Tomorrow, June 21, we will be hosting two free special events:
• Eighth-graders and above are invited to solve a murder mystery from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. where everyone is a suspect and you need to decide who the real murderer is.
Lunch will be provided. Registration is required.
• Young readers aged 6-10 are invited to a Fairy Tale Theatre from 2 to 3:30 p.m., when you can read and act out your favorite characters. “Aesop’s Fables and Fairytales” will be our source for fun stories we will enjoy together.
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.
Virtual author talks
Our highly popular free online author talks continue in June with one more opportunity this month for you to interact live with New York Times bestselling authors and ask questions, or watch later. For details and to register go to https://libraryc.org/pagosalibrary/upcoming.
Thursday, June 20, at noon will feature Tiffany Jewell looking at systemic racism in the American education system.
Adult knitting Saturday
Join new and experienced knitters Saturday, June 22, 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.
Jane Austin 250th birthday series
Monday mornings from 10 a.m. to noon through July 1, local fans of Jane Austen are celebrating the 250th birthday of this beloved English author, whose works include “Pride and Prejudice,” “Sense and Sensibility” and “Emma.”
Each week will feature a different topic, including the author’s life as a woman in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, Regency-era English history, fashion, food and dance. The series highlight will be a tea party and English country dancing. Call Jenny at (240) 426-7887 for more information.
Tween Exploratorium Monday
Mondays in June from 3 to 4 p.m. is Tween Exploratorium, when tweens are invited to get together with friends to explore the world’s geography through maps and flags, travel games and more.
Adult DIY next Tuesday
At the free in-person adult DIY next Tuesday, June 25, from 1 to 2:30 p.m., we will learn the ancient craft of paper rolling, called quilling.
It involves using strips of paper that are rolled, looped, curled, twisted and otherwise manipulated to create different shapes, and then glued together to create decorative designs.
Quilling designs can be used to decorate greeting cards, pictures, boxes or eggs, and to make models, jewelry, mobiles and more. All supplies will be provided. Registration is required.
Dungeons and Dragons
Next Tuesday, June 25, 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.
Teen Camp Half-blood on Wednesday
Wednesdays in June (except for June 19) 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.”
Summer Reading for kids
Thursdays in June from 10 to 11:30 a.m. will be a special time for kids to explore insects, plants, fossils and animals, sometimes with special guests.
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.
Elementary tutoring
Free tutoring for children ages 6-11 will resume in October.
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.
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.
Nonfiction
“A Walk in the Park” by Kevin Fedarko tells of two inexperienced friends who decide to hike the entire length of the Grand Canyon. “Cheaper Faster Better” by climate investor and activist Tom Steyer shows how we can achieve climate solutions. “The Astronomy Handbook” by Govert Schilling is a guide to understanding stars, planets, galaxies and the universe.
“‘F.I.R.E.’ for dummies” by Jackie Cummings is a Wiley guide to help you plan for financial independence and to retire early. “In My Time of Dying” by Sebastian Junger documents the atheist author’s life changes after a near-death experience. “Cast, Catch, Release” by Marina Gibson, a renowned angler and conservationist, describes how to find serenity and purpose through fly-fishing.
Large Print
“Get the Picture” by Bianca Bosker describes the author’s experiences as she learns firsthand from artists how they see the world. “Throne of Grace” by Bob Drury and Tom Clavin is the true story of the legendary Jedediah Smith and the mountain men who explored the American frontier. “Catfish Charlie” by William W. and J.A. Johnstone is book one of a new western series. “Cade McCall: Army Scout” by Robert Vaughan is book five of the western adventure series.
Books on CD
“Southern Man” by Greg Iles is book seven in the Penn Cage series, this one about a man pursuing the presidency. “Clive Cussler The Heist” by Jack Du Brul is an Isaac Bell adventure. “One Perfect Couple” by Ruth Ware is a thriller about five couples trapped on an island with a killer. “Death Valley Duel” by Scott Graham is a National Park mystery about deadly accidents plaguing the world’s toughest trail-running marathon.
Novels
“Allow Me to Introduce Myself” by Onyi Nwabineli features a young woman trying to distance herself from her stepmother’s very public social media empire. “The Messy Life of Jane Tanner” by Brenda Novak tells of a young woman longing for adventure and motherhood. “James” by Percival Everett is a new reimagined look at the life of Huck’s friend Jim.
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
“‘Effortless’ is a myth ... People would say my play was effortless. Most of the time they meant it as a compliment. But it used to frustrate me when they would say, ‘He barely broke a sweat.’ Or ‘Is he even trying?’ The truth is, I had to work very hard to make it look easy ... Yes, talent matters. I’m not going to stand here and tell you it doesn’t. But talent has a broad definition. Most of the time it’s not about having a gift. It’s about having grit.” — Roger Federer, retired Swiss professional tennis player, ranked No. 1 in singles for a record 237 consecutive weeks and winner of 20 singles grand slams, in his 2024 commencement address at Dartmouth on June 9.
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.
