By Carole Howard | PREVIEW Columnist, and the library staff
Two new free children’s programs take place tomorrow, Friday, March 10, to help kids celebrate Youth Art Month.
Little Picassos from 10-11 a.m., for artists aged 1 to 4, uses art to teach literacy skills. Participants should come ready to get messy. All materials are safe and nontoxic. This will be a monthly program.
Kids Create! from 2-3 p.m. is for kids ages 5 to 8. Participants will practice reading while creating mixed-media art pieces based on a picture book. Tomorrow’s theme is Funky Faces. This also will be a monthly program.
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.
Knowledge Bowl today
Our second free middle school Knowledge Bowl takes place today, Thursday, March 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.
Knowledge Bowl runs every second and fourth Thursday for the remainder of the school year. It is open to students in grades four through eight, or ages 11-14. Registration is not required.
Legal clinic tomorrow
The free legal clinic this month is happening by appointment tomorrow, Friday, March 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.
Gaming tomorrow
Enjoy free all-ages video gaming on the Xbox 360 Kinect tomorrow, Friday, March 10, from 3-4 p.m.
LEGO Club on Saturday
Kids aged 6 and up are invited to bring your imaginations — LEGOs are provided — on Saturday, March 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.
Adult knitting on Saturday
A new Sit and Knit adult knitting time launches this Saturday, March 11, and will happen on the second Saturday of each month from 1 to 3 p.m. It is aimed at anyone over the age of 18 who would like to come and work on your project or get some help if you are stuck on a project.
Among the several health benefits of knitting are reducing stress and anxiety, improving cognitive function, boosting self-confidence and helping combat depression.
More online author talks
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.
On Monday, March 13, at 11 a.m., we’ll meet with David Epstein, author of “Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World.”
Tuesday, March 21, at 2 p.m. will showcase author and celebrity chef Jernard A. Wells.
Tuesday, March 28, will feature Pam Jenoff, author of historical fiction often set during World War II and featuring strong women; her latest, published last month, is “Code Name Sapphire.”
Children’s Spanish
class on Monday
Join us next Monday, March 13, from 3:30 to 4:30 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 meets from 2 to 3 p.m. on Tuesday, March 14, to discuss “Remember: The Science of Memory and the Art of Forgetting” by Lisa Genova. 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, March 14, from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m., we will gather to practice speaking and listening skills together at this free session. There is no minimum skill level 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/.
SJBPH radon event
next Thursday
Let’s hope snow doesn’t affect this rescheduled event again: Next Thursday, March 16, from noon to 1 p.m., a SJBPH representative will discuss the dangers of radon gas in homes and businesses, take your questions, and distribute free radon test kits. Winter is the best time to test for the cancer-causing gas because levels are highest when windows and doors are closed.
The kits are preaddressed, so once you’ve finished the test, you can just seal it up and drop it in the mail. You’ll get your results via email or mail from the lab that made the tests. The geology of southwest Colorado leads to an increased risk of radon gas here, so this is an important topic for us to understand. In fact, radon exposure is the leading cause of lung cancer, even in people who have never smoked.
Writing challenge
A new all-ages writing challenge will be posted March 13 on the library’s Facebook page. We hope you will challenge your creativity by participating in this free activity.
Homework and
tutoring help
Our highly popular 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.
Family storytime
Wednesdays from 10-11 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.
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.
DVDs
“Paris, Je t’aime” is a two-disc panoramic portrait of what many consider the most romantic city in the world. “Ticket to Paradise” is a romantic comedy starring George Clooney and Julia Roberts. “Lightyear” is a Disney Pixar animated adventure. “Spoiler Alert” tells how a couple’s relationship is transformed when one becomes ill. “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” and “Tar” both have received multiple Academy Award nominations. “The Science of Integrative Medicine” is a Great Courses video featuring Mayo Clinic’s Dr. Brent A. Bauer.
Self-help nonfiction
“The Answer to Anxiety” by Bible teacher Joyce Meyer provides advice on how to respond to stressful occasions and focus on God when you are feeling unsettled. “Take Control of Your Heart Disease Risk” by Dr. John Whyte is a detailed guide. “Hello Sleep” by Jade Wu explains the science and art of overcoming insomnia without medications. “The Lives We Actually Have” by Kate Bowler and Jessica Richie offers faith-based blessings appropriate even for non-perfect lives and mundane days.
Short stories
“The Faraway World” by Patricia Engel is a collection of 10 stories showcasing characters from across the spectrum of Latin American immigration.
Novels
“Babel” by R.F. Kuang is a historical fantasy set in 1820’s England. “Once Upon a Wardrobe” by Patti Callahan explores the early life of C.S. Lewis, creator of Narnia. “Mercy Street” by Jennifer Haigh focuses on women involved in a health clinic in Boston. “Pod” by Laline Paull features a female dolphin struggling to survive in her ocean world. “The Three Lives of Alix St. Pierre” by Natasha Lester follows a woman’s life from World War II spy to the House of Dior. “The Snow Hare” by Paula Lichtarowicz is the life story of a woman looking back as buried memories surface.
Donations
We are grateful to Lon Alexander for a generous monetary contribution, and to Joanne Ferks for her materials donation.
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
“Forgiveness is giving up the hope that the past could be any different. It’s accepting the past for what it was and using this moment and this time to help yourself move forward.” — Oprah, talk show host, TV producer, actress, author and philanthropist.
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.
