(Posted by Anne-Allegra Bennett)

Eugene Public Library locations

Downtown: 100 W. 10th Ave.

Bethel Branch: 1990 Echo Hollow Road

Sheldon Branch: 1566 Coburg Road

Information: 541-682-5450 or eugene-or.gov/library

Free admission to all events

December activities at Eugene Public Library locations:

 

Art and exhibits

Eugene Saturday Market: Celebrating 50 Seasons — In the second floor Magazines and Newspapers room through December at the downtown location. “The Eugene Saturday Market is celebrating 50 seasons of selling handmade arts and crafts in Downtown Eugene. Founder Lotte Streisinger brought her vision of an open-air marketplace to life in the alley next to the Oak Street Overpark on a rainy May 9, 1970 with 29 members. In the intervening years, Saturday Market moved several times, landing at in the Park Blocks in 1983. Currently, there are more than 600 active members. Across five decades, Saturday Market has provided an accessible, low cost marketplace to thousands of artists, chefs, musicians, and craftspeople, helping to build a thriving local art scene and launch many small businesses.”

Tomorrow’s Scientist: Space and Technology in 20th Century Children’s Literature — In the Children’s Center on the 1st floor through January, there is a joint exhibition by Eugene Public Library and the Special Collections and University Archives of the University of Oregon. The display at the Downtown Library includes original illustrations and popular titles from UO’s Special Collections. The display at the UO Knight Library focuses on the intersections of politics and children’s literature during the Cold War Period. Additional displays in the Children’s Center feataure the Eugene Ballet Company, Eugene Waldorf School, and Lane Audubon Society.

More events and activities

Kids: Minecrafters — 4:00 p.m. on Mondays and Tuesdays in December, downtown. Play together, share tips, and get creative with building challenges with Minecraft on Eugene Public Library’s computers. For ages 6-12 years. Sign up starting each Monday for the following week’s sessions at 541-682-8316.

Family STEAM in December— 4:00 p.m. on Wednesdays, Sheldon branch; 4:00 p.m. on Thursdays, Bethel branch. Kids and families share hands-on fun and learning together. STEAM activities feature science, technology, engineering, art, and math.

Kids: LEGO Lab — 10:15 a.m. on Saturdays, Bethel and Sheldon branches. Bring the kids to build, play, and explore with Eugene Public Library’s big and varied LEGO collection. For ages 5-12.

Family Music Time — 10:15 a.m. on Saturdays, downtown. Live music for kids of all ages, with their caregivers. On December 7, bilingual Family Music Time with Bryan Reed. December 14 and 28 with Jodie St. Clair, and December 21 with Kris Olsen.

Illustrations in Ink Splats — 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 4, downtown. Artist and professional illustrator Marianne Walker offers an inky creative journey for adults and teens, starting with splats, drips, and flings of ink to create colorful interpretations of pop culture that are both spontaneous and calculated, inspired by the exhibit “Ralph Steadman: A Retrospective” at the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art at the University of Oregon.

Kids: Book Buddies — 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 5, downtown. This month’s book is The Last Firehawk: The Ember Stone by Katrina Charman. Starting the Friday after each month’s meeting, sign up and pick up the book for the next month. For ages 7-9 years.

One-on-One Job Hunt Help — 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Thursdays, December 5 and 19, downtown. Pre-register for individual 30-minute appointments at 541-682-5450. Job hunters can get expert advice and assistance from employment counselors, including finding employment opportunities; completing applications; writing online and traditional resumes; learning and practicing interview techniques; or exploring new career directions. Call 541-682-5450 to register. This service is provided in partnership by Eugene Public Library, Goodwill Industries of Lane and South Coast Counties, and United Way of Lane County.

Use Free Data to Make Better Business Decisions — 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 5, downtown. Business owners can learn how to access free data to help set competitive wages, understand projected population and industry growth, and validate market research. Presenter Henry Fields MPA is the Oregon Employment Department’s Workforce Analyst serving Lane County. He is one of ten analysts in Oregon who provide economic data and labor market information to improve business decisions. This workshop is presented by Eugene Public Library in partnership with SCORE: Counselors to America’s Small Business.

Restorative Yoga — 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 5, downtown. Practice the basics of this slow, gentle, deeply relaxing style of yoga with Valerie Morris of Eugene Yoga. No experience needed. All equipment supplied.

Eugene Youth Ballet at Bethel and Sheldon Family Storytimes — 10:15 a.m. on Friday, December 6, Bethel branch; 10:15 a.m. on Friday, December 13, Sheldon branch. Dancers from Eugene Youth Ballet share a taste of The Nutcracker ballet at Family Storytimes. The full Nutcracker show by Eugene Youth Ballet will be performed at the Downtown Library on Wednesday, December 11, 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.

