January Library Calendar

1900 East Third Ave. Contact: 375-3380.

Jan. 1-Jan. 31: Page One Contest

Snowdown Events:

Tuesdays, 3:30-5 p.m.: Tuesday Try It. Themes will vary, but may include activities such as games, out of the ordinary art forms, cultural experiences, movement, cooking, writing challenges and book-centric activities. Ages 9-12.

Wednesdays, 11-11:30 a.m.: Storytime. Stories, songs, rhymes and other activities. Perfect for children ages 3 and older.

Thursdays, 11-11:30 a.m.: Toddler Time. Stories, songs, rhymes and other activities. Perfect for children ages 1-2.

Jan. 1 program canceled because of library closure.

Thursdays, 3:30- 4:30 p.m.: Teen Game Zone. A variety of games. Ages 12-17.

Jan. 1 program canceled because of library closure.

Fridays, 11-11:30 a.m.: Baby Time. For babies birth-12 months with their favorite adult. 15-20 minutes of early literacy activities followed by a playgroup. Sing songs, bounce to action rhymes and share stories.

Fridays, 3:30-4:30 p.m.: Friday Fun. First Friday of the month: STEM; second and fourth: LEGO; third: art. If there’s a fifth Friday, we'll let you know. For ages 5-12 and families.

Jan. 1- Jan. 31: Page One Contest. Fourth Annual Page One Contest. Winners receive a $100 Maria’s Bookshop gift certificate and their work aired on the Page One radio program. Winning pages will be selected by mid-February and will be aired on KSUT and KDUR in March. Rules: “One page” means about 300-500 words, typed. Submissions must be original works by locals only. Fiction, poetry, non-fiction, young adult and children’s genres welcome. Contest for writers 14 and older. All submissions must include a title. Submissions can be emailed to spenser.snarr@durangoco.gov or dropped off at Durango Public Library between Jan. 1-Jan. 31.

Jan. 1: Holiday Closure. Library closed for New Year’s Day.

Jan. 6: 6-7:30 p.m.: Book Club: “Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times.” Register at the reference desk, then join us to discuss the book at the library. A free book is available for the first 15 people who register and attend.

Jan. 7 and 21: 6-7:30 p.m.: Word Honey Poetry Workshop. Free poetry workshops at the Hive (1175 Camino del Rio).

Jan. 10 and 24: 1-3 p.m.: Yarn Meetup. Knitters, crocheters and fiber artists of all ages and levels. Work on your current project in an informal group setting.

Jan. 12: 4:30-5:30 p.m.: Climate Support Group. Facilitated by ecotherapist and social worker Hannah Smith. A space to share thoughts and feelings about the climate crisis in community.

Jan. 13: 6-7 p.m.: Getting Started with Sourdough. Learn the very basics of keeping and using a sourdough starter. Participants will receive their own jar of starter to take home, along with a few recipes.

Jan. 14: 6:15-7:45 p.m.: Writers & Scribblers. For those interested in writing and the publishing process.

Jan. 15: 5:30-6:30 p.m.: Spanish Conversation Hour. Practice Spanish in an informal setting. All language levels welcome.

Jan. 17: 1-2 p.m.: Folk Jam. Traditional and contemporary folk music. Bring your voice and/or an instrument (if you play one). Share the songs you know and learn new ones. Everyone is welcome, even if you just want to listen.

Jan. 17: 1-3 p.m.: Silent Book Club. An hour of dedicated reading. Bring your own book or grab something off the shelf and read alongside other readers.

Jan. 19: Holiday Closure. Library closed for Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Jan. 20: 11-11:30 a.m.: Kindergarten Readiness Play & Learn Workshop: 1, 2, Buckle My Shoe: Early Math. Presented by the Early Childhood Council of La Plata County. Hands-on activities that build early literacy, math, motor and social-emotional skills. Preschool participants will receive a free book and fun materials to support their learning journey (one per family, while supplies last).

Jan. 20: 6-7:30 p.m.: Cookbook Club: My New Roots – Inspired Plant Based Recipes for Every Season. Get together and cook a potluck of recipes from our chosen cookbook. Registration is required. Come to the Reference Desk to register and pick up a copy of the cookbook.

