(Posted by Anne-Allegra Bennett)

 

Eugene Public Library locations

Downtown: 100 West 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

 

ON THE MARCH CALENDAR

Art Displays

  • Magazines and Newspapers Room — Second floor, through April. “Painting with Paper” by Dori Koberstein. A self-taught artist, Koberstein begins her process by selecting collections of paper materials, from newspapers and magazines to wrapping or handmade paper. As she tears and cuts the materials, she starts gluing them to her canvas with, she says, “a sense of wonder about where the piece is going without any premeditated vision.” As the layers of paper dry, a theme emerges, and an image comes to mind. As she adds more and more paper, the story of the work develops in the layers, similar to painting. Each unique piece uses between two and ten layers of paper, resulting in “a collage of mystery and a process that seems to be in charge of the end result.”
  • Children’s Center — First floor, through March. Exhibits by Adventure! Children’s Museum; Family School; Ridgeline Montessori Public Charter School; and Singing Creek Educational Center.

 

Dog Tale Time – 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. every Saturday in March, downtown library. Kids ages 5-12 years have fun, and build skills in short one-on-one sessions reading to trained dogs. Dogs and handlers courtesy of PAAWS (Project Canine and Pet Partner teams). Pre-register starting one week in advance, in person or by phone: 541-682-8316.

Play with Lego Blocks – 10:15 a.m. every Saturday, Sheldon Branch; 3:00 p.m. every Saturday, Bethel Branch; 4:00 p.m. every Wednesday, downtown library. Bring the kids ages 5-12 years to build, play, and explore with Eugene Public Library’s big and varied collection of Lego blocks.

Family Music Time – 10:15 a.m. every Saturday, downtown library. Kids and their families sing and dance their way into the weekend with a different performer every week. Sing, move, and play with Kris Olsen on March 10. Music educator Bryan Reed makes learning rock on March 17. On March 24, enjoy music and movement with Pia and Jason Robbins. Singer-songwriter Rob Tobias brings classics, originals, and tunes made up on the spot on March 31.

Family Fun – 2 p.m. every Sunday, downtown library. Kids and family drop in for a new activity every week. Kelly Terwilliger performs tales celebrating “Storied Women” on March 11. It’s Som-Oh Scripakdee of the UO International Cultural Service Program with hands-on learning about Thailand on March 18. On March 25, play favorite and new board games with Chris Wuebbles.

Kids: Minecrafters – 4 p.m. every Monday and Tuesday, downtown library. Kids play together, share tips, and get creative with building challenges with Minecraft on Eugene Public Library’s computers. For ages 6-12 years. A Eugene Public Library card and pre-registration are required. Sign up for the following week starting each Monday at 541-682-8316.

Kids and Teens: Vote for Your Favorite Books – Starting March 1, all locations of Eugene Public Library. Kids and teens: vote for your favorites to win the Oregon Reader’s Choice Award and Beverly Cleary Children’s Choice Award. See this year’s nominees at the Eugene Public Library or the Library website: bit.ly/19iqKF4. Voting for the Oregon Reader’s Choice Award is open through March 30. Readers in grades 4 through 12 who have read or listened to at least two of the nominated books in their age level’s division are eligible to vote once. The Beverly Cleary Children’s Choice Award is selected by kids who have read or listened to at least two of the nominated books. Vote once at the Library from March 15 through April 9.

Intro to Online Genealogy – 3 p.m. on Monday, March 5, Bethel Branch; 3 p.m. on Monday, March 12, Sheldon Branch. Start exploring your family tree at this introduction to user-friendly online tools available free through the Eugene Public Library, including Ancestry, HeritageQuest, Fold3 military records, and the Info Hub at the Library’s website. Also learn about 40+ recommended Internet sites including USGenweb, Rootsweb, Family Search, and Cyndi’s List. Internet skills required.

eBooks and More — 3:30-5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 6, downtown library. Have fun and save money: learn how to get free downloadable and streaming eBooks, audiobooks, magazines, music, movies, and TV shows from the Eugene Public Library. Tens of thousands of titles are available at the library website from home or on the road. See demonstrations of online services using devices including Kindle, Android tablet, iPad, and laptops. Bring your own device, or just your curiosity.

