We are proud to host New York Times bestselling author Anne Hillerman next weekend for four special events, one free and three set up as fundraisers by the library foundation for our campaign to renovate and expand your library.
Hillerman is the author of multiple bestselling mysteries that continue the hugely popular Navajo detective series originated by her father, Tony Hillerman.
• Friday, Sept. 13, from 7 to 9 p.m. is a movie event at the library exclusively for Friends of the Library. Tickets are $30 advance or $35 at the door and include wine or beer and light snacks. If you’re not a Friend, here’s a perfect excuse to join.
• Saturday, Sept. 14, from 9 to 11 a.m. is a writer’s workshop at the library. The cost is $25.
• Also Saturday, from 12:30 to 1:15 p.m., is a free meet and greet with the author at the library.
• Also Saturday, from 6 to 8:30 p.m., is a fireside chat with the author at the Pagosa Lakes Property Owners Association Clubhouse hosted by former NPR journalist Rick Holter with a cash bar and hors d’oeuvres. Tickets are $50 in advance and $55 at the door.
Anne Hillerman lives in New Mexico. She has continued her father’s series of Joe Leaphorn-Jim Chee novels following his death, adding officer Bernadette Manuelito as a full partner in solving the crimes. All nine of her books are available at your library for your reading pleasure.
Tickets for the three fundraising events can be purchased at the library or online at pagosalibrary.org.
Online author talks
Our highly popular free online author talks continue with three opportunities in September for you to interact with New York Times bestselling authors and ask questions.
For details and to register, go to https://libraryc.org/pagosalibrary/upcoming.
On Sept. 18 at noon, Kate Klemp, Ph.D., co-author of “Start Here: Master the Lifelong Skill of Wellbeing,” will discuss “An Expansive Mind in a Distracted World.”
On Sept. 21 at 5 p.m., we’ll experience “A Deep Dive in Character Development” with novelist Liane Moriarity, author of “Big Little Lies,” “The Husband’s Secret” and “Apples Never Fall.”
Fairy Tale Theatre tomorrow
All ages are invited to a free session to read fairy tales and act out your favorite characters on Friday, Sept. 13 from 2 to 3:30 p.m.
Chess Club Saturday
Learn how to play chess with free quick lessons and game time to practice your skills on Saturday, Sept. 14, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. All ages and abilities are welcome.
Adult knitting Saturday
Join new and experienced knitters Saturday, Sept. 14, for our free Knitters Circle from 1 to 3 p.m. It is aimed at anyone over the age of 18 who would like to knit together or get some help if you are stuck on your project.
Knitting and crochet lessons
Learn to knit or crochet on Monday, Sept. 16, at our free gathering from 2 to 3:15 p.m. for ages 8 and up. Supplies will be provided.
Music fun Monday
Pagosa Unplugged is free from 4 to 6 p.m. Monday, Sept. 16, 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.
Adult DIY next Tuesday
At the free in-person adult DIY next Tuesday, Sept. 17, from 1 to 2:30 p.m., we will enjoy cross-stitch. Learn a pattern that you can take home and work on to build your needlecraft skills. Registration is required.
Spanish conversation
Practice your Spanish in a free group setting on Tuesday, Sept. 17, 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.
Therapy dog visit
Next Wednesday, Sept. 18, from 11 to 11:45 a.m., all ages are invited to 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.”
Family storytime
Wednesdays from 10 to 11 a.m., join a free educational hour of reading, singing and free play to build early literacy skills.
Teen/tween activity
Join us in the teen area every Wednesday after school from 4 to 4:30 p.m. this month for a fun craft or challenge. Activities will range from taste tests to art challenges to minute-to-win-it-style games.
Writers Guild
Every Thursday from 9 to 11 a.m., the Ruby’s Writers Guild welcomes writers looking for opportunities, support, resources and camaraderie with other writers at this free gathering.
The guild has published a new anthology, “Tales from the San Juans,” which the members say includes “life musings, creative short fiction, retrospectives, poetry, novellas and short observations — all inspired by the beauty that surrounds us.”
The book is available at the library, with net proceeds going to the library’s building campaign.
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.
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.
Mysteries, suspense and thrillers
“Pumpkin Spice Puppy” by Laurien Berenson is a Melanie Travis Canine mystery. “Backwater Justice” by Fern Michaels is a Sisterhood mystery. “Spirit Crossing” by William Kent Krueger is a Cork O’Connor mystery that follows the death of a young Ojibwe woman. “Shadow State” by M.P. Woodward features Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan Jr. hero.
Other novels
“By Any Other Name” by Jodi Picoult is a story of two women centuries apart forced to write under men’s names. “Joy” by Danielle Steel features a woman dealing with a husband changed by the horrors of the Afghanistan war. “Beyond Ivy Walls” by Rachel Fordham tells of two people exiled by their family long ago. “The Legacy” by Carol Ashby is book three in the Light in the Empire fantasy series. “Where Trees Touch the Sky” by Karen Barnett follows the life of a woman determined to save the California redwoods.
Nonfiction
“Becoming Little Shell: Returning Home to the Landless Indians of Montana” by Chris La Tray is a memoir of a Metis storyteller searching for his roots. “The Ink War: Romanticism versus Modernity in Chess” by chess international master Willy Hendriks explores the rivalry of two of the world’s strongest chess players in the late 19th century and their contributions to the game.
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
“I always tell my kids that challenges are the poetry of your life. You wouldn’t know hot if you didn’t know cold. You wouldn’t have appreciation for the good times without going through the hard times.” — Pamela Anderson, Canadian-American actress, model and media personality.
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.
