Retirement income strategies, including perspectives on Social Security and making your savings last, will be among the topics discussed at a free talk on women’s retirement strategies tomorrow, Friday, Dec. 6, from noon to 1:15 p.m. presented by Kelly Maestas, MBA. She also will offer advice on how to prepare for the unexpected, including market risks and the impact of rising costs on your retirement nest egg.
Then next Tuesday, Dec. 10, we welcome always-popular speaker Andrew Gulliford, who will discuss the environmental history of the Southwest at a free talk from 5 to 6:30 p.m. He is professor of history and environmental studies at Fort Lewis College in Durango and the author of seven books on the American West and environmental issues.
Library closure
Your library will be close early on Monday, Dec. 9, for a staff meeting at 5 p.m.
This is our regular staff meeting schedule — on the second Monday of the month.
Online author talks
Our highly popular free online author talks continue with one opportunities in December 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.
Wednesday, Dec. 11, at noon will showcase Laura Dave, author of “The Night We Lost Him,” a combination suspense and family drama.
Special teen impulse control talk
Save the date of next Friday, Dec. 13, from 2 to 3 p.m. for 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.
Gaming tomorrow
Enjoy free all-ages video gaming on our Xbox tomorrow, Friday, Dec. 6, from 2 to 3:30 p.m.
Teen/tween takeover tomorrow
We are setting aside the large meeting room and some of the computers for tweens and teens to use and spend time with friends Friday, Dec.6, from 2 to 4 p.m.
LEGO Club Saturday
Kids aged 6-11 are invited to the free LEGO Club on Saturday, Dec. 7, from 11 a.m. to noon. Bring your own LEGOs or use ours to free build.
High school math tutoring
High school math tutors will continue to be available for ages 14 and up Mondays from 4 to 5:30 p.m. through Dec. 16 for free tutoring, except for Dec. 9, when it ends at 5 p.m. because of our regular monthly staff meeting. Registration is required.
Free math tutoring will resume in the spring, depending on demand and tutor availability.
Ruby’s Book Club next Tuesday
Ruby’s Book Club meets from 2 to 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 10, to discuss “Our Missing Hearts” by Celeste Ng. Copies are available at your library.
This book club is held the second Tuesday of each month, alternating between fiction and nonfiction titles. Anyone is welcome to attend. Snacks provided.
Dungeons and Dragons
Next Tuesday, Dec. 10, 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.
Therapy dog visit
Next Wednesday, Dec. 11, from 11 to 11:45 a.m., all ages are invited to a free visit with 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.”
Legal clinic tomorrow
This month’s free legal clinic is by appointment tomorrow, Wednesday, Dec. 11 from 2 to 3:40 p.m. Come to the library to meet privately via Zoom with our volunteer civil attorney. To schedule an appointment, phone us at (970) 264-2209.
When you call, let us know if you need a translator. Registration opens the first of the month and is required as space is limited.
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.
Short stories
“The Wood at Midwinter” by Susanna Clarke is a beautifully illustrated short fantasy story about a 19-year-old who can talk to animals and trees. “You Like It Darker” by Stephen King is a collection of 12 stories delving into the darker part of life. “Januaries” by Olivie Blake is a collection of short stories of love, magic and betrayal.
Books on CD
“Night and Day” by John Connolly is a collection of nine supernatural short stories. “Return of the Runebound Professor” by Actus is book two of the fantasy series. “Raised by Wolves” by James Patterson and Emily Raymond begins with two teens ransacking a small-town grocery store. “The Mirror” by Nora Roberts is book two in the Lost Bride Trilogy. “To Die For” by David Baldacci is a mystery featuring Travis Devine on an FBI case in Seattle. “The Waiting” by Michael Connelly is a Ballard and Bosch mystery featuring Harry’s daughter. “The House of Cross” by James Patterson is an Alex Cross thriller. “A Bloom in Winter” by J.R. Ward is a Black Dagger Brotherhood book.
Large print
“What Does It Feel Like?” by Sophie Kinsella follows a novelist dealing with health issues after brain surgery. “The Grey Wolf” by Louise Penny is a Chief Inspector Gamache suspense. “Now or Never” by Janet Evanovich is a Stephanie Plum mystery. “The More the Merrier” and “Dog Day Afternoon” by David Rosenfelt are Andy Carpenter mysteries. “Rockin’ Around the Chickadee” by Donna Andrews is a Meg Langslow mystery. “A Controversial Cover” by Lorna Barrett is a Booktown mystery. “Clive Cussler’s Desolation Code” by Graham Brown is a NUMA adventure. “The Great Hippopotamus Hotel” by Alexanda McCall Smith is a No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency mystery. “Something Lost, Something Gained: Reflections on Life, Love and Liberty” by Hillary Rodham Clinton is a memoir by the former first lady who also was secretary of state and a U.S. senator.
Nonfiction
“10-minute Decorating Ideas for Christmas” by KariAnne Wood reveals more than 60 ideas. “The Comedy of Errors” is a No Fear Shakespeare version of the play with the complete original text on the left page and the easy-to-understand translation on the right. “The Propagation Handbook” by Hilton Carter is a guide to propagating houseplants. “Wilderness Navigation Made Simple 2024” by Ryan Riversong offers tips on mastering compass readings and other advice for outdoor adventurers.
Mysteries, suspense and thrillers
“The Midnight Ride” by Ben Mezrich features an MIT grad student who unwittingly discovers a hidden connection between the Gardner Museum and a Revolutionary War secret. “The Blue Hour” by Paula Hawkins is a suspense story set on a Scottish island with only one house. “Keep It In the Family” by John Marrs explores secrets hidden in the attic of what once was a derelict house. “An Eye for an Eye” by Jeffrey Archer begins with two deaths continents apart. “The House of Cross” by James Patterson is an Alex Cross thriller. “To Die For” by David Baldacci is a mystery featuring Travis Devine on an FBI case in Seattle.
Other novels
“My Three Dogs” by W. Bruce Cameron features three dogs united after being adopted by three different humans. “The Love Elixir of Augusta Stern” by Lynda Cohen Loigman tells of an 80-year-old retired pharmacist who meets up with a man who broke her heart 60 years earlier. “The Restless Wave” by Admiral James Stavridis is about an immature young naval officer in World War II. “Blue Sisters” by Coco Mellor follows three estranged sisters after their fourth sister’s death.
DVDs
“Van Der Valk” is season four of the detective series set in Amsterdam. “Special Ops: Lioness” is season one. “Keeping Faith” is a BBC thriller series set in Wales with eight episodes. “Twisters” is the blockbuster disaster action film. “The Cutting Edge” is a romantic comedy featuring two skaters going for Olympic gold. “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” is the complete classic series. “It Ends With Us” is a romantic drama about domestic violence. “Deadpool and Wolverine” is a Marvel movie. “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” is a gothic dark fantasy comedy horror film.
Material donations
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
“My father asked me, because he was concerned that I wanted to play the guitar and do all these artistic things, ‘Aren’t you going to make a success of yourself?’ I was very young and I said, ‘I just want to make every day a success. That’s as far as I can go.” — actress Kathy Bates. With a career spanning more than five decades, she has won an Academy Award, two Primetime Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe.
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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