Creative people of all ages are invited to show off your building skills by competing in our free cardboard construct-a-thon that offers prizes for each of five age categories: ages 0-5, ages 6-8, ages 8-11, ages 12-17 and ages 18 and up.
Entries need to be brought to the library by 5 p.m. on March 29. You must be able to carry your entry in and out of the building without help of library staff. Winners will be contacted on March 30.
Entries may not exceed 36 inches by 36 inches by 36 inches and must be built ahead of time. Your creation must be made entirely of cardboard — but tape, glue, paperclips or brads may be used to hold pieces together. While you are welcome to decorate your creation, please note that we will be judging based on construction and not final decorations.
Entries must be your own creation, not a kit or other pre-built structure.
Cardboard is available at the library, or you are welcome to use your own. One entry per person.
Free tax forms
We have 1040 federal tax forms and instructions, as well as 0104 Colorado tax forms and instructions, available free while supplies last.
If you need other forms, we will pull them up online and print them out for you for free — but there is likely to be a charge for the instructions when they are long, multipage documents.
Curbside service available
As we progress further into the winter germ season, we wanted to be sure you know that we continue to offer curbside service for those of you who prefer to have us bring your items outside to you to help limit your exposure to — or sharing of — potential germs. Or, you may have concerns about walking on snow or ice.
To take advantage of this service, simply phone us at (970) 264-2209 when you’re outside in the parking lot and we will be happy to bring your items to you.
Virtual author talks
Our highly popular free online author talks continue with two more opportunities for you to interact with New York Times bestselling authors and ask questions in March.
For details and to register, go to https://libraryc.org/pagosalibrary/upcoming.
Today, Thursday, March 14, at 2 p.m. will showcase Christopher Paolini discussing “20 Years of Dragon Riding” in young adult fantasy.
On Thursday, March 21, at 5 p.m. we’ll interact with Madeline Miller discussing “On Retelling Greek Classics: An Exploration of Modern Epics.”
Knowledge Bowl
Our free Knowledge Bowl for tweens and teens takes place today, Thursday, March 14, from 4 to 5 p.m. Test your trivia skills on a wide range of subjects.
AARP aging program
Seniors aged 60 and over are invited to a free live online Senior Planet AARP program tomorrow, March 15, at your library 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.
In addition to the aging discussions at the library, Judy will show you how to use Zoom from your home to participate in topics like finance, wellness, fitness, computers and technology on other times and dates if you are interested.
Board games tomorrow
Come play a favorite game or bring one of your own to share at this free all-ages event Friday, March 15, from 2 to 4 p.m.
LEGO Club
Kids aged 6-11 are invited to the free LEGO Club on Saturday, March 16, from 11 a.m. to noon. Bring your own LEGOs or use ours.
Pokemon Club
If you’re aged 6-11 and love Pokemon, this free club is for you. Bring your cards on Saturday, March 16, from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m.
Knitting and crochet lessons
Learn to knit or crochet on Monday, March 18, at our free gathering from 2 to 3:15 p.m. for ages 8 and up. Supplies are provided.
Music fun Monday
Pagosa Unplugged is free from 4 to 6 p.m. Monday, March 18, for amateur musicians of all ages to jam and sing with others. For details, contact Susan at (970) 946-3396.
Teen/tween art camp
Each month we explore a different style or medium at this free event. In March, it’s hand quilting with guest artist Mary Kurt-Mason. Join us Monday, March 18, from 4 to 5 p.m. Preregistration is required.
Adult DIY
At the free adult DIY next Tuesday, March 19, from 1 to 2:30 p.m., Tom, a member of our search and rescue team, will teach us how to read a map and compass the old-fashioned way — valuable skills if you lose or damage your phone in the backcountry or have no cell service.
Spanish conversation
Practice your Spanish in a free group setting on Tuesday, March 19, from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. No minimum skill level is needed. This group meets twice a month, on the first and third Tuesdays.
Dungeons and Dragons
Thursday, March 21, from 4:30 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.