Tabletop Games for All Ages – 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 6, Bethel and Sheldon branches. All ages are invited to play modern and classic tabletop games at Eugene Public Library’s neighborhood branches on the first Tuesday of each month. A wide variety of games will be available for children, teens, and adults, ranging from Animal Upon Animal to Settlers of Catan to Scrabble.

Tweens: Fact Check Book Group – 4 p.m on Thursday, March 8, downtown library. New! Eugene Public Library hosts a monthly youth book group featuring nonfiction books and topics. The title for March is “King George: What Was His Problem? The Whole Hilarious Story of the American Revolution” by Steve Sheinkin. Pre-register and pick up the book at the Downtown Library’s Teen Center. For ages 11 to 14 years.

One-on-One Job Hunt Help – 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursday, March 8 or March 22, downtown library. Pre-register for individual 30-minute appointments at 541-682-5450. Job hunters: get expert advice and assistance to address your specific questions and concerns. Employment counselors will help you find employment opportunities; complete applications; write online and traditional resumes; learn and practice interview techniques; or explore new job or career directions. This service is provided in partnership by Eugene Public Library, Goodwill Industries of Lane and South Coast Counties, and United Way of Lane County.

Holistic Detoxificatio with nutritionist Ellen Syversen – 6 p.m. on Thursday, March 8, downtown library. Syversen explains the body’s natural detoxification process and how healthy eating choices can support it. Toxins can enter the body through the air, food, medications, and chemicals in products. The natural ongoing detoxification process keeps a body’s kidneys, liver, lungs, skin, and colon busy every day. Learn how the detoxification process works and what is required from a nutritional perspective. Ellen Syversen has a Masters Degree in Public Health and is trained as a Nutritional Therapy Practitioner. She provides holistic nutritional counseling, therapy, and education at Pathways for Health, LLC.

Make a Seagrass Basket – 3 p.m. on Friday, March 9, Bethel Branch; 3 p.m. on Saturday, March 10, Sheldon Branch. Appropriate for adults and teens. Artist Donna Sakamoto Crispin gives a hands-on introduction to the ancient technique of twining to weave seagrass baskets. Start with a pre-woven base, learn to make color patterns with the addition of raffia or yarn, and finish off with a decorative rim. No experience needed. All supplies provided. Due to limited space, pre-registration is required; call 541-682-5450.

Seeing the Forest for the Trees: Stewarding Our Public Forests – 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 10, downtown library. Join Mariah Acton for a community discussion about Oregon’s forests, as part of the Oregon Humanities Conversation Project. Oregon has abundant forests but we don’t all see the same thing when we look into the woods. Oregon is known for both its timber industry and its deep environmental values. This conversation asks: what are the diverse beliefs we have about our forests and what will we, as a state, do to steward, manage, and protect this resource? Mariah Acton is a social science researcher for the U.S. Forest Service, a volunteer facilitator with forest collaboratives in the southern Willamette Valley, and a University of Oregon graduate student whose master’s work focuses at the intersection of conflict resolution, nonprofit management, and public administration. Oregon Humanities connects Oregonians to ideas that change lives and transform communities. See more information about Oregon Humanities’ programs and publications, including the Conversation Project at oregonhumanities.org. Oregon Humanities is an independent, nonprofit affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities and a partner of the Oregon Cultural Trust.

The Last Wild Men of Borneo – 2 p.m. on Sunday, March 11, downtown library. Author Carl Hoffman talks about his latest book, “The Last Wild Men of Borneo: A True Story of Death and Treasure.” The book blends high adventure and sociological narrative with a touch of true crime and a glimpse inside the dramatic world of the international art trade. Books will be available for purchase and signing, courtesy of the University of Oregon Duck Store. Drawing on in-person reporting and original documents, Hoffman shares the tale of two modern adventurers who each sought treasure possessed by the legendary “Wild Men of Borneo.” One found riches. The other vanished forever into an endless jungle. Hoffman explores the mystery of what happened, as well as the larger question of what defines cultural preservation, versus exploitation. Lured by these mysteries, New York Times bestselling author Carl Hoffman journeyed to find the truth, discovering “that nothing is as it seems in the world’s last Eden, where the lines between sinner and saint blur into one.” Carl Hoffman is a contributing editor at National Geographic Traveler and the author of “The Lunatic Express: Discovering the World via Its Most Dangerous Buses, Boats, Trains, and Planes,” and “Hunting Warbirds: The Obsessive Quest for the Lost Aircraft of World War II.” A veteran journalist, Hoffman has traveled to more than seventy countries on assignment.

