This is the big weekend for our all-ages LEGO contest.
Submissions must be turned in by 6 p.m. tomorrow, Friday, Dec. 29. Then, on Saturday, Dec. 30, at noon, after LEGO Club, winners will be announced and prizes awarded for five different age groups: preschool, ages 5-7, ages 8-11, ages 12-17, and age 18 and up.
Entries must be built ahead of time and they must be of your own creation, not a LEGO kit or from another source. Also, no Technic or motorized pieces.
Entries cannot be larger than 18 inches by 18 inches by 18 inches. Any questions? Ask at your library or phone (970) 264-2209.
Library closure
Your library will be closed New Year’s Day so that staff can celebrate with their loved ones.
Special crystal energy event for teens
Next Friday, Jan. 5, 2024, from 2 to 4 p.m., teens are invited to a special crystal energy session where you will learn about the chakras and the crystals that relate to each of them, and how to feel energy beyond the physical. This is a onetime special event that will be led by Amma Lee, a practicing chakra clearing/crystal healer.
Special event for Friends
Friends of the Library will gather Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024, at 5 p.m. at the library to enjoy pizza and sodas while getting to know other Friends.
You will learn about our plans for 2024 and how you can get involved. Please RSVP to cindi@pagosalibrary.org by Jan. 8, 2024.
Online author talks
Our highly popular free online author talks continue with three more opportunities for you to interact with New York Times bestselling authors and ask questions in January. For details and to register, go to https://libraryc.org/pagosalibrary/upcoming.
Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024, at 6 p.m. will feature “Embrace Love in the New Year: A Heartfelt Conversation with Rebecca Serle.”
Jan. 23, 2024, at noon will showcase a conversation with Rajiv Nagaich, author of “Your Retirement.”
On Jan. 30, 2024, at noon we will talk with Dr. Robert Lustig, author of “The Lure and the Lies of Processed Food, Nutrition and Modern Medicine.”
Gaming tomorrow
Enjoy free all-ages, age-appropriate video gaming on the Xbox, Wii and other game systems tomorrow, Friday, Dec. 29, from 2 to 4 p.m. We mostly feature team or active games.
Spanish conversation
Practice your Spanish in a free group setting on Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024, 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.
Dungeons and Dragons
Next Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024, 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.
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’ 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 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 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 is needed for these drop-in sessions, but it is important that you bring both your device’s charger and also your device 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. PALS stands for Pagosa Adult Learning Services. Note there will be no PALS Jan. 2.
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.
Books on CD
“Unnatural Death” by Patricia Cornwall is a Dr. Kay Scarpetta forensic thriller. “Alex Cross Must Die” by James Patterson is the latest in this series. “The Corsican Shadow” by Clive Cussler is a Dirk Pitt NUMA adventure. “Inheritance” by Nora Roberts is book one of a new Lost Bride trilogy. “Just One” by Karen Kingsbury is a World War II love story.
DVDs
“Sandman” is the complete first season. “The Eight Mountains” reunites two estranged friends in the Italian Alps. “Little Bird” is a documentary about a First Nations woman researching her past after adoption. We have two DVDs with the PBS Masterpiece mystery “Endeavour” series — the pilot and seasons one through five, and seasons six through nine.
Mysteries, thrillers and suspense
“Unnatural Death” by Patricia Cornwall is a Dr. Kay Scarpetta forensic thriller. “The Watchmaker’s Hand” by Jeffery Deaver is a Lincoln Rhyme and Amelia Sachs thriller.
Other novels
“Ball at Versailles” by Danielle Steel features four American debutantes attending the Paris cotillion. “Queen Charlotte” by Julia Quinn and Shonda Rhimes is a romance about a king and queen in the 1760s. “Meet Me at the Lake” by Carley Fortune reunites two lovers who meet again 10 years later. “Iron Flame” by Rebecca Yarros is the second book in the fantasy Empyrean series.
Thanks to our donors
We are grateful to Joan Rohwer and to Carol and Roger Sheets for their generous monetary donations.
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 recently announced new guidelines for what they will accept as 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
“Little Richard had an enormous religious background, and that background is essential to his work. Of course, Elvis also. These were people with gospel roots. They sang religious music in their spare time. They were people who were looking for a way to incorporate their beliefs [into their music]. I find that to be essential in their work and also in mine. The pure imagery in the Bible that I studied for one hour every day [as a child] just took you there ... I still go to the religious ... to draw me into the highest part of myself and do my best work.” — Bruce Springsteen, rock singer, songwriter and guitarist nicknamed “The Boss,” who has released 21 studio albums, most with the E Street Band, during his six-decade musical career.
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.
