special family crafts event Saturday
By Carole Howard | PREVIEW Columnist, and the library staff
The Colorado Talking Book Library (CTBL) is a free service from your library that lends talking (audio) and Braille books and magazines, as well as large-print books, for people who have eye issues, or have physical or learning disabilities that make it difficult to read regular books.
All of the audio books and most Braille books are also available for on-demand downloads.
CTBL wants you to know that talking books are not just for blind people — although they are a godsend for people unable to see. The service is also available to people who experience physical disabilities or illnesses that prevent them from holding a book, sitting up for longer periods of time, have a learning disability or difficulty turning the pages of a book.
Talking books are completely free — no charge for the books, no charge for the talking book player and no charge for the postage to mail the books back to the library. Your books come through the U.S. Postal Service with all postage paid.
The CTBL, located in Denver, serves people of all ages. Its youngest user is 3 years old and the oldest is 104. The library has more than 6,500 talking (audio) books, 23,000 Braille books and 24,000 large print books, with new books added each month. You can even tell your preferences to the CTBL.
To sign up, go to https://myctbl.cde.state.co.us/ and click on Getting Started/Application.
Free family crafts
event Saturday
Join us Saturday, Aug. 5, from 10 a.m. to noon for Craftapalooza, a fun, free family crafts event for families with children aged 3 and up. Create a variety of crafts from making unicorn headbands to upcycled CDs at more than 10 different craft stations. Stop by anytime during those two hours and stay as long as you want.
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 this summer.
Rhythm and rhymes
tomorrow
Youngsters aged 1-5 are invited to a free music-based storytime with lots of movement and singing tomorrow, Friday, Aug. 4, from 10 to 11 a.m.
Music fun Monday
Pagosa Unplugged is free from 4 to 6 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 7, for amateur musicians who would like a safe, supportive, non-bar setting to play, sing or both with other people. Anyone under age 18 is welcome with a signed parental permission, available at your library. For program information contact Susan at (970) 946-3396 (not the library).
Ruby’s Book
Club Tuesday
Ruby’s Book Club meets from 2 to 3 p.m. next Tuesday, Aug. 8, to discuss “The Ways We Hide” by Kristina McMorris. Copies are available at your library. This free book club is held the second Tuesday of each month, alternating between fiction and nonfiction titles. Anyone is welcome to attend.
Action Drawing for
teens, tweens
This month we have a free art program for teens and tweens called Action Drawing every Tuesday from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. led by Dean Dempster. You’ll take turns posing for each other in playful exercises and learn to capture the essence of your friends quickly and freely. You’ll also learn the basics of sketching figures, portraits, hands and feet. Registration is required.
Therapy dog visit
Next Wednesday, Aug. 9, from 11 to 11:45 a.m. you are invited to come to the library for a free visit with a certified therapy dog. Visits are limited to 10-15 minutes — just the right amount of time to pet the dog, read to the dog or just say “Hi.” This is an all-ages activity.
Composting 101
Learn the art and importance of composting for your garden at a free session with West Davies next Thursday, Aug. 10, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Kickoff to Kindergarten
A free four-week school readiness program for ages 4 1/2 to 6 to prepare youngsters for the first year of school happens on Thursdays, Aug. 10, 17 and 24, from 10 to 11 a.m. Activities will include circle time, group activities, playtime and storytime while exploring reading, writing and math. Parents can participate for limited time periods each week. Preregistration required in person or by phone at (970) 264-2209. Attendance at all sessions is recommended.
Online author talks
There will be three talks in August in our free online virtual series featuring New York Times bestselling authors with an opportunity to ask questions. You can listen live or access the recorded talk.
On Tuesday, Aug. 15, at 2 p.m., we will interact with Robert Jones Jr., author of the epic love story “The Prophets.”
Aug. 23 at 6 p.m. will feature “The Mortal Instruments” young adult fantasy series by Cassandra Clare.
Aug. 30 at noon will showcase higher education journalist Jeff Selingo, author of “A Year of College Admissions,” which explores who gets into college and why.
Dungeons and Dragons
Next Tuesday, Aug. 8, 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.
STEAM program
Camp Connect is a free STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) program for fifth- through eighth-graders next Wednesday, Aug. 9, from noon to 2 p.m. Registration is required.
Wacky Wednesdays
Ages 6-11 are invited to get silly and play next Wednesday, Aug. 9, from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. Each week will be a different free, fun activity.
Family storytimes
Wednesdays from 10 to 11 a.m., join us for a free educational hour of reading, singing and free play to build early literacy skills.
Writers support group
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.
Change in ESL
class times
Free in-person evening classes take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and there is a change in the way the time is divided: 4 to 5 p.m. is reserved for beginners, 5 to 6 p.m. for intermediate and 6 to 7 p.m. for 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.
Tech Time
Free in-person slots are available from 10 a.m. to noon Tuesdays an to 4 p.m. Thursdays. Judy helps you with basic questions relating to computers, smartphones and tablets and also provide assistance in accessing any of the library’s online resources. No appointment needed for these drop-in sessions, but it is important that you bring your device’s charger with you.
Note there is no Tech Time today, Aug. 3.
PALS/GED adult
education
Join Mark or Sally for free PALS sessions Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:30 to 8 p.m. to help with high school equivalency, GED, college prep, financial aid, tutoring and more.
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.
Local authors
“Through the Ash, New Leaves” is volume 1 of “Cutthroat,” a Journal of the Arts and the Black Earth Institute. It contains work by more than 100 contributors.
Spanish-language
bestseller
“Al Codigo da Vinci” by Dan Brown is the Spanish-language version of the 2003 bestselling mystery thriller “The da Vinci Code,” the author’s second novel featuring symbologist Robert Langdon and cryptologist Sophie Neveu investigating a murder at the Louvre museum.
Nonfiction books on CD
“Outsmart Your Brain” by Professor Daniel T. Willingham is a guide to improving test scores and grades with more than 90 studying tips. “Overtime Time,” edited by Lisa F. Berkman and Beth C. Truesdale, explores the future of the American workforce and aging, with contributions by experts in economics, sociology, psychology, political science and epidemiology.
Other nonfiction
“The War on Drugs: A History” edited by David Farber analyzes the purpose and results of what many consider a losing battle. “Space at the Speed of Light” by Oxford University astrophysicist Dr. Becky Smethurst is an illustrated tour of time and space for the astro-curious.
Novels
“A Good House for Children” by Kate Collins is a feminist Gothic tale set in England. “The Paris Daughter” by Kristin Harmel is a historical novel set in Paris in 1939 at the beginning of World War II.
Large print
“Coldwater Range” by John D. Nesbitt is a western. “Dead Man’s Trail” by Nate Morgan is book one of the new Carson Stone western series. “Flags on the Bayou” by James Lee Burke is a love story that begins in 1863. “Robert B. Parker’s Bad Influence” by Alison Gaylin is a Sunny Randall mystery. “Remember Me” by Mary Balogh is book two in the Ravenswood Regency romance series. “Good Dog, Bad Cop” by David Rosenfelt is a K Team murder mystery. “The Benevolent Society of Ill-Mannered Ladies” by Alison Goodman is book one of a new mystery series.
Thanks to our donors
We are grateful to John Prutsman for his donation of materials.
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.
The Friends take fiction published in 2013 or newer and nonfiction from 2018 or newer. Limited workroom space means we can only accept one or two small boxes at a time.
Quotable quote
“There are two means of refuge from the miseries of life: music and cats.” — Nobel Prize winner Albert Schweitzer (1875-1965), doctor and missionary.
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.
