If you would like to expand your reading choices, we suggest you go to our NoveList database, where you’ll find a multitude of options to enrich your reading life.
With more than 135,000 fiction titles, there are categories for all genres including fantasy, historical novels, Christian fiction, mysteries, romance, sci-fi, westerns and more.
Access is available free by clicking on “Digital Collections” on the top of the library’s website. Scroll down to NoveList, click on the icon, enter your library card number and see the many opportunities for all ages. They’re presented for adults, teens, ages 9-12 and ages 0-8.
For kids, there also is a separate online database called NoveList K-8. It is designed for the younger readers, as the name implies, and provides the same helpful reader advisory tools. Here you can find read-alike recommendations, reading lists and more.
Happy searching, and happy reading.
Lifelong Learning
Lectures
Your library’s free Spring Lifelong Learning Lectures take place every Wednesday through May 21 — and note that they are now happening in the afternoons, from 1 to 2:15 p.m.
The time change was made from evenings because many patrons said they preferred not to have to drive at night to attend.
As always, these informative and interesting talks will cover a wide variety of topics with talented and knowledgeable speakers:
• April 30 with Kimberley Schooley of the Durango Dementia Coalition will explore what it’s like to live well with dementia from a care partner’s perspective.
• May 7 with Peggy Bergon will go back into history when Hispanic sheepherders expressed their loneliness and artistic talents with arborglyphs carved on aspen tress.
• May 14 will be a Zoom session by Dayton Romero introducing you to AARP Senior Planet live online classes for seniors on many topics from wellness to finance.
• May 21 will highlight the weather expertise of Arleen Prochazka discussing the 2025 monsoon in the Southern San Juans.
Pick up a brochure at your library with more details on all these outstanding talks.
Online author talks
Our highly popular free online author talks with New York Times bestselling authors continue in April with one more talk for you to watch live on Zoom or via a recording later.
For details and to register go to https://libraryc.org/pagosalibrary/upcoming .
Thursday, April 24, at 5 p.m. will feature “The Thrill of Writing Action, Adventure and Suspense” with Gregg Hurwitz.
Craftapalooza tomorrow
All ages are invited to create a variety of crafts on Friday, April 25. We will have several free different craft stations set up. Stop by anytime from 2 to 3:30 p.m.
Adult knitting Saturday
Join new and experienced knitters Saturday, April 26, 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.
Brain fitness program Monday
In a special community partnership program, Judy, adult services librarian, is leading an Ageless Grace exercise program at the Pagosa Senior Center every Monday in April 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.
Fraud protection
Next Tuesday, April 29, from 1 to 2:15 p.m., a Bank of the San Juans representative will present a free talk about how to protect yourself from fraud and what to do if you become a victim.
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
Children ages 6-11 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.
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.
Dungeons and Dragons
A community-library partnership is expanding the reach of Dungeons and Dragons for middle school students. They are invited to join friends at the Pagosa Community Initiative (PCI) every Thursday in April from 4 to 5:30 p.m. for a free after-school adventure.
Registration is required. Participants must be in middle school and registered with the PCI after-school programs.
This Dungeon and Dragons program will continue until the end of the school year.
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 schedule change
Free in-person slots are available from 10 a.m. to noon Tuesdays and 2 to 4 p.m. Thursdays.
But, beginning May 1, the schedule changes to only one session each week, on Thursdays from 2 to 4 p.m. 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.
Short story collections
“Best Stories of O. Henry” includes “Gift of the Magi,” “The Ransom of the Red Chef,” “Mammon and the Archer” and more, many centering around New York. “The Edith Wharton Collection” by this Pulitzer Prize-winning author contains her six most acclaimed works including “The Age of Innocence” and “The Custom of the Country.” “If It Bleeds” by Stephen King contains four supernatural novellas.
Large print
“A Map to Paradise” by Susan Meissner is a mystery set in Malibu in 1956. “Fight or Flight” by Fern Michaels features a bestselling reclusive author. “The Paris Express” by Emma Donoghue is based on the true story of a French train accident. “Lethal Prey” by John Sanford is a Lucas Davenport-Virgil Flowers mystery. “Onyx Storm” by Rebecca Yarros is book three in the Empyrean romantic fantasy series. “Preacher’s Strike” by William W. and J.A. Johnstone is part of the First Mountain Man series. “The Buffalo Train” by Robert Vaughn and James Reasoner is a Faraday mystery.
Books on CD
“Bonded in Death” by J.D. Robb is an Eve Dallas mystery. “Don’t Tell Me How to Die” by Marshall Karp is a thriller about a dying woman searching for a perfect woman to take her place. “The Queens of Crime” by Marie Benedict features the five greatest women mystery writers. “The Border Legion” is a Zane Grey western adventure. “The Unworthy” by Agustina Bazterrica is set in a convent after a climate catastrophe.
“Victorian Psycho” by Virginia Feito features a governess on a dreary estate. “Far From Home” by Danielle Steel is an historical novel set in occupied France. “What I Should Have Said” by Max Monroe is book one of a new Red Bridge contemporary romance series. “Elphie” by Gregory Maguire explores the young life of the witch who would become famous in “Wicked: The Musical.” “Retreat” by Krysten Ritter is a thriller about a beautiful con artist.
Novels
“The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” by Washington Irving is one of many classics just added to our new classics section of your library. “Chloe” by Connie Briscoe is a modern update of Daphne du Maurier’s classic “Rebecca.” “The Love We Found” by Jill Santopolo begins when a woman finds an address in Rome in an old photo box. “The Antidote” by Karen Russell is a historical fantasy bookended by two real weather events in Nebraska. “The World’s Fair Quilt” by Jennifer Chiaverini is part of the Aelm Creek Quilts series. “Onyx Storm” by Rebecca Yarros is a romantic fantasy.
Nonfiction
“On Air” by Steve Oney is a history of National Public Radio. “The Icarus Curse” by former Belgian minister of finance Johan Van Overtveldt analyzes the economic forces that have brought western democracies into crisis and internal division. We have two New Camp cookbooks by Emily Vikre — “Fireside Warmers” with drinks, sweets and shareables to enjoy around the campfire, and “On The Trail” with easy-to-pack meals and snacks.
Donations guidelines
The Friends of the Library have 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
“There are three ways to ultimate success: The first way is to be kind. The second way is to be kind. The third way is to be kind.” — Fred Rogers, also known as Mister Rogers (1928-2003). He was a Presbyterian minister, TV host, author and composer who was a pioneer in children’s programming, having created, hosted and written the preschool show “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” from 1968 to 2001. He also composed the show’s music.
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.