Jan. 21: 3:30-5 p.m.: Teen Mario Kart Tournament. Prove your gaming skill in our second annual tournament. Registration is required. Registration opens three weeks before the event. Ages 12 to 17.

Jan. 23-Jan. 31: All day: Snowdown Fact Finding Mission. All ages. Use the books in our local and state history sections to find your favorite fact about Colorado. All participants will win a Colorado-themed prize while supplies last. Then we’ll post our favorite facts on our library social media.

Jan. 26: 4-5:30 p.m.: Death Café. Gather to eat cake, drink tea and discuss death. Objective is “to increase awareness of death with a view to helping people make the most of their (finite) lives.”

Jan. 27: 5- 7 p.m.: Snowdown Adult Craft Event. Embody the state’s most iconic symbols with our supply of crafts. While supplies last. Free for adults and teens, ages 13 and older.

Jan. 28: 5-6 p.m.: Teen Escape Room. Colorado themed escape room. Ages 12 to 17. Registration required, registration opens three weeks before the event.

Jan. 30: 3:30-5:30 p.m.: Friday Fun: All-ages Button Making. Celebrate Snowdown with a special two-hour edition of Friday Fun. Open to all ages. We’ll have patterns, artwork and ready-to-use templates, plus supplies for you to draw or collage your own designs.

Jan. 31: 6-8 p.m.: Snowdown Poetry Duels. Downtown at the Subterrain. Join Durango Poet Laureate Esther Belin for a tournament-style poetry battle. You’ll get a random prompt, then whip up a bit of verse and perform against the opponent with the same prompt. Audience applause determines who moves to the next round. Sign-ups are limited to the first 20 contestants.

395 Bayfield Center Drive, Bayfield. Contact: 884-2222, www.prlibrary.org

Winter Wellness: Chemical-Free Cleaning for the Cold and Flu Season, Jan. 17 at 10 a.m. Learn how to eliminate germs without harsh chemicals, clean your entire home with only a few non-toxic supplies and simplify your cleaning routine. Leave with your own free bottle of nontoxic all-purpose cleaner or a room spray. With Molly Orendorff, owner of Cleaning Simplified. Registration is required: https://forms.gle/dMEhqhWNsSbH9oCa9.

After Hours Lit, the first Tuesday of each month. Jan. 6 at 5:30 p.m. A romance book club with a dark side. We’ll switch between cozy, feel-good reads and steamy, dark romances. January’s book: “All Rhodes Lead Here,” by Mariana Zapata (cozy slow burn, grumpy/sunshine trope, set in Pagosa Springs).

*Note: Youth programs will begin again after winter break, on Jan. 5.

Hopper’s Storytime, Thursdays, 11 a.m. Read books and make a craft together.

STEAM Power Hour (Grades 3-5): Mondays, 4-5 p.m. Junior STEAM Power Hour (Grades K-2): Wednesdays, 4-5 p.m. Explore new interests, delve into the wonders of learning science and create artistic masterpieces.

Kids’ Gamer Club (Grades 3-5): Tuesdays, 4-5 p.m. Board games, console video games, Roblox, Minecraft and more. Some computers are provided, but gamers can bring their own laptop or gaming devices. Geared for grades 3 and older but younger children are welcome with a caregiver.

Teen Time, Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 4-5:30 p.m. Cards, tabletop games and more.

Teen TGIT, Thursdays, 4-5:30 p.m. Games (Xbox, Oculus, Roblox, etc.), activities, music and snacks.

Teen D&D, Fridays, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. New members welcome and no experience is necessary, but you will need to set up a character before you can join our ongoing Dungeons & Dragons campaign. Reach out to kelly@prlibrary.org to schedule a time.

Friday Fun Day, Fridays, 1-2 p.m. First Fridays: Lego Club, second Fridays: Crafternoon, third Fridays: Pokemon, fourth and fifth Fridays: Crafternoon. Drop in activity time is open to all ages. We encourage caregivers to participate alongside their little ones.

