Do you know the value of a home library for your youngsters? Research shows that kids who have books in their home have improved vocabulary and overall reading performance; do better in math, science and social studies; perform better on standardized tests and are more likely to go to college.
Those are impressive skills for your child to cultivate — and they are especially relevant now that Archuleta County kids are heading back to school.
Another valuable tip to help your youngster be successful in school and in life is reading aloud. You are stimulating language and literacy skills, as well as building motivation, curiosity and memory.
The free storytimes at your library can help build a love of reading in your children. Storytimes are a great way for them to have fun while building the literacy skills they need to become independent readers.
With back-to-school in our thinking, this may be a good time for parents, grandparents and other caregivers to make a personal resolution to help build home libraries for your little ones.
Library closure
Your library will be closed Monday, Sept. 1, for Labor Day.
Construction update
Here’s the latest news on your library’s construction project from Barb Brattin, library director:
“The walls are shaking outside my office as the trusses come down from the east side roof and the walls on the east side of the library disappear. They’ll be digging out the footings around the crawl space next and the first of September we will begin to see the foundation for the library addition. We are right on schedule to open the new library June 2026.
“Thanks to everyone for feedback on how to make it easier to visit. Though we can’t do anything about the traffic backups on Hwy160, we can report these improvements: New signage will label the public parking lot west of the library Library Parking. We’re also adding a sign on the construction gates facing 8th St. with parking information.
“A grant application has been submitted to LPEA’s Round Up program to fund an additional book drop for the outside of the library building. This will serve as a convenient drop off point for after hours, especially for our downtown and east side residents. The Friends of the Library have generously offered to supplement any award we might receive from LPEA to get the drop installed.
“As well, a grant opportunity from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s rural development section looks promising to fund new public computers. And in keeping with our commitment to a sustainable future, we are pursuing grants from the Colorado Energy Office to install several EV charging stations in the new library parking lot as well as solar panels on our roof.
“Whew! We are busy! Stop by and see us – we have lots and lots of new books for you to enjoy.”
Activity locations are changed
Now that we have much less space for our operations and no meeting rooms during construction, several of our regular activities and special events will happen in other locations.
Please check the listings in this column and on your library’s website, https://pagosalibrary.org, for location changes throughout the construction. If no other location is mentioned, the activity will stay at your library.
No more book donations, please
Regretfully, Brattin has made the decision to cease accepting book donations for a year beginning immediately.
The reality of operating in a much smaller space while construction happens on the first phase of your library’s long-awaited expansion has made the action a necessity.
Online author talks
Our free online author talks with New York Times bestselling authors continue in August with one more talk for you to watch live on Zoom or via a recording later this month.
For details and to register, go to https://libraryc.org/pagosalibrary/upcoming.
Today, Thursday, Aug. 28, at noon will showcase organizational psychologist Dr. Tasha Eurich discussing how to thrive in a world of constant chaos.
There also will be three online author talks in September, beginning on Wednesday, Sept. 3, when Nicole Maehrer will discuss “On Writing Darkly Charming Villainous Love” at 5 p.m.
LEGO play Saturday
Kids aged 6-11 are invited to the free LEGO build on Saturday, Aug. 30, from 11 a.m. to noon. Bring your own LEGOs or use ours.
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.
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
Free in-person evening classes happen 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 at St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church, 225 S. Pagosa Blvd.. Please help us pass the word about these classes.
Pagosa Adult Learning Services (PALS)
Join Mark or Sally for free individualized 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.
Virtual legal clinic
Registration will open Tuesday, Sept. 2, for this month’s free legal clinic. Participation is by appointment for Wednesday, Sept. 10, from 2 to 3:40 p.m. for you to meet with a volunteer civil attorney by phone.
To schedule an appointment, phone (970) 264-2209. When you call, let us know if you need a translator. Registration is required because space is limited.
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.
Poetry
“100 Poems That Matter” is an anthology of classical and contemporary poems collected by the Academy of American Poets. Included are works by Emily Bronte, E.E. Cummings, Kahlil Gabran, Audre Lorde and Emily Dickinson. “Love Poems” by Nikki Giovanni is a collection that contains romantic, bold and erotic poems by one of America’s most celebrated and controversial writers. They include the revolutionary “Seduction” and the whimsical “I Wrote a Good Omelet.”
