We are extremely proud to introduce you to Barb Brattin, your new library director, who has arrived from Wisconsin to take up her post effective next Tuesday, Sept. 3.
She replaces longtime director Meg Wempe, who resigned for a second career in nursing.
Brattin brings an impressive record of educational and practical experience to her new job. She has a BA in history from the University of Akron and a masters of library science from Kent State University, both in Ohio. As well, her energy and enthusiasm make clear she is a positive person who is looking forward to working and living in Pagosa.
For the last 10 years, Brattin has been director of the Kenosha Public Library, with 85 employees, five locations and two bookmobiles. And her accomplishments don’t stop there.
In 2020 her workplace was named Wisconsin Library of the Year. During her tenure she introduced technology and self-service initiatives, implemented online donations and electronic marketing strategies, redesigned outreach services, and led a major capital campaign to finish the library’s fifth location.
In fact, this new fifth library may be her proudest work achievement.
Created especially to serve children in first through fifth grades living in a challenged neighborhood, it combines books and interactive offerings to encourage reading and has attracted widespread use among families.
“I need to have a purpose to my work,” Brattin explained. “I believe libraries can be such a powerful force when they meet the needs of their communities.”
Brattin also played a leadership role in multiple community partnership projects, several at the request of the mayor, resulting in awards including the Outstanding Community Impact Award in 2018.
How were we able to find and attract Brattin to Pagosa? Katie Cloudman, a member of the library’s Board of Trustees, points out that her hiring was the result of an extensive nationwide search. And because Brattin had a strong desire to return to mountain life, she kept an eye on the online Colorado Department of Education job listings.
From 2005-2013, Brattin was director of the Telluride library, where she was named Colorado Librarian of the Year in 2007. Back then she had heard of Pagosa and been here for short periods of time.
Much as she loved life in the Midwest, on her visits as part of the interview and hiring process she felt a sense of purpose here.
“I could sense from meeting the trustees and staff that this mountain town had my kind of caring, competent and smart people,” she said.
She looks forward to hiking, cross-country skiing and “immersing myself in nature” — including gardening, a pastime she greatly enjoys.
Brattin has purchased a house in the Chris Mountain area. Last week she arrived with dog Gigi and cat Garfield, and they have been busy moving in to their new home.
Sons Neil and Eric live with their families in Louisiana and in the Washington, D.C., area.
On behalf of the library’s Board of Trustees, Cloudman said, “We looked long and hard and hoped to find the best, and we believe it was ‘mission accomplished’ when we found Barb. She brings a full arsenal of fabulous ideas and we are incredibly lucky to get her.”
Please welcome Brattin to her new community and her new job the next time you come to the library.
Library closure
Your library will close early on Monday, Sept. 2, for Labor Day.
Writers Guild publishes anthology
Ruby’s Writers Guild has just published a new anthology, “Tales from the San Juans,” which the members say includes “life musings, creative short fiction, retrospectives, poetry, novellas and short observations — all inspired by the beauty that surrounds us.”
The book is available at the library for $21.50, with net proceeds going to the library’s building campaign.
Every Thursday from 9 to 11 a.m., the guild welcomes writers looking for opportunities, support, resources and camaraderie with other writers at this free gathering.
Save the date for hiking safety
Come hear guidelines and helpful tips for hiking safety in our wilderness environs from members of our local San Juan Outdoor Club and the Upper San Juan Search and Rescue organization next Thursday, Sept. 5, from 6 to 7:15 p.m.
The Archuleta County Sheriff Office’s emergency management team may also be present to answer your questions about its role in assisting persons lost in our mountains.
Craftapalooza tomorrow
All ages are invited to create a variety of crafts Friday, Aug. 30. We will have several free different craft stations set up. Stop by anytime from 2 to 3:30 p.m.
Tie-dye event tomorrow
Tweens and teens are invited to come by to create some new looks for the school year at a free tie-dye extravaganza Friday, Aug. 30, from 4 to 5 p.m.
CPR class Saturday
The EMS team from Pagosa Springs Medical Center will be at the library on Saturday, Aug. 31, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for a free hands-only CPR class.
They will review CPR and first aid knowledge, and you can practice skills and ask questions.
The session will also cover the Good Samaritan Law so that you will comfortable using these skills when they are needed.
Please note this is a knowledge-based program — you will not be certified in CPR by taking this class.
Spanish conversation
Practice your Spanish in a free group setting on Tuesday, Sept. 3, 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.
Medicare intro
Learn about Medicare coverage and how to sign up and navigate the Medicare system on Wednesday, Sept. 4, from 1 to 2:30 p.m. in a presentation by Caryn Hill of the San Juan Basin Area Agency on Aging as you continue on or enroll in Medicare.
Family storytime
Wednesdays from 10 to 11 a.m., join a free educational hour of reading, singing and free play to build early literacy skills.
Teen/tween activity
Join us in the teen area every Wednesday after school from 4 to 4:30 p.m. this month for a fun craft or challenge. Activities will range from taste tests to art challenges to minute-to-win-it-style games.
Dungeons and Dragons
Today, Thursday, Sept. 5, 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.
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.
Novels
“A Season of Harvest” by Lauraine Snelling is book four in the Leah’s Garden series. “The Sweet Blue Distance” by Sara Donati features a woman who helps new mothers. “All My Secrets” by Lynn Austin is a Gilded Age novel about three generations of women in 1890’s New York.
Donation guidelines
We are very grateful to the End-of-Life group for its donations for the use of our space.
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 mind always employed is happy. The idle are the only wretched.” — Thomas Jefferson, third U.S. president and primary author of the Declaration of Independence.
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.
