Halloween fun plus golf and bowling at your library this weekend

Posted

By Carole Howard  | PREVIEW Columnist, and the library staff

We hope you’re participating in our pumpkin-decorating contest and attending our Halloween party tomorrow, Friday, Oct. 28, from 2 to 4 p.m. Completed pumpkins must be turned in today, Thursday, Oct. 27, or tomorrow by 2 p.m. Winners will be announced at the party at 4 p.m. in five age categories: preschool, ages 5-7, ages 8-11, ages 12-17 and adult.

And there will be more fun this weekend as your library will be closed and transformed into a miniature golf and bowling center for two fun fundraising events to benefit our expansion campaign. Saturday, Oct. 29, from 5 to 7 p.m. is the adults-only night and costume contest for ages 21-plus from 5 to 7 p.m. with tickets $20 per person. A cash bar and fun carnival foods including pizza will be on sale. Sunday, Oct. 30, from 1 to 4 p.m. is Family Fun Day for all ages. The cost is $10 per person or $40 per family of four, with $5 per additional person in the family. Sodas and carnival foods will be for sale. 

Join us to challenge your golfing skills on a nine-hole course throughout the library and step up your bowling game while playing in between the library’s book shelves while raising money to make your library bigger and better. 

Flu season protocols

The curbside service that we began in COVID times continues — and it’s a healthful option as we head into the cold and flu season. If you’re feeling sick, you’re probably eager for DVDs while you heal and books to keep you company. To save your energy and lessen germ exposure to other patrons, we recommend you use our curbside service — or add a name to your account authorizing that person to pick up items for you while you recuperate. Library hours:

• Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, your library is open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. 

• Tuesdays and Thursdays, your library is open 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

• Saturdays, your library is open 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

New format for
activities calendar

To be sure you don’t miss any of the free library activities available to you and your family, we encourage you to pick up a copy of the events calendar each month. Its new streamlined format combines all the activities and events for children, teens and adults on one handy two-sided page.

Lifelong Learning series continues this evening

The third talk in the all-new free Lifelong Learning lecture series takes place today, Thursday, Oct. 27, when we showcase Paula Woerner, head of the Wolfwood Refuge for rescued wolves in La Plata County.

This lecture series runs for six weeks, every Thursday through Nov. 17, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. — our first in-person Lifelong Learning lecture series since the fall of 2019, before COVID. No registration is required.

Our next speakers will be C. Neal Johnson offering information on Business with a Mission on Nov. 3; April Holthaus and Dan Senjem on the Archuleta County Genealogical Society on Nov. 10; and Mott Hoover from the Colorado Avalanche Center on Nov. 17.

Go to https://pagosalibrary.org/adult-services/ or pick up a brochure at your library for more details on all these outstanding presentations. 

Online author talks
continue

There are three events this month in our free online virtual series featuring New York Times bestselling authors and thought-leaders giving live, professionally moderated book discussions you can view on your computer, tablet or smartphone with Internet access. You also have an opportunity to ask questions. 

Next Wednesday. Nov. 2, we’ll gather virtually at 2 p.m. with Lisa Napoli, acclaimed writer, journalist, broadcaster and speaker. Nov. 10 at noon features Bonnie Garmus, bestselling author of “Lessons in Chemistry,” which one reviewer called “a polished, funny, thought-provoking story wearing its research lightly but confidently.” On Nov. 15 at 2 p.m., we’ll interact with Kwarme Christian, bestselling author and founder of the American Negotiation Institute. 

Go to https://pagosalibrary.org/adult-services/ to learn more.

Teen gaming

Free teen gaming happens on Wednesday, Nov. 2, from 4 to 5:30 p.m. for teens in the sixth-12th grades. Enjoy Xbox 360 Kinect, Wii and snacks. 

Dungeons and Dragons online

Next Thursday, Nov. 3, from 4-6 p.m., join our virtual Dungeons and Dragons game free for teens and young adults on Discord. Registration is required. Contact claire@pagosalibrary.org to join. 

PALS/GED adult
education 

Mark is available for his free PALS sessions on 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 registration is required. 

