When I went to library school (never mind what year), Internet search engines were in their infancy, so to get decent search results, your search terms needed to be very specific. There was even a “dark web” that search engines couldn’t touch, made up of things like data in spreadsheets. So, you needed to think about where the information you needed might live and how the data might be arranged to form a strategy before beginning to search.
Nowadays, Google is the predominant search engine for the typical Internet searcher, and it’s become very sophisticated. It’s also become extremely commercialized and is bound to become worse with the current FCC favoring privatization over free access to information. Companies can use search optimization to bring their website to the top of your search results. But what if you’re not looking to buy anything? What if you want verified facts, not someone’s personal experience or opinion?
Surprisingly, the strategies I learned many years ago still apply to the sophisticated search engines of today. Simple Google hacks or Google forking used correctly will dramatically improve your search results.
The librarians at Purdue University have a great list on their website (https://www.purdueglobal.edu/blog/online-learning/google-search-tips-hacks), including some truly advanced search techniques. Here are some simple hacks from Purdue to get you started.
Common Google search operators
• Exact phrase. Quotation marks around words in the search bar will pull up that exact phrase.
Example: “leap year.”
• Exclude in search. A minus sign will exclude some information that might otherwise be shown.
Example: board games -checkers.
• Expand results. Use OR (yes, capitalized) if you’re trying to find more than one term and would like one or both to be found.
Example: rhythm OR blues.
• Ranges of numbers. Two periods will help search a range of numbers.
Example: wireless earbuds $75..$150.
• Wildcard search. An asterisk acts as a wildcard to let Google Search fill in the word in a phrase.
Example: the devil * details.
Hopefully these simple Google hacks will reduce your frustration with unwelcome search results.
Don’t forget your friendly librarians are always available to help you find the information you need. Give us a call at (970) 264-2209 or stop in on Thursday afternoons from 2 to 4 p.m. for personalized help with all your tech questions.
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
The parking lot is no more as we transition to a large community garden on the west side of the building. Our entrance remains the same and so does parking. You’ll notice the Zircons are gone, providing you with a full view of the construction site while traveling down Put Hill.
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.
Collecting for local food banks
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.
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 adds citizenship classes
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.
Colorado Parks Passes for checkout
The Ruby Sisson Library has free Colorado Parks passes for checkout that include a backpack 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.
Activities calendars
Pick up monthly calendars at the library or check the website, www.pagosalibrary.org/events-calendar, so you don’t miss any of the free programs, events and activities available to you and your family.
Online author talks
Our free online author talks with New York Times bestselling authors continue in April with new authors.
Sign up to watch live or shop the archives to watch to later. Get started at pagosalibrary.org/adults.
Thursday, April 2, at noon will feature “On a Mission: The History of US Women Astronauts” with Smithsonian Curator Emerita Valerie Neal.
April 14 at 5 p.m. will feature “On Writing Action-Packed and Suspenseful Spycraft” with Brad Taylor.
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.
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.
Family storytime
Wednesdays from 10 to 11 a.m., join a free educational hour of reading, singing and free play to build early literacy skills.
Elementary school tutoring
Free after-school tutoring for first through third grades takes place on Wednesdays from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Registration is required because of limited space, so call your library now at (970) 264-2209 to enroll your child.
This invaluable tutoring involves one-on-one and small-group help for math, literacy, writing and spelling.
Note that because of construction at the library these sessions will take place at the elementary school.
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.
English as a second language classes on hold
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 fiction
• “Jigsaw” is the 41st novel in Jonathan Kellerman’s Alex Delaware series, featuring psychologist Alex Delaware and Detective Milo Sturgis as they investigate two seemingly unrelated murders in Los Angeles that turn out to be connected, forcing them to solve a complex and deadly puzzle.
• “The Director” by Daniel Kehlman is a historical novel based on the life of Austrian film director G.W. Pabst exploring his moral compromises while making films for the Nazis after fleeing to Hollywood.
• “Between the Clouds and the River” by Dave Mason is a tale of time, friendship, family and war.
New large-print biography
• “Paul Newman: The Extraordinary Life of an Ordinary Man” is a memoir of compiled interviews with the actor.
• “Jackie: Public, Private, Secret” is a new biography of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis by J. Randy Taraborrelli.
New nonfiction
• “Arctic Traverse: A Thousand-Mile Summer of Trekking the Brooks Range” is winner of the National Outdoor Book Award.
• “How to AI” is by Wall Street Journal technology columnist Christopher Mims.
• “The Glass Constellation: New and Selected Poems” is from Arthur Sze, poet laureate of the United States.
New health books
• “Outsmarting Cancer: Risk Reduction and the Power of Prevention” is by Adam Barsouk, M.D.
• “Menopause: What Your OB-GYN Wants You to Know” is from the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
• “IBS: Finding and Treating the Root Cause of Irritable Bowl Syndrome” is by Isabella Wentz, PharmD.
• “The Invincible Brain: The Clinically Proven Plan to Age-Proof Your Brain and Stay Sharp for Life” is by Johns Hopkins neuroscientist Majid Fotuhi, M.D.
• “Plant-Based Magic: 120 Seasonal Recipes for Healing Body and Soul” is by Lisanna Wallance.
New travel guides
• “A Film Lover’s Guide to Sana Fe: A Walking Tour” is by Jason Strykowski.
• “Europe by Eurail 2026: Touring Europe by Train.”
• “Rick Steve’s Paris.”
• “Lonely Planet Croatia.”
• “Moon Tennessee with the Smoky Mountains.”
New in large print
• Detective novel “Big Bad Wool” is a translation from the German author Leonne Swan.
• “The Tree of Light and Flowers” is the new Jane Whitefield Novel from Thomas Perry.
• “Cold Zero” is a new thriller from Brad Thor.
• “The Hadacol Boogie” is the new Dave Robicheaux novel from James Lee Burke.
>