There’s definitely something for everyone going on at the Eugene Public Library’s three locations during October

(Posted 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 CALENDAR IN OCTOBER

Kids: Minecrafters — 4:00 p.m. on Mondays and Tuesdays in October, downtown. Play together, share tips, and get creative with building challenges with Minecraft on Eugene Public Library’s computers. For ages 6-12 years. Due to limited space, pre-registration is required: sign up for the next week starting each Monday at 541-682-8316.

Teens: Intro to Theatre — Month-long workshop at 4:15 p.m. on Tuesdays in October, downtown. Sign up for month-long “Intro to Theatre” workshop with Willow Norton. Find strength in creativity while developing and performing monologues and a mini-play. Free. This program is co-sponsored by Eugene Public Library and Lane Arts Council. Pre-register at 541-682-8316.

Drop-In Tutoring for Adults — 4:00 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays; 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Saturdays, downtown library. Drop in for free help focused on English language skills, including reading, speaking, and preparing for GED, high school equivalency, and citizenship interviews. Tutors are trained adult literacy volunteers and Lane Community College staff.

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

Concert: Matcha Latte – Koto/Violin Duo — 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 2, downtown. This unusual duo brings together koto — a Japanese traditional musical instrument played by koto master Masumi Timson — and violin played by Fumino Ando, violinist with The Oregon Symphony. They combine the esoteric nature of traditional and contemporary Japanese music with tango, jazz, and Mozart, blending the instruments and music of Eastern and Western cultures in a moving musical synthesis. Their CD is called Picture Dreams. Between pieces, the musicians will talk about the historical background of koto and the influence of Japanese culture on music.

Quilts as Art — 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 3, Sheldon branch. Quilter Nancy Kibbey has her colorful works up on the walls at the Sheldon Branch. She will talk about her inspiration and methods and the work on exhibit.

Book Buddies — 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 3, downtown. A new book group for ages 7-9 years. This month’s book is The Haunted Library by Dori H. Butler. Pick up the book at the downtown library’s Children’s Center.

One-on-One Job Hunt Help — 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Thursdays, October 3 and 17, downtown location. Call 541-682-5450 to pre-register for a 30-minute, one-on-one session. Job hunters can get expert advice and assistance to address their specific questions and concerns. Employment counselors can help find employment opportunities; complete applications; write online and traditional resumes; learn and practice interview techniques; or explore new 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.

Teens: Make Cake Pops — 3:30 p.m. on Friday, October 4, downtown. Make and taste yummy cake pops.

First Friday Show: Middle Eastern Dance Guild of Eugene — 6:00 p.m. on Friday, October 4, downtown location. Watch the talented performers of Middle Eastern Dance Guild of Eugene and learn some moves, too. MEDGE is a non-profit group formed in 1991 to bring Middle Eastern Dance, music, and cultural events to the Eugene area.

Family Music Time — 10:15 a.m. on Saturdays, downtown. Live music for kids of all ages, with their caregivers. On October 5, enjoy musical fun in Spanish and English with Bryan Reed. Rich Glauber educates and entertains on October 12; Jodie St. Clair on October 19; and Kris Olsen on October 26.

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

Electric Vehicles 101 — Noon on Saturday, October 5, downtown. Nadison Kannan gives an overview of what electric vehicles are and why they are so important. Topics include different types of electric vehicles, the benefits of driving electric, available state and federal rebates, how to charge the vehicles, and other forms of electric transportation. Plus after the talk, view an electric vehicle. Kannan works for Forth Mobility, a nonprofit trade association and advocate whose mission is to advance electric, shared, and smart mobility through policy advocacy, demonstration projects, consumer engagement, and industry development.

Dog Tale Time — 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Saturdays in October, downtown location. Sign up for the next week starting one week in advance at 541-682-8316. Children can build reading skills in short one-on-one sessions reading to trained dogs. Dogs and handlers courtesy of PAAWS (Project Canine and Pet Partner teams).

Sensory Storytime — 3:00 p.m. on Saturdays in October, downtown location. Sensory Storytime is designed for children ages 2-8 years who experience sensory needs, have developmental delays, or are on the autism spectrum. Explore, play, and develop early literacy skills at a supportive gathering with a consistent structure. Sign up for each session starting one week in advance: 541-682-8316.

Teens: Nintendo Switch Party — 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 5, Sheldon branch; 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 19, Bethel branch. Drop in to play Mario Kart, Mario Party, and Super Smash Bros. with Nintendo Switch.

Bilingual Family Fun: Mariachi Calavera — 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 6, downtown. Join a bilingual celebration with Mariachi Calavera performing live music for kids, family, and all ages. Mariachi is a traditional Mexican folk music that originated in the state of Jalisco and is now loved worldwide. This Eugene Public Library event is part of Fiesta Cultural, a Lane Arts Council initiative featuring many events throughout Lane County this fall.