Mountaintop Movement Full Body Fit Classes: Monday-Thursday, 8:15-9 a.m. Work out using your own body weight or light hand weights. Free classes are always similar in style but use different moves to keep it fun and fresh. You’ll need a yoga mat and light hand weights. If you don’t have them, there are extras that can be used. All ages and fitness levels welcome. Classes are free, but donations welcome. Hosted by local fitness instructors Brian and Tammy Williams. Follow them on the Mountaintop Movement Facebook page for more information.

Yoga for All: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:15-10:15 a.m. Informal, free meetup. All you need is a yoga mat and a water bottle. Some yoga tools such as blocks, a blanket and a strap are encouraged.

Friends of the Library Shed Book Sale: Tuesdays, 1-3 p.m. Weather permitting, stop by the shed in the library parking lot for weekly popup book sale.

Jan. 1: Library closed.

Jan. 2, 16 and 30, 2:30-5:30 p.m. and Jan. 6, 13 and 27, 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m.: Open Sewing/Quilting. Sessions not intended for beginner quilters, but for seasoned quilters. Bring your projects along with sewing machine, thread, scissors, rotary cutter, mat and any other supplies you will need.

Jan. 5, 6-8 p.m.: Typeset Writers’ Group. Each month, a member will bring an article for discussion. Participants also have the option to bring two pages of their own writing to read aloud, but it’s not required. To read your own writing, bring it in manuscript format.

Jan. 6, 5:30-6:30 p.m.: After Hours Lit. Romance book club with a dark side. Switch between cozy, feel-good reads and steamy, dark romances. January’s book: “All Rhodes Lead Here,” by Mariana Zapata (cozy slow burn, grumpy/sunshine trope, set in Pagosa Springs).

Jan. 7, 10 a.m.: Delayed Library Opening. Monthly staff meeting.

Jan. 8, 11 a.m.-noon: Easy Spanish Conversation. All ages and language levels are welcome. We meet by the fireplace or outside, depending on the weather.

Jan. 8, 1-3 p.m.: Community Music Makers. Musicians of all abilities and instruments (including voice) welcome. We share our songs and love of music of all kinds. Bring your instrument and a few copies of what you want to play and share. We usually go around the circle and each person shares a song with others joining in. Do not be intimidated; we truly are of all ability levels!

Jan. 9 and 23, 4-5:30 p.m.: Beginning Mahjong Meetup. All are welcome.

Jan. 9 and 23, 6-11 p.m.: 4 Corners Tabletop Night. We play a variety of games and welcome players of all skill levels. We strongly encourage joining our Discord Server for event information, hobby inspiration and tabletop chat. Group Discord Server: 4 Corners Tabletop (https://discord.com/invite/eckX7hdJfR). For more information, email Blake Johnson at blakekjohnson@gmail.com or Byron Munda at byronallen175@gmail.com.

Jan. 12, 6-8 p.m.: Classic Movie Series with Dennis Taylor: “Flight of the Phoenix” (1965). A crew of oil workers find themselves battling each other and the oppressive heat of the Sahara Desert when their plane goes down.

Jan. 13, 10-11 a.m.: Card Making at the Senior Center. Create two beautiful handmade cards. Free.

Jan. 14, 2-3 p.m.: BookMarks Book Club. The Library provides the books, the discussion leader and a place to meet each month. Stop by the front desk to check out your copy of this month’s title: “Go As a River,” by Shelley Read.

Jan. 15, 10-11 a.m.: Kaffeeklatsch! An hour of German conversation. Meet others who have ties to Deutschland, to the German language and want to practice their skills. Bis bald!

Jan. 15, 6-7 p.m.: Killer Reads: A True Crime Book Club. The ultimate book club for fans of real-life mysteries, criminal investigations and psychological suspense. Stop by the front desk today to check out your copy of “A Serial Killer’s Daughter: My Story of Faith, Love, and Overcoming,” by Kerri Rawson.

Jan. 17, 10-11 a.m.: Winter Wellness: Chemical-Free Cleaning for the Cold and Flu Season. Learn how to eliminate germs without harsh chemicals, clean your entire home with only a few nontoxic supplies and simplify your cleaning routine. Leave with your own free bottle of nontoxic all purpose cleaner or a room spray. With Molly Orendorff, owner of Cleaning Simplified. Registration is required: https://forms.gle/dMEhqhWNsSbH9oCa9.

