Your library has just what hikers, campers and bikers need to help you and your family enjoy the outdoors for the rest of the summer and into the fall – backpacks and a bike repair toolkit available for free checkout.
Thanks to a partnership between the Colorado Parks and Wildlife and the Colorado State Library, we have two backpacks for free checkout that contain a state park pass, binoculars, a wildlife guide, a trees and wildlife guide, a book about the 42 state parks, and more. The backpacks can be checked out for a full week and renewed for an additional week. They cannot be placed on hold. Consider it a “Lucky Day” pickup item, meaning that if you come in and it’s available, you can check it out.
Also, we have a bike repair toolkit available for free check out. This toolkit includes a handbook entitled “Essential Road Bike Maintenance Handbook” by Todd Downs and a toolbox filled with the essential tools needed for basic bicycle repairs. The handbook covers topics such as frame, pedals, brakes and more. We also offer a variety of other bicycle resources for people of all ages including maps, guidebooks, and historical information.
Children’s Spanish class today
Join us today, Thursday, August 18 from 11 a.m. – noon for the second session of a new Spanish class for kids aged six to 11. Miss Josie and Miss Ruby will help you learn and improve your Spanish.
Makerspace on Saturday
Kids, tweens and teens are invited to a free Makerspace session on Saturday, August 20 from 11 a.m. to noon when we’ll provide the materials so you can build, design and create.
Adult DIY
Join us next Tuesday, August 23 from 1-2 p.m. for this free session when we’ll provide materials for you to crochet a personal bookmark using colorful yarn.
Therapy dog visit
Next Wednesday, August 24 from 11 – 11:45 a.m. you are invited to come to the library for a free visit with a certified therapy dog. It’s a great way to relax or boost your day. The visits will be limited to 10-15 minutes – just the right amount of time to pet the dog, read to the dog or just say “Hi.” This activity is for all ages.
Teen writers
Teen writers from 4th-12th grade are invited to your library next Thursday, August 25 from 4 – 5 p.m. Stories, poetry, graphic novels, fan fiction – it’s all welcome.
PALS adult education expands
In response to popular demand, Mark has doubled the number of his free PALS sessions to Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:30 – 8 p.m. to help with high school equivalency, GED, college prep, financial aid, tutoring and more. No registration required. This service is in great demand and is used by many people, so we are very happy to make it more available.
Writing challenge
A new all-ages writing challenge will be posted August 22 on the library’s Facebook page. We hope you will challenge your creativity by participating in this free activity.
ESL classes
Free in-person evening classes take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays with 4-5 p.m. reserved for beginners and 5-7 p.m. for both intermediate and 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.
Las clases de ESL
Las clases nocturnas gratuitas en persona se llevan a cabo los martes y jueves de 4 a 7 p.m. Los estudiantes principiantes asisten de 4 a 5 p.m., estudiantes intermedios de 5-6 p.m. y estudiantes avanzados de 7-8 p.m. Por favor, ayúdenos a correr la voz sobre estas clases a otras personas en nuestra comunidad que estén interesadas, y contáctenos por teléfono o correo electrónico si tiene alguna pregunta.
Local author
“Symbol & Synchronicity” by Julie Loar is a guide to learning the soul’s language in dreams and waking life via ancient wisdom, modern science discoveries and practical instruction. We also have six other books in our collection by this prolific local author.
Large print mysteries and thrillers
“The Darling Dahlias and the Red Hot Poker” by Susan Wittig Albert is a Darling Dahlias mystery. “My Wife Is Missing” by D.J. Palmer begins when a wife and two children disappear from a New York City hotel room. “When She Dreams” by Amanda Quick focuses on a psychic advice columnist being blackmailed. “Nightwork” by Nora Roberts is the beginning of a new mystery series featuring a thief. “It All Comes Down To This” by Therese Anne Fowler tells of three sisters and an ex-con. “Hidden Pictures” by Jason Rekulak features a young child whose drawings become more sinister.
Large print westerns
“Ralph Compton Counterfeit Lawman” by Jackson Lowry is part of the Gunfighter western series. “Perilous Frontier” edited by Hazel Rumney contains short stories by four western authors. “Dead River” by William W. and J.A. Johnstone is book four of the Jackals series. “Bad River” by Ralph Cotton is a Ranger Sam Burrack western.
Other large print
“Tom Clancy: Zero Hour” by Don Bentley is a Jack Ryan Jr. adventure set in Korea. “The Homewreckers” by Mary Kay Andrews features a woman involved with a beach house renovation. “Clive Cussler’s Dark Vector” by Graham Brown is a NUMA adventure involving cyberwar.
DVDs
“Drive My Car” by Japanese director Ryusuke Hamaguchi won a 2022 Academy award for best foreign language film. “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” is a Marvel Studios film. “Minamata,” based on actual events, stars Johnny Depp in a story about a war photographer investigating a chemical spill in Japan.
Nonfiction
“21st Century Monetary Policy” by former Federal Reserve chair Ben S. Bernanke is an explanation of the bank’s economic policy decisions. “Battling The Big Lie” by Dan Pfeiffer discusses how to combat political disinformation and propaganda. “The Monster’s Bones” by paleontologist David R. Randall looks at the discovery of T. Rex and how it changed the world of paleontology.
Donations
We are grateful to Keith Jacobson of Rio Blanco Backflow for his generous in-kind donation, and to Bob and Carole Howard for their materials donation.
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 dropbox at City Market, please) when we are open. The Friends take fiction published in 2012 or newer and nonfiction that is 2017 or newer. Limited workroom space means we can only accept one or two small boxes at a time.
Quotable Quote
“I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.” Chinese proverb
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.
The Ruby Sisson Memorial Library has been located at 811 San Juan Street (corner of S. 8th and Hwy 160) since 1989. The library is overseen by the Upper San Juan Library District, a tax-funded special district in Archuleta County.