quickly unravels into something far more dangerous — a seductive game of secrets, scandal and power.
• “Hamnet” (2026): A powerful story of love and loss that inspired the creation of Shakespeare’s timeless masterpiece, “Hamlet.”
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