Do you have a plan to make sure your child has lots of reading opportunities this summer? Several studies have documented a “summer slide” in reading skills once kids go on summer vacation. And the loss compounds each year.
Research offers a surprisingly simple and affordable solution: Bring your youngsters to the library and let them choose their own books.
In a three-year study, researchers at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville found that simply giving children access to books — and allowing them to choose books that interested them — had a significant effect on the summer reading gap.
Children who chose their own books and those who were given activity and puzzle books were tracked for three years. Those who could select their own books posted significantly higher test scores than the children who received books from others.
The effect was equivalent to a child attending three years of summer school. And the difference in scores was twice as high among the poorest children in the study.
Another of the notable findings of the study was that children improved their reading scores even though they typically weren’t selecting the curriculum books or classics that teachers normally assign for summer reading. That conclusion confirms other studies suggesting that children learn best when they are allowed to select their own books.
Bottom line: What should your children read this summer? Bring them to the library and let them decide for themselves, because any books will do.
Library closure
Your library will be closed July 4 for the holiday. Watch for us in the Fourth of July Parade.
Friends book sale
Save the dates of July 11-13 for 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.
Paws to Read tomorrow
Friday, June 28, from 2 to 3 p.m., youngsters are invited to share their favorite books with Muppet or Maple, therapy dogs who love stories, at a free Paws to Read session.
Jane Austin 250th birthday series
Next Monday morning, July 1, from 10 a.m. to noon is the last event in the free five-week all ages series celebrating the 250th birthday of beloved English author Jane Austin. Call Jenny at (240) 426-7887 for more information.
Knitting and crochet
lessons
Learn to knit or crochet on Monday, July 1, at our free gathering from 2 to 3:15 p.m. for ages 8 and up. Supplies provided.
Music fun Monday
Pagosa Unplugged is free from 4 to 6 p.m. Monday, July 1, for amateur musicians who would like a safe, supportive, non-bar setting to play, sing or both with other people. For information, contact Susan at (970) 946-3396.
Spanish conversation
Practice your Spanish in a free group setting on Tuesday, July 2, 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.
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.
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.
Books on CD
“Camino Ghosts” by John Grisham is a thriller read by Whoopi Goldberg. “You Like It Darker” by Stephen King is a collection of 12 short stories that delve into the darker part of life. “Look on the Bright Side” by Kristin Higgins features a major life detour for the heroine.
Nonfiction
In “The Wild Truth” by Carine McCandless, his sister reveals the true story of her brother’s death in the Alaska wilderness. “Germany” is a Lonely Planet guide.
Large Print
“Stuart Woods’ Smolder” by Brett Battles is a Stone Barrington adventure. “One Perfect Couple” by Ruth Ware is set in a reality show in a tropical paradise. “You Like It Darker” by Stephen King is a collection of 12 mysterious stories. “For The Love of Summer” by Susan Mallery features the growing friendship of two women who once were married to the same man. “Mind Games” by Nora Roberts is a suspense story.
Thrillers, mysteries and suspense
“One Deadly Eye” by Randy Wayne White is a Doc Ford thriller set in Florida after a Category 5 hurricane. “The Last Twelve Miles” by Erika Robuck features two women on opposite sides of the law. “Knife River” by Justine Champine begins when a mother’s body is found 15 years after her disappearance. “Shelterwood” by Lisa Wingate set in Oklahoma centers on children affected by land barons intent on power and oil.
Other Novels
“The Passionate Tudor” by Alison Weir features Henry VIII’s daughter, infamously known as Bloody Mary. “For The Love of Summer” by Susan Mallery explores the growing friendship of two women who once were married to the same man. “The Ballad of Jacquotte Delahaye” by Briony Cameron tells of the adventurous life of a female pirate captain in the Caribbean.
Donation guidelines
We are grateful to Joanne Ferko for her 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
“To be an effective communicator you don’t have to be the loudest person in the room. You don’t have to get in the last word, or the most words, during a disagreement to change minds. In fact, that’s probably a bad strategy. The best communication offers both explanation and empathy and generates both understanding and curiosity ... Communication is about adapting your approach when needed, thinking hard about how your information or opinion might be received, and, at times, being fearless.” — From “Say More: Lessons from Work, the White House and the World,” a memoir by former White House press secretary Jen Psaki, available now at your library.
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.
