This evening, Thursday, July 25 from 6 to 7:15 p.m., Ethan Proud, Archuleta County land and weed supervisor, will discuss land stewardship, invasive plants and our responsibilities in Colorado at a special free event for adults.
Then, tomorrow, Friday, July 26, from 2 to 3:30 p.m. at a free all-ages session, we’ll learn about the fascinating history of the first 20-mule team that hauled borax 165 miles through the Mojave Desert in the late 1800s. Fully loaded, the two ore wagons and a 1,200-gallon water wagon weighed 36.5 tons.
Carl, a 20-year Pagosa resident, first became fascinated with mule trains as a youngster in Pennsylvania in the l950s when he sent for a model by mailing in cereal box coupons. Later he found a model kit when he was a volunteer ranger at Death Valley National Park. He will show us his handmade model of an ore wagon as he relates the history of this vital transportation mode until the expansion of the railway led to the mule team’s retirement.
Virtual author talk for kids, teens
There is one more of our highly popular free online author talks that took a special turn for the month of July as they feature people and books aimed at children, tweens and teens.
Tuesday, July 30, at noon, Dan Santat will explain how to tell your own story in a graphic novel to those in fifth through eighth grades. These sessions offer unique opportunities to interact with New York Times bestselling authors and ask questions.
For more details and to register, go to https://libraryc.org/pagosalibrary/upcoming .
Summer Reading Program underway
“Adventure Begins at your Library” is the theme of this year’s free all-ages Summer Reading Program underway now.
You can choose your own adventure from the Smokey Bear reading challenge celebrating Smokey’s 80th birthday, a travel journal challenge where you document your experiences as you try new things and visit new places in the area, and a Camp Ruby Sisson bingo challenge that brings back our much-loved bingo sheets.
Prizes are available for all ages for each week of summer reading activities completed, and those results also put your name into a raffle for the grand prize at the concluding party on Aug. 9, Smokey’s birthday.
Sign up now in person or online and watch for details in this “Library News” column of all the fun free summer reading events coming your way.
Paws to Read tomorrow
Friday, July 26, 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.
Adult knitting Saturday
Join new and experienced knitters Saturday, July 27, 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.
Teen Camp Half-blood Wednesday
Wednesdays in July from 1 to 2:30 p.m. is Camp Half-blood for teens. It is based on the very popular Percy Jackson novels and will allow young fans to participate in escape room-style activities centered around Greek myths, just like Percy Jackson.
Each week teens will be presented with puzzles and STEM challenges like “Create a device that will locate and capture the bugs that escaped from Pandora’s box” or “Arachne left webs to help you find a way through a secret passage in the labyrinth.”
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.
Special kids sessions
Thursdays from 10 to 11:30 a.m., kids are invited to a special time exploring insects, plants, fossils and animals.
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.
Thrillers, suspense and mysteries
“Home is Where the Bodies Are” by Jeneva Rose is a thriller about skeletons in a family’s closet. “The Nature of Disappearing” by Kimi Cunningham Grant features a woman who leaves her new life to search for an old friend. “Some Murders in Berlin” by Karen Robards tells of a psychological profiling expert summoned to help solve murders. “You’ll Never Find Me” by Allison Brennon is the first in a new crime series featuring PI Margo Angelhart. “Market for Murder” by Heather Graham is a Blackbird murder mystery set in Scotland.
Other novels
“While the Town Slept” by William W. and J.A. Johnstone is part of the Deputy U.S. Marshal Tim Colter western series. “Temptation of the Force” by Tessa Gratton is a Star Wars High Republic story. “The Which Way Tree” by Elizabeth Crook follows a young girl tracking a panther who killed her mother. “End of Active Service” by Matt Young follows a Marine adjusting to postwar life with a wife and baby. “Resurrection” by Danielle Steel focuses on a woman remaking her life after her 20-year marriage ends unexpectedly. “Canyonlands Carnage” by Scott Graham is the latest in the author’s national parks mystery series. “The Briar Club” by Kate Quinn is set in an all-women’s boarding house in Washington, D.C., during the McCarthy era.
Books on CD
“The Burning” by Linda Castillo features Police Chief Kate Burkholder investigating a murder in Amish country. “Dog Day Afternoon” by David Rosenfelt is an Andy Carpenter mystery featuring rescue dogs. “The Briar Club” by Kate Quinn is set in an all-women’s boarding house in Washington, D.C., during the McCarthy era. “Flashpoint” by Catherine Coulter is an FBI thriller.
Nonfiction
“How to Knit” by Tina Barrett provides techniques and projects for the complete beginner. “Certified Media Assistant Exam Prep Book 2023-2024” is a Mometrix test preparation guide. “The Final Pandemic” by Dr. Mark and Dr. Samantha Bailey examines claims relating to contagious disease outbreaks. “Beautiful Jim Key” by Mim Eichler Rivas is the story of a horse with exceptional skills and the I.Q. of a sixth-grader.
Donation guidelines
We are grateful for the generous donation from Patti Howard and Don Logan in Victoria, Canada, in memory of Bob Howard.
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
“One of the functions of comedy is to help people get past a difficult time and move on with their life. And one of the greatest sounds in the world is laughter. I fell in love with laughter after I first heard it and so after many years I’m still doing comedy.” — Bob Newhart (1929-2024), comedian and actor known for his deadpan and stammering delivery style. He won three Grammy awards, an Emmy and a Golden Globe.
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.