Travel guides
We have eight new travel guides: Insight’s Spain, DK’s Florence and Tuscany, DK’s South Africa, DK’s Greek Islands, Rick Steves’ Italy, Lonely Planet’s Italy and DK’s Hawaii, as well as Southwest Canyon Country’s Best Nature walks by Roddy Scheer.
Other nonfiction
“North to the Future” by college student Ben Weissenbach describes an offline adventure in Arctic Alaska with some of the state’s most distinguished scientists. “How to Think About AI” by Richard Susskind draws on his experience working on AI since the early 1980s. “Top Ten Ideas of Physics” by A. Zee presents the biggest ideas in physics. “Original Sin” by journalists Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson explores President Joe Biden’s decision to run for reelection despite health and age issues. “A Different Kind of Power” by Jacinda Ardern is the memoir of the former prime minister of New Zealand.
Mysteries and thrillers
“Last Twilight in Paris” by Pam Jenoff explores the connection between a necklace, department store and death. “Don’t Forget Me, Little Bessie” by James Lee Burke features 14-year-old Bessie Holland as the story’s narrator. “Long Island Compromise” by Taffy Brodesser-Akner begins with the kidnapping of a wealthy businessman.
Other novels
“It’s Not the End of the World” by Jonathan Parks-Ramage looks at life in 2044. “Austen at Sea” by Natalie Jenner tells of two Boston women in 1865 who sail to England to meet the author’s brother. “I’ll Be Right Here” by Amy Bloom is a saga of a multigenerational family. “Fever Beach” by Carl Haasen begins when a man picks up a hitchhiker. “The Cardinal” by Alison Weir explores the rise in power of Henry VIII’s chief adviser. “Dream State” by Eric Puchner opens with a wedding in Montana that has long-lasting repercussions.
“The Odyssey” by Homer is a new translation of the classic. “Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance” by Robert M. Pirsig is the 50th anniversary edition of this highly influential American classic. “A Fine Balance” by Rohinton Mistry features a woman dealing with a male-dominated society in India. “The Lady, the Tiger and the Girl Who Loved Death” by Helen Marshall is a dark fantasy about the conflict between love and jealousy. “The Accidental Favorite” by Fran Littlewood unmasks decades-old resentments at a family reunion. “Beyond This Place of Wrath and Tears” by Jack Ford explores the life of a female reporter in World War II.
“Promise of Unbroken Straw” by Ken Steele is a coming-of-age story sparked by a financial windfall. “Wayward Girls” by Susan Wiggs features young girls in a Catholic reform school. “Devils” by Joe Abercrombie is a fantasy about the blurred lines between good and evil. “The Sirens” by Emilia Hart is a fantasy about the bonds of sisterhood. “Things I Didn’t Do” by Karin Anderson begins when a child falls from a loaded pack mule in Utah. “Someone Like Us” by Dinaw Mengestu is about an Ethiopian seeking to understand a hidden family history.
DVDs
“Bones of Crows” is told through the eyes of a Cree woman who survived Canada’s residential school system. “No Address” follows a group of homeless people. “The Wedding Banquet” is a Korean romantic comedy. “Brave the Dark” is based on a true story of a teacher trying to help a self-destructive student. “Crawl” is a thriller about the aftermath of a hurricane in Florida. “How to Train Your Dragon” is the Dreamworks hit. “How to Turn Your Passion into Profit” with Tara McMullin is a four-disc set. “How to Paint” with Professor Rocky Allman is a Great Courses four-disc set.
Quotable quote
“My dad, a very stern Scotsman, loved me dearly but he never hugged me. It wasn’t considered normal in those days. With my kids, I hug and hug and hug.” — Rod Stewart, British singer and songwriter known for his raspy voice and his pop and rock hits from the late 1960s. With more than 120 million records sold worldwide, he’s one of the best-selling artists of all time.
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.
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