Jan. 17, noon-1 p.m.: Women’s Group. A safe space for women to connect, share experiences, mentor one another in various areas of experience and find encouragement.

Jan. 19: Library closed.

Jan. 20, 1-2:30 p.m.: Death Cafe. A time and place where people come to share food, drink tea or coffee, and discuss death openly and honestly. Aim is to increase awareness about death in order to help people make the most of their (finite) lives.

Jan. 20, 5-6 p.m.: Cozy Craft Night: Bookmarks. Let’s get a bunch of craft supplies out and make some bookmarks. We can use stamps, cut outs, markers, bling, etc.

Jan. 21, 5:30 p.m.: Pine River Library Board of Trustees Meeting. Agenda and minutes are available at www.prlibrary.org.

Jan. 21, noon-1 p.m.: Cookbook Club: Anthony Bourdain. Each month, we gather together and share a potluck of recipes from a chosen cookbook, chef or cuisine. Pick up a copy of that month’s cookbook and then call or email Joanna to RSVP and let us know what recipe you’ll be making for the potluck (884-2222, ext. 517, joanna@prlibrary.org).

Jan. 22, 11 a.m.-noon: Advanced Spanish Conversation. An informal setting for a lively exchange of ideas and discussions about interesting topics. All ages and language levels are welcome. Meet at the fireplace or patio, depending on the weather.

Jan. 23, 11 a.m.: Pine River Senior Center Outreach. Books and DVDs available for check out, delivered to the Senior Center with an extended loan period (four weeks, rather than the standard one to three weeks).

Jan. 25, 1-3 p.m.: Pine River Garden Club Meeting. Time to start planning your spring garden. Bring seed catalogs and a soup to share. Garden Club will have seeds to share.

Fort Lewis Mesa Library, 11274 Highway 140, Hesperus. Contact: 425-5610, ext. 1, flmpatron@swlplibrarydistrict.org. Located inside Fort Lewis Mesa Elementary School and has books for all ages. Open to the public Monday 1:30-7 p.m., Tuesday-Friday 2:30-7 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; additional hours by appointment.

Sunnyside Library, 75 County Road 218, Durango. Contact: 425-5610, ext. 2, ssmanager@swlplibrarydistrict.org. Located inside Sunnyside Elementary School and has books for all ages. Open to the public Monday 2-7 p.m., Tuesday-Friday 3-7 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; additional hours by appointment.

Board Members Sought. Email director@swlplibrarydistrict.org. Estimated time commitment: four hours per month. Great opportunity for those interested in grassroots politics. You must live within the SWLPLD boundaries.

CreativiTEA at Sunnyside Library. Bring a portable hand craft you’re working on or need help with. Check calendar below for the dates and times at your local library.

Technology Assistance: Help with phones, tablets or laptops. Email flmpatron@swlplibrarydistrict.org to schedule an appointment at Fort Lewis Mesa or sspatron@swlplibrarydistrict.org to schedule an appointment at Sunnyside.

Wee Read Toddler Story Time. Tuesdays at 10 a.m. at Fort Lewis Mesa and Wednesdays at 10 a.m. at Sunnyside. Stories, movement and songs for 2- to 4-year-olds and their caregivers.

Powerhouse Pass Program. Sunnyside and Fort Lewis Mesa Libraries have Powerhouse Passes available for check out. Pass will allow you and your immediate family free entry to the Powerhouse Science Center. Passes can be checked out on an adult library card for one week.

Check Out State Parks Program. Fort Lewis and Sunnyside Libraries have “Check Out State Parks” backpacks available for check out. Each pack includes a pass for free entry to Colorado state parks, binoculars, wildlife viewing guides and park information. Pack can be checked out on an adult library card for one week.

Wednesday, Dec. 31: Special library hours during Durango School District holiday break. Libraries open to the public 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Wednesday, Dec. 31, 10:30 a.m.: Wee Read toddler story time at Sunnyside Library. Stories, movement and songs for 2- to 4-year-olds and their caregivers.

