Pagosa will have a 60 percent view of the solar eclipse mid-day Monday, April 8.
You are invited to join us in the library garden from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. to watch. Pick up free special glasses at your library starting April 1 to ensure your eye safety.
Then, later in the afternoon of Monday, April 8, from 4 to 5 p.m., teens and tweens are invited to a free in-person Q-and-A with young adult (YA) author Heather Buchta, who wrote “Chasing After Knight.” This popular author will share the process of writing a successful YA book and answer your questions.
Early library closure
Your library will close early on Monday, April 8, for a staff meeting at 5 p.m. This is our regular staff meeting schedule — on the second Monday of the month.
Save the dates
The free spring Lifelong Learning Lecture series will take place Thursday evenings, April 18 through May 23, from 6 to 7:15 p.m. with informative presentations on using water efficiently, air quality during wildfire season, Chimney Rock, Mt. Kilimanjaro, our local monsoon forecast and your library foundation. Watch for more details in next week’s “Library News” column. The lectures are free and no registration is required.
We also hope you’ll join us to say a fond farewell to departing library director Meg Wempe on April 24 from 2 to 4 p.m. Snacks, activities and well wishes will be available.
National Library Week
If you haven’t been to your library for a while, this might be a good time to visit since April 7-12 National Library Week. We’d love to see you.
Tax help session
If you would like help with your taxes, please call Kathy at (970) 553-9150 or email her at kathy.taxhelp@gmail.com for an appointment for the third and final free session at your library.
A representative of VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) will meet with those who have signed up in individual session on Tuesday, April 9, between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m. Registration is required in advance.
Free tax forms
We have 1040 federal tax forms and instructions, as well as 0104 Colorado tax forms and instructions, available free while supplies last.
If you need other forms, we will pull them up online and print them out for you for free, but there is likely to be a charge for the instructions when they are long, multipage documents.
AARP senior program
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 April 5 and 19, 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.
She also will show you how to use Zoom free from your home to participate in topics like finance, wellness, fitness, computers and technology on other times and dates if you are interested.
Special writers’ guild anthology
Local writers — both guild members are those who are not — are invited to contribute to a Ruby’s Writers Guild anthology collection that will be donated to the library.
Submissions should be sent to Judy by email at judy@pagosalibrary.org by Thursday, April 4, when there will be open readings of submissions from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Blind reviews will take place April 18 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
For more information, please contact Judy at the library at (970) 264-2209.
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.
Virtual author talks
Our highly popular free online author talks continue with three opportunities in April for you to interact with New York Times bestselling authors and ask questions in April.
For details and to register, go to https://libraryc.org/pagosalibrary/upcoming.
Tuesday, April 9, at noon will showcase Diane Foley and National Book Award-winner Colum McCann about “From Murder to Atonement: Confronting My Son’s Killer.”
On Wednesday, April 17, at 6 p.m. we’ll focus on a literary examination of power, love and art with Xochitl Gonzalez, author of “Anita de Monte Laughs Last.”
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, April 5, from 2 to 3 p.m.
All-ages gaming tomorrow
Join us Friday, April 5, from 3 to 4 p.m. for a free all-ages gaming session playing Xbox on the big screen.
Habitat for Humanity forum tomorrow
On Friday, April 5, from 5 to 6 p.m. our local Habitat for Humanity will host an open forum at your library to share information and answer questions about this important nonprofit organization in our community.
Representatives will discuss their application process, the 18-month path to affordable home ownership and how you can volunteer or donate. Child supervision will be provided.
LEGO Club Saturday
Kids aged 6-11 are invited to the free LEGO Club on Saturday, April 6, from 11 a.m. to noon. Bring your own LEGOs or use ours to free build.
Ruby’s Book Club next Tuesday
Ruby’s Book Club will meet in person from 2 to 3 p.m. on Tuesday, April 9, to discuss “The Book of Longings” by Sue Monk Kidd. 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 will be provided.
Therapy dog visit
Next Wednesday, April 10, from 11 to 11:45 a.m., you are invited to come 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.” This activity is for all ages.
Dungeons and Dragons
Next Tuesday, April 9, 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 sessions
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.
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.
Large print
“George Harrison: The Reluctant Beatle” by Philip Norman is a biography of this talented but troubled master guitar player and songwriter. “A Memoir of my Former Self: My Life in Writing” by Hilary Mantel is a collection of stories from this novelist and journalist. “Expiration Dates” by Rebecca Serle is a romance that begins with a blind date. “Three-Inch Teeth” by C.J. Box is a Joe Pickett adventure. “A Traitor in Whitehall” by Julia Kelly is a mystery set in 1940’s England.
Books on CD
“Nice Guys Finish Dead” by William W. and J.A. Johnstone is a western.
Nonfiction
“Rhett & Link Present: The Mythical Cookbook” by Josh Scherer features recipes and humor by this YouTube star. “Abandoned” by law enforcement veteran Larry Baxter explores the history of Port Chatham, Alaska, a busy fishing village now abandoned.
“Baby Names 2024” contains more than 3,000 baby names with their meanings and origins. “Elevate and Dominate” by Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders offers stories, strategies and motivation to help you win at life. “Autoimmune Cure” by Dr. Sara Szal Gottfried is a program designed to reset your immune system and restore your health.
“The Menopause Brain” by neuroscientist Lisa Mosconi explains hormone replacement therapies, hormonal contraception and life style changes to help you take care of yourself.
Novels
“Expiration Dates” by Rebecca Serle is a romance that begins with a blind date. “The Underground Library” by Jennifer Ryan follows three women saving a library’s books after a blitz bombing in London.
Donation guidelines
Many thanks to Medora Bass for her materials 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.
Here are the Friends’ new 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
“Remember the good shots and forget the bad. This is the first rule of golf my father ever taught me. It’s the first rule I taught my son. Apply it to every round you play. If you’re old, apply it to your life.” — Ed Weathers, teacher, magazine writer and editor for Golf Digest magazine.
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.
