By Carole Howard | PREVIEW Columnist, and the library staff
Archuleta Seniors Inc. is hosting a free educational hands-on event to share the history of Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) tomorrow, Friday, Oct. 20 from 1 to 4 p.m. at your library and to build a community ofrenda (altar).
This is an important annual tradition of prayer and remembrances widely observed in Mexico on Nov. 1 and 2 that celebrates family and friends who have died. You are welcome to bring a photo of your loved one to include in the ofrenda.
And to celebrate Halloween, we hope you’re planning to participate in our annual pumpkin-decorating contest where pumpkins can be carved painted or decorated. Completed pumpkins must be turned in on Monday, Oct. 30, or Tuesday, Oct. 31, by 4 p.m. Winners will be announced on Oct. 31 at 5 p.m. in five age categories: preschool, ages 5-7, ages 8-11, ages 12-17 and adult.
We have a limited number of pumpkins to give out starting Oct. 23. One contest entry per person, please.
Friends pop-up book
sale Saturday
We hope to see you this Saturday, Oct. 21, for the Friends of the Library pop-up book sale in the library’s large meeting room from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
These book sales offer you great bargains and benefit your library with funds for much needed projects and services. Friends members and teachers with ID receive a “buy one, get one” special.
New donations
guidelines
Changing tastes in entertainment sources are reflected in what sells and what does not at the Friends book sales. As a result, they have announced new guidelines for what they will accept as donations from now on:
• 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• No to CDs, DVDs, Blu-ray, VHS or cassette tapes; textbooks;outdated travel books; or reference books.
• No more than two boxes at a time because of space constraints.
The Friends are grateful for your generous donations, but ask that you follow these new guidelines so that they do not need to dispose of materials that will not sell.
Also, a reminder that we ask you leave only magazines published within the last 12 months on the free magazine rack in the front entry. There are no age rules for donated mass media paperbacks also available free in the entry.
Paws to Read tomorrow
Friday, Oct. 20, from 2 to 3 p.m., youngsters are invited to share their favorite books with Muppet or Maple, therapy dogs who love stories, at a free Paws to Read session.
Lifelong Learning
lectures
Every Thursday through Nov. 9, our free fall Lifelong Learning series offers talented speakers talking about a wide variety of interesting topics.
Today, Oct. 19, focuses on communicating with sexual abuse survivors using trauma-informed responses. It will be led by Kathleen Davis, BSN-RN, and is offered to both the public and professionals.
On Oct. 26, Dr. Janice McIntyre and Santos Ocanas will talk about Ruby’s Writers Guild, the weekly writers’ support group that meets every Thursday morning at your library.
On Nov. 2 Donna Wynn will discuss Upper San Juan Search and Rescue, which trains and organizes volunteers in search, rescue and other emergency services.
Nov. 9 will showcase the Project Healing Waters fly-fishing program for disabled veterans and wounded warriors with Paul Wilson, the program lead, a retired wildlife biologist.
Pick up a brochure with more details at your library or go to https://pagosalibrary.org/adult services. Note no registration is required.
Virtual author talks
Our highly popular virtual author talks continue this month with one more opportunity for you to interact with New York Times bestselling authors with an opportunity to ask questions. For details and to register go to https://libraryc.org/pagosalibrary/upcoming.
On Thursday, Oct. 26, at 5 p.m., we’ll meet with John Irving, Academy Award-winning author of multiple bestsellers including “A Prayer for Owen Meany” and “The Cider House Rules,” five of which have become movies.
Reminisce Club
for seniors
Seniors aged 60 and up are invited to explore photos, magazines, special items, dates and events as we reminisce about the “good ol’ days” on Monday, Oct. 23, from 2 to 3:15 p.m. Research shows reminiscing helps reduce symptoms of depression and boasts self-esteem.
Shakespeare read-aloud
Shakespeare fans of all ages are invited to join in reading aloud “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” on Monday, Oct. 23, from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Call Jenny at (240) 426-7887 for more information.
Tween/teen art camp
Monday art classes from 4 to 6 p.m. for teens and tweens will explore a different style or medium. This month it is fiber arts with Linda Lutomski teaching basic weaving and string art. Registration is required.
Dungeons and Dragons
Next Tuesday, Oct. 24, 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.
Elementary tutoring
sessions
Children ages 6-11 are welcome at these free sessions every Wednesday 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 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.
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: 4-5 p.m. is reserved for beginners, 5-6 p.m. for intermediate and 6-7 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 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 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.
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.
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.
Large print
“Clive Cussler’s Condor’s Fury” by Graham Brown is a NUMA Files adventure. “Holly” by Stephen King brings the author’s female PI back to solve multiple disappearances in a Midwestern town in this horror suspense story. “Amazing Grace Adams” by Fran Littlewood features a 45-year-old woman with a mission to win back her estranged 16-year-old daughter. “Payback in Death” by J. D. Robb is an Eve Dallas mystery. “Liar!” by Fern Michaels is a mystery that begins with a clue in an armoire.
Books on CD
“Out of Nowhere” by Sandra Brown is a thriller that begins with a shooter at a Texas county fair. “Blessings of the Lost Girls” by J.A. Jance is a Sheriff Joanna Brady thriller. “Dead on Target” by M.C. Beaton is an Agatha Raisin mystery. “23 ½ Lies” by James Patterson contains three thrillers. “Payback in Death” by J.D. Robb is an Eve Dallas thriller. “The Armor of Light” by Ken Follett is the latest in the Kingsbridge historical series that began with “The Pillars of the Earth.” “Holly” by Stephen King brings the author’s female PI back to solve multiple disappearances in a Midwestern town in this horror suspense story.
Mysteries, suspense
and thrillers
“Traitors Gate” by Jeffrey Archer focuses on a planned theft of the Crown jewels. “The Wolves of Eternity” by Karl Ove Knausgaard follows two people who meet as they are exploring family mysteries.
Other novels
“The Armor of Light” by Ken Follett is the latest in the Kingsbridge historical series that began with “The Pillars of the Earth.” “And Then She Fell” by Alicia Elliott features a young Indigenous woman living with her family in a posh Toronto neighborhood.
DVDs
“Air” is the story of Nike’s Air Jordan brand. “Islands of Wonder” is a documentary about Madagascar, Borneo and Hawaii. “The Lion King” and “The Little Mermaid” are both Disney movies.
Nonfiction
“Elon Musk” by Walter Isaacson is a biography of this billionaire who pioneered electric vehicles and private space exploration — and very controversially bought Twitter. “The Book of (More) Delights” by Ross Gay is a collection of small daily wonders. “Build the Life You Want” by Arthur C. Brooks and Oprah Winfrey offers advice on building happiness no matter how challenging your circumstances. “Texas” is a Lonely Planet travel guide. “This Country” by Navied Mahdavian documents a family’s off-grid life in rural Idaho. “Birnbaum’s Disneyland Resort 2024” is the official vacation guide. “First Gen” by Alejandra Campoverdi is about the author navigating social mobility as a first generation Latina. “The Birds That Changed the World” by naturalist Stephen Moss explores our relationship with birds on all seven continents.
Thanks to our donors
We are grateful to Susan and Terry Arrington for their generous monetary donation. 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.
Quotable quote
“Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around every once in a while, you could miss it.” — Ferris Bueller in the 1986 teen comedy movie “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.”
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.