Wednesday, Dec. 31, 11:30 a.m.: Noon Year’s Eve Party at Sunnyside Library. Family celebration with activities, crafts and snacks.

Thursday, Jan. 1: Libraries closed.

Friday, Jan. 2: Special library hours during Durango School District holiday break. Libraries open to the public 10 a.m.-7 p.m.

Friday, Jan. 2, 2 p.m.: Marvel homeschool Co-op meetup at Fort Lewis Mesa Library. All are welcome.

Friday, Jan. 2, 5 p.m.: Table Top Game Society at Fort Lewis Mesa Library. For grades 6-12. Play D&D and other games.

Friday, Jan. 2, 5:30 p.m.: Game Night at Sunnyside Library. For adults, teens or tweens accompanied by an adult.

Monday, Jan. 5, 5:30 p.m.: ASL Learners Group at Sunnyside Library. Learn and practice American Sign Language communication. All levels welcome. Free.

Tuesday, Jan. 6, 10 a.m.: Wee Read and Move toddler story time at Fort Lewis Mesa Library. Stories, movement and songs for 2- to 4-year-olds and their caregivers.

Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2:30- 4 p.m.: STEAMsters Maker Club in the Fort Lewis Mesa Maker Lab. For grades 2-5. Registration required.

Tuesday, Jan. 6, 3:30 p.m.: CreativiTEA at Sunnyside Library.

Wednesday, Jan. 7, 10 a.m.: Wee Read toddler story time at Sunnyside Library. Stories, movement and songs for 2- to 4-year-olds and their caregivers.

Thursday, Jan. 8, 5:30 p.m.: Spanish Conversation Hour at Sunnyside Library. A casual gathering to develop Spanish conversational skills. All levels welcome.

Friday, Jan. 9, 5 p.m.: Table Top Game Society at Fort Lewis Mesa Library. For grades 6-12. Play D&D and other games.

Saturday, Jan. 10, 8:30 a.m.-noon: Colorado Cottage Foods in-person training. Learn food safety requirements to start your own food business. Registration required, $50 fee.

Monday, Jan. 12, 6:30 p.m.: ASL 101 Class at Sunnyside Library. Learn and practice American Sign Language communication. Registration required. 10 sessions, $100 fee.

Tuesday, Jan. 13, 10 a.m.: Wee Read and Move toddler story time at Fort Lewis Mesa Library. Stories, movement and songs for 2- to 4-year-olds and their caregivers.

Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2:30-4 p.m.: STEAMsters Maker Club in the Fort Lewis Mesa Maker Lab. For grades 2-5. Registration required.

Wednesday, Jan. 14, 10 a.m.: Wee Read toddler story time at Sunnyside Library. Stories, movement and songs for 2- to 4-year-olds and their caregivers.

Wednesday, Jan. 14, 3 p.m.: Fort Lewis Mesa Book Club at Fort Lewis Mesa Library. All welcome.

Friday, Jan. 16, 5 p.m.: Table Top Game Society at Fort Lewis Mesa Library. For grades 6-12. Play D&D and other games.

Friday, Jan. 16, 5:30 p.m.: Game Night at Sunnyside Library. For adults, teens or tweens accompanied by an adult.

Monday, Jan. 19: Libraries closed.

Monday, Jan. 19, 4 p.m.: Southwest La Plata Library District monthly board meeting. Held in the Sunnyside Farms Market conference room, 300 South Camino del Rio. Information can be found at either library location or www.swlplibrarydistrict.org.

Tuesday, Jan. 20, 10 a.m.: Wee Read and Move toddler story time at Fort Lewis Mesa Library. Stories, movement and songs for 2- to 4-year-olds and their caregivers.

Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2:30-4 p.m.: STEAMsters Maker Club in the Fort Lewis Mesa Maker Lab. For grades 2-5. Registration required.

Tuesday, Jan. 20, 3:30 p.m.: CreativiTEA at Sunnyside Library.

Wednesday, Jan. 21, 10 a.m.: Wee Read toddler story time at Sunnyside Library. Stories, movement and songs for 2- to 4-year-olds and their caregivers.

