Ruby M. Sisson Memorial Library
🏢 Upper San Juan Library District · Pagosa Springs, Colorado
Ruby M. Sisson Memorial Library
Nestled at the foot of the San Juan Mountains in Archuleta County, the Ruby M. Sisson Memorial Library has been the heart of Pagosa Springs community life since opening debt-free in 1989 — now expanding again with a new children's room, teen makerspace, and community hall.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM |
| Tuesday | 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM |
| Wednesday | 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM |
| Thursday | 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM |
| Friday | 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM |
| Saturday | 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 811 San Juan Street, PAGOSA SPRINGS, CO 81147
Phone: (970) 264-2209
Website: pagosalibrary.org
Plus Code: 859J7X8M+J3 (PAGOSA SPRINGS, CO)
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📖 About Ruby M. Sisson Memorial Library
The Ruby M. Sisson Memorial Library is operated by the Upper San Juan Library District, an independent special district that has served all of Archuleta County since 1985. The library traces its roots to 1907, when the Pagosa Springs Public Library first opened in the basement of the Methodist Church with a collection of just 202 books. The current building at the corner of San Juan Street and Highway 160 opened debt-free on February 7, 1989, after the Pagosa Springs Women's Civic Club and the Friends of the Library raised more than $700,000 — a remarkable community achievement for a small mountain town. The library is named for Ruby Murel Cales Sisson (1901–1985), a beloved educator, rancher, and philanthropist who taught in the Blanco Basin one-room schoolhouse and at Pagosa Springs High School for nearly five decades, and whose estate bequest helped fund both the library and local scholarships. A 2026 expansion is adding a large community room, a new children's room with an adjoining garden, and a dedicated teen room with a makerspace.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Founded 1907 — one of Archuleta County's oldest civic institutions, now in its third building
- Named for Ruby Sisson (1901–1985), local educator & philanthropist whose bequest funded the 1989 building
- 2026 expansion adds community room, children's garden, teen room & makerspace
- Notary Public service available — call ahead for availability
- Digital borrowing via Libby (OverDrive), Hoopla & CloudLibrary — free with your library card
- Extended evening hours Tuesday & Thursday until 8 pm; open Saturday 9 am–3 pm
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Borrow digital content anytime with your Upper San Juan Library District card:
📚 Services
- Free library card for Archuleta County residents
- Notary Public (call ahead: (970) 264-2209)
- Public-access computers and free Wi-Fi
- Printing, copying, scanning & fax
- Meeting rooms available for community use
- Tech Help one-on-one assistance
- Tax preparation guidance (seasonal)
- GED preparation through Pagosa Adult Learning Services (PALS)
- Interlibrary loan
🎸 Programs
- Children's story time and family programming
- Tween & teen programs
- Ruby's Book Club (adult monthly book club)
- Summer Reading Program
- New York Times Digital Access for patrons
- Community events — see pagosalibrary.org/library-news for current calendar
📍 Nearby Libraries in Southwest Colorado
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
All libraries in PAGOSA SPRINGS · Browse all Colorado libraries →
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Ruby M. Sisson Memorial Library offer notary services?
Yes. The library provides Notary Public services. Call ahead at (970) 264-2209 to confirm availability before your visit.
Who was Ruby Sisson, and why is the library named after her?
Ruby Murel Cales Sisson (1901–1985) was a Pagosa Springs educator, rancher, and philanthropist who taught school in Archuleta County from 1929 to 1978 — including decades in a one-room Blanco Basin schoolhouse. Her estate left trust funds to the library and local scholarships, and her bequest helped finance the current building, which opened in her honor in 1989.
Can I borrow ebooks and audiobooks from the library for free?
Yes. Cardholders can borrow from three digital platforms: Libby (OverDrive), Hoopla (instant, no waitlists), and CloudLibrary — all free with your library card, accessible on any phone, tablet, or computer.
What is the Upper San Juan Library District, and does my card work elsewhere in Colorado?
The Upper San Juan Library District is an independent special district serving all of Archuleta County. Your card also gives you access to the AspenCat statewide catalog, allowing you to place holds from Colorado libraries in the consortium.
📋 This library offers notary services. See what a library notary can do — what to bring, fees and appointments — and find other libraries with a notary notary services by state.
🔨 This library has a makerspace / 3D printing. See how library makerspaces and 3D printing work and find other libraries with a makerspace makerspaces by state.
🖨 This library offers printing, copying & fax. See how library printing, copying, scanning and fax services work — costs and mobile printing — and find other libraries that offer them printing & fax by state.
📅 This library has meeting & community rooms. See how library meeting rooms work — booking, policies and fees — and find other libraries with meeting or community rooms meeting rooms by state.
✓ Hours & details last verified from official sources in September 2026.
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