Reading, classes,singing, dancing, art exhibits — Enjoy it all at Eugene Public Library locations

(Edited by Anne-Allegra Bennett)

Eugene Public Library locations:

Downtown: 100 West 10^th 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 January calendar at Eugene Public Library locations:

ART DISPLAYS 

OSLP Arts and Culture Program — On the walls in the 2nd floor Magazines and Newspapers Room of the downtown library throughout January and February, a group show featuring artwork by participants in the Open Arts Studio at OSLP Arts and Culture Program. The Oregon Supported Living Program (OSLP) Arts and Culture Program is a diverse and inclusive community arts program, open and accessible to people of all abilities. Many of the artists are adults with developmental, intellectual, and physical disabilities. The program offers creative and cultural classes and workshops, mentorships, and art exhibitions.

Native American Art — A display in connection with Eugene Public Library’s upcoming NEA Big Read of Joy Harjo’s “How We Became Human: New and Selected Poems.” The exhibited items on loan from the collection of Kate MacQueen include pottery, prints, baskets, and carvings, in the display cases in the 2nd floor Magazines and Newspapers Room of the downtown library in January and February.

Children’s Center — All of January in the Children’s Center on the first floor of the downtown library. Art and exhibits by students of Eugene Arte Latino bilingual summer camp, Eugene Waldorf School, Family School, Norkenzie Christian Preschool, and Patterson Preschool.

CLASSES AND EVENTS

Play with Lego Blocks — 4 p.m. every Wednesday, downtown location; 10:15 a.m. every Saturday, Sheldon location; 3 p.m. every Saturday, Bethel Branch. Kids ages 5-12 years can build, play, and explore with Eugene Public Library’s huge and varied collection of Lego blocks.

Family STEAM — 4 p.m. every Wednesday, Sheldon location; 4 p.m. every Thursday, Bethel Branch. For kids and families; STEAM activities feature science, technology, engineering, art, and math.

Family Music Time — 10:15 a.m. every Saturday, downtown library branch. Kids and families sing and dance with a different performer every week! On Jan. 6, join Anahid Bertrand, who is fluent in musical fun — and six languages. On Jan. 13, Bryan Reed makes learning rock! Emily Fox shares lively banjo tunes on Jan. 20. Join Samuel Becerra on Jan. 27 for music of South America and Mexico.

Family Fun —2 p.m. every Sunday, downtown location. Drop in for a new activity every week. On Jan. 7, join in Chinese Story and Dance with Cindy Chan. Akiko Colton performs and teaches Hawaiian Hula on Jan. 14. Make decorative magnets and pendants with Local Clay on Jan. 21. Jump into Bollywood-style Bhangra Dance with Eugene Bhangra on Jan. 28.

Dog Tale Time — 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 6, Bethel and Sheldon Branches; 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Saturdays starting Jan. 13, downtown branch. Kids ages 5-12 years have fun and build skills in short one-on-one sessions as they read to trained dogs. Ongoing every  from Jan. 13 through March at the downtown location. Register a week in advance in person or by phone at 541-682-8316. Dogs and handlers come courtesy of PAAWS (Project Canine and Pet Partner teams).

Talk Time: Conversational English — 4 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 4, downtown location. Learning English? Come meet other learners and practice conversational English together. Talk Time is an opportunity to build listening and speaking skills at a friendly, casual gathering.

Small Business Clinic: Ask the Experts — 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 4 and Jan. 18, downtown location. Register in advance for individual one-hour appointments, 541-682-5450. Running a small business? Or thinking of starting one? Get one-on-one advice and mentoring from the experts. Sign up for a no-cost, individual, and confidential one hour session with a SCORE counselor to address the issues most important to your business right now. This project is provided by Eugene Public Library and SCORE: Counselors to America’s Small Business. Due to limited space, advance registration is required.

Concert: Gus Russell Quartet with Vocalist Laurie Hammond — 6 p.m. on First Friday, Jan. 5, downtown location. This accomplished ensemble performs classic jazz from the 1930s, ’40s and ’50s, plus favorite tunes from the Great American Songbook. The group features Laurie Hammond (vocals), Gus Russell (keyboards), Jim Reinking (drums), and Scoop McGuire (bass). Their repertoire includes works by George Gershwin, Cole Porter, and Johnny Mercer.

