Starting today, Thursday, July 11, and running through the weekend is the Friends of the Library annual book sale at the Community United Methodist Church at 434 Lewis St.
Early bird sales and a potluck for Friends members only is Thursday evening from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The general public is welcome Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon.
You’ll find a wide variety of new and gently used fiction and nonfiction titles from children’s books to cookbooks and many more at excellent prices.
This event also offers an excellent opportunity for you to become a Friend of the Library. Annual membership is $15 for individuals and $25 per family. A lifetime membership is $150. To become a member, email cindi@pagosalibrary.org, go to www.pagosalibrary.org or sign up at your library. You can also become a member at the door of the event.
This book sale is a wonderful opportunity for you to buy books for yourself, your family and for gifts at amazingly low prices while helping your library continue to thrive.
The sale raises funds for much-needed library projects, programs and services.
Special housing voucher program
Next Tuesday, July 16, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Housing Solutions of the Southwest will be here to help you to complete an application for eligibility in their programs.
Applying does not guarantee a voucher. Applicants must be at or below the extremely low-income guidelines set for the county by HUD (the federal government’s Department of Housing and Urban Development).
If you have questions, contact Housing Solutions of the Southwest at (970) 259-1086 or email housing@swsolutions.com.
Virtual author talks
Our highly popular free online author talks are taking a special turn for the month of July as they feature people and books aimed at children, tweens and teens.
These sessions offer unique opportunities to interact with New York Times bestselling authors and ask questions. Please see below for details and the ages each talk is aimed at. For more details and to register, go to https://libraryc.org/pagosalibrary/upcoming.
Tuesday, July 16 at noon will showcase “The Last Kids on Earth” and Max Brallier for those in third through sixth grades.
On Tuesday, July 23, at noon, bestselling author Elizabeth Acevedo will talk about the learning power of poetry to those in ninth to 12 grades.
Tuesday, July 30, at noon, Dan Santat will explain how to tell your own story in a graphic novel to fifth- through eighth-graders.
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.
Hiking safety event next Thursday
On July 18 from 6 to 7:15 p.m., members of our local San Juan Outdoor Club will offer guidelines and helpful tips for hiking safety in our wilderness.
As well, members of the Upper San Juan Search and Rescue organization and the Archuleta County Sheriff’s Office’s emergency management team will be present to answer questions about their work and their roles in assisting persons lost in the mountains.
Fairy Tale Theatre tomorrow
All ages are invited to a Fairy Tale Theatre from 2 to 3:30 p.m. tomorrow, July 12, when you can read and act out your favorite characters.
Aesop’s fables and fairy tales will be our source for fun stories we will enjoy together.
Chess Club Saturday
Learn how to play chess with free quick lessons and game time to practice your skills on Saturday, July 13, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. All ages and abilities are welcome.
Adult knitting Saturday
Join new and experienced knitters Saturday, July 13, 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.
Knitting and crochet lessons
Learn to knit or crochet on Monday, July 15, at our free gathering from 2 to 3:15 p.m. for ages 8 and up. Supplies will be provided.
Music fun Monday
Pagosa Unplugged is free from 4 to 6 p.m. Monday, July 15, for amateur musicians who would like a safe, supportive, non-bar setting to play, sing or both with other people. For information, contact Susan at (970) 946-3396.
Adult DIY next Tuesday
At the free in-person adult DIY next Tuesday, July 16, from 1 to 2:30 p.m., you will learn how to make a gratitude jar of inspirational, comforting or thoughtful quotes for yourself or as a gift. As always, we’ll supply the materials.
Spanish conversation
Practice your Spanish in a free group setting on Tuesday, July 16, from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. There is no minimum skill level needed.
This group meets twice a month, on the first and third Tuesdays.
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.”
Dungeons and Dragons
Next Tuesday, July 18, from 4 to 5:30 p.m., join our Dungeons and Dragons game free for teens, tweens 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 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.
Local authors
“Chaco Culture at Chimney Rock” by Dr. Susan Fischer and Howard Rowe is a guide to our almost-local national monument that is an archaeological site covering 7 square miles. It showcases 200 ancient homes and ceremonial buildings celebrating life of the Ancient Puebloans more than a thousand years ago. Fischer, a resident of Pagosa, is a retired professor from the University of Texas and a current interpretive tour guide at Chimney Rock. Rowe, a resident of Bayfield, is an avid photographer and interactive video maker and an active volunteer at Chimney Rock.
Nonfiction
“Chamber Divers” by Rachel Lance is the previously classified story of researchers who invented cutting-edge underwater reconnaissance tools that helped lead the Allies to D-Day victory. “The Complete Book of Boondock RVing” by Bill and Jan Moeller is a guide to camping off the beaten path, without hookups, and avoiding crowded RV parks. “Van Life” by Sarah Leamy tells of a woman, her two pups and a cat exploring the West and meeting people as they go. “Massacre at Oradour-sur-Glane” by Vincent DePaul Lapiano documents the total destruction of a French town and its people because of a Nazi search for gold.
Books on CD
“The Unvanquished” by Patrick K. O’Donnell explores the irregular guerrilla warfare that altered the course of the Civil War and inspired the origins of America’s modern special ops forces. “Clete” by James Lee Burke is the latest in the Dave Robicheaux series, this one dealing with drug smugglers. “Shanghai” by Joseph Kanon is a thriller set in pre-World War II Shanghai.
Large Print
“We’ve Got Issues” by Phillip C. McGraw offers advice and tools to fight back against the forces of division in the U.S. “What Would Reagan Do?” by Chris Christie and Ellis Henican looks at how Reagan’s political instincts and relationships across party lines can restore American leadership. “The Man from Waco” by William W. and J.A. Johnstone is book one in a new western series. “Summer’s Lease” by John D. Nesbitt is a western set in Wyoming.
Donation guidelines
Our thanks to Gloria Flynn for materials 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.
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
“Everybody has a plan until they get punched in the face.” — Mike Tyson, American professional boxer.
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.
