We will close next Monday, Aug. 4, through Saturday, Aug. 9, to keep you safe as construction begins on our expansion project.
During this time, we will be constructing a new entrance and walkway from the new parking lot to the west and also building a temporary wall to separate our inside service area from construction activity.
We will welcome you back to our temporarily reduced library space via a new entryway on Monday, Aug. 11.
Construction will take place in phases.
Phase one, which begins next week, will build out the expansion. Then, during phase two, the library will move into the new space while the remodel of the existing space is completed. That work will update the inside of our existing building and create two new areas — a dedicated teen room and a makerspace lab.
Phase three will result in a beautiful garden for community gatherings and peaceful natural enjoyment.
Breaking ground now means we have one year to raise the last $800,000 needed to fully fund the expansion and renovation of our beloved library. We are grateful for any contribution you can make to this important project.
Summer reading finale party tomorrow
Tomorrow, Aug. 1, marks the end of our hugely successful Summer Reading Program. We will gather from 1 to 2:30 p.m. for a free, fun celebration that will include games, activities, the grand prize drawing and refreshments for all ages.
Activity locations will change
Given that we will 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.
For example, we are very grateful to St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church for their generosity allowing our ESL, Conversational Spanish and Knitters Circle activities to take place on their premises at 225 S. Pagosa Blvd.
Please check the listings in this column and on your library’s website at https://pagosalibrary.org for location changes throughout the construction. If no other location is mentioned, the activity will stay at your library.
Note that during the week of Aug. 4-9 the only activity taking place will be Conversational Spanish on Monday, Aug. 4, at St. Patrick’s.
No more book donations, please
Regretfully, Director Barb 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.
Library staff are deep into planning to minimize disruption to programs and patrons during construction. Digging up the current parking lot will be the first step, signaling the start of the project on Monday, Aug. 4, which is expected to continue through June 2026.
Initial construction involves creating a new entrance to the library on the west side of the building where you’ll enter through the community garden.
The new addition will feature a large program room that can accommodate 100 people or be divided in two for smaller groups, as well as a children’s room and an adjacent children’s garden.
Eagerly awaited improvements like these will happen only with some temporary dislocation to library operations as construction proceeds, according to Brattin.
“But, the good news is that we are staying in the building during construction,” she said.
The circulation desk will remain in place with your dedicated, knowledgeable staff there to help you, but you’ll enter the building by a different route. Parking will move to a new lot west of the library, which you’ll enter off U.S. 160.
You’ll have the same copy, fax and print services available, but fewer computers and no meeting rooms during construction.
Children’s programs will move temporarily to the Turner Reading Room, and the Hershey and Chimney Rock Collections will go into storage to make this happen. Inside bathrooms cannot be accessed, so porta-potties will have to do.
“We’re determined to keep disruptions to a minimum as construction proceeds over the next two years,” Brattin said. “We’re excited because we know the end result will make the temporary interruptions more than worthwhile as the new building will provide so many of the facilities our patrons have requested for a very long time.”
Brattin pointed out that the expansion is totally paid for by private donations and grants — not taxpayer money — that has raised $4.2 million.
As an example, she cited a $840,000 grant from the Colorado Department of Local Affairs. Fundraising continues for upgrades to the existing building.
“All of us on staff are already dreaming of the new and improved programs and services we’ll be able to offer when the construction is complete,” she said.
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.
Please email Judy at the library at judy@pagosalibrary.org for the group’s new meeting location beginning Aug. 14.
Conversational Spanish
The Conversational Spanish group will meet Monday, Aug. 4, from 4 to 5 p.m. This is a great opportunity to practice your Spanish in a free group setting. No minimum skill level is needed.
Note this activity will move to St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church at 225 S. Pagosa Blvd. during construction.
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.
Mysteries and thrillers
“Paranoia” by James Patterson and James O. Born is part of the NYPD Det. Michael Bennett series. “The Cornwalls Are Gone” by James Patterson and Brendan DuBois features Amy Cornwall, Army intelligence officer. “The Institute” by Stephen King is a sci-fi horror story about kids confronting evil.
Other novels
“Firebird” by Juliette Cross is a romantic fantasy set in Rome. “The Original Daughter” by Jemimah Wei features the relationship between a sister and an unexpected sibling. “Isabella Nagg and the Pot of Basil” by Oliver Darkshire is a fantasy reimagining a heroine of Boccaccio’s “Decameron.” “Lights Out” by Navessa Allen is an Into Darkness dark romance.
DVDs
“Fallout” is season one of this video game series. “Beauty and the Beast” is a two-movie collection of the Disney classic. “Sinners” features two troubled brothers, including one played by Michael B. Jordan, returning to their hometown to start again.
How-to and self-help
“Stoic Empathy” by Shermin Kruse is a guide to assessing the dynamic of any situation and defusing danger in conflicts. “What Color is Your Parachute?” by Richard N. Bolles is a job hunter’s workbook if you are searching for a new job or career. “Grass Isn’t Greener” by Danae Wolfe is an everyday conservationist’s guide to bringing nature to your yard. “The Art of Bushcraft” by Jesper Hede offers 50 projects to preserve traditional skills and reconnect with nature. “The Herbalist Guide” by Mary Colvin tells how to build and use your own apothecary.
“How to Store Your Garden Produce” by Piers Warren helps you enjoy homegrown goodness year-round. “Lavender for All Seasons” by Paola Legarre is a gardener’s guide to growing and creating with lavender. “Building a Parenting Agreement That Works” is a NOLO guide to creating successful child custody agreements. “QuickBooks Online for Dummies” by David H. Ringstrom, CPA, is aimed at small business owners. “Moral Ambition” by Rutger Bregman is a guide to using your talents to help solve the world’s biggest problems.
Books on CD
“Dogged Pursuit” by David Rosenfelt is an Andy Carpenter mystery. “Wayward Girls” by Susan Wiggs, based on a true story, features six teens confined to a Catholic reform school. “Rage” by Linda Castillo features Kate Burkholder as chief of police. “Edge of Honor” by Brad Thor is a Scot Harvath thriller. “The Woman in Suite 11” by Ruth Ware begins with an invitation to the opening of a luxury Swiss hotel.
“Return to Sender” by Craig Johnson is a Walt Longmire adventure. “Dragonfly in Amber” by Diana Gabaldon is book two in the Outlander saga, the basis for the Starz series. “A Mother’s Love” by Danielle Steel tells of a woman dealing with empty-nest feelings. “It Takes a Psychic” by Jayne Ann Krentz writing as Jayne Castle features a para-archaeologist.
Other nonfiction
“A Flyfisher’s Revelations” by Ed Van Put is a memoir by this highly successful fly fisherman and conservationist who looks back on his experiences and lessons learned over more than 50 years. “Boys Who Rocked the World” by Michelle Roehm McCann explores the lives and skills of young men who have been heroes throughout history and also currently including cellist Yo-yo Ma.
Thanks to our donors
We are grateful to Baily Bennet for his generous donation, as well for as his kind and complimentary words for the library staff.
Quotable quote
“You will probably have people tell you to pace yourself, try not to rush, you’re still young. And that might be the right advice. But I also want you to consider where being young and unknown could be an advantage. Go fast when you need to go fast.
“It’s easy to hear the voices telling you to pace yourself and take your foot off the pedal. But I’ve found that once you start fast, you can go further than you think you can. ... Don’t be afraid to take the lead. Sometimes you just have to go for it — and find out what you’re capable of.” — Katie Ledecky, commencement speech at Stanford University on June 15. She is the most decorated female swimmer in history and the most decorated American woman in Olympic history, with a total of 14 Olympic medals, including nine golds.
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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