If you recently watched Ken Burns’ latest six-part video series “The American Revolution,” you probably learned a lot you didn’t know about our country’s struggle to free ourselves from British rule and form an independent nation.
Conflict wasn’t isolated to the battlefield. Up until that time, each colony had its own identity and its own leaders. In order to break free from British rule, colonies had to join forces, decide who among them would lead, and together write a new framework for how they would govern.
Looking back, it all seems so overwhelming. How did we ever move past our differences and compromise enough to form the united front necessary to win independence? And how has the union lasted for 250 years?
In honor of the 250th anniversary of our country’s founding, many historians have written some wonderful new books digging into the social and military history of our transformation from colonies to fledgling nation to world power, and exploring the ultimate question: Will this union endure?
Here are a few titles recently added to our collection:
• Walter Isaacson, “The Greatest Sentence Ever Written.” This short book by the famous biographer analyzes the impact on our nation’s history of the most famous sentence from the Declaration of Independence, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.”
• Joseph Ellis, “The Great Contradiction: The Tragic Side of the American Founding.” Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award winner Ellis is back his latest historical analysis on how America’s founders thought about the issue of slavery as they drafted the Declaration of Independence and Constitution, and how their decisions shaped the future history of our country.
• Geoffrey Ward, “The American Revolution: An Intimate History.” Companion book to Burns’ six-part PBS series “The American Revolution.”
• Nathaniel Philbrick, “Valiant Ambition: George Washington, Benedict Arnold, and the Fate of the American Revolution.” A deeply researched military history of the early battles of the Revolutionary War fought in Canada and upstate New York. Also available as an e-book and audiobook on the Libby app.
It’s an exciting year ahead as we celebrate both the 250th anniversary of our nation and Colorado’s 150th anniversary. Plans are underway locally with many celebrations ahead. Watch for weekly news announcing year-long festivities.
Don’t forget we’re closed on Monday, Jan. 19, in observance of Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday.
Construction update
Electrical, plumbing and mechanical elements of the building are roughed in, and exterior windows will begin to be installed this month. You’ll see exterior doors toward the end of January and drywall will begin in February. Follow us on Facebook for periodic pictures of progress.
Your donations go a long way toward making this new library exceptional. Naming rights are still available. Thanks from all of us.
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, https://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
Our free online author talks with New York Times bestselling authors continue in January with some notable authors, including David Brooks and Liz Moore, for you to watch live on Zoom or via a recording later this month.
For details and to register, go to https://libraryc.org/pagosalibrary/upcoming.
Conversational Spanish
The Conversational Spanish group resumes 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.
Ruby’s Book Club
Join us for Ruby’s Book Club from 2 to 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 10, as we discuss “East of Eden” by John Steinbeck. Copies are available at your library.
This free book club for adults is held the second Tuesday of each month, alternating between fiction and nonfiction titles. Anyone is welcome to attend.
During construction, it takes place at the new Harman Park Transit Center, 83 Harman Park Drive, next to the Archuleta County Sheriff’s Office.
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 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
Free in-person evening classes happen on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4 to 5 p.m. for students of all levels at St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church, 225 S. Pagosa Blvd. Please help us pass the word about these classes.
Pagosa Adult Learning Services (PALS)
Join Mark or Sally for free individualized 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.
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