Alternative Education Fair — Drop in 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 6, downtown location. A great opportunity for parents, teens, and kids to drop in to learn about local alternative education programs. The Alternative Education Fair includes displays and representatives of more than a dozen local private schools, charter schools, Eugene District 4-J alternative programs, and home schooling organizations, plus educational resources available through Eugene Public Library, such as the online Homework Centers for children and for teens. This event is presented in partnership by the Eugene Public Library and the Eugene Sudbury School.

Finger Knitting — 8:30 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 8, downtown location. Adults and teens learn to knit without needles, Make ear-warmers, scarves, and more. All supplies provided. Because of limited space, a Eugene Public Library card is required.

Control Your Cash — 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 9, downtown location. At this user-friendly workshop, learn how to manage your cash flow effectively and prevent the problems caused by spending without a plan. Expert Mark Brauer covers strategies for tracking income and expenses, finding spending leaks, and identifying potential ways to save. This workshop is presented in partnership by Eugene Public Library, Goodwill Industries of Lane and South Coast Counties, and United Way of Lane County.

Yarn & Thread — Noon to 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 9, Bethel Branch; 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 13, 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.

Fish Tales: Traditions and Challenges of Seafood in Oregon — 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 10, downtown location. Oregonians love local food, but finding truly local fish can be hard, even on the coast. People have become aware of concerns regarding ethically grown meat and vegetables, but seafood remains somewhat mysterious. Learn from Jennifer Burns Bright as part of Oregon Humanities’ Conversation Project. She is a food and travel writer who moved to the coast to write about seafood after many years teaching food studies and literature at the University of Oregon.

One-on-One Job Hunt Help — 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursdays, Jan. 11 or Jan. 25, downtown location. 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.

Record Your Own Album — 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursday, January 11, downtown location. Beginners: sign up for a one-on-one introduction to recording and producing an album, using tools available in the Library’s Media Lab. For adults and teens. Because of limited space, a Eugene Public Library card and advance registration are required for each 30-minute session. Call 541-682-5450.

Budget & Save with Mobile Apps — 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 11, downtown location. Did your New Year’s resolutions include getting your finances in order? Learn about mobile apps that can help. Bring your smart phone or tablet, or use one of the library’s.

FAFSA! — 10 a.m. on Saturday, January 13, downtown location. Teens and parents: get step-by-step tips to apply for college financial aid by filing your Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form.

Creating Inclusive Communities: Addressing Unconscious and Implicit Bias — 2 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 13, downtown location. Everyone has biases and preferences for some things and people. But we do not necessarily realize how many of our biases operate unconsciously, directing our actions in ways that negatively impact others. Educator and activist Ann Su leads this interactive workshop to help participants understand, recognize, and counteract implicit bias to create more inclusive communities.

Birders Online — 2 p.m. on Sunday, January 14, downtown location. Birding enthusiasts can learn about websites and mobile apps to help identify birds, participate in nationwide bird counts, and more. Bring a smartphone, tablet, or laptop — or use one of the library’s.

Computer Practice Lab for Beginners — Drop in 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 16, downtown location. Computer beginners: practice and experiment in a supportive environment with assistance available. Use library computers or your own laptop to work on a project or a particular type of program or skill. Library staff will be available to help in English and Spanish.

Birding Without Borders: Noah Strycker — 6 p.m. on Tuesday, January 16, downtown location. Traveling in 2015 to 41 countries, with a backpack and binoculars, Noah Strycker became the first person to see more than half the world’s 10,000 species of birds in one year. Join him for an illustrated talk based on his new book, “Birding Without Borders: An Obsession, a Quest, and the Biggest Year in the World.” In addition to the beauty and wonder of this journey, his account includes blood-sucking leeches, chronic sleep deprivation, airline snafus, breakdowns, mudslides, floods, war zones, and ecologic devastation. He also meets scores of passionate bird lovers around the globe. By pursuing the freest creatures on the planet, Strycker gained a unique perspective on the world they share with us. He offers a hopeful message that even as many birds face an uncertain future, more people than ever are working to protect them. Noah Strycker’s writing and photographs are widely published, including in Birding and Audubon magazines and his two previous books, “The Thing with Feathers” and “Among Penguins.” Books will be available for purchase and signing courtesy of the University of Oregon Duck Store.