Preschool STEAM – 10:15 a.m. on Monday, March 12, Bethel Branch. New! Hands-on exploring, learning, and fun for ages 3-5 years old on the second Monday of each month at 10:15 a.m. STEAM activities feature science, technology, engineering, art, and math.

Media Lab Tour for Musicians – 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, March 14, downtown library. New to studio recording and editing? Beginners may sign up for a one-on-one tour of the Downtown Library’s Media Lab. Learn about the professional tools available to use free with your library card. Appropriate for adults and teens. Due to limited space, a Eugene Public Library card and pre-registration are required for each 30-minute session. Call 541-682-5450.

Tweens: Sew a Journal Cover – 4 p.m. on Thursday, March 15, downtown library. Sew and embroider a felt journal cover by hand. Plus, see a demonstration of the library’s computerized embroidery machine. For ages 8 to 12 years. All supplies provided. No experience needed.

“Pearls Before Swine” Cartoonist Stephan Pastis – 6 p.m. on Thursday, March 15, downtown library. Nationally syndicated, New York Times bestselling cartoonist Stephan Pastis gives an illustrated talk. His daily comic strip, “Pearls Before Swine,” appears in 750 newspapers worldwide, including The Register-Guard. Books will be available for purchase and signing, courtesy of the University of Oregon Duck Store. Stephan Pastis has drawn cartoons since childhood. Completely self-taught, he felt he was unlikely to succeed as a professional, so he graduated from the University of California at Berkeley with a degree in political science, then went on to UCLA Law School. While bored in class, he found himself sketching the character Rat, who would become a mainstay of all his future comic strips, along with Pig, Goat and many other anthropomorphized animals. In 2013, Pastis took on the new challenge of becoming a children’s author with “Timmy Failure: Mistakes Were Made,” about an inept kid detective and his sidekick polar bear. An instant bestseller, it led to a series which is now published in nearly 40 languages.

Create a Handmade Book – 3 p.m. on Friday, March 16, Bethel Branch; 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 24, Sheldon Branch. Adults and teens may join artist Amanda Puetz to create a handmade, soft-cover book embellished with paper beads. Learn to make the beads, then use basic folding and stitching skills to create a unique book for use as a journal, photo album, or gift. No experience needed. All supplies provided.

Tweens: Write Your Own Mystery – 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 17, downtown library. Write a “whodunit,”  inspired by Eugene Symphony’s upcoming performance of Lemony Snicket’s “The Composer is Dead.” The free workshop will guide youths through the process of writing a music-inspired mystery story. For ages 9-14 years. This event is presented in partnership by Eugene Public Library, Eugene Symphony, and Wordcrafters in Eugene. For information about Eugene Symphony’s Family Concert of “The Composer is Dead” on Sunday, April 29 at the Hult Center for the Performing Arts, visit eugenesymphony.org.

Kids: Eggs and Chicks – 11:15 a.m. on Saturday, March 17, Sheldon Branch.  Look inside eggs getting ready to hatch and suggest names for the soon-to-be chicks. This activity presented in partnership by Eugene Public Library, Oregon State University Extension Service of Lane County, and Lane County 4-H. Kids may drop in at the Sheldon Branch anytime to see the incubating eggs, suggest names, and eventually, watch the chicks as they hatch (expected around March 21-24).

Print a 3D Game Piece – 10 a.m. on Sunday, March 18, downtown library. Learn the basics of 3D modeling and printing by creating a game piece with Ben Young in the Library’s Maker Hub. For adults and teens. No experienced needed. All supplies provided. Library card required.

Family Night at Bethel and Sheldon Branches – 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 20, Sheldon branch; 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 27, Bethel branch. In March, the Family Night theme is “Stuffies Camp Out.” Bring teddy bears and other plush companions to enjoy campfire stories, songs, crafts, and more. Stuffed friends can be left to spend the night at the library, then picked up later with photos of their fun “sleepover.”

