The free spring Lifelong Learning Lecture series continues Thursday evenings through May 23 from 6 to 7:15 p.m. with five more informative presentations:
• Today, May 2, is “Knowing Our Ancient Puebloan Neighbors,” a presentation by Denise Fisk and Joanne Lucariello from the Chimney Rock Interpretive Association.
• May 9 will feature Dallas Weaver telling us about his experience hiking Mt. Kilimanjaro from trailhead to the summit.
• May 16 will showcase Cindi Galabota, library foundation executive director, discussing your library’s building campaign.
• May 23 is “North American Monsoon Outlook for Pagosa Springs,” a presentation by Arleen Prochazka of Pagosa Weather.
The lectures are free and no registration is required. For more details, pick up the Lifelong Learning Lecture brochure at your library.
Virtual author talks
Our highly popular free online author talks continue with two opportunities in May for you to interact with New York Times bestselling authors.
For details and to register, go to https://libraryc.org/pagosalibrary/upcoming.
Wednesday, May 8, at 5 p.m. will highlight “A Murder Mystery, Family Story & Love Letter to Strong Women Everywhere” with Nina Simon.
Tuesday, May 21, at 5 p.m. will showcase Rebecca F. Kuang discussing Asian American representation in literature.
Deadline tomorrow for contest entries
Entries must be turned in by 5 p.m. tomorrow, Friday, May 3, for the Children’s Book Day/El Dia de los Ninos book art contest to reproduce the cover of a children’s book on a new surface such as a rock, a book stand or a plate. Winners will be announced May 4.
Prizes will be awarded for each of five age categories: 0-5, 6-8, 8-11, 12-17 and 18 and up. Entries may not exceed 36 inches by 36 inches by 36 inches and must be your own creation, not a kit or other pre-built structure. You must be able to carry your entry in and out of the building without the help of library staff.
AARP senior program tomorrow
Seniors aged 60 and above are invited to a free live online Senior Planet AARP program on the first and third Fridays of the month, this month on May 3 and 17, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Judy will connect the group via the video conferencing platform Zoom so that you can join other seniors across the country in discussing aging issues such as loneliness, isolation, making new friends and learning in new hobbies.
Paws to Read tomorrow
Friday, May 3, from 2 to 3 p.m., youngsters are invited to share their favorite books with Muppet or Maple, therapy dogs who love stories, at a free Paws to Read session.
Messy art tomorrow
Get messy and create beautiful swirling artwork tomorrow, Friday, May 3, from 2 to 4 p.m. at this free art session. All ages are welcome and all supplies will be provided.
LEGO Club Saturday
Kids aged 6-11 are invited to the free LEGO Club on Saturday, May 4, from 11 a.m. to noon. Bring your own LEGOs or use ours to free build.
Knitting and crochet lessons
Learn to knit or crochet on Monday, May 6, at our free gathering from 2 to 3:15 p.m. for ages 8 and up. Supplies will be provided.
Shakespeare read-aloud
Shakespeare fans of all ages are invited to join in reading aloud “Twelfth Night” on Mondays, May 6, 13 and 20, from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Call Jenny at (240) 426-7887 for more information.
Teen/tween art camp
Each month we explore a different style or medium at this free event. In May it’s wood burning with guest artist Peg Snyder. Join us Mondays, May 6, 13 and 20, from 4 to 5 p.m. Registration is required.
Music fun Monday
Pagosa Unplugged is free from 4 to 6 p.m. on Monday, May 6, 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.
Spanish conversation
Practice your Spanish in a free group setting on Tuesday, May 7, from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. There is no minimum skill level needed.
This group meets twice a month, on the first and third Tuesdays.
Therapy dog visit
Next Wednesday, May 8, 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.”
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 storytimes
Wednesdays from 10 to 11 a.m., join a free educational hour of reading, singing and free play to build early literacy skills.
Writers Guild
Thursdays 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.
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.
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 collection
“Lake of Souls” is the first-ever collection of all of Ann Leckie’s short fiction in a single volume, including “Lake of Souls,” a new novelette. The author writes sci-fi and fantasy. She is a Hugo, Nebula and Arthur C. Clarke award winner.
Mysteries, thrillers and suspense
“The Widow Spy” by Megan Campisi features a woman who is the first U.S. female detective, a Pinkerton agent and a Union spy. “The Reaper Follows” by Heather Graham begins with the discovery of a woman’s body in pieces in the Florida Everglades. “Sharpe’s Command” by Bernard Cornwall follows an undercover mission behind enemy lines in the Spanish countryside.
Other novels
“The Cemetery of Untold Stories” by Julia Alvarez combines historical fiction, magical realism and family drama in this story set in the Dominican Republic. “The North Line” by Matty Riordan follows a young man escaping problems by hiring on to an Alaskan fishing boat.
Nonfiction
“Somehow: Thoughts of Love” by Anne Lamott explores the power of love in our lives in the author’s 20th book. “We Loved It All: A Memory of Life” by Lydia Millet is a memoir that looks at the pain and joy of being a parent, child and human in a world where the planet’s life is threatened. “Uncertain: The Wisdom and Wonder of Being Unsure” by Maggie Jackson is a guide to skillfully confront the unexpected and the unknown. “The Wives” by Simone Gorrindo is an intimate look into the lives of the women waiting at home while their husbands fight in an elite Army combat unit.
“All You Need Is Love: The Beatles in Their Own Words” is created from more than 100 hours of previously unpublished interviews conducted by Peter Brown and author Steven Gaines in 1980-1981. “The Age of Magical Overthinking” by podcaster Amanda Montell explores our cognitive biases from the IKEA effect to the sunk cost fallacy. “Divorce Without Court” is a NOLO guide to mediation and collaborative divorce. “The Secret Lives of Booksellers and Librarians” by James Patterson and Matt Eversmann introduces readers to the talented people who help you find the perfect book.
Donation guidelines
We are grateful to Joanne Ferko for her materials donation.
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’s such an extraordinary thing, music. It is how we speak to God, finally — or how we don’t. It’s the language of the spirit. If you believe that we contain within our skin and bones a spirit that might last longer than your time breathing in and out — if there is a spirit, music is the thing that wakes it up.” — Bono, nickname of Paul David Hewson, Irish singer-songwriter and activist, lead vocalist and primary lyricist of the rock band U2.
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.
