By Carole Howard | PREVIEW Columnist, and the library staff
A new ongoing event called Knowledge Bowl debuts today, Thursday, Feb. 9, from 4 to 5 p.m. for tweens and teens.
Participants will form teams of up to six people to compete against each other by answering questions that cover a range of topics from math to spelling to pop culture.
This free event is a fun way to test your wit, trivia and teamwork skills as you compete against other students.
Knowledge Bowl will run every second and fourth Thursday for the remainder of the school year and be moderated by Josie, your library’s teen librarian. It is open to students in fourth through eighth grade, or ages 11-14. Registration is not required for this free event.
Josie points out that Knowledge Bowl has a place in local history because it originated in Durango back in 1976.
Friends book sale
Saturday
This Saturday, Feb. 11, the Friends of the Library will host a Cabin Fever Book Sale from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at your library.
This is a great opportunity for you to find new treasures at bargain prices to keep you company this winter.
Events 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.
Flu season protocols
The curbside service that we began for COVID safety continues -— and it’s also 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.
Save the date for library fundraiser
We hope you will note April 15 on your calendar for the second annual Library Affair fundraiser for our building campaign to expand and renovate your library.
This elegant event will feature a silent auction of different table settings designed by some of Pagosa’s most creative artists. If you want to decorate a table for this prestigious event, please call Cindi Galabota, library foundation director, at (970) 264-2209.
Online author talk today
There will be three talks 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 will have an opportunity to ask questions of the authors.
Today, Thursday, Feb. 9, at 5 p.m., we’ll hear from Lena Harper, author of “Back in a Spell,” part of the Witches of Thistle Grove fantasy romance series.
Thursday, Feb. 16, at 11 a.m. showcases Grace M. Cho, author of “Tastes Like War,” a Korean American daughter’s exploration of food and family history in order to understand her mother’s schizophrenia.
On Feb. 28, at 2 p.m. we’ll interact with Sadeqa Johnson, award-winning author of “The House of Eve.” Johnson has written four novels and is the recipient of the National Book Club Award, the Phillis Wheatley Award and the USA Best Book Award for best fiction.
Legal clinic tomorrow
The free legal clinic this month is happening by appointment tomorrow, Friday, Feb. 10, 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, Feb. 10, 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, Feb. 10, from 3 to 4 p.m.
LEGO Club on Saturday
Kids aged 6 and up are invited to bring your imaginations — LEGOs are provided — on Saturday, Feb. 11, from 11 a.m. to noon for the free LEGO Club. LEGO challenges also are posted on Facebook if you can’t make it to the library.
Children’s Spanish
class on Monday
Join us next Monday, Feb. 13, from 3:15 to 4:15 p.m. for a Spanish class for kids aged 6 to 11 to help youngsters learn and improve their Spanish.
Ruby’s Book Club
next Tuesday
Ruby’s Book Club will meet from 2 to 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 14, to discuss “This Tender Land” by William Kent Krueger. 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.
Therapy dog visit
Join us next Wednesday, Feb. 15, 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 and
tutoring help
Our highly popular free homework assistance and elementary tutoring are available for students in kindergarten through fourth grades 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.
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.
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 Feb. 13 on the library’s Facebook page. We hope you will challenge your creativity by participating in this free activity.
Downloadable books
CloudLibrary has a wide variety of downloadable e-books and audiobooks for all ages, and accessing this free digital collection is very easy. 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.
Books on CD
“Hell Bent” by Leigh Bardugo is part of the urban fantasy series featuring Alex Stern. “Just the Nicest Couple” by Mary Kubica is a thriller about a missing husband.
Mysteries and thrillers
“The Blue Window” by Suzanne Berne features a therapist attempting to unlock the most difficult cases of her life — her son and her mother. “Hard to Break” by Michael Ledwidge is a Michael Gannon thriller that begins in Alaska.
Other novels
“A Ballad of Love and Glory” by Reyna Grande is set in 1846 after the annexation of Texas when the U.S. Army marches south for war with Mexico over the Rio Grande boundary. “Night Wherever we Go” by Tracey Rose Peyton features enslaved women on a Texas plantation staging a rebellion against their owners. “In The Upper Country” by Kai Thomas focuses on the stories of two women connected by the Underground Railroad from the U.S. to Canada. “The New Life” by Tom Crewe tells of two married men in 1890s London collaborating on a book in defense of gay love.
Donations
Many thanks to Lenore Bright for her generous monetary donation in memory of Etta Faye Day and to our anonymous donors.
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 2013 or newer and nonfiction that is 2018 or newer. Limited workroom space means we can only accept one or two small boxes at a time.
Quotable quote
“A goal without a plan is just a wish.” — Antoine de Saint-Exupéry (1900-1944), French writer, poet, journalist and pioneering aviator. With over 140 million copies sold, his “The Little Prince” is the second best-selling commercial book in history — just behind “The Lord of the Rings” and ahead of “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.”
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.