Windfall Reading – 6 p.m. on Tuesday, March 20, downtown library. This month’s Windfall Reading features C.S. Giscombe and Kaia Sand. Both poets write in the tradition of documentary poetics that address issues of race, class, history, and politics. They work in a hybrid of prose and poetry that often includes graphic elements such as maps and drawings. Giscombe’s poetry books include “Prairie Style,” which won an American Book Award, and “Giscome Road,” which won the Carl Sandburg Prize. He has also published books of essays, “Into and Out of Dislocation” and “Border Towns.” Giscombe teaches at the University of California, Berkeley. Sand is a poet, artist, and community organizer focused on economic injustice. She is author of three books of poetry: “Interval,” “Remember to Wave,” and “A Tale of Magicians Who Puffed Up Money that Lost its Puff.” She is co-author with Jules Boykoff of “Landscapes of Dissent: Guerrilla Poetry and Public Space.” Sand works across genres and media, including with archives, textiles, and performance. She is currently the executive director of Portland’s Street Roots newspaper. The Windfall Reading Series is presented in partnership by Eugene Public Library and Lane Literary Guild. Refreshments served at intermission.

Control Your Cash – 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 20, Bethel branch; 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 27, Sheldon branch. At this user-friendly workshop, learn how to manage cash flow effectively and prevent the problems caused by spending without a plan. Expert Mark Brauer will cover strategies for tracking income and expenses, finding spending leaks, and identifying potential ways to save. Mark Brauer has been a Certified Financial Planner for more than 30 years and currently serves as Prosperity Planner for Goodwill’s Prosperity Center. This workshop is presented in partnership by Eugene Public Library, Goodwill Industries of Lane and South Coast Counties, and United Way of Lane County.

Mistaken Identities: Tracking Down Roman Emperors in Modern Art – 6 p.m. on Wednesday, March 21, downtown library. Join visiting Professor Mary Beard for an illustrated talk about the representation of Roman emperors in Renaissance and later art. She will address questions including: “Why were they such a popular subject? Were they just wallpaper for the elite? Why choose a bunch of murderous thugs as a badge of status? Why are we so bad at identifying them? Professor Mary Beard is Professor of Classics at Newnham College, University of Cambridge, Professor of Ancient Literature for the Royal Academy of Arts. She is the Classics Editor for the Times Literary Supplement. Her extensive areas of expertise encompass ancient history and classical art and archaeology. Her published works include “SPQR: A History of Ancient Rome.” In 2013, Beard was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire. This talk is presented in partnership by Eugene Public Library, the Eugene chapter of the Archaeological Institute of America, and the UO Classics Department.

‘Tween Scene – 4 p.m. on Thursday, March 22, downtown library. This month’s book is “When You Reach Me” by Rebecca Stead. In this novel, a sixth grader’s life is changed by a series of mysterious notes – and the challenge to save her best friend’s life. Pre-register and pick up the book at the Downtown Library’s Children’s Center. For ages 9-12.

Teen Book Group – 4 p.m. on Thursday, March 22, downtown library. This month’s book is “We Are the Ants” by S. Hutchinson. In this novel, aliens give a human teen the power to save the world – and he has to decide whether he should. Visit the Downtown Teen Desk to pre-register and pick up your copy of the book.

How to Write a Proposal for a Nonfiction Book – 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 24, downtown library. Professional writer and editor Maggie Stuckey will explain how to write a proposal for a nonfiction book. Topics will include: how the traditional submission process works, what happens to proposals once they arrive at an editor’s desk, the elements of a proposal, and what editors and agents are looking for. Plus, learn about resources to learn about and keep up with trends in the publishing world. Maggie Stuckey is the author of eleven nonfiction books focused on gardening, cooking, and entertaining, and the editor of many more nonfiction books.

Soup Night: Creating Community – 2 p.m. on Sunday, March 25, downtown library. Join author Maggie Stuckey for a talk about her book “Soup Night.” The concept involves “bringing people together, breaking down barriers, overcoming isolation and fearfulness, and replacing them with friendship, kindness, and caring.,” Stuckey said. “Does it seem impossible? It’s not. In fact, there’s a simple strategy for building community that is already working quiet miracles all across the country: neighborhood Soup Nights.” Stuckey will talk about Soup Nights and share the story of how she brought the book to publication. Soup and bread will be served.

For Teens: Zines! – 11 a.m. on Wednesday, March 28, Sheldon branch; 3 p.m. on Wednesday, March 28, Bethel branch; 1:00 p.m. on Friday, March 30, downtown library. Express yourself by making a zine. During spring break, get creative with ideas, words, and images at this hands-on workshop led by Jamie Walsh and the Euzine Team of the Oregon Arts and Culture Program.