Build It — Drop in from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Friday, December 6, Bethel branch. Children of all ages on a no-school day can play and experiment with a variety of materials such as LEGO and DUPLOS blocks, Keva Planks, Strawbees, and Brain Flakes, as well as everyday items such as toothpicks and gumdrops.

Quilling: Snowflakes — 3:00 p.m. on Friday, December 6, Sheldon branch; 3:00 p.m. on Friday, December 13, Bethel branch. Adults and teens can learn the basics of quilling, the craft of coiling paper into decorative shapes. Make snowflakes to brighten windows or greeting cards. No experience needed. All supplies provided.

Teens: Watch “Wall-E” with Robots — 3:00 p.m. on Friday, December 6, downtown. Watch the fave robot movie and play with the library’s Cosmo robots. For ages 13-19 years.

Unlock the Box: Houdini — Sessions starting at 3:30 p.m., 4:15 p.m., and 5:00 p.m. on Friday, December 6, downtown. Tweens work as a team to find clues and solve puzzles to unlock the box where Harry Houdini hid the secrets of his most dazzling illusions. For ages 9-12 years. Sign up for a session by calling 541-682-8316.

Concert – Byrdsong Consort — 6:00 p.m. on First Friday, December 6, downtown. Byrdsong Consort performs traditional and contemporary music of England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. The group features Michael Bardossi (violin); Alice Barkan (viol, recorder); Julia Heydon (violin, recorder, voice); Elnora Sears (viol, recorder, flutes); and Tom Sears (viol, recorder, harpsichord).

Teens: Nintendo Switch Party — Drop in from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 7, Sheldon branch; 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 21, Bethel branch. Play Mario Kart, Mario Party, and Super Smash Bros. with Nintendo Switch.

Flamenco Chico — 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 7, downtown. The dance troupe performs with live guitar and percussion and offers history of Flamenco in Spanish and English.

I Have a Library Card, Now What? — 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 8, downtown. Your library card is the key to an astonishing range of free services, resources, and activities you might not know about. Whether you don’t have a card yet, just got your card, or have had one for years, come learn about all that’s available to you.

Family Fun: Get Moving — 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 8, downtown. Kids and family learn healthy moves for fitness with hula hoops, jump ropes, dancing, and more.

Preschool STEAM — 10:15 a.m. on Monday, December 9, Bethel branch. Hands-on exploring, learning, and fun for kids ages 3-5 years old at Bethel Branch. STEAM activities feature science, technology, engineering, art, and math.

Try It: Virtual Reality — Drop in from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Mondays, December 9 and 23, Sheldon branch; 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 11, Bethel branch. Experience virtual reality (VR) with Oculus Go. For adults and teens.

Family Night: Winter Fun — 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, December 10, Bethel branch; 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, December 17, Sheldon branch. Kids and family enjoy stories and songs, plus make a mobile with snowflakes, moons, and stars.

The Nutcracker: Short & Suite — Two shows at 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 11, downtown. In a longtime library tradition, the Eugene Youth Ballet performs a child-size version of the classic Nutcracker ballet. Appropriate for all ages.

Teens: Hot Cocoa Party — 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 11, downtown. Use hot chocolate in creative ways  at a “crafty” cocoa tasting. For ages 13–19 years.

Adults’ Silent Reading Party — Drop in from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, December 11, downtown. It’s a book club where you read whatever you like. The library provides a quiet room to gather, relax, and read. Bring a book, choose one from the shelves, or ask library hosts for a recommendation.

Stuck in the Middle Book Club — 4:15 p.m. on Thursday, December 12, downtown. This month’s book is Seraphina by Rachel Hartman. For ages 11-14 years. Starting the Friday after each month’s meeting, sign up and pick up the book for the next month.

Try It: Virtual Reality — 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, December 12, downtown. Experience virtual reality (VR) and learn to use the Oculus Rift headset in the Media Lab at the Downtown Library. For adults and teens. Library card required.

Books for Gifts: Ideas for Everyone on Your List — 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 12, downtown. Find the perfect book gift ideas with recommendations by Eugene Public Library’s panel of experts. They will suggest choices for a variety of interests and ages, and provide personalized suggestions in response to your questions and challenging cases. Books will be available for sale courtesy of the Friends of Eugene Public Library and Tsunami Books.

Sew a Scarf with Pockets — 3:00 p.m. on Friday, December 13 (for ages 13-19 years), and Friday, December 27 (for ages 9-12 years), downtown. Learn to use a sewing machine and make a fleece scarf with hand-warmer pockets. No experience needed. All supplies provided.

Donate Blood — Drop in from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 14, Bethel branch. Donate blood and save lives with the Bloodworks Northwest bloodmobile. Must be 16 years or older and show photo ID.

Dog Tale Time — 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, December 14, Bethel and Sheldon branches. Children build skills in short one-on-one sessions, reading to trained dogs who enjoy literature. Sign up starting December 7 in person or by phone at 541-682-8316.

