By Carole Howard | PREVIEW Columnist, and the library staff
Starting this evening, Thursday, Oct. 5, from 6 to 7:15 p.m. and happening every Thursday through Nov. 9, our free fall Lifelong Learning series will offer you talented speakers talking about a wide variety of interesting topics:
• Today’s topic is “Water Fluency 101: Developing a water-fluent community” with Josh Kurz, who has a B.S. in watershed science and an M.S. in science education.
• Oct. 12 will feature Connie Cook, deputy chief of the Pagosa Springs Medical Center’s EMS (Emergency Medical Services) unit, explaining the many EMS services to our community.
• Oct. 19 will focus 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 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.
Early library closure
Your library will close early on Monday, Oct. 9, for a staff meeting at 5 p.m. This is our regular new staff meeting schedule — on the second Monday of the month.
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.
Upgrades to
library website
When you access the library’s website these days, you will notice several changes.
On the content side, our website will now be 100 percent compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Examples of improvement for people with sight issues include better color contrast in artwork. As well, if a patron is using a special software to “read” the website, that reader will now pick up words embedded in the pictures. In addition, for the hearing impaired we now will have captions on any videos posted on the site.
We’ve taken this opportunity to redesign multiple visual elements throughout the site, making it more open, less crowded and easier to navigate.
The wide blue borders on the left and right will be gone, opening up the layout to bigger elements for easier reading. The banner and tabs at the top remain, but there are some changes to the sections underneath. For example, AspenCat stays, but the other two boxes are now Calendar and Programs with links that take you to the current monthly calendar and to adult, teen and children’s activities as well as to adult education and ESL (English as a second language).
Virtual author talks
Our highly popular virtual author talks continue this month with three opportunities 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.
Tuesday, Oct. 10, at 2 p.m. will feature guidebook author and tour guide Rick Steves discussing European travel tips and tools.
On Wednesday, Oct. 18, at noon we’ll interact with Ruth Ware, British author of psychological thrillers like “The It Girl” and “The Woman in Cabin 10.”
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.
Rhythm and rhymes
tomorrow
Youngsters aged 1-5 are invited to a free music-based storytime with lots of movement and singing tomorrow, Friday, Oct. 6, from 10 to 11 a.m.
Super Mario tomorrow
If you love playing Mario Kart, play in real life at this drop-in program Friday, Oct. 6, from 2 to 4 p.m.
Special teen hangout tomorrow
We are setting aside the large meeting room for teens and tweens to use and spend time with friends tomorrow, Friday, Oct., 6 from 4 to 6 p.m.
Family crafts
event Saturday
Join us Saturday, Oct. 7, from 10 a.m. to noon for Craftapalooza, a fun, free family crafts event for families with children aged 3 and up. Create a variety of crafts at more than 10 different craft stations. Stop by anytime during those two hours and stay as long as you want.
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.
Shakespeare Read
Aloud Club
Monday, Oct. 9, from 3:30 to 5 p.m., the new free all-ages Shakespeare Read Aloud Club will meet for “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” Adults, teens and children are invited to gather to read the play aloud together, with different roles chosen and discussed at each session. Participants can play one character or mix it up and be many. Bring your own copy of the play or borrow one of the library’s copies. The club will use the “No Fear Shakespeare” version with the original text on one page and the modern English translation on the other.
This new club is being organized by Jenny, a Pagosa resident with a lifelong interest in Shakespeare and the theater. Drop in for one meeting, several or all gatherings. Costumes are optional. For more information, contact Jenny at (240) 426-7887.
Ruby’s Book
Club Tuesday
Ruby’s Book Club will meet from 2 to 3 p.m. next Tuesday, Oct. 10, to discuss “Win” by Harlan Coban. Copies are available at your library. This free book club is held the second Tuesday of each month, alternating between fiction and nonfiction titles. Anyone is welcome to attend and snacks are provided.
Dungeons and Dragons
Next Tuesday, Oct. 10, 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.
Therapy dog visit
Next Wednesday, Oct. 11, from 11 to 11:45 a.m., you are invited to come to the library for a free visit with a certified therapy dog. Visits are limited to 10-15 minutes — just the right amount of time to pet the dog, read to the dog or just say “Hi.” This is an all-ages activity.
Solar eclipses
Join the San Juan Stargazers Wednesday, Oct. 11, from 4 to 5:30 p.m. for a presentation on the upcoming solar eclipses assisted by our local Girl Scouts.
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.
Home-school enrichment
Grades two through five are invited to learn about solar eclipses next Thursday, Oct. 12, from 11 a.m. to noon as you build your own eclipse viewer.
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 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 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. Note there will be no PALS/GED Oct. 10.
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.
Local authors
“Decoying Big Game” by local author Judd Cooney describes successful tactics for luring deer, elk, bears and other animals into gun or bow range. He is a longtime guide for both hunters and photographers, and his book is a resource for both beginning and experienced hunters.
“Hungry Shoes” by Sue Boggio and Mare Peart is a novel about two adolescent psychiatric unit patients who navigate the surreal world of their fellow patients thanks to support from staff, especially veteran psychiatrist Mary Swenson. The authors grew up together in Iowa and are retired after long careers in health care at the University of New Mexico.
Essay collection
“The Deadline” by Jill Lepore is a collection of 46 essays offering a view of American life and letters, politics and technology, law and society.
Nonfiction
“From Deedle to Dr. Judy” by Judith Oppenheimer, a retired pediatrician, is a memoir of the daughter of J. Robert Oppenheimer. “Chronic Pain Reset” by Dr. Afton L. Hassett is a guide to simple actions that help you solve your pain issues. “No Meat Required” by Alicia Kennedy is a history of plant-based eating in the U.S. “Sure, I’ll Join Your Cult” by comedian Maria Bamford is a memoir about show business, mental health and the comfort of belief systems. “Football Done Right” by three-time Super Bowl winner Michael Lombardi uses history and personal experience to explore the best of the NFL.
“The Blue Zones Secrets for Living Longer” by Dan Buettner explores the five places on earth where people live the longest. “Roadside Geology in Colorado” by Felicie Williams and Halka Chronic is the third edition of this guide, now in full color with photos, maps and diagrams. “Rocky Mountain Flora” by James Ells is a Colorado Mountain Club field guide. “Colorado Wildlife” by Todd Telander is a Falcon pocket field guide to 90 of the most common wildlife in this region. “Yellowstone” by Gabriel “Gator” Gilbeau is the official Dutton Ranch family cookbook from the hit TV series written by the show’s caterer.
Books on CD
“The Girl in the Eagle’s Talons” by Karin Smirnoff is the latest in the Lisbeth Salander thriller series. “Lion & Lamb” by James Patterson and Duane Swierczynski features rival PIs working the same case in Philadelphia.
Thanks to our donors
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 take fiction published in 2013 or newer and nonfiction from 2018 or newer. Limited workroom space means we can only accept one or two small boxes at a time.
Quotable quote
“Never underestimate the power you have to take your life in a new direction.” — Germany Kent, journalist, TV personality, former beauty queen and businesswoman.
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.