Homework help 

Free homework assistance and elementary tutoring are available for students in kindergarten through fourth grade on Wednesdays from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. There is a registration packet for parents and guardians to fill out to enroll your child that you can get by emailing the library or coming in. 

Tech Time 

Free in-person slots are available from 10 a.m. to noon Tuesdays and 2 to 4 p.m. Thursdays. Judy will help you with basic questions relating to computers, smartphones and tablets and also provide assistance in accessing any of the library’s online resources. You do not need an appointment for these drop-in sessions. 

Writing challenge 

A new all-ages writing challenge was posted Oct. 24 on the library’s Facebook page. We hope you will challenge your creativity by participating in this free activity.

Family storytime

Wednesdays from 10 to 11 a.m., join us for free in-person children’s stories, games and plenty of reasons to get up and move. 

ESL classes

Free in-person evening classes take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays, with 4 to 5 p.m. reserved for beginners and 5 to 7 p.m. for both intermediate and advanced students. Please help us spread the word about these classes to others in our community who would be interested, and contact us by phone or email if you have any questions. 

Downloadable books 

CloudLibrary has a wide variety of downloadable e-books and audiobooks for all ages, and accessing this free digital collection has never been easier. You just need to 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. You are now ready to browse, borrow and read e-books and audiobooks using cloudLibrary. Library staff are happy to help you set up your device if you need assistance.

DVDs

“Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris” tells of a London house cleaner who goes to Paris to buy a Dior gown. “America Outdoors with Baratunde Thurston is a two-disc PBS documentary. “Where the Crawdads Sing” follows the life of the “marsh girl” in this movie based on the bestselling novel. “Elvis” starring Austin Butler as Elvis and Tom Hanks as Colonel Parker explores the life and music of Elvis Presley. “Outlander” is season six. 

Books on CD 

“Fairy Tale” by Stephen King features a 17-year-old who inherits the keys to a parallel world. “Oath of Loyalty” by Vince Flynn is a Mitch Rapp thriller. “Desperation in Death” by J.D. Robb is an Eve Dallas thriller. 

Local history

“The Exciting Tales of Growing Up in Early Pagosa Springs, Colorado” by Lorna Rae Hazelwood tells of the adventures of three brothers living on their family’s ranch in the 1920s and 1930s.

Other nonfiction

“Confidence Man” by New York Times reporter Maggie Haberman chronicles the life and impact of Donald Trump. “A New Era for Wolves and People” edited by Marco Musiani, Luigi Boitani and Paul C. Paquet is an analysis of the crucial relationship between human policy and the management of wolf populations in Europe and North America. “Hearing Loss for Dummies” is an AARP guide to hearing and living better. “Cooking From the Spirit” by Tabitha Brown explores easy plant-based recipes. “Crisis of Command” by Stuart Scheller explores the current lack of trust and confidence in generals and politicians. “Dinner with Ruth” by NPR legal affairs correspondent Nina Totenberg is a memoir about her career and long-time friendship with Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. “Tesla: Wizard at War” by Marc J. Seifer is a comprehensive view of Tesla’s discoveries which have such influence over military technology and diplomatic strategies. “Dying of Politeness” by Geena Davis is a memoir from this two-time Academy Award winner. 

Mysteries, suspense
and thrillers

“Not in Time” features an art historian tracing the path of a drawing stolen by the Nazis. “The Club” by Ellery Lloyd is set in a glamorous private celebrity members club off the English coast. 

Donations 

We are grateful to Lenore Bright for her generous donations in memory of Bob Howard, and to Danny Rocca and our anonymous donors for their materials donations. 

When we are open, material donations are accepted for the Friends of the Library at the front desk — not through the outside returns slot at the library or the drop box at City Market, please. The Friends take fiction published in 2012 or newer and nonfiction that is 2017 or newer. Limited workroom space means we can only accept one or two small boxes at a time. 

Quotable quote

“Life is constantly giving us gifts. They may be gifts that we don’t think we want. Who wants cancer? Who wants COVID? Well, it turns out I did. Because dealing with your mortality, it makes things more precious.” — Jeff Bridges, American actor, winner of an Academy Award and two Golden Globes. 

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.