Tomorrow, Friday, Aug. 9, from 2 to 4 p.m. is the free fun Summer Reading Program closing party when we’ll award prizes, celebrate Smokey Bear’s 80th birthday and enjoy ice cream, snacks, cold drinks and fun games out in the garden.
We are partnering with the U.S. Forest Service and the Fire Prevention Education Office to have Smokey Bear at the party for pictures and multiple activities in the afternoon. He arrives at 2:30 p.m. for activities and pictures before the Summer Reading grand prizes ceremony from 3:30 to 4 p.m.
Grand prizes are selected by computer based on the number of entries from completed bingo cards. You do not have to be present to win.
Legal clinics resume
Your library is one of six in our state chosen by the Colorado Access to Justice Commission to restart the free legal clinics.
They will happen from 2 to 3:40 p.m. the second Wednesday of every month starting Aug. 14. We will start with five patrons each month, 20 minutes per patron.
We will use a Zoom platform that can translate from English to the patron’s primary language. To reduce our no-show rate, we will start with just one waitlisted patron per month.
Come to the library to meet privately via Zoom with our volunteer attorney. To schedule an appointment, at the beginning of the month send an email titled “Sign-up for Free Legal Clinic” with your first name and phone number to ruby@pagosalibrary.org, phone (970) 264-2209 or stop by the library.
Early library closure
Your library will close early on Monday, Aug. 12, for a staff meeting at 5 p.m. This is our regular staff meeting schedule — on the second Monday of the month.
Online author talks
Our highly popular free online author talks continue in Aug. with two more opportunities 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.
Thursday, Aug. 15, at noon will showcase Irena Smith, Ph.D., discussing “The Golden Ticket to College Admissions is Not What You Think: Redefining Success for Parents of Teens.”
On Aug. 21 at 5 p.m. we’ll interact with Shelby Van Pelt, novelist and author of “Remarkably Bright Creatures,” about a widow’s unlikely connection with a giant Pacific octopus.
Dungeons and Dragons
Today, Thursday, Aug. 8, from 4 to 5:30 p.m., join our Dungeons and Dragons game free for teens and young adults. Create a character and join the adventure. Preregistration is required because space is limited. Contact Josie@pagosalibrary.org to join.
Teen/tween survival skills
Friday, Aug. 9, from 11 a.m. to noon, teens and tweens are invited to a free session where you can learn some skills you might need if you ever had to survive alone in the wilderness, and make a survival kit that fits in a soap box.
Paws to Read tomorrow
Friday, Aug. 9, from 2 to 3 p.m., youngsters are invited to share their favorite books with Maple, a therapy dog who loves stories, at a free Paws to Read session.
Chess Club Saturday
Learn how to play chess with free quick lessons and game time to practice your skills on Saturday, Aug. 10, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. All ages and abilities are welcome.
Adult knitting Saturday
Join new and experienced knitters Saturday, Aug. 10, 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.
Ruby’s Book Club next Tuesday
Ruby’s Book Club will meet from 2 to 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 13, to discuss “The Old Lion” by Jeff Shaara. Copies are available at your library. This book club is held the second Tuesday of each month, alternating between fiction and nonfiction titles. Anyone is welcome to attend. Snacks provided.
Sensory garden play for kids
Children are invited to a free sensory garden playtime next Wednesday, Aug. 14, from 10 to 11 a.m.
Therapy dog visit
Next Wednesday, Aug. 14, 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.”
Tween rock hounds
Get together with tweens every Wednesday this month from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. for free sessions to uncover the mysteries of gems, minerals, crystals and rocks.
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.
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.
Large print
“The Rom-Commers” by Katherine Center features a wannabe screenwriter. “Shanghai” by Joseph Kanon follows a European Jew escaping after Kristallnacht. “Clete” by James Lee Burke is a Dave Robicheaux detective story. “W.E.B. Griffin Zero Option” by Peter Karanow is a Men at War story. “The Year of What If” by Phaedra Patrick tells of a woman following a fortune teller’s advice. “Beyond Summerland” by Jenny Lecoat is about Nazi collaborators in the Channel Islands. “The Guncle Abroad” by Steven Rowly is book two in the Guncle series.
DVDs
“The Long Game” is the true story of five young Mexican-American caddies. “Ezra” is an endearing story of an autistic boy and his family. “The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare” is a World War II thriller.
Nonfiction
“We Married Adventure” by Gap Pucci tells of a family’s life in the Wyoming wilderness. “Taste of Home Easy Everyday Cooking 2024” contains 400 recipes and tips. “The Nourishing Asian Kitchen” by Sophia Nguyen Eng has 100 garden-to-plate recipes. “The Friday Afternoon Club” by Griffin Dunne is a celebrity memoir by a man who knew them all. “This Ordinary Stardust” by Dr. Alan Townsend is a look at science by a man whose family received two unthinkable medical diagnoses.
Books on CD
“A Refiner’s Fire” by Donna Leon is a Guido Brunetti mystery. “The Infinite Light of Dust” by Anna Todd is the conclusion of the Brightest Stars trilogy. “No Road Home” by John Fram is a thriller featuring a father trying to protect his son. “The Au Pair Affair” by Tessa Bailey is book two of the “Undefined” romance series. “The Summer Pact” by Emily Griffin reunites four college friends after 10 years apart. “I Was a Teenage Slasher” by Stephen Graham Jones is a horror story. “Ezra” features an autistic boy and his hotheaded, divorced dad who learns life lessons from his son.
Novels
“Embers in the London Sky” by Susan Sundin follows a woman separated from her young son in World War II. “Teddy” by Emily Dunlay features the free-spirited wife of an American diplomat in Rome.
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
“A party without a cake is really just a meeting.” — Julia Child (1912-2004), American chef, author and TV personality. She is credited with bringing French cooking skills to the American public with her first cookbook, “Mastering the Art of French Cooking,” and her TV programs.
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.