The Satirical Eye: Art Talk — 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 14, downtown. A talk by Emily Shinn, curator of the exhibition The Satirical Eye at the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art, which coincides with the exhibit “Ralph Steadman: A Retrospective.” The Satirical Eye features work by William Hogarth, James Gillray, Francisco de Goya, and Honoré Daumier. Shinn explores printmaking as a medium of comedic relief, moral critique, and political protest, introducing viewers to the dynamic range of satire and caricature permeating consecutive eras of satirical prints in the 18th and 19th centuries in Great Britain, Spain, and France. She discusses how “caricature and satire become enduring icons of meaning, positioning the creative enterprise of each print in its historical context while illuminating its contemporary relevance.” Emily Shinn is the Curatorial Extern in American and European Art.

Yarn & Thread — Drop in from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturdays, December 14 and 28, Sheldon branch. Get together to knit, crochet, embroider, cross stitch, or hand sew — and share tips and ideas. Bring your current project or try something new with the library’s needles, hooks, hoops, loom, and more.

Family Fun: Kids Craft & Maker Market — 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 15, downtown. Kids can find gifts for others or themselves at the Kids’ Craft and Maker Market, using free tickets to trade for kid-crafted items. Young creators who would like to trade their own works may reserve a table in advance by calling 541-682-8316.

Pajama Storytime: Stuffies Sleepover — 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, December 17, downtown. Children come alone or with their favorite stuffed toys to enjoy stories, songs, and more at a special Pajama Storytime. The stuffed friends may spend the night at the library, then be picked up later with photos of their fun “sleepover.”

Tween Scene — 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 19, downtown. Get together to talk, snack, and have fun based on this month’s book, Greenglass House by Kate Milford. For ages 9-12 years. Starting the Friday after each month’s meeting, sign up and pick up the book for the next month.

Teen Book Group — 4:00 p.m on Thursday, December 19, downtown. Get together to talk about this month’s book, Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi. For ages 13-19 years. Starting the Friday after each month’s meeting, sign up and pick up the book for the next month.

Teens: Ani-Manga Club — 4:00 p.m. on Friday, December 20, downtown. Get together to watch anime and sample snacks.

Kids: “Dog Man” Supa Party — 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 21, downtown. Have fun and show off your Reading Superpowers with fun activities inspired by Dav Pilkey’s books. For ages 6-12 years.

Record Listening Party: “There’s a Riot Goin’ On” by Sly & The Family Stone — Noon on Sunday, December 22, downtown. Join the vinyl revival with Sly & The Family Stone’s 1971 album There’s a Riot Goin’ On at a record listening party hosted by Greg Sutherland of House of Records, who says, “The first rhythmic notes of There’s a Riot Goin’ On will usher you hips-first into a world of reverb, wah wah, and soulful vocals. But this is no party album. These were grim days for Sly & the Family Stone, darkened by Sly’s growing interest in heroin and rising tensions between the band members. Despite the tense group dynamics, they managed to pull it together and create a masterpiece of psychedelic funk rock. This is deep and spacious music, spare, yet full and sensual. Come lose yourself in it.”

Family Fun: LEGO® Lab — 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 22, downtown. Build and play together with the library’s large and varied collection.

Teens: Make a Paracord Compass Bracelet — 3:00 p.m. on Monday, December 23, Bethel branch; 3:00 p.m. on Friday, December 27, Sheldon branch. Make a paracord bracelet featuring a working compass. No experience needed. All supplies provided.

Meet LEGO Designer Grant Davis — 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 28, Bethel branch; 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 28, downtown. Grant Davis, a real-life professional LEGO designer, shares how his ideas about a LEGO pop-up book turned into a LEGO set that is currently on shelves around the world. He talks about his evolution as a builder and what it is like to work with the largest toy company in the world. Grant Davis is an electrical engineering student at George Fox University.

Family Fun: Karaoke — 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 29, downtown. Kids and families can listen, sing and perform together.

Weekly story times

Toddler Storytime — 10:15 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. on Tuesdays, downtown. For toddlers, with their caregivers.

Pajama Storytime — 6:30 p.m. on Tuesdays, downtown. For young children, with their caregivers.

Preschool Storytime — 10:15 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. on Wednesdays, downtown. For preschoolers, with their caregivers.

Music & Movement Storytime — 10:15 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. on Thursdays, downtown. For young children, with their caregivers.

Baby Storytime — 10:15 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. on Fridays, downtown. For babies from birth to first steps, with their caregivers.

Family Storytime at Sheldon — 10:15 a.m. on Fridays, Sheldon branch. For kids of all ages, with their caregivers.

Family Storytime at Bethel — 10:15 a.m. on Fridays, Bethel branch. For kids of all ages, with their caregivers.

Family Music Time — 10:15 a.m. on Saturdays, downtown. Live music for kids of all ages, with their caregivers. First Saturday of each month is bilingual in Spanish and English.