By Carole Howard
PREVIEW Columnist, and the library staff
We hope you will join us for a free all-ages holiday event next Thursday, Dec. 15, from 4 to 6 p.m. at our Hot Chocolate Hullabaloo. We’ll help you build the perfect cozy evening kit as you join us for games and fun.
Then you’ll want to mark your calendars for another fun all-ages event on Saturday, Dec. 17, from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. as we launch our new Pokemon Club. So far, we are only committed to this month, but we would love your feedback to let us know if you’d like it to continue.
Flu season protocols
The curbside service that we began in COVID times continues — and it’s a healthful option in the cold and flu season. 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.
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 streamlined format combines all the activities and events for children, teens and adults on one handy, two-sided page.
Online author talks
continue
There are two more 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.
Saturday, Dec. 10, at noon, we’ll interact with Fredrik Blackman, author of “The Winners,” the third installment of the Beartown series.
Wednesday, Dec. 14, at 10 a.m. showcases Nicole Eustace, author of “A Story of Murder and Indigenous Justice in Early America.”
Go to https://pagosalibrary.org/adult-services/ to learn more.
Your library has a year-long subscription through June 30, 2023. At that time, we will evaluate the popularity of the series in order to decide whether or not to renew our subscription. If you would like to provide feedback to Judy or Meg, they would welcome your comments. Contact Judy@pagosalibrary.org or meg@pagosalibrary.org.
Legal clinic tomorrow
The free legal clinic this month is happening by appointment tomorrow, Friday, Dec. 9, from 2 to 3 p.m.
Come into the library to meet privately via Zoom with our volunteer attorney who will answer your questions, show you legal documents and help you fill out the necessary forms.
To schedule an appointment, at the beginning of the month send an email titled “Sign-up for Free Legal Clinic,” with your first name and phone number, to ruby@pagosalibrary.org, or phone (970) 264-2209 or stop by the library. The volunteer attorney’s time is limited, so it’s first-come, first-served. This clinic takes place on the second Friday of every month.
Paws to Read tomorrow
Friday, Dec. 9, from 2 to 3 p.m., youngsters from kindergarten through fifth grade are invited to share their favorite books with Muppet, a therapy dog who loves listening to stories, at a free Paws to Read session. This is a great way for beginning readers to build confidence.
Gaming tomorrow
Enjoy free all-ages video gaming on the Xbox 360 Kinect tomorrow, Friday, Dec. 9, from 3 to 4 p.m.
Ruby’s Book Club
next Tuesday
Ruby’s Book Club will meet in person from 2 to 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 13, to discuss “The Mountains Sing” by Phan Que Mai Nguyen. 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.
Spanish conversation next Tuesday
Next Tuesday, Dec. 13, from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m., we will gather at the library to practice speaking and listening skills together at this free session. No minimum skill level is required to attend.
You also can learn Spanish and many other languages using the Transparent Language Learning database available at https:pagosalibrary.org/online-resources/.
Therapy dog visit next Wednesday
Join us next Wednesday, Dec. 14, from 11 to 11:45 a.m. for 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.
Homework help
and tutoring
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. This program has been a big hit because it helps build essential skills in core subjects. You still can register your child, but you may be put on a wait list.
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.
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 will be posted Dec. 12 on the library’s Facebook page. We hope you will challenge your creativity by participating in this free activity.
Family storytimes
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.
Local author
We have four new books by local author Courtney Weir on the power of faith: “Faith and Where to Put It,” “Joy and Where to Find It,” “Peace and How to Keep It” and “Identity and Where It Comes From.” Two of these books — “Faith” and “Identity” — contain forwards by local Pastor Eric Swithin, well known in our community for his work at Centerpoint Church and his outdoor program for boys.
Nonfiction
“The Servant Queen and the King She Serves” draws on Queen Elizabeth’s own words to explain the power of her faith in helping her do her job. “Delete That” by John Crist is an irreverent look at the ridiculous ways we try to make ourselves look better online. “Inside Bridgerton” by executive producers Shonda Rhimes and Betsy Beers uses stories and photos for a behind-the-scenes look at the Netflix series. “There Was Light” by Pulitzer Prize-winner Jon Meacham is a new biography of Abraham Lincoln. “The Persuaders” by Anand Giridharadas looks at better ways to disagree and persuade without antagonizing others in our polarized world. “Wild New World” by Dan Flores chronicles our human history with animals in North America going back thousands of years.
Novels
“Anything But Plain” by Suzanne Woods Fisher features a bishop’s daughter in the Amish community. “Wrath” by Sharon Moalem and Daniel Kraus focuses on a 10-year-old boy determined to stop scientists from torturing animals. “The Impatient” by Djaili Amadou Amal tells of three Cameron women why defy oppressive cultural traditions. “The Lowering Days” by Gregory Brown chronicles of the after-effects on an entire community when a teen sets fire to a paper mill. “The Empress’ Gift: The Volga Frontier” by Ellen Laubhan tells of life of German emigrants recruited by Catherine the Great in the 1760s to tame the wilderness.
Books on CD
“Distant Thunder” by Stuart Woods is a Stone Barrington mystery. “The Maze” by Nelson DeMille features NYPD homicide detective is a John Corey novel. “No Plan B” by Lee and Andrew Child is a Jack Reacher thriller. “It Starts with Us” by Collee Hoover, a romance, is the sequel to “It Ends with Us.”
Donations
We are grateful to 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
“Develop your senses — especially learn how to see. Realize that everything connects to everything else.” — Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519), Renaissance painter, engineer, scientist, sculptor and architect.
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.
