By Carole Howard and the Library Staff

If you thought summer was a busy time at your library, consider all the events scheduled for fall – and all of them are free! They range from lectures to art shows, not to mention a book signing and the annual Women’s Civic Club bazaar. We hope you will mark all these dates on your calendar, and join us at this wide variety of fun, informative events:

-- Tuesday, October 23 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the library is the opening of the first in a series of exhibitions by local art teachers of their private students’ work. This initial showing features the work of Glessie Drake, Eleana Kleckner, Marti Parrish and Cathy Rutherford, all students of Denny Rose. Refreshments will be available and Natalie Tyson will entertain on the harp. Future exhibitions will feature art by students of Sabine Braeckmann-Elge, Soledad and Wendy Saunders, plus photographs taken by students of Bruce Anderson and Winnie Saunders.

-- On Thursday, October 25 from 3 to 5 p.m. John Graves hosts a book signing at the library for his new book, “Just Say Yes: Memoirs of a Geezer.” He also will entertain the audience with stories behind the stories in the book, with music, and maybe also a contest or two.

-- Meanwhile, the highly popular Lifelong Learning lecture series continues at the library this Saturday, October 13 with “Speaking truth to power: The art of political cartooning, the presidency and the run-up to the 2008 presidential election” by Judith Reynolds, a journalist, history professor and political cartoonist. October 27 brings us “A Land Alone: Colorado’s Western Slope,” presented by Duane Smith, Southwest historian, author and Fort Lewis College professor. November 3 will be “Birds of Archuleta County,” when Linda Newberry, Southwest Colorado Regional Director of Audubon Colorado, talks about the wonder of birds -- our inherent relationship to them, their identification, appreciation and preservation. The last lecture is November 10, “A Comparison of Native American and European Worldviews,” when Raymond Dutton explores the Hopi/Dine comparisonof tribal and western views about values, relationships, land, property, rituals, myths, andthe supernatural.

-- Saturday November 3 is the Woman’s Civic Club holiday bazaar, this being the ladies’ primary annual fundraiser for the library. Join us at the Community Center from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. to get a head start on your Christmas shopping. A huge selection of creations by artists, crafters, jewelers and other vendors will be available, and you can purchase homemade baked goods and delicious food for lunch. In addition to the ever-popular raffle, there will be a silent auction for the first time this year.

-- In December we’ll begin displaying artwork from local artists as part of a new exhibition program conceived by Denny Rose. If you want your work to be included, please contact Denny at 946-0696 or library director Jackie Welch at 264-2208. This program has been delayed from October because so many artworks continue to arrive and because several artists have said they want to create a special work for the event.

Fantasy books

“Sandworms of Dune” by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson is the latest in the highly popular Dune series of novels. “Devil May Cry” by Sherrilyn Kenyon is a vampire fantasy novel.

New CDs – novels and non-fiction

“Fresh Disasters” is the latest in the Stone Barrington thriller series by Stuart Woods. “The Golden Compass” by Philip Pullman is the first book in the Dark Materials trilogy, a modern fantasy classic. “The Secret Servant” by Daniel Silva is a mystery set in Amsterdam featuring Israeli intelligence officer Gabriel Allon. “The Bourne Ultimatum,” an early book in the best-selling Jason Bourne series, is now available on CD. “The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment” by spiritual leader Eckhart Tolle is a new book in the personal growth/spirituality category. “Change Your Thoughts: Meditation” by Dr. Wayne W. Dyer takes you through all 81 verses of the Tao.

Large print books

“Silver Master” by Jayne Ann Krentz, writing as Jayne Castle, is a paranormal romance. “Dead Heat” is the latest mystery by former jockey Dick Francis. “Pontoon” is a novel of Lake Wobegon by radio host Garrison Keeler. “Dockside” by Susan Wiggs is the last book in the Lakeside Chronicles romance trilogy.

How-to books

“Everybody’s Guide to Small Claims Court” by attorney Ralph Warner is a completely updated legal guide with step-by-step instructions on how to bring or defend your case. “The Weight Loss Cure ‘They’ Don’t Want You to Know About” by Kevin Trudeau claims to be a natural method that weight loss industry and diet food manufacturers don’t want you to know about.

Books about real people

“Wisdom of Our Fathers: Lessons and Letters from Daughters and Sons” is a collection of wisdom from ordinary fathers with extraordinary advice, put together by NBC-TV’s Tim Russert. “The Kings of New York” by award-winning sports writer Michael Weinreb follows a public high school chess team through an entire season as they aim for their second straight national championship. “The Preacher and the Presidents” by Time magazine’s Nancy Gibbs and Michael Duffy tells of Billy Graham’s work with every president from Harry Truman to George W. Bush. “You Can Run But You Can’t Hide” is a memoir by Duane “Dog” Chapman, star of “Dog the Bounty Hunter” on A&E TV.

Thanks to our donors

Our gratitude to Betty Beasley for her donation in memory of Donna Cooper. For books and materials this week we thank Caroleen Arbuthnot, Iona Adams, Meryle Backus, Sherril Barnes, Lenore Bright, Richard Clare, Wayne Crosby, Betti Gibbons, Kathy Isberg, Dot Jones, Susan Joy, Karen Kaufmann, Kate Lister, Kathie Marchand, Vera Mengelkamp, Ginger Morris, Marylou Mowrer and Ann Rasich.

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