Calendar: Yes, yes, the Eugene Public Library has lots of books, but it also hosts many events and activities for people of all ages

Compiled by Randi Bjornstad

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

What’s going on at the library

(Free admission to all events)

Maker Hub Open Labs — downtown library. Drop in to use a variety of tools to create a project, with a different emphasis each week. Participants must have a Eugene Public Library card. Each session is limited to 10 participants at a time, on a first-come basis. Admission is free, but there may a charge for project materials.

* Week 1: 1:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 1 and 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Dec. 3. “Media Editing and Graphic Design Open Lab” features state-of-the-art equipment, including Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Premiere Illustrator, Dreamweaver, After Effects and InDesign), Windows laptops, green screen and more.

* Week 2: 1:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 6  and 8 and 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Dec. 10. “3D Printing and Fabrication” uses design and printing tools to create models and prototypes using 3D saner, 3D printing pens, 3D printer, electronic cutting machine, carving and engraving machine and laptop computers.

* Week 3: 1:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 13 and 15 and 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Dec. 17. “Sewing and Textiles” offers the use of sewing machines, eager, embroidery machine, hand looms, knitting needles and more. Bring fabric, thread and other needed project materials.

“The Nutcracker” at Bethel and Sheldon Family Storytimes — 10:15 a.m. on Dec. 2 at the Bethel Branch and 10:15 a.m. on Dec. 9 at the Sheldon Branch. Dancers from the Eugene Youth Ballet will perform a shortened version of “The Nutcracker” for children and their caregivers.

Origami Bookmark-making for Teens — 4 p.m. on Dec. 2 at both Bethel  and Sheldon branches. Information at 541-682-8316.

First Friday Concert — 6 p.m. downtown library during the First Friday ArtWalk on Dec. 2. Concert by “In Accord.” a secular community choir of amateur singers with a variety of backgrounds and musical experience. Selections focus on socially relevant, meaningful and inspiring songs. The library will be open to 8 p.m.

 Family Music Time — At 10:15 a.m. each Saturday in December at the downtown library, children and families can sing and dance with a different performer each week. Information at 541-682-8316.

* Dec 3 — Classics, originals and tunes made up on the spot by singer-songwriter Ron Tobias.

* Dec 10 — Songs, rhymes and music by Pia and Jason Robbins of Little Timbre Studio.

* Dec. 17 — Sing along with Anahid Bertrand, fluent in six languages and musical fun.

* Dec. 24 — Banjo entertainment with Emily Fox.

* Dec. 31 — Music with Jodie St. Clair, director of the Eugene Suzuki Music Academy.

Dog Tale Time — 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Dec. 3 and 10, downtown library. Dogs and handlers from PAAWS will be on hand to let young readers in kindergarten through sixth grade read stories one-on-one to canine pals. Register in advance in person at the library or by calling 541-682-8316.

Begin Your Book-Length Memoir — 2 p.m. on Dec. 3, downtown library. Writer Melissa Hart uses examples from published memoirs to show how to plan a personal memoir, identifying key themes and historical eras as well as how to add details to create a full-length story. Hart has written two memoirs, “Wild Within: How Rescuing Owls Inspired a Family” and “Gringa,” plus a young adult novel, “Avenging the Owl.”

Family Fun — 1 p.m. every Sunday, downtown library. Activities are offered each week for children and families.

* Dec. 4 — Creative nonsense making “Seriously Silly Collages” with Sharon Kaplan.

* Dec. 11 — “Chinese Story Dancing” means hearing a story, learning a few Chinese words and dancing along with Cindy Chan.

* Dec. 18 — “Songs, Dances and Games of West Africa” with Habiba Addo and live drumming.

Coloring Party for Adults — 10 a.m. to noon every Monday at both the Bethel and Sheldon Branches. Coloring sheets and colored pencils provided or bring-your-own.

For Kids: “Star Wars Hour of Code” — Register in advance because of limited space for a session at 4 p.m. on Dec. 5, 7 or 9 at the downtown library. Kids ages 8-12 years learn Scratch drag-and-drop coding to animate and play a “Star Wars” game, in coordination with Computer Science Education Week in 180+ countries. Sign up at 541-682-8316.

Light-Up Cards — 3:30 p.m. on Dec. 5, downtown library; 6 p.m. on Dec. 6, Bethel Branch; 6 p.m. on Dec. 13, Sheldon Branch. Adults and teens create decorative greeting cards that glow, using LED lights, copper tape and coin cell batteries. Supplies provided.

For Teens: “Minecraft Coding” — 4 p.m. on Dec. 6, downtown library. Learn Scratch drag-and-drop coding to animate and play a game with Minecraft characters. Space is limited, so sign up in advance at 541-682-8316.

Lecture: “Opera as Popular Entertainment” —  6 p.m. on Dec. 6, downtown library. UO musicology professor Marian Smith will explain the enduring appeal of opera through great music, compelling stories and charismatic performers in advance of Eugene Opera’s New Year’s Eve performance, where mega-hit songs from “Aida” and “Die Fledermaus” will be performed.

Genealogy: Next Steps — 1:30 p.m. on Dec. 7, downtown library. People who have already taken the library’s introductory online genealogy class will get advanced tips on in-depth internet searching, organizing data, keeping track of sources and connecting online with the genealogy community.

“Attack at Pearl Harbor: The Day of Infamy” — 6 p.m. on Dec. 7, downtown library, on the 75th anniversary of the attack by Japan on the U.S. Naval Base at Pearl Harbor Hawaii. Mike Pungercar, author of “The Promise Kept,” will talk about the events that led up to the attack that pulled the United States into World War II, including stories from Oregon Navy veterans who were there during the attack and his trip to Tokyo in 2015 when members of the OBON Society returned 70 “hinomaru yosegaki” — good luck flags — taken by American GIs as souvenirs from dead Japanese soldiers during the war. Pungercar also is founder and director of the South Willamette Valley Honor Flight, a nonprofit organization that takes veterans from Lane, Benton, Lincoln and Linn counties to Washington, D.C., to visit national memorials.

Live Action PacMan — 4 p.m. on Dec. 8, downtown library. Play life-size PacMan around a giant board using user-friendly Scratch code. For ages third grade through adult.

Notan Art Workshop — 2 p.m. on Dec. 10, downtown library. Notan is a Japanese design term that means “light-dark” and uses light and dark paper, scissors and glue to create amazing “mirror” cutouts that take on an almost three-dimensional appearance. The workshop is for adults and teens.