Windfall Reading Series — 6 p.m. on Tuesday, January 16, downtown location. This month’s Windfall Reading will feature poets Endi Bogue Hartigan and Cecelia Hagen. Endi Bogue Hartigan’s “One Sun Storm” was a finalist for the 2009 Oregon Book Award, and “Pool [5 choruses]” was a finalist for the 2015 Oregon Book Award. She is currently working on a manuscript exploring clocks and time and the ways experience fits or not in temporal measure. Cecelia Hagen’s is widely published, and she has been honored with awards and residencies from Literary Arts, the MacDowell Colony, Soapstone, and Playa. She has published two chapbooks and the full-length poetry collection, “Entering.” The Windfall Reading Series is presented in partnership by Eugene Public Library and Lane Literary Guild. Refreshments served at intermission.

Family Night at Sheldon and Bethel Branches — 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 16, Sheldon Branch; 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 23, Bethel Branch. The January Family Night theme is Dinosaurs! Enjoy dino stories, crafts, and more together.

3D-Print a Keychain — 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 17, downtown location. Learn the basics of 3D modeling and printing. Design a keychain with user-friendly Tinkercad software, then 3D-print it. All supplies provided. For adults and teens.

Tweens: LittleBits — 4 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 18, downtown location. Lights, sound, action! Create and explore with the easy electronic building blocks of LittleBits invention kits. Ages 8 – 12. No experience needed. All supplies provided.

Teens: Ani-Manga Club — 4:00 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 19, downtown location. Teens: watch anime and enjoy Japanese snacks with friends who share your love of anime and manga.

Kids: OBOB Bookopoly — 4 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 19, Sheldon Branch; 4 p.m. on Friday, January 26, Bethel Branch. Kids: play a fun live-action quiz game to practice for the Oregon Battle of the Books (OBOB)! Prepare for questions about “Blast-off!” “Dash,” “Ella Enchanted,” “My Life in Dog Years,” and “The Red Pencil.” Call to pre-register starting one week in advance for this event. 541-682-8316.

Workshop: Autism and Early Literacy — 1 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 20, downtown location. Preschool teachers and childcare providers: Learn about “Autism and Early Literacy” at a free training workshop. Pediatrician Randall Phelps and psychologist Debby Laimon will explain the basics of early literacy, developmental milestones of early childhood, how autism relates to these, and how to adapt teaching practices for young children with special needs. Practical guidance will be provided for choosing and reading books aloud, using picture schedules, and integrating sensory activities into storytimes. Librarian Cynthia Olsen will also recommend books and other early literacy resources available at Eugene Public Library. Admission is free and no pre-registration is required. To receive Set 1 Community Training Hours for Office of Child Care licensing, call Quality Care Connections in advance: 541-463-3954. To reserve free childcare during the training, contact Eugene Public Library at 541-682-8316.

Sewing for Beginners — 10 a.m. on Sunday, Jan. 21, downtown location. Learn to use a sewing machine by making a felt cover for your book, iPad, Kindle, or tablet. For adults and teens. All supplies provided. Free.

Money Matters for Beginners — 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 23, Sheldon Branch; 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan.30, Bethel Branch. Money matters affect everyone every day. But not everyone knows that there are some basic rules that lead to financial stability and success. This user-friendly workshop outlines these rules and helps participants to apply them to improve their financial outlook. Learn about savings, budgeting, cash flow, debt management, and how to adopt financial strategies that lead to positive long-term outcomes. This event is presented in partnership by Eugene Public Library, Prosperity Program of Goodwill Industries of Lane and South Coast Counties, and United Way of Lane County.

Adulting: You Can Cook — 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 24, downtown location. Teens and young adults: Learn to read a recipe, crack an egg, cut veggies, and make a microwave omelet in a cup.

Tween Scene — 4 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 25, downtown location. This month’s book is “The Watsons Go to Birmingham – 1963” by Christopher Paul Curtis. In a novel both funny and serious, the Watson family travels south to visit Grandma – and then the local church is blown up. Pre-register and pick up the book at the Downtown Library’s Children’s Center starting Jan. 2. For ages 9 to 12.

