By Carole Howard | PREVIEW Columnist, and the library staff
We are launching a new free Great Stories Club for teens beginning Nov. 10, thanks to your Ruby Sisson Library being selected one of 58 libraries nationwide to participate in this innovative reading and discussion program sponsored by the American Library Association with support from the National Endowment for the Humanities.
As part of the Great Stories Club effort, staff from the Ruby Sisson Library will partner with the San Juan Mountain School and Pagosa Community Initiative to work with teens to read and discuss stories that explore questions of race, equity, identity and history.
The four books included in this grant will be “Dreaming in Indian: Contemporary Native Voices” edited by Lisa Charleyboy and Mary Beth Leatherdale, “Between the World and Me” by Ta-Nehisi Coates, “Always Running: La Vida Loca, Gang Days in L.A.” by Luis J. Rodriguez and “American Street” by Ibi Zobo.
The titles were selected to inspire teens — especially those facing difficult circumstances or challenges — to consider “big questions” about the world around them and their place in it.
“We are very excited to offer opportunities for the teens in our community to engage with literature, and this grant will help us do that,” said Josie Snow, assistant director and teen services librarian.
To offer this special program, your library is receiving a $500 grant and 11 copies of each of the books, which will be gifted to the book club participants. Library staff also will receive online training and an array of program resources and support throughout the grant term, which runs from November to May.
There will be one discussion per book, plus a final gallery at the end of all four sessions. Teens can sign up just for the sessions that interest them, based on the subject matter of the book being discussed, or for all four.
The first session of the Great Stories Club is set for Nov. 10 and the first book to be featured is “Dreaming in Indian.”
Registration for this book’s discussion opens Nov. 1 to give participants time to pick up their copy and read the book before the first gathering.
Pumpkin-decorating contest
To celebrate Halloween, we hope you’re planning to participate in our annual pumpkin decorating contest where pumpkins can be carved, painted or decorated.
Completed pumpkins must be turned in next Monday, Oct. 30, or Tuesday, Oct. 31, by 4 p.m. Winners will be announced on Oct. 31 at 5 p.m. in five age categories: preschool, ages 5-7, ages 8-11, ages 12-17 and adult.
We have a limited number of pumpkins to give out. One contest entry per person, please.
Lifelong Learning lectures
Every Thursday through Nov. 9, our free fall Lifelong Learning series offers talented speakers talking about a wide variety of interesting topics.
Today, Oct. 26, Dr. Janice McIntyre and Santos Ocanas will talk about Ruby’s Writers Guild, the weekly writers’ support group that meets every Thursday morning at your library.
On Nov. 2, Donna Wynn will discuss Upper San Juan Search and Rescue, which trains and organizes volunteers in search, rescue and other emergency services.
Nov. 9 will showcase the Project Healing Waters fly-fishing program for disabled veterans and wounded warriors with Paul Wilson, the program lead and a retired wildlife biologist.
Pick up a brochure with more details at your library or go to https://pagosalibrary.org/adult services. No registration is required.
Virtual author talks
Our highly popular virtual author talks continue with opportunities for you to interact with New York Times bestselling authors and ask questions. For details and to register, go to https://libraryc.org/pagosalibrary/upcoming.
Today, Thursday, Oct. 26, at 5 p.m., we’ll meet with John Irving, Academy Award-winning author of multiple bestsellers including “A Prayer for Owen Meany” and “The Cider House Rules,” five of which have become movies.
Next Thursday, Nov. 1, at 6 p.m. will feature a conversation with actor John Stamos, TV actor in shows such as “General Hospital” and “Full House.”
Video gaming tomorrow
Play free age-appropriate video games on an Xbox, Wii and other game systems tomorrow, Friday, Oct. 27, from 2 to 4 p.m.
LEGO Club Saturday
Kids aged 6-11 are invited to bring your imaginations on Saturday, Oct. 28, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. for the free LEGO Club. Bring your own LEGOs or use ours.
Adult knitting Saturday
Join new and experienced knitters this Saturday, Oct. 28, 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.
Tween/teen art camp
Monday art classes from 4 to 6 p.m. for teens and tweens will explore a different style or medium. This month it is fiber arts with Linda Lutomski teaching basic weaving and string art. Registration is required.
Elementary tutoring sessions
Children ages 6-11 are welcome at these free sessions every Wednesday from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. where they will build essential skills in core subjects. Preregistration is required.
Family storytimes
Wednesdays from 10 to 11 a.m., join us for a free educational hour of reading, singing and free play to build early literacy skills.
Writers’ support group
Thursdays from 9-11 a.m., Ruby’s Writers Guild welcomes writers looking for opportunities, support, resources and camaraderie with other writers at this free gathering.
ESL class times
Free in-person evening classes take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and there is a change in the way the time is divided: 4 to 5 p.m. is reserved for beginners, 5 to 6 p.m. for intermediate and 6 to 7 p.m. for advanced students. Please help us spread the word about these classes to others in our community who would be interested, and contact us by phone or email if you have any questions.
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 any of the library’s online resources. No appointment needed for these drop-in sessions, but it is important that you bring your device’s charger with you.
PALS/GED adult education
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 author
“Revenge for Sale/second edition” by Chuck Howey is a thriller about a lawyer who makes a living by selling revenge to badly treated ex-wives. The author grew up on a Colorado farm and ranch, became an electronics designer in Silicon Valley, and has returned to the farm where he, his wife and three children love the space, quiet and beautiful view.
DVDs
“Past Lives” features two South Koreans who are reunited in New York for a romantic week. “Fair Play” makes the invisible care work historically done by women visible. “Elemental” is a Disney Pixar animated film. “Abbott Elementary” is a comedy set in a public school.
Nonfiction
“The Last Politician” by Franklin Foer is an inside look at President Joe Biden’s first two years in the White House. “The Democrat Party Hates America” by Mark R. Levin is this Fox News host’s analysis of the Democrat agenda. “It’s On Me” by Sara Kuburic is a guide to identifying self-loss and dealing with it. “Generation Anxiety” by Dr. Lauren Cook is a millennial and Gen Z guide to staying afloat in an uncertain world.
Large print
“Mrs. Porter Calling” by AJ Pearce is focused on trying to save a magazine after it gets a new publisher. “A Short Rope For a Tall Man” by Nate Morgan is a Carson Stone western. “Cimarron” by Andrew McBride is a western set in the Arizona Territory. “The Last Honest Man” by James Risen explores the CIA, FBI, mafia and the Kennedys from the point of view of the investigation by Sen. Frank Church of Idaho. “The Devils Will Get No Rest” by James B. Conroy details the 1943 Casablanca Conference attended by President Franklin Roosevelt and Prime Minister Winston Churchill.
Mysteries, suspense and thrillers
“Escape from Incel Island” by Margaret Killjoy features two female special ops mercenaries.
Other novels
“The Heirloom” by Beverly Lewis is a romance set in Amish country. “The Museum of Failures” by Thrity Umrigar is a family drama set in India based on secrets a mother kept from her son. “Memory and Desire” by Philip Caputo begins in Key West when two longtime friends discover stranded Cuban refugees. “The Wren, the Wren” by Ann Enright focuses on the influence of a grandfather’s poems on three generations of Irish women.
Thanks to our donors
We are grateful to Mark Langford for his generous monetary donation.
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.
The Friends recently announced new guidelines for what they will accept as 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.
• No more than two boxes at a time because of space constraints.
Quotable quote
“Somewhere along the way we must learn there is nothing greater than to do something for others.” — Martin Luther King Jr.
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.
