By Carole Howard and the Library Staff

Unless you have been marooned on a desert island with no cell phone or satellite communications service, you probably know that this is a hugely important weekend for Harry Potter fans. That’s because the seventh and final volume of the Harry Potter series by J. K. Rowling will be released this weekend.

That means that in Pagosa you can come to the library when we open on Saturday morning at 9 a.m. to either borrow the book or put your name on a waiting list. Initially we will have only one copy. But thanks to an anonymous benefactor, a CD version will be available a few weeks later. Already several people have signed up for the book, which is called “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.”

Library director Jackie Welch expects demand for the first six Harry Potter books to increase with all the publicity surrounding this seventh in the series. That’s why she is especially grateful that Seeds of Learning recently donated a complete set of the hardback Potter books to date, to add to the copies we already have. We also have all of the initial six stories on either CD or audio tape, with two available in Spanish.

The Harry Potter books have sold more than 325 million copies since the first volume was published in 1997 – more than 121 million in the U.S. alone. They are credited with inspiring untold millions of youngsters – especially young boys – to give up their TV shows and computer games to read. While initially considered a children’s book, the series rapidly became a phenomenal success with teens and adults as well.

Even though it won’t be available until this weekend, “Deathly Hallows” reached the top spot on internet bestseller lists within a few hours after its publication date was announced on February 1. Booksellers are reporting that more pre-publication orders have been placed for this book than any other in history. The initial print run will be 12 million copies – the largest first printing of any book ever.

In spite of intense speculation and a variety of rumors about the plot, author J. K. Rowling and her publishing and marketing team have worked hard to keep the book’s contents a secret. The publisher denied a report that the factory workers were forced to print the book in total darkness. But they do confirm that the finished books travel to stores on pallets, sealed in black plastic, in trucks tracked by GPS.

People in bookstores and libraries lucky enough to get first-day copies had to sign a legal document promising total confidentiality. “Libraries are allowed to catalogue the book a day in advance so it will be available immediately,” Welch said. “But no sneak previews are permitted – even for staff.” When asked where she is hiding our library’s copy, Welch replied firmly: “I’m not telling!”

As part of the strenuous secrecy campaign, Rowling asks that anyone who reads the book keep its plot to yourself to avoid spoiling the reading experience for the many fans who do not want to know the story – and especially the ending – in advance. On her web site she said, “I want the readers who have, in many instances, grown up with Harry to embark on the last adventure they will share with him without knowing where they are going.” All that Rowling will confirm about the plot is that the many loose ends from the first six books will be tied up and several unique flying elements like Sirius Black’s motorbike and Arthur Weasley’s car will reappear.

The books in the series each chronicle one year at Hogwarts School for Harry Potter and his fellow students, including close friends Ron and Hermione. They contain significant elements of fantasy and magic, combined with a detective-novel approach to the story.

Adding to the excitement and marketing hoopla surrounding the publication of “Deathly Hallows” is the fact that a movie based on the fifth book in the series opened last week. The film on the sixth book is set for release next year, but no date has yet been announced for the “Deathly Hallows” movie.

Book sale this weekend

Just a reminder that the Friends of the Library book sale is being be held at the Extension Building at the Fairgrounds this weekend. Friday, July 20 at 6 p.m. is the Friends’ annual meeting, potluck and book sale. You must be a member of the Friends to attend this event, but you are welcome to pay your dues at the door. Memberships are $5 for an individual, $10 for a family, $2 for students and $100 for a lifetime. If you want to attend the annual meeting, please call the library at 264-2208 to let us know what you are bringing to the potluck. After eating and a very short meeting, you get first dibs on the books on sale. On Saturday, books go on sale to the general public from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

We need volunteers to help set up at the Extension Building at 9 a.m. on Friday, and to help on Saturday with the sale and cleanup afterwards. Please call the library if you are able to help.

Just in from the state library

We have the new "Colorado Bicycling Manual: A Guide for Using Roads and Trails" from the Colorado Department of Transportation. This booklet includes rules of the road, riding for different reasons, equipment and accessories, plus more for both the beginner and the experienced rider. From the Colorado Department of Agriculture, we have "Farm Fresh," a directory of farmer's markets, roadside stands and u-pick places in Colorado. Because we have only one copy of each, you will need to ask for them at the circulation desk and read them in the library.

New novels by bestselling authors

“The Quest” by Wilbur Smith is the newest addition to his series of novels about ancient Egypt. “The Bourne Betrayal” is a new novel in the Jason Bourne series created by Robert Ludlum, this one written by Eric Van Lustbader. “The Sleeping Doll” is a new thriller by Jeffrey Deaver. “The Navigator” is the seventh in the Kurt Austin NUMA adventure series by Clive Cussler.

Thanks to donors and July 4 supporters

For books and materials, we thank James Barton, Richard Clare, Duane Hartleip, Dot Jones, Dorothy King, Bamma Laizure, Cliff Linderlund, Ana Manchaca, Gayle Reedy, Josie Snow and Brenda Wanket.

We also want to express our heartfelt gratitude to Don and Mary Hart for providing the library with the use of their flatbed and truck and for donating their time to pull our float in the July Fourth parade. We were so pleased to win the second place award in the parade’s Youth category. Our float featured seven youngsters from our Summer Reading Program and the two Ligon children, whose grandparents live in Pagosa and parents serve in the military.

Quotable quote

“With all the [publicity surrounding “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows”], there is a risk that people will forget why books are, in fact, books and not movies or TV shows. They’re not about midnight parties or hype or even moments, however magical. Reading is, after all, the most solitary and contemplative and long-lasting of all aesthetic pleasures.” -- Time magazine article about the new Harry Potter seventh book and fifth movie.

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