Make Fabric Pumpkins — 4:00 p.m. on Monday, October 7, Bethel branch; 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 10, Sheldon branch. Adults and teens can make a fabric pumpkin to celebrate autumn. Beginners welcome; minimal hand stitching required.

Manage Your Passwords — 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, October 8, downtown. Learn to use password management software to store and retrieve login information on computers, phones, and tablets. Bring your own device.

One-on-One Basic Computer Help — Sign up for individual 30-minute appointments between 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, October 8, Sheldon branch; Tuesday, October 15, Bethel branch. Get one-on-one assistance with basic questions about computer use, including the Internet, email, and the library’s online catalog and services.

Teens: Welcome to Dungeons & Dragons — 3:00 p.m. or 4:30 p.m. on Wednesdays, October 9 and 23, downtown. Learn how to create your D&D character, how to play, and then jump into this tabletop gaming adventure. Due to limited spaces, each teen may participate in only one session each day.

Try It: Virtual Reality — Drop in between 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Wednesdays, October 9 and 23, Bethel branch; Mondays, October 14 and 28, Sheldon branch. Experience virtual reality (VR) with Oculus Go. For adults and teens.

Make a Book — 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 10, downtown; 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 16 Bethel branch; 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 19, Sheldon branch. Adults and teens learn to make a book with removable pages to use for notes on the go or as a gift. This project is easy enough for beginners and offers many possibilities for experienced bookmakers. All materials supplied.

Tweens: Library Squad — 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 10, downtown. Get together to volunteer at the Library. Work on special projects, meet new friends, and help make your library even better. For ages 9-12 years. Sign up by calling 541-682-8316.

Comics Journalism: Katherine Kelp-Stebbins — 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 10, downtown location. In this illustrated talk, Kelp-Stebbins introduces the genre of comics journalism and explore why comics have been the medium for some of the most innovative and emotionally engaging journalistic work since the late 20th-century. Historically, comics have been associated with younger audiences, humorous narratives, and lowbrow aesthetics. However, comics are now also employed in serious journalism. Kelp-Stebbins will highlight comics reportage from areas as diverse as the U.S.-Mexico border, refugee camps in Malta, and army bases in Iraq and Afghanistan. In connection with the exhibit Ralph Steadman: A Retrospective at the University of Oregon’s Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art, she will discuss his place in the birth of the genre by examining his editorial cartoons and his role in establishing the visual language of gonzo journalism. Kelp-Stebbins is assistant rofessor of Comics Studies in the Department of English at the University of Oregon. This event is presented in partnership by Eugene Public Library and the University of Oregon’s Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art.

Maximize Your Business Productivity — 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 10, downtown. Join expert Arin Carmack to learn about ways to improve efficiency in concert with individual business models. Explore proven ways that both owner and staff can effectively prioritize productivity. Carmack is CEO of Cardinal Services. This workshop is presented by Eugene Public Library in partnership with SCORE: Counselors to America’s Small Business.

Build It — Drop in 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Friday, October 11, Bethel and Sheldon branches. All ages may drop in for building fun on this no-school day. Play and experiment with a variety of materials such as LEGO, Duplos, Keva Planks, Strawbees, and Brain Flakes, plus everyday items such as toothpicks and gumdrops.

Unlock the Box: Stranger Things — 1:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. (tweens) and 3:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. (teens) on Friday, October 11, downtown location. Teens and tweens may       join a team to solve puzzles and escape the Upside Down. Preregister at 541-682-8316.

Try Puerto Rican Cuisine — 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 12, downtown. Bring the whole family to join Sara Cintron and celebrate the rich heritage of Indigenous Puerto Rico while making a meal to share together. Learn about the history of Puerto Rican cuisine and taste the diversity of Puerto Rico including dishes from Portugal and other parts of Europe, West Africa, and the Taíno Caribbean native culture. This Eugene Public Library event is part of Fiesta Cultural, a Lane Arts Council initiative featuring many events throughout Lane County this fall.

Yarn & Thread — Drop in 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturdays, October 12 & 26, 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.

Intro to 3D Carving — 11:00 a.m. on Sunday, October 13, downtown. Learn how to use the Carvey CNC Mill to design and carve original objects in wood and plastic. The machine is available for use in the downtown library’s Maker Hub. For adults and teens. Library card and basic PC computer and mouse skills required.

Bilingual Family Fun: Eugene Arte Latino — 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 13, downtown. Kids and family can create traditional crafts at this bilingual activity with Jessica Zapata of Eugene Arte Latino. This Eugene Public Library event is part of Fiesta Cultural, a Lane Arts Council initiative featuring many events throughout Lane County this fall.