Teen Book Group — 4 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 25, downtown location. This month’s book is “The Serpent King” by Jeff Zentner. In this witty and deep novel, three high school seniors struggle to understand themselves and life, while hoping to leave their small Southern town behind. Visit the Downtown Teen Desk to pre-register and pick up your copy of the book starting Jan. 2.

Catalonia’s Movement for Independence — 6 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 25, downtown location. In October, 2 million Catalans voted for independence from Spain, setting off a chain of actions by Catalan and Spanish courts and legislators, as well as other nations. Join Anuncia Escala and members of Portland Casal Catalá to learn about this situation as it unfolds. Escala is a Senior Instructor at Oregon State University, focusing on Spanish language, literatures, and culture.

Share and Store Photos Online — 10 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 27, downtown location. Learn how to organize and share digital photos. Get an introduction to storing and sharing your photos in the cloud, e-mailing photos, and creating online albums. Note: this class uses the library’s PCs, but most tips apply to Mac users too. No camera needed. Internet skills required.

Teens: Video Game Tournament — Noon on Saturday, Jan. 27, downtown location. Teens: Join in a head-to-head “Need for Speed” championship challenge.

Jump Start: Poetry Writing Workshop — 2 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 27, downtown location. Widely published poet and writing teacher Toni Hanner leads a lively workshop to help fire up creativity and turn it into poetry. Jump Start provides structured, easy-to-understand exercises aimed at generating first drafts. The atmosphere is safe, friendly, and playful for beginning and experienced poets. Reading aloud will be optional, with a focus on sharing and listening without critique. Participants will receive handouts of all exercises, sample poems, and a list of recommended poetry writing books and websites.

Try It: Coding — 10 a.m. on Sunday, Jan. 28, downtown location. Adults and teens: Get a hands-on introduction to what code is and how it works, designed for beginners. Discover why coding is a fun, creative, and useful skill to learn. Basic PC skills and a library card required.

Winter Teen Team — Apply at the Teen Desk of the Downtown Library. Teens volunteer together to help staff prepare items for check out, set up crafts projects for kids’ programs, create displays, clean and organize books, and more. Winter Teen Team will meet on Tuesdays, Jan .30 through March 20, 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the downtown location.

Get Fit Online — 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan .31, downtown location. Getting fit in the New Year? Your Eugene Public Library card provides free access to lots of online support, including exercise videos, health magazines, and more. Learn more: bring your smart phone or tablet, or use one of the library’s.

Photojournalist E. Jason Wambsgans’  “Under the Gun: Documenting Chicago’s Persistent Violence” — 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 31, downtown location. Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist E. Jason Wambsgans gives an illustrated talk, “Under the Gun: Documenting Chicago’s Persistent Violence.” Wambsgans has been a staff photographer at the Chicago Tribune since 2002, extensively covering the gun violence story in Chicago for the past six years. He recently won the 2017 Pulitzer Prize for Feature Photography for his images of 10-year-old shooting victim Tavon Tanner. He will share recent work, followed by a discussion about the intractable gun violence problem in Chicago and the current state of journalism in the city. Co-leading the conversation will be Wes Pope, Co-Director of the University of Oregon School of Journalism and Communication’s Multimedia Journalism master’s program in Portland. Pope worked as a photojournalist at the Chicago Tribune in 1998-1999 and 2005-2008.

WEEKLY STORYTIMES IN JANUARY

STEAM Storytime — Mondays, 4 p.m., downtown location. For ages 3 to 7 years with their caregivers.

Talkers Storytime — Tuesdays, 10:15 a.m. and 11 a.m., downtown location. For toddlers who are starting to string words together, with their caregivers.

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

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

Walkers Storytime — Thursdays, 10:15 and 11:00 a.m., downtown location. For babies up on their feet, with their caregivers.

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

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

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

Family Music Time — Saturdays, 10:15 a.m., downtown location. Live music for kids of all ages, with their caregivers.

Cuentos y Canciones: Stories & Songs in Spanish — Saturdays, 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.