Saturday, Dec. 14, from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. we hope library fans who are aged 21 and older will join us for a evening of holiday crafts including Zentangle, with all supplies provided. Enjoy delicious hors d’oeuvres and drinks. Tickets are $50 for this special event to support our campaign to renovate and expand our building.
Then we hope you’ll join us for other special holiday events:
At two separate free adult DIY sessions next Tuesday, Dec. 17 — from noon to 1:30 p.m. and 1:45 to 3 p.m. — we’ll be making holiday wreaths. Bring your greens and other items you’d like to use to decorate your wreaths. We’ll supply wire wreath forms, pine cones and ribbon.
Then, next Thursday, Dec. 19, from 4 to 5 p.m. all ages are invited to a Hot Chocolate Hullabaloo when we have hot chocolate ready to help you celebrate winter and join in the fun with seasonal crafts.
Rise Above Violence teen event
Tomorrow, Friday, Dec. 13, from 2 to 3 p.m. is a special free talk for teens about impulse control from speakers from Rise Above Violence.
Teen brains are moving a mile a minute, so it can be helpful to learn some strategies to help you keep up.
Craftapalooza tomorrow
People of all ages and abilities are invited to create a variety of crafts tomorrow, Friday, Dec. 13, from 2 to 3:30 p.m.
Chess Club Saturday
Learn how to play chess with free quick lessons and game time to practice your skills on Saturday, Dec. 14, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. All ages and abilities are welcome.
Adult knitting Saturday
Join new and experienced knitters Saturday, Dec. 14, 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.
Knitting and crochet
lessons
Learn to knit or crochet on Monday, Dec. 16, at our free gathering from 2 to 3:15 p.m. for ages 8 and up. All supplies are provided.
Music fun Monday
Pagosa Unplugged is free from 4 to 6 p.m. on Dec. 16 for amateur musicians of all abilities and expertise to jam and sing with others.
High school math tutoring
Next Monday, Dec. 16, high school math tutors are available for ages 14 and up from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at our last 2024 session. Registration is required.
Free math tutoring will resume in the spring, depending on demand and tutor availability.
Spanish conversation
Practice your Spanish in a free group setting on Tuesday, Dec. 17, from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. No minimum skill level is needed. This group meets twice a month, on the first and third Tuesdays.
Dungeons and Dragons
Next Thursday, Dec. 19, from 4 to 5:30 p.m., join our Dungeons and Dragons game free for teens and young adults.
Preregistration is required because space is limited. Contact Josie@pagosalibrary.org to join.
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.
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.
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.
Home-schooling books
“Homeschooling Quick Start” by Susanne Gibbs is an encouraging, practical guide to get you started successfully. “Hesitant to Homeschool?” by Jessica Solis Carpinelli and Mandi McArthur provides answers to 20 common questions. “Parents’ Guide to Homeschool” by Mrs. Sam Sorbo is a step-by-step guidebook.
Gardening books
“Native Plant Gardening for Birds, Bees and Butterflies” by George Oxford Miller is a Rocky Mountains guide. “Rocky Mountain Vegetable Gardening Guide” is by Cheryl Moore-Gough and Robert Gough. “Rocky Mountain Fruit and Vegetable Gardening” is by Diana Maranhao. “Rocky Mountain Month-by-Month Gardening” is by John Cretti. “The Magic of Mushrooms” by Sandra Lawrence explores more than 100 species. “Dry Climate Gardening” by Noelle Johnson focuses on sustainable gardens in low-water conditions.
Clothing-related books
“The Tailoring Book” by Alison Smith is a guide to creating custom garments. “Knit Wild” by Anna-Sofia Vintersol contains 21sweater designs with animal and nature themes. “Knitwear from Finland” by Minnna Metsanen and Nina I. Aitenen contains 21 designs for sweaters, shawls, hats and tees. “Well Worn” by Skye Pennant is a fresh and engaging repair guide to revitalize your wardrobe. “Clone Your Clothes” by Claire-Louise Hardie shows how to make custom patterns for your favorite clothes without taking them apart.
Other how-to and self-help
“Healing What’s Within” by Chuck Degroat offers tips on how to heal from hidden hurt with help from God. “Narcissistic Abuse” by Vanessa M. Reiser is a therapist’s guide to escaping from toxic and manipulative people. “The Progressive Parent” by Kevin Senapathy helps you harness the power of science and social justice to raise your children. “Pre-Calculus for Dummies” is a guide by Marty Jane Sterling. “Android Smartphones for Seniors” by Marsha Collier delivers facts without tech-speak. “The Serviceberry” by Indigenous scientist Robin Wall Kimmerer is a guide based on lessons from the natural world. “The Beginner’s Photography” is a DK step-by-step manual. “Nature Imprinted” by Jane Spink is a guide to lino printing with 10 nature-inspired designs. “Book Nooks” by Vanessa Dina and Claire Gilhuly provides ideas and photos for cozy reading corners.
More nonfiction
“Into Africa” by master photographer Frans Lanting documents animals and landscapes over the past three decades.
Mysteries, suspense and thrillers
“The Mighty Red” by Louise Erdrich is a suspense story by this Pulitzer Prize winner and Native American author. “The God of the Woods” by Liz Moore begins when a wealthy teen disappears, as had her brother years before. “Unforgotten” by Shelley Shepard Gray follows four friends dealing with a stalker.
Other novels
“Intermezzo” by Sally Rooney follows two grieving brothers in Dublin. “The Story of the Forest” by Linda Grant is a family saga about the European Jewish experience starting in World War I.
Material donations
Thanks to our many anonymous donors.
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
“It takes many good deeds to build a good reputation, and only one bad one to lose it.” — Ben Franklin.
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.