Preschool STEAM — 10:15 a.m. on Monday, October 14, Bethel branch. Hands-on exploring, learning, and fun for ages 3-5 years. STEAM activities feature science, technology, engineering, art, and math.

Windfall Reading Series — 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 15, downtown. This Windfall Reading Series features writers Henry Alley and Ulrick Casimir. The series is a partnership of the Eugene Public Library and the Lane Literary Guild.

Family Night: Monster Dance — 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, October 15, Sheldon branch; 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, October 22, Bethel branch. This month’s Family Night theme is “Monster Dance.” Come stomp and twirl to homemade tunes.

Teen Movie: Happy Death Day — 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 16, downtown location. Watch the horror comedy film, Happy Death Day, with friends and pizza. Described as Groundhog Day meets Scream, this PG-13 movie tells the tale of a college student who repeatedly relives the day of her own murder as she tries to identify the killer and prevent her own death.

Stuck in the Middle Book Club — 4:15 p.m. on Thursday, October 17, downtown. This month’s book is Thirteen Chairs by Dave Shelton. Pre-register and pick up the book at the Downtown Library’s Teen Center. For ages 11-14 years.

All Ages Game Night — Drop in 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 17, downtown. Play a variety of classic and modern board games, card games, tabletop games, video games, and virtual reality games.

Kids: Decorate a Tote Bag — 3:00 p.m. on Friday, October 18, downtown location. Decorate a canvas bag with paint or stamps. For ages 6-12 years. All supplies provided. Preregister at 541-682-8316.

Teens: Ani-Manga Club — 4:00 p.m. on Friday, October 18, downtown. Get together to watch anime and eat snacks.

One-on-One Intro to the Media Lab — Sign up for individual appointments between 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 20, downtown. Beginners can have a one-on-one introduction to the Downtown Library’s Media Lab for creative projects. Learn about many tools are available to use free with your library card. For adults and teens. A Eugene Public Library card and pre-registration are required for each 30-minute session. Call 541-682-5450 to sign up.

Bilingual Family Fun: El Taller de Son Jarocho  — 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 20, downtown location. Make music and learn dances of Southern Veracruz, Mexico at a bilingual family time with El Taller de Son Jarocho. This Eugene Public Library event is part of Fiesta Cultural, a Lane Arts Council initiative featuring many events throughout Lane County this fall.

Helena Maria Viramontes

Writer Helena Maria Viramontes: Language as Action — 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 22, downtown. Viramontes is the award-winning author of this year’s UO Common Reading choice, Under the Feet of Jesus. She will discuss Language as Action, sharing her thoughts on writing fiction as a form of social justice activism. Under the Feet of Jesus is a lyrical, powerful novel of loss and survival. The book explores the lives of children, women, and men who endure a difficult existence laboring under dangerous conditions as migrant workers in California’s fields. The title refers to birth certificates and other important documents kept in a portable statue of Jesus that moves with a family to each new location along the agricultural production cycle. Born and raised in East Los Angeles, Viramontes recreates the visceral sense of a world virtually unknown in mainstream literature and to transform readers through relentlessly compassionate storytelling. This talk is sponsored by Eugene Public Library, UO Common Reading, UO Center for the Study of Women in Society, and UO Center for Latino/a and Latin American Studies, as part of Fiesta Cultural, a Lane Arts Council initiative featuring many events throughout Lane County this fall. Books will be available for purchase and signing.

NaNoWriMo: Plot Your Novel — 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, October 23, downtown. Join Daryll Lynne Evans, Executive Director of Wordcrafters in Eugene, to get ready for National Novel Writing Month in November. This fast-paced plotting mashup provides writers with more than a mere outline. Using Joseph Campbell’s Hero’s Journey, 3-act structure, and a screen-writing card trick, learn to structure a story’s framework. Plus tools to plan a plot in advance or to guide story discovery during the writing process. National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) is held every November. Participants around the world (affectionately known as Wrimos) gather online for support as they each endeavor to write a 50,000-word novel. It’s a month of enthusiasm, determination, and ferociously fast writing. It’s perfect for those who enjoy a challenge, or just need a deadline. Evans is a playwright and executive director of Wordcrafters in Eugene.

Tween Scene — 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 24, downtown location. Get together to talk, snack, and have fun based on this month’s book, Front Desk by Kelly Yang. Special guests are student teachers from the University of Oregon College of Education. For ages 9-12 years. Pre-register and pick up the book at the Downtown Library Children’s Center.

Teen Book Group — 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 24, downtown. Pick up a copy of Shutter by Courtney Alameda at the Downtown Teen Desk.

