We will host a very special guest speaker at your library next Tuesday, July 9 from 6 to 7:15 p.m. when Scott Graham comes from Durango to spend time with us.
He is the author of the critically acclaimed National Parks mystery series featuring Chuck Bender, an archaeologist, along with his family as they encounter and solve dangerous situations in the iconic parks of the American West.
In addition to being an excellent storyteller, Graham makes sure that the stories in his books illuminate environmental, social justice and historical issues as they unfold.
The books in the series are available at the library for your reading pleasure, the most recent being the just-published “Death Valley Duel.”
Settings in the other books feature nearby national parks including Mesa Verde, Arches, Rocky Mountain, Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Yosemite and Canyonlands.
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 9, at noon will feature a visit to Deckawoo Drive with Mercy Watson, an adventurous pig, by Kate DiCamillo for those in pre-K to second grade.
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.
Library closure
Your library will be closed July 4 for the holiday and early, at 5 p.m., on Monday, July 8, for a staff meeting.
Watch for us in the July Fourth parade
We hope to see you on the Fourth of July parade route. We will have a float featuring staff of the library and foundation as well as some of our volunteers. The theme of the parade is “Back to the Future,” so our theme appropriately will be “Back to the Library.”
Friends book sale
July 11-13 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 to 3 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon.
This book sale offers you great bargains and benefits your library by raising funds for much-needed projects, programs and services.
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.
Teen/tween survival skills
Tomorrow, Friday, July 5, 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.
All-ages gaming tomorrow
Join us Friday, July 5, from 2 to 3:30 p.m. for a free all-ages gaming session playing Xbox on the big screen.
LEGO Club Saturday
Kids aged 6-11 are invited to the free LEGO Club on Saturday, July 6, from 11 a.m. to noon. Bring your own LEGOs or use ours to free build.
Ruby’s Book Club next Tuesday
Ruby’s Book Club will meet from 2 to 3 p.m. on Tuesday, July 9, to discuss “River of the Gods: The Search for the Source of the Nile” by Candace Millard.
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 will be provided.
Dungeons and Dragons
Next Tuesday, July 9, from 4 to 5:30 p.m., join our Dungeons and Dragons game free for teens, tweens and young adults. Create a character and join the adventure. Preregistration is required because space is limited. Contact Josie@pagosalibrary.org to join.
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.
DVDs
“The Madame Blanc Mysteries” is series one. “The Hummingbird Effect” is a PBS Nature documentary about the tiny birds’ positive effect on Costa Rica’s spectacular ecosystems.
Nonfiction
“American Wings” by Sherri L. Smith and Elizabeth Wein is the story of Chicago’s pioneering Black aviators and how they helped to desegregate the skies.
Large Print
“Tom Clancy Act of Defiance” is a Jack Ryan adventure. “In Sunshine or in Shadow” by Rhys Bowen and Clare Broyles is a Molly Murphy mystery. “Westport” by James Comey is a thriller by the former FBI director. “Murder in a Cup” by Lauren Elliot is a Crystals and CuriosiTEAS mystery.
Thrillers, mysteries and suspense
“Talent for Murder” by Peter Swanson tells of a librarian who may have married a serial killer.
Other Novels
“Swan Song” by Elin Hilderbrand is the last in the writer’s series of novels set in Nantucket.
Donation guidelines
Our thanks to Robin Petit 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
“Age is of no importance unless you’re a cheese.” — Billie Burke (1884-1970), American actress who was famous in her day for performing on Broadway, on radio, and in silent and sound films.
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.
