Your library’s building project is now out for bid, with responses due this month and plans to begin the expansion construction in late summer or early fall, according to Barb Brattin, library director.
Plans call for an addition on the south side of the building that will provide a new children’s room and a large meeting room to host all our popular events. There also will be an exterior children’s garden and beautiful gardens surrounding the building connecting to the walking path on San Juan Street.
Brattin pointed out that interior renovation of the current space will create a collaborative work area called a maker space and a dedicated room for teens and tweens.
“With a fresh coat of paint and new carpet in the rest of the existing space, it all will feel brand new and shine for many years to come,” she said.
It’s also good news that Brattin expects to be able to continue our service from our current location during the expansion and renovation, with a few modifications, including stopping acceptance of donated books because of space issues.
Does this exciting news mean your library’s capital campaign to pay for all this is over? Not quite, Brattin advised.
“While we’ve raised enough for the addition, we’re still $800,000 short of funds for everything we want to accomplish,” she said. “So, we welcome your participation and generosity, and we look forward to an expanded and updated facility to serve you and our community even better.
Virtual reality Holocaust films
May 27 through June 6, we will host the first-in-the-world virtual reality exhibition with five unique films featuring Holocaust survivors walking us through their memories and concentration camp experiences as they share their stories of survival.
“The Journey Back” applies cutting-edge technology to engage visitors with the survivors’ incredibly important stories via film using virtual reality headsets.
We are privileged to share it with you thanks to a generous loan from the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center. The films will show daily with group discussions (limited to 10 people because that’s how many headsets we have). Please call for the times closer to the dates.
Summer Reading Program launch
The Summer Reading Kickoff Party will take place Friday afternoon, May 30, from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Book lovers of all ages will enjoy food, crafts and fun at this annual event that marks the start of the many highly popular summer reading activities that result in prizes for all ages.
Watch for more details of summer reading activities in future columns.
Lifelong Learning
Lectures
There is one more talk next week as your library’s free Spring Lifelong Learning Lecture series comes to an end.
May 21 will showcase the weather expertise of Arleen Prochazka discussing the 2025 monsoon in the Southern San Juans from 1 to 2:15 p.m.
Online author talks
Our free online author talks with New York Times bestselling authors continue in May with another 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.
May 21 at noon will feature Rachelle Bergstein on “The Genius of Judy,” exploring how Judy Blume rewrote childhood for all of us.
Kids’ science fun
Friday, May 16, from 2 to 3:30 p.m., youngsters aged 6-10 are invited to Steam Engines, a free fun science session.
Paws to Read tomorrow
Friday, May 16, 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
Kids aged 6-11 are invited to the free LEGO Club on Saturday, May 17, from 11 a.m. to noon. Bring your own LEGOs or use ours to free build.
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 Mondays 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, May 19, for amateur musicians of all abilities to play, sing and jam with other people.
High school math tutoring
Free high school math tutoring for ages 14 and up takes place Mondays from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Preregistration is required.
Adult DIY
At the free in-person adult DIY next Tuesday, May 20, from 1 to 2:30 p.m., we will make survival bracelets with Jessie via YouTube, with all supplies provided.
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 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.
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 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.
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.
Tech Time schedule change
Free in-person slots are available from 2 to 4 p.m. on 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.
Note: There will be no Tech Time May 29.
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.
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.
Spanish-language book
“Un Café en el Fin del Mundo” (“Café at the End of the World”) by John Strelecky serves not just food, but also three thought-provoking questions for its customers to ponder.
Nonfiction
We have seven new Nolo guides: “Social Security, Medicare and Government Pensions,” “U.S. Immigration Made Easy,” “Make Your Living Trust,” “Tax Savvy for Small Business,” “Get It Together: Organize Your Records,” “Buying Your First Home” and “Working for Yourself: Law and Taxes for Independent Contractors, Freelancers and Gig Workers.”
Mysteries and thrillers
“Shadow of the Solstice” by Anne Hillerman is a Leaphorn, Chee and Manuelito Navajo Nation mystery. “The Island” by Natasha Preston tells of teen social media influencers being hosted at a private resort for the rich. “The Empusium: A Health Resort Horror Story” by Pulitzer Prize-winner Olga Tokarczuk takes place at a sanatorium in Poland. “A Study in Scarlet” by Arthur Conan Doyle is the first book in the Sherlock Holmes series.
Other novels
“Primary Trust” by Eboni Booth won the 2024 Pulitzer Prize for drama. “Night Watch” by Jayne Anne Phillips follows survivors of the Civil War trauma. “The Leopard” by Giuseppe di Lampedusa tells of a Sicilian nobleman’s family after Garibaldi’s conquest. “The Last Anniversary” by Liane Moriarty reveals family secrets after a woman inherits her aunt’s home. “Forever…” by Judy Blume follows teens exploring their sexuality. “Dope Thief” by Dennis Tafoya features two small-time thieves when one wants out of the scam.
“Fish Tales” by Nettie Jones looks at high-rolling times in New York and Detroit. “Mad About the Boy” by Helen Fielding features Bridget Jones. “Catalina” by Karla Cornejo Villavicencio focuses on an undocumented student at Harvard. “The Stars Are Dying” by Chloe C. Penaranda is a romantic fantasy. “Rabbit Moon” by Jennifer Haigh begins when a college student is a victim of a hit-and-run accident in Shanghai.
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
“Freedom isn’t about doing everything, but rather choosing what matters most.” — Craig Coben, an investment banking retiree speaking about learning to manage your time after your life no longer is controlled by your 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.