Thursday, Jan. 22, 5:30 p.m.: Spanish Conversation Hour at Sunnyside Library. A casual gathering to develop Spanish conversational skills. All levels welcome.

Friday, Jan. 23, 10 a.m.: Friends of the Southwest La Plata Library District monthly meeting. Purple Cliffs Conference Room, 300 South Camino del Rio. All Friends members and anyone interested in joining the Friends are welcome.

Friday, Jan. 23, 5 p.m.: Table Top Game Society at Fort Lewis Mesa Library. For grades 6-12. Play D&D and other fun games.

Saturday, Jan. 24, noon-3 p.m.: Dungeons and Dragons at Sunnyside Library. No experience or materials necessary. Open to beginners and experienced players.

Monday, Jan. 26, 5:30 p.m.: Book Club at Sunnyside Library. This month’s selection is “The Palisades,” by Gail Lynn Hanson. All welcome.

Monday, Jan. 26, 6:30 p.m.: ASL 101 Class at Sunnyside Library. Learn and practice American Sign Language communication. Registration required.

Tuesday, Jan. 27, 10 a.m.: Wee Read and Move toddler story time at Fort Lewis Mesa Library. Stories, movement and songs for 2- to 4-year-olds and their caregivers.

Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2:30-4 p.m.: STEAMsters Maker Club in the Fort Lewis Mesa Maker Lab. For grades 2-5. Registration required.

Wednesday, Jan. 28, 10 a.m.: Wee Read toddler story time at Sunnyside Library. Stories, movement and songs for 2- to 4-year-olds and their caregivers.

Friday, Jan. 30, 5 p.m.: Table Top Game Society at Fort Lewis Mesa Library. For grades 6-12. Play D&D and other games.

Sunday, Feb. 1, 2-5 p.m.: Friends of the Southwest La Plata Library District Soup-er Bowl Fund-day Fundraiser. Variety of soups, breads and desserts, silent auction. $25 per person. Breen Community Building, 15300 CO-140, Hesperus.

470 Goddard Ave. Ignacio. Contact 563-9287, www.ignaciolibrary.org.

Estate Planning 101: Tuesday, Jan. 13 at 6 p.m. Learn the essentials of estate planning with Karina Guerrero of Foundational Wealth Partners.

Know Your Rights: Thursday, Jan. 15 at 3 p.m. Michael Dougherty will discuss immigrant rights, gun violence prevention, hate crime prevention and will answer any questions you may have about protecting your rights and the role of community and government in keeping us all safe.

Puzzle and Game Swap: Friday, Jan. 16 at 11 a.m. Bring in your old puzzles and games and swap for something new. No puzzles to trade? No problem! Stop by anyway.

Crafternoon: Tuesday, Jan. 20 at 4:30 p.m. We’ve got all the supplies, come craft with us.

Virtual Reality Travel: Tuesday, Jan. 27 at 4 p.m. Explore Indian culture, enjoy a delicious meal, learn to wear a sari and more. Plus, we’ll virtually travel to India using Quest Pro VR Headsets.

Mondays at 1:30 p.m.: Sewing Workshop. Whether you're a beginner or an expert, you're invited for some fun around sewing projects and crafts.

Mondays at 4:30 p.m.: Teen Café. Movies, snacks, games, crafts, homework help and more.

Tuesdays at 10 a.m.: Storytime. Stories, songs, crafts and more to encourage literacy.

Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m.: Open Art Studio. Work on your art projects, get help and advice, and enjoy conversation and good times with other local artists. Guests and new members always welcome.

Tuesdays at noon.: Electronics Hour. Electronic-based projects and more.

Tuesdays at 5 p.m.: Electronics Hour. Electronic-based projects and more.

Thursdays at 1 p.m.: Knitters Group. Join our lovely group of knitters for a beverage and a chat in our Community Room.

Fridays at 9 a.m.: Community Coffee and Donuts. Opportunity to stay informed about all the resources available at the library.

Fridays at 1 p.m.: IDEA LAB Classes. New skills to learn with highlighted classes.