Elementary tutoring sessions
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.
Two local authors
“Blossoms on a Poisoned Sea” by local author Mariko Tatsumoto is an account of corporate greed told through the lives of a young couple in love who survived but still bear the psychic scars of betrayal. Together they fight both the Japanese government and a powerful, ruthless chemical conglomerate that are ignoring the suffering of dying fishermen’s families suffering from an agonizing neurological disease.
After emigrating from Japan at the age of 8, Mariko Tatsumoto detoured from her love of books and became the first Asian woman attorney in Colorado. Later she wrote “Ayumi’s Violin” and “Swept Away,” which won a total of seven awards. Both “Blossoms on a Poisoned Sea” and “Ayumi’s Violin” are available for your reading pleasure at your Ruby Sisson Library.
Also new to our collection, local author M Avery has written “Sojourn in the Land of the Sun,” historical fiction based on real people living in the 20th and 21st centuries. It features Joseph, a Norteno elder whose Spanish ancestors settled the upper regions of New Spain, and an Anglo upstart to whom he imparts a lifetime of experience after the man asks politically incorrect questions to further his own career.
For authentication of this story, the author suggests a visit to Spruce Tree House in Mesa Verde to view the pictograph, which confirms Joseph’s stories about his Native American initiation. He also was involved in the book’s production.
The author dedicates her book to her community in Espanola Valley and its outlying villages on the high road to Taos, newcomers in Los Alamos, special sisters in Taos, and all her Native American counterparts fighting for sovereignty against the odds.
Mysteries, thrillers and suspense
“The Locked Room” by Elly Griffiths features three women who go missing from an isolated cottage during the pandemic. “The Libyan Diversion” by Joel C. Rosenberg is a Marcus Ryker CIA suspense story. “Lost and Found” by Rita Mae Brown begins when a body is found on Virginia foxhunting grounds. “The Hunter” by Tana French is a crime story of revenge set in rural Ireland. “The Ink Black Heart” by Robert Galbraith features a PI and her partner investigating a murder of a man who was persecuted by an online figure.
Nonfiction
“Otter Country” by nature writer Mariam Darlington explores the lives of these playful animals. “Worthy” by Jamie Kern Lima helps those with self-doubt change their lives. “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” and “Twelfth Night” by William Shakespeare are side-by-side plain English versions of these classic plays. “The Backyard Beekeeper” by Kim Flottum is the fifth edition of this guide to beekeeping for all skill levels. “Our Ancient Faith” by Allen C. Guelzo is a study of Abraham Lincoln’s powerful vision of democracy, which he believed to be the greatest political achievement in human history.
“JoyFull” by Radhi Devlukia-Shetty contains more than 125 plane-based recipes. “Normal Women” by historical novelist Philippa Gregory covers nine centuries of women’s lives in England from the Norman Conquest to modern times. “Out of Shape Worthless Loser” by Gracie Gold is a memoir of an Olympic figure skater who became famous at the Sochi Olympics while dealing with anxiety, an eating disorder and sexual assault. “The Trump Indictments” is an annotated version of the legal papers by NYU law professors Melissa Murray and Andrew Weissmann.
Books on CD
“The Bullet Swallowed” by Elizabeth Gonzalez James is an intergenerational saga of a Mexican family. “Lone Wolf” by Gregg Hurwitz follows a case by a former black ops government assassin. “The Guest” by B.A. Paris begins when a close friend moves uninvited into a couple’s home. “End of Story” by A.J. Finn is a thriller about a reclusive mystery writer who asks a friend to help draft his life story. “The Ghost Orchid” by Jonathan Kellerman is a Milo Sturgis and Alex Delaware mystery.
DVDs
“Wonka” shows viewers how a young dreamer named Willy became Wonka. “Migration” is a new animated family comedy that contains three mini-movies. “Planet Earth III” is a BBC documentary.
Quotable quote
“The older I get the more clearly I remember things that never happened.” — Mark Twain (1835-1910). American writer, humorist, essayist and lecturer.
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.
