Tomorrow, Friday, May 17, from 2 to 3:30 p.m., you are invited to a free all-ages event featuring the St. Patrick’s bagpipers.
You’ll learn about bagpipes, kilts and their history, and you will be treated to a demonstration of bagpipe sounds as you explore the unique and beautiful music of this Scottish instrument.
And if the springtime weather is making you yearn for a bike ride, we want to be sure you know your library has a bike repair toolkit available for free check out. This toolkit includes a handbook entitled “Essential Road Bike Maintenance Handbook” by Todd Downs and a toolbox filled with the essential tools needed for basic bicycle repairs.
The handbook covers topics such as frame, pedals, brakes and more. The library also offers a variety of other bicycle resources for people of all ages, including maps, guidebooks, and historical information.
Lifelong Learning Lectures
The free spring Lifelong Learning Lecture series continues Thursday evenings through May 23 from 6 to 7:15 p.m. with two more informative presentations:
• Today, May 16, will showcase Cindi Galabota, library foundation executive director, discussing your library’s building campaign.
• May 23 is “North American Monsoon Outlook for Pagosa Springs,” a presentation by Arleen Prochazka of Pagosa Weather.
The lectures are free and no registration is required. For more details, pick up the Lifelong Learning Lecture brochure at your library.
Virtual author talks
Our highly popular free online author talks continue with one more opportunity in May for you to interact with New York Times bestselling authors.
For details and to register, go to https://libraryc.org/pagosalibrary/upcoming.
Tuesday, May 21, at 5 p.m. will showcase Rebecca F. Kuang discussing Asian American representation in literature.
Knowledge Bowl today
Our free Knowledge Bowl for tweens and teens is today, Thursday, May 16, from 4 to 5 p.m. Test your trivia skills on a wide range of subjects.
AARP senior program tomorrow
Seniors aged 60 and above are invited to a free live online Senior Planet AARP program on the first and third Fridays of the month, this month on May 17 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Judy will connect the group via the video conferencing platform Zoom so that you can join other seniors across the country in discussing aging issues such as loneliness, isolation, making new friends and learning in new hobbies.
LEGO Club Saturday
Kids aged 6-11 are invited to the free LEGO Club on Saturday, May 18, from 11 a.m. to noon. Bring your own LEGOs or use ours to free build.
Pokemon Club on Saturday
If you’re aged 6-11 and love Pokemon, this free club is for you. Bring your cards on Saturday, May 18, from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m.
Knitting and crochet lessons
Learn to knit or crochet on Monday, May 20, at our free gathering from 2 to 3:15 p.m. for ages 8 and up. Supplies will be provided.
Shakespeare read-aloud
Shakespeare fans of all ages are invited to join in reading aloud “Twelfth Night” on Monday, May 20, from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Call Jenny at (240) 426-7887 for more information.
Music fun Monday
Pagosa Unplugged is free from 4 to 6 p.m. Monday, May 20, for amateur musicians who would like a safe, supportive, non-bar setting to play, sing or both with other people. For information, contact Susan at (970) 946-3396.
Teen/tween art camp
Each month we explore a different style or medium at this free event. In May it’s wood burning with guest artist Peg Snyder. Join us Monday, May 20, from 4 to 5 p.m. Registration is required.
Adult DIY next Tuesday
At the free in-person adult DIY next Tuesday, May 21, from 1 to 2:30 p.m., we will create a small floral arrangement in a mug or cup and saucer. Registration is required.
Spanish conversation
Practice your Spanish in a free group setting on Tuesday, May 21, from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. There is no minimum skill level needed.
Note this group now meets twice a month, on the first and third Tuesdays.
Elementary tutoring
Children ages 6-11 are welcome at these free sessions on Wednesdays from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. where they will build essential skills in core subjects. Preregistration is required.
Family storytimes
Wednesdays from 10 to 11 a.m., join a free educational hour of reading, singing and free play to build early literacy skills.
Writers Guild
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.
ESL classes
Free in-person evening classes take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays, with 4 to 5 p.m. reserved for beginners, 5 to 6 p.m. for intermediate and 6 to 7 p.m. for advanced students. Please help us share the word about these classes.
Tech Time
Free in-person slots are available from 10 a.m. to noon Tuesdays and 2 to 4 p.m. Thursdays. Judy helps you with basic questions relating to computers, smartphones and tablets, and also provides assistance in accessing the library’s online resources.
No appointment is needed for these drop-in sessions, but please bring your device’s charger and passwords with you.
Pagosa Adult Learning Services (PALS)
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.
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.
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.
Spanish-language book
“Bella Roselina” (“Fair Rosaline”) by Natasha Solomons is an new telling of the Romeo and Juliet story. In this feminist revision, Romeo is exposed as a predator with a long history of pursuing much-younger girls.
Large print
“She’s Not Sorry” by Mary Kubica is a psychological thriller featuring a single mother who is a nurse. “Nosy Neighbors” by Freya Sampson is a mystery that starts when an apartment building faces demolition. “Bulletproof Barista” by Cleo Coyle is the latest in the Coffeehouse mystery series, this story set in New York City. “Daughter of Mine” by Megan Miranda follows the impact when the lowering water level in a town’s lake exposes long-hidden secrets. “It Had to be You” by Mary Higgins Clark and Alister Burke is a novel in the Under Suspicion TV show series. “Easter Basket Murder” contains three mysteries, one each by Leslie Meier, Lee Hollis and Barbara Ross.
Nonfiction
“Shakespeare: The Man Who Pays the Rent” by Judi Dench takes readers through every role she has played in her seven-decade career, from Lady Macbeth to Cleopatra, with accompanying vignettes and revelations. “The Rulebreaker” by Susan Page is a new memoir about Barbara Walters, often considered the most successful female U.S. broadcaster of all time. “Minority Rule” by Ari Berman looks at the powerful role white conservatives have played in recent American political history.
Books on CD
“Murder On Demand” by NBC TV weatherman Al Roker and Matt Costello is the first book in a new Morning Show Murders series. “Table for Two” by Amor Towles is a collection of six short fiction stories set in New York City and a novella set in Golden Age Hollywood. “Extinction” by Douglas Preston is a murder mystery set on a magnificent guest ranch in the Colorado Rockies.
Mysteries, thrillers and suspense
“Darling Girls” by Sally Hepworth is a thriller about three girls and their controlling foster mother. “Myrrh” by Polly Hall is a psychological thriller set in the south coast of England.
DVDs
“A Fixer Upper Mystery” is a three-movie collection. “Lawmen: Bass Reeves” is the story of the first Black U.S. deputy marshal west of the Mississippi. “The Beekeeper” is an action thriller. “Anyone But You” is a romantic comedy set mostly in Australia.
Donation guidelines
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.
Guidelines for donations: Yes to popular fiction books published in 2013 or later, nonfiction books published 2018 or later, and children’s and young adult books — all in excellent condition, please. No to CDs, DVDs, Blu-ray, VHS or cassette tapes; textbooks, outdated travel books or reference books because they do not sell. No more than two boxes at a time because of space constraints.
Quotable quote
“It takes high energy to make change. So when you’re not suffering, when you’re in a high state of love or creativity or gratitude or passion, in those states you can find the solution.” — Tony Robbins, American author of self-help books.
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.