The Shark Riddle Show – 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. on Wednesday, March 28, downtown library; 11 a.m. on Thursday, March 29, Bethel branch; 2 p.m. on Thursday, March 29. During spring break, award-winning underwater filmmakers and sister-brother duo Laura and Robert Sams bring a shark-filled show based on their children’s film “The Shark Riddle” plus games, songs, and behind-the-scenes stories about filming animals underwater. Laura Sams and Robert Sams have worked widely as Sisbro Studios, including with PBS KIDS, The Jim Henson Company, the Smithsonian Channel, Animal Planet, and the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry. Their film “The Shark Riddle” won Best Children’s Program at the International Wildlife Film Festival, the BLUE Ocean Film Festival and the Jackson Hole Wildlife Film Festival, and Best Educational Short at the International Family Film Festival.

Cash Flow Simplified for Small Business – 6 p.m. on Thursday, March 29, downtown library. Terry Smart teaches an easy and intuitive method to build the cash flow models that are essential to every small business. Learn to make accurate monthly projections with pencil, paper, and a calculator. Plus, see a demo of the free spreadsheet service Google Sheets. Originally a chemist, Terry Smart has crossed boundaries into roles in engineering, project management, small business ownership, and industrial sales. Along the way, he earned a BA in Chemistry, a BS in Economics and an MBA in Finance and Securities Analysis. He is known for his ability to bring clarity to complex topics. This workshop is presented in partnership by Eugene Public Library and SCORE: Counselors to America’s Small Business.

Perilous Times: Sedition in World War I Oregon – 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 31, downtown library. One hundred years ago, in the spring of 1917, Oregon authorities began arresting and prosecuting a remarkable number of residents suspected of “sedition.” This hyper-vigilant campaign complied with a Congressional demand to rid the country of any dissent that might impede the war effort. Historian Michael Helquist shares this history, along with its parallels to current times, in an illustrated talk about the Oregon experience under the Espionage and Sedition Acts of the World War I era. At the time, “anyone could report suspicious or disloyal talk  — and they did,” Helquist said. His research reveals that from May 1917 through November 1918, nearly 100 Oregonians were arrested for “disloyal utterances.” The arrests swept up wealthy farmers and business leaders, ranch hands and railway workers, attorneys and physicians, a small-town postmaster, and radical union members. Many had simply made casual remarks that disagreed with the war, the draft, or the war drives that residents were required to support. Dozens more Oregonians were investigated by federal agents, interrogated, and advised to watch what they said in public or in private. Michael Helquist is a widely published historian, journalist, and editor. His book “Marie Equi: Radical Politics and Outlaw Passions,” about the WWI-era radical activist doctor and first famous lesbian in Oregon, was named a Stonewall Honor Book by the American Library Association. His work also led to Equi’s commemoration with a bronze plaque in the San Francisco Rainbow Honor Walk.

REGULAR WEEKLY STORYTIMES in March

STEAM Storytime – Monday at 4 p.m., downtown library; for ages 3-7 years with their caregivers.

Talkers Storytime – Tuesdays at 10:15 a.m. and 11 a.m., downtown library; for toddlers who are starting to string words together, with their caregivers.

Pajama Storytime – Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m., downtown library; for young children with their caregivers.

Preschool Storytime – Wednesdays at 10:15 a.m. and 11 a.m, downtown library; for preschoolers with their caregivers.

Walkers Storytime – Thursdays at 10:15 a.m. and 11 a.m., downtown library; for babies up on their feet, with their caregivers.

Baby Storytime – Fridays at 10:15 a.m. and 11:15 a.m., downtown library; for babies from birth to first steps, with their caregivers.

Family Storytime at Sheldon – Fridays at 10:15 a.m., Sheldon branch; for kids of all ages, with their caregivers.

Family Storytime at Bethel – Fridays at 10:15 a.m., Bethel Branch; for kids of all ages, with their caregivers.

Family Music Time – Saturdays at 10:15 a.m., downtown library; live music for kids of all ages, with their caregivers.

Cuentos y Canciones: Stories & Songs in Spanish – Saturdays at 11:15 a.m., Bethel branch; stories and songs in Spanish for the whole family. Information in Spanish: 541-682-5450 (press 5); in English: 541-682-8316.