By Carole Howard
PREVIEW Columnist, and the library staff
Everyone agrees that it’s essential that all children be encouraged to read. When reading is difficult for them, so is almost everything else. As kids get to be better readers, every subject from math to history becomes more accessible — and practice is the only way to get there.
So, how to make that happen? A New York Times article by KJ Dell’Antonia looks at the pros and cons of bribing your children to read.
Some parents use bribery, paying in currencies ranging from toys to screen time to cash. But many studies show that tactic can backfire as some kids stop reading when the rewards dry up, while those who aren’t rewarded carry on reading just for fun.
But other experts agree that rewards can be useful, especially for younger learners who may benefit from a jump start or a short-term intervention.
Dr. Edward L. Deci, professor of psychology at the University of Rochester, said nonmaterial rewards may be the most effective. An excursion with a parent to the library, or a special time reading together and discussing books, convey the importance of reading because your valuable time has become the currency.
Money may be motivating, but so is living in a home where books and reading are part of family life.
Reading together, choosing books, talking about words and stories, even going to the library, is a lot harder than taking a dollar out of our wallets. But, it is probably more valuable in the long run.
Your library offers lots of free opportunities for you to make reading rewarding for your youngsters. You’ll find them listed every week in this “Library News” column.
Library closure
Your library will be closed next Tuesday, Nov. 7, for a staff development day.
First book available for teen Great Stories Club
Registration is now open and interested teens can pick up your book for the first session of our new free Great Stories Club, which will run from November to May.
The initial book is “Dreaming in Indian: Contemporary Native Voices,” edited by Lisa Charleyboy and Mary Beth Leatherdale. It is being gifted to book club participants. Our discussion will celebrate Indigenous voices and artists in our community.
Picking up the book now gives participants time to read it before the discussion from 5:30 to 8 p.m. on Nov. 10. Pizza and beverages will be provided.
In addition to “Dreaming in Indian,” the other three books will be “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.
There will be one separate 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.
Lifelong Learning lectures
There are two more Thursday talks in our free fall Lifelong Learning series that offers talented speakers talking about a wide variety of interesting topics.
Today, 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, who is a retired wildlife biologist.
Pick up a brochure with more details at your library or go to https://www.pagosalibrary.org/adults. 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.
Thursday, Nov. 9, at noon will feature “Get Good with Money and Reach Your Financial Goals” with Tiffany “The Budgetnista” Aliche.
Thursday, Nov. 16, at 2 p.m. will showcase a conversation with Poet Laureate Joy Harjo.
On Thursday, Nov. 30, at 1 p.m. you can interact with bestselling author Naomi Alderman, who will focus on writing dystopian worlds.
Friday Flix tomorrow
Enjoy a PG movie and free popcorn Friday, Nov. 3, from 2 to 4 p.m.
LEGO Club Saturday
Kids aged 6-11 are invited to bring your imaginations on Saturday, Nov. 4, from 11 a.m. to noon for the free LEGO Club. Bring your own LEGOs or use ours. For now, we’ll play LEGO for one hour.
Knitting and
crochet lessons
Learn to knit or crochet on Monday, Nov. 6, at our free gathering from 2 to 3:15 p.m. for ages 8 and up. Supplies provided.
Tween/teen art
camp Monday
Monday free art classes from 4 to 6 p.m. (4 to 5 p.m. on Nov. 13) for teens and tweens will explore different styles or mediums. This month it is cartooning and caricature by guest artist Dan Dempster. Participants will draw basic portraits and create a flip book animation. Registration is required.
Music fun Monday
Pagosa Unplugged is free from 4 to 6 p.m. Monday, Nov. 6, for amateur musicians who would like a safe, supportive, non-bar setting to play, sing or both with other people. Anyone under age 18 is welcome with a signed parental permission, available at your library.
For program information contact Susan at (970) 946-3396.
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.
Dungeons and Dragons
Next Thursday, Nov. 9, 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.
Writers’ support group
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 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.
Books on CD
“The Crypt” by Scott Sigler is book one of a new Shakedown military sci-fi series. “Dark Memory” by Christine Feehan is the latest in the Carpathian paranormal fantasy romance series. “Second Act” by Danielle Steel features a Hollywood executive looking for a new beginning after he lost his executive position. “Code Red” by Vince Flynn is a Mitch Rapp adventure. “One Last Kill” by Robert Dugoni follows a serial killer cold case. “The Oceans and the Stars” by Mark Helprin is a wartime love story.
Large print
“None of This is True” by Lisa Jewell features a true crime podcaster. “The Raging Storm” by Ann Cleeves is a Det. Matthew Venn murder mystery. “Masters of Death” by Olivie Blake is a vampire adventure. “The River We Remember” by William Kent Krueger begins with a body being found on Memorial Day.
DVDs
“Teenage Kraken” is a Ruby Gillman animated high school action comedy. “The Inspection” is a Golden Globe nominee about a young gay Black man who joins the Marines. “Epic Train Journeys from Above” is a six-part series featuring extraordinary railway trips. “Your Brain” is a Nova documentary featuring neuroscientist Heather Berlin. “The Power of Big Oil” is a three-part PBS Frontline documentary that focuses on ExxonMobil.
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.
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; or textbooks, outdated travel books or reference books. No more than two boxes at a time because of space constraints.
Quotable quote
“Coincidence is God’s way of remaining anonymous.” — Albert Einstein, German physicist and Nobel Prize winner, widely regarded as one of the most influential scientists of all time.
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.
