In today’s world dominated by social media and smartphones, new issues relating to youth mental health have arisen dramatically since the early 2010s — thankfully, along with helpful advice from experts on how to handle this urgent situation.
That’s why we are delighted to host Chris Hinger, Pagosa Springs Middle School principal, with a talk aimed at parents of middle and high school students on Tuesday, March 4, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
In addition to sharing his own experiences at the middle school, and as a father of six, Hinger’s presentation will rely on “The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness” by Jonathan Haidt, a social psychologist. This book has been on the New York Times bestseller list for more than 40 weeks, frequently at the top of the prestigious list.
In his book, Haidt lays out the consequences of allowing kids to drift too deeply into the virtual world instead of enjoying traditional childhood playtimes and interactions. As well, it offers suggestions and solutions to help protect the health of our youth.
Hinger’s talk also will outline changes made at the middle school to deal with this complex and hugely important issue in the U.S. and our community.
Your library has three copies of “The Anxious Generation” available for checkout, with 12 more on order from our Interlibrary Loan alliance. Hinger will be encouraging his audience to read it.
Free tax help
If you need help with your taxes, an expert from VITA is offering free individual sessions at your library on Monday, March 3, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Everyone is welcome, but appointments must be made in advance by calling Katherine at (970) 553-9150. That also will give her a chance to chat about your income and other personalized needs you have.
She has dropped off tax packets at the library for patrons who have scheduled an appointment with her. After you have made an appointment, she would like you to pick one up and complete the information before you meet with her.
Library closure
Your library will be closed next Friday, March 7, for all-day staff training.
Science fun for kids tomorrow
A free steam engines program of science fun for ages 6-10 happens tomorrow, Friday, Feb. 28, from 2 to 3:30 p.m.
LEGO Club Saturday
Kids aged 6-11 are invited to the free LEGO Club on Saturday, March 6, from 11 a.m. to noon. Bring your own LEGOs or use ours to free build.
Exercise program at Senior Center Monday
In a new community outreach program, Judy, adult services librarian, will lead an exercise program at the Pagosa Senior Center on Monday, March 3, 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. on Monday, March 3, for amateur musicians who would like a safe, supportive, non-bar setting to play, sing or both with other people. For information, contact Susan at (970) 946-3396.
High school math tutoring
Free high school math tutoring for ages 14 and up takes place Mondays from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Registration is required.
Spanish conversation
Practice your Spanish in a free group setting on Tuesday, March 4, from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. There is no minimum skill level needed.
Note this group now meets twice a month, on the first and third Tuesdays.
Family storytimes
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 sessions
Children ages 6 to 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.
Special Dungeons and Dragons sessions
Join our friends at the Pagosa Community Initiative (PCI) Thursdays, March 6, 13 and 20, from 4 to 5:30 p.m. for an afterschool adventure. Registration is required. Participants must be in middle school and registered with the PCI afterschool programs.
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.
“Tales from the San Juans” is an anthology of members’ writing available in the collection for you to borrow and also for purchase to benefit the library’s foundation.
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.
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.
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.
Poetry collection
“An Anthem for the Dreaming Lost” by poet Samuel Hurley is a collection of more than 150 pieces of poetry and prose written predominantly in free and blank verse. The works explore themes of childhood, profound loss, romance, contemplation, wonder and imagination.
Novels
“Unloved” by Peyton Corinne features a skilled hockey player failing in the classroom and his newly assigned tutor. “Listen to Your Sister” by Neena Viel is in turns a comedic and terrifying story about an older sister guardian and her teenage brother. “All Fours” by Miranda July follows a 45-year-old semi-famous artist who leaves her husband and child at home for a new adventure.
How-to and self-help
“Speech Therapy for Toddlers” describes 137 simple games and toys parents and caregivers can use to help children with delayed speech and language skills. “The New Rules of Investing” by Mark H. Haefele, chief investment officer of UBS, is a guide to protecting and growing your wealth in today’s turbulent times. “DIY Camper & RV Reno” by Janelle and Chadwick Payne shows you how to restore and design vintage, retro and classic trailers and RVs. “Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain” by Betty Edwards is an updated guide offering new tools for artists from amateurs to experts. “Go Higher” by Big Sean describes five practices the musician as used for his own self-care. “The Everything Guitar Chords Book” by Marc Schonbrun includes an online audio to guide you from basic to the most complicated guitar chords. “Graphic Design for Dummies” by Ben Hannam with bonus chapters online provides advice and practice exercises to help you turn graphic design into a career.
Other nonfiction
“Train: the Definitive Visual History” is a DK Smithsonian book that looks at more than 400 memorable trains and rail routes. “DK Smithsonian Flight” is a comprehensive history from aviation pioneers to current spaceflight technology. “The Crazies” by Amy Gamerman documents a showdown when a rancher wants to install wind turbines in Montana. “Living the Van Life” by Noami J. Grevemberg tells of full-time life on the road with the author’s husband and their German shepherd.
Thanks to your donors
We are grateful to Denise Cote for her materials donations in memory of Leigh Cote.
New donations guidelines
The Friends of the Library have announced new 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
“Your body is like your mind — it needs to be worked. Once it’s dormant, it will take a while to get it cranked up again, so I stay active. And that’s all about practice. It’s learning to use your time and space … [and] incorporating exercise into your lifestyle.” — Michelle Yeoh, Malaysian actress and winner of an Academy Award and Golden Globe for her performance in “Everything Everywhere All at Once.” She began her career in action and martial arts films doing her own stunts.
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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