Our new free weekly Lifelong Learning Lecture series begins today, Thursday, Oct. 10, with six interesting presentations, all from 6 to 7:15 p.m. on Thursdays through Nov. 14:
• Today’s talk features Arleen Prochazka of Pagosa Weather discussing the snow outlook for our forthcoming winter, and how she and her colleagues forecast it.
• On Oct. 17, Cindi Galabota, library foundation director, and Barb Brattin, our new library director, will review the status of our library expansion, and share the architectural drawings and fundraising plans. We have raised more than $2.2 million of our $4.5 million goal.
• On Oct. 24, Bill Trimarco from the Wildfire Adapted Partnership will share tips on how you can make your property fire safe by creating defensible space, planning evacuations and preparing well.
• Oct. 31 will showcase Dayton Romero on Zoom discussing the many opportunities the Senior Planet social media platform offers you via their OATS (Older Adults Technology Services) program. Senior Planet is an AARP nonprofit offering many free classes for seniors.
• On Nov. 7, Matt Huber from the Colorado Avalanche Information Center will explain the power of avalanches and give you practical advice on how you can have safe fun in the mountains during the winter.
• On Nov. 14 Doug Coombs, a member of the Pagosa Springs Photography Club, will share his remarkable photos from four different trips to Africa and describe options for traveling to Africa.
Pick up a brochure at the library for more details on each of these presenters and their informative talks. No registration is required to attend.
Friends book sale
The Friends of the Library will host a popup book fair at your library this Saturday, Oct. 12, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
This special event is the ideal way for you to purchase books for your personal library and for gifts to family and friends at discounted prices while at the same time helping the Friends raise money for your library’s programs and services.
Members of Friends of the Library, teachers and responders will receive a special buy-one-get-one-free discount. You can join now if you are not already a Friend.
Online author talks
Our highly popular free online author talks continue with one more opportunity in October for you to interact with New York Times bestselling authors and ask questions.
For details and to register go to https://libraryc.org/pagosalibrary/upcoming.
Tuesday, Oct. 22, at noon will feature Lori Gottlieb examining the truths and fiction we tell ourselves.
All-ages playdough
tomorrow
Join us for free playdough exploration and fun tomorrow, Friday, Oct. 11, from 2 to 3:30 p.m.
Escape Room adventure tomorrow
Teens and tweens are invited to solve puzzles and find clues quickly to get out of the room before the deadline on Friday, Oct. 11, at this free Escape Room session from 4 to 5:30 p.m.
Chess Club Saturday
Learn how to play chess with free quick lessons and game time to practice your skills on Saturday, Oct. 12, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. All ages and abilities are welcome.
Adult knitting Saturday
Join new and experienced knitters Saturday, Oct. 12, for our free Knitters Circle from 1 to 3 p.m. It is aimed at anyone over the age of 18 who would like to knit together or get some help if you are stuck on your project.
Shakespeare read-aloud returns
Shakespeare fans of all ages are invited to join in reading aloud “Romeo and Juliet” Mondays, Oct. 14, 21 and 28, from 3:30 to 5 p.m. as the free Shakespeare Read Aloud Club restarts. This is an all-ages program.
Call Jenny at (240) 426-7887 for more information.
Spanish conversation
Practice your Spanish in a free group setting on Tuesday, Oct. 15, from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. There is no minimum skill level needed.
Note this group meets twice a month, on the first and third Tuesdays.
Teen/tween crafts and games
Middle school students are invited to join us at PS Froyo, the frozen yogurt shop on Lewis Street, for fun free crafts and activities on Tuesday, Oct. 15, from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.
Therapy dog visit
Next Wednesday, Oct. 16, from 11 to 11:45 a.m., all ages are invited to a free visit with, Kate, a certified therapy dog. The visits will be limited to 10-15 minutes — just the right amount of time to pet the dog, read to the dog or just say “Hi.”
Elementary tutoring resumes
Children ages 6-11 are welcome at these free sessions on Wednesdays from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. starting Oct. 16 where they will build essential skills in core subjects. Preregistration is required.
Dungeons and Dragons
Next Thursday, Oct. 17, from 4 to 5:30 p.m., join our Dungeons and Dragons game free for teens and young adults. Create a character and join the adventure. Preregistration is required because space is limited. Contact Josie@pagosalibrary.org to join.
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.
Teen/tween activity
Join us in the teen area every Wednesday after school from 4 to 4:30 p.m. this month for a fun craft or challenge. Activities will range from taste tests to art challenges to minute-to-win-it-style games.
Writers Guild
Every Thursday from 9 to 11 a.m., the Ruby’s Writers Guild welcomes writers looking for opportunities, support, resources and camaraderie with other writers at this free gathering.
The guild has published a new anthology, “Tales from the San Juans,” which the members say includes “life musings, creative short fiction, retrospectives, poetry, novellas and short observations — all inspired by the beauty that surrounds us.”
The book is available at the library, with net proceeds going to the library’s building campaign.
Tech Time
Free in-person slots are available from 10 a.m. to noon Tuesdays and 2 to 4 p.m. 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 Oct. 10 or 15.
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.
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 autobiography
“Gracias!” (“Thank you!”) by Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador is a memoir by the outgoing president of Mexico covering his six years in office.
DVDs
“The Crown” is the complete final season. “Ride” features a bullfighter who steals to pay for his daughter’s cancer treatment. “Horizon” is the Kevin Costner western saga movie. “Knuckles” is a collection of the comedy episodes. “Inside Out 2” is a Disney and Pixar animated movie. “Reacher” is season two.
Short stories
“Safe Enough” by Lee Child is a collection of 20 fictional crime stories by the creator of Jack Reacher.
Mysteries, suspense and thrillers
“Capture or Kill” by Vince Flynn is a thriller featuring CIA operative Mitch Rapp. “On the Hunt” by Iris Johansen introduces Kira Drake, a new heroine, and her search and rescue dog. “Paws to Remember” by Sofie Kelly tells of the involvement of a librarian and her cats in solving a cold case.
Other novels
“We’ll Prescribe You a Cat” by Syou Ishida is a celebration of the healing power of cats. “Madwoman” by Chelsea Bieker begins when a woman’s life is upended after receiving a letter from a women’s prison. “The Fallen Fruit” by Shawntelle Madison follows a Black woman searching for land she inherited from her father’s family. “The Life Impossible” by Matt Haig tells of a retired math teacher who is left a Mediterranean house by a long-lost friend. “Elaine” by Will Shelf is a portrait of a 1950s housewife based on the restricted life of the author’s mother. “The Fragile Threads of Power” by V.E. Schwab is a fantasy set in the three worlds of London.
Nonfiction
“Rethinking College” by Karin Klein is a guide to thriving without a degree. “Take It Easy” by Gaby Dalkin offers no-stress, easy recipes for you to make.
Donation guidelines
When we are open, material donations are accepted for the Friends of the Library at the front desk — not down the outside returns slot at the library or the drop box at City Market, please.
Guidelines for donations: Yes to popular fiction books published in 2013 or later, nonfiction books published 2018 or later, and children’s and young adult books — all in excellent condition, please. No to CDs, DVDs, Blu-ray, VHS or cassette tapes; textbooks, outdated travel books or reference books because they do not sell. No more than two boxes at a time because of space constraints.
Quotable quote
“A problem is a chance for you to do your best.” — Duke Ellington (1899-1974), American jazz pianist, composer and leader of his world-famous jazz orchestra from 1923 through the rest of his life.
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.
