Pagosa’s young people are definitely readers — they read nearly 10,000 picture books and 5,000 early readers in 2025, plus 3,000 chapter books. Not bad when you consider there are only about 1,440 children 10 and under in Archuleta County.
Research shows that children who use the library are much more likely to succeed in school. In fact, library use is strongly correlated with increased school success, higher GPAs and improved test scores, even at the college level.
Our librarians work hard to make sure we have really interesting books to attract readers and keep them engaged. With such a small budget, we rely on grants from organizations like the Pilcrow Foundation to enhance our collections and keep our bookshelves fresh. In anticipation of our big move, we’ve reviewed every single book to make sure it’s in good condition and ready to borrow.
But libraries are much more than books to children. Libraries are relationships. It’s the librarian who knows your name, knows what you like to read and connects you with the next book written just for you. It’s the librarian who knows you’re a bit squirrelly and a lot hungry after school and offers you a snack and a smile. It’s a place of belonging for the middle schooler who feels like he doesn’t fit in and a safe place from a home that doesn’t feel like home. It’s a place where you can get homework help or just relax and be you.
We are proud of the impact public libraries have on children’s academic and emotional development, and we take this role very seriously. So, we’re going full throttle with the opening of our new children’s room and garden.
Our new space for the very young is full of light and connects to a teaching garden where we will immerse in hands-on education about our natural world. Teens and tweens will have their own enclosed space that connects to a makerspace, a room where physical and digital creation happens.
We’ve reworked our budget to fund a new full-time librarian position who will work directly with youth of all ages. You may know her. She’s Saira Krupka, an experienced youth librarian who moved to Pagosa Springs from Illinois last year and has been working as an educator at our local preschools. Krupka is high energy and high intellect and we are thrilled for her to join our team. Come meet her. She’ll be excited to see you.
Watch us grow and watch us continue to expand our services to youth. If you’d like to invest in Pagosa’s youth, we’d love to hear from you.
Our library foundation continues to fundraise for this fabulous new library. Contact Katie Dobbins at (970) 264-2102 or foundation@pagosalibrary.org to see how you can support the capital campaign.
Thank you.
Construction update
Well, we’ve been visited by unwelcome water again, this time in the center section of the crawl space under the new section of the building.
We believe the new concrete parking lot and plaza will keep the water from seeping in from the top once it’s finished, but we will be watching closely to be sure it’s not seeping in from below. If so, we’ll need another sump pump. The cost to mitigate the unexpected water has made it necessary to postpone a few elements, including the digital sign meant for the north side of the building. We continue to fundraise in the hopes that we can restore some of the items we have on hold.
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.
Get ready for Summer Reading
It won’t be long till we kick off Summer Reading 2026. This year’s theme is “READ WILD!” and features books filled with action and adventure, plus lots of fun field trips and activities for all ages.
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.
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
It’s almost summer, and it’s time to get outside. 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
Join us live or catch the presentation later. Reserve your spot at libraryc.org/pagosalibrary.
“How Exploration, Uncertainty, and Risk Help Us Find Meaning” with author Alex Hutchinson, New York Times bestselling author of “Endure: Mind, Body, and the Curiously Elastic Limits of Human Performance” will be at noon on Thursday, April 16.
Thursday, April 30, at 5 p.m. will be “On Writing Beloved Characters and Powerful Portrayals of Resilience in Virtual Conversation” with Jason Reynolds, award-winning and New York Times bestselling author.
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.
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.
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 literature from great authors
• Two not-to-miss short story collections are “Python’s Kiss” from acclaimed Native author Louise Erdrich and “The News from Dublin” from Irish writer Colm Toibin.
• Charlie Reade inherits a house with a portal to a parallel world in “Fairy Tale,” from Stephen King.
New in large print
• “Apostle’s Cove” by William Kent Krueger is the 21st novel in the Cork O’Connor mystery series.
• “A Spirited Blend” from Lauren Elliott is book three in the Crystals and CuriosiTEAS Mystery series.
• “The Heir of Whitestone” by prolific author Catherine Coulter is set in 1842 England and pits young innovator Alex Ivanov against unknown evil forces.
New nonfiction
• “The White Ladder: Triumph and Tragedy at the Dawn of Mountaineering,” by Daniel Light explores the motivations for climbing (conquest, science, divinity), the innovation in climbing techniques, and the often-overlooked roles of local guides and porters.
• “Women Who Hike National Parks: Walking with America’s Most Inspiring Adventurers” includes chapters on recommended hikes by expert travelers.
• “Lost: Amelia Earhart’s Three Mysterious Deaths and One Extraordinary Life” is by Rachel Hartigan.
• “Memorial Days” by Geraldine Brooks is a memoir about the unexpected loss of the author’s husband.
>