Día de los Muertos in Oaxaca and Chiapas — 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 24, downtown location. Join Mija Marie Andrade for an illustrated talk about Día de los Muertos in Oaxaca City and Mayan villages in Chiapas, Mexico. Andrade is a Mexican American artist who travels to Mexico often to experience its many rich, deeply rooted, and vibrant cultures. This Eugene Public Library event is part of Fiesta Cultural, a Lane Arts Council initiative featuring many events throughout Lane County this fall.

Cyber Security: Your Digital Eco-System — 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 24, downtown location. Robert Steck, teaches about cyber security and what you can to protect your business. Topics include common and uncommon threats, tactics, vulnerabilities, and options for preventive IT security that are financially feasible for every business. Steck is CEO of Partnered Solutions IT, a tech firm that specializes in IT security and threat prevention. He has worked with major corporations including Nike and Microsoft, as well as government agencies including the FBI. This workshop is presented by Eugene Public Library in partnership with SCORE: Counselors to America’s Small Business.

Tweens: Sew a Cape — 3:00 p.m. on Friday, October 25, downtown location. Learn to use a sewing machine to make a cape. No experience needed; all supplies provided. For ages 9-12 years. Preregistration required; call 541-682-8316.

Yuyi Morales

Yuyu Morales: Children’s Author and Illustrator — 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 26, downtown location. Yuyi Morales, a bestselling and award-winning children’s book author and illustrator, has written Caldecott Honor winner Viva Frida, the 2019 Pura Belpré Award winner for illustration, Dreamers, and earlier Pura Belpré winners Just a Minute: A Trickster Tale and Counting Book and Los Gatos Black on Halloween. The Pura Belpré Awards honor Latino authors and illustrators who best portray, affirm, and celebrate the Latino cultural experience in outstanding works of literature for children and youth. Morales’ latest book, Dreamers, is a richly illustrated, inspiring tale about an immigrant mother and her son who are “unable to understand and afraid to speak” until they find the library, where they learn and gain confidence to succeed and dream in their new country. Books for purchase and signing courtesy of Tsunami Books. This Eugene Public Library event is part of Fiesta Cultural, a Lane Arts Council initiative featuring many events throughout Lane County this fall.

Record Listening Party — Noon on Sunday, October 27, downtown. The “vinyl revival: features The Beach Boys’ revolutionary Pet Sounds at a record listening party hosted by Greg Sutherland of House of Records. When the band toured Japan in 1966, Brian Wilson recruited the cream of the city’s studio musicians to record a group of experimental and relatively melancholy songs. The other Beach Boys worried that the new material strayed too far from their formula; they felt vindicated when America did not embrace it. But in the longer term, Pet Sounds has become an undeniable pop masterpiece, considered a monument to Wilson’s tortured soul.

Bilingual Family Fun: Día De Los Muertos — 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 27, downtown. Maria Sollo leads bilingual fun, creating crafts and learning the traditions of Día De Los Muertos. This Eugene Public Library event is part of Fiesta Cultural, a Lane Arts Council initiative featuring many events throughout Lane County this fall.

Adult Halloween Book Groups — 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 29 (Through The Woods); 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 30 (The Tell-Tale Heart); 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 31 (The Grip of It). All at the downtown library. Come to one or more. Pick up books at the downtown library’s third-floor desk.

October 29 – Talk about the graphic novel Through the Woods by Emily Carroll. A collection of five deliciously creepy stories, it calls to mind legends like Shirley Jackson and Mary Shelley – but in eye-popping comic book panels. Carroll’s brand of horror has a subtle touch, with an eerie atmosphere and plenty of lonely houses, dark woods, and ghostly beings. The conversation will cover each tale, plus Carroll’s overall storytelling style, visual flourishes, and more.

October 30 – Discussion of Edgar Allen Poe’s famed short story The Tell-Tale Heart. This intense, image-packed tale by the master of Romantic horror has kept readers on the edge of their seats for generations. The unnamed narrator takes the reader on a journey of madness and paranoia, brought on by fatal decisions with dire consequences. Is he truly delusional – or do the dead live on to haunt us? Discuss these and other macabre questions the night before All-Hallows Eve.

October 31 – The focus turns to The Grip of It, a novel by Jac Jemc. In this horror tale, a young couple tries to establish a sense of normalcy in a new town with new hopes. But they soon realize their house is anything but normal. At first, this book seems like an eerie but typical haunted house story – but it quickly becomes an astute exploration of the unreliability of thought and perception. The conversation will explore how this intensely satisfying narrative calls into question the very nature of trust in ourselves and others.

Kids: Make Candy Sushi — 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 30, downtown. Make sushi-inspired creations with Rice Krispie Treats and candy. For ages 6-12 years. Preregister at 541-682-8316.

Eugene Public Library: Storytimes

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 will be bilingual in Spanish and English.