(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

 

Art Exhibits

Watercolors by Tim Goss — 2nd floor Magazines and Newspapers room in July and August. Tim Goss is an Oregon watercolor artist who paints big, bright, colorful works of art. He started painting in 2005 under the mentorship of watercolorist Kenge Kobayashi. Goss finds inspiration in everyday objects and events and especially while traveling in North America and Europe. He also paints pet portraits and just started his 20th watercolor travel journal.

In the Children’s Center on the 1st floor in July — Displays by museums of Springfield and Eugene and the Upper Willamette Soil and Water Conservation District.

Events and Activities

Summer Storytimes in July and August — Special for July and August: free, summer-friendly weekly events for young children and family take the place of Eugene Public Library’s regular storytimes.

  • Pajama Storytime — 6:30 p.m. on Tuesdays, downtown
  • Family Music Time – 10:15 a.m. on Wednesdays and Thursdays, downtown
  • Baby Playdate – 10:15 a.m. on Fridays, downtown
  • Bilingual Family Music Time in Spanish and English – 10:15 a.m. on Saturdays, downtown
  • Family Music Time – 10:15 a.m. on Fridays, Bethel and Sheldon branches.

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

String Art for Teens — 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 2, downtown library. Learn to use a hammer, nails, and colorful string to make art.

Space Bingo for Kids — 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 3, downtown library. Play a galactic bingo game featuring factoids, prizes, and an out-of-this-world host.

Make a Paracord Bracelet — 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 3, Sheldon branch. Learn to knot paracord to make a bracelet. For ages 11–17 years.

Dungeon & Dragons for Teens — 3:00 p.m. or 4:30 p.m. on Wednesdays, July 3, July 17, & July 31, downtown library. Learn how to create your D&D character, how to play, and then jump into this tabletop gaming adventure. Due to limited space, each teen may participate in only one session each day.

Concert: Calamity Jazz — 6:00 p.m. on First Friday, July 5, downtown library. Kick off the weekend with a concert of Dixieland tunes played by Calamity Jazz. Musicians include Vicki Cox (leader, trumpet), Larry Burnett (trombone), Andy Gilbert (guitar), Jon Brand (stringed bass, tuba), Meg Graf (piano), and special guests. The Downtown Library stays open until 8:00 p.m. on the First Friday of each month.

Author Liz Andersen — 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 6, downtown library. Hear Liz Andersen, author of the science fiction novel Some of My Best Friends Are Human. Her characters are in high school, and she wrote the first draft of this book when she was around their age. Inspired to learn more science in order to write better science fiction, Andersen wound up with two degrees. Returning to writing, she published several short stories about the adult Dr. Tajen Jesmuhr in Analog Science Fiction and Fact magazine. She specializes in science fiction featuring “interesting characters, alien animals, and interplanetary adventures without war.” Some of My Best Friends Are Human is set in an interplanetary ecology class where teen Tajen Jesmuhr finds she’s not the only misfit. Her classmates include a boy with a frightening secret who lost his family to a terrorist plague and a crafty female human-alien chimera. All may have promising careers ahead of them – but only if they can learn to trust themselves and one another enough to survive an uncaring system and a potentially deadly final exam. Andersen’s talk will address questions including, “Can you write a book in high school? What should you write about and when should you publish?”

Super Mario Party for Teens — Drop in 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 6, Sheldon branch; 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 20, Bethel branch. Play Super Mario Party with Nintendo Switch. For ages 11-17 years.

Preschool STEAM — 10:15 a.m. on Monday, July 8, Bethel branch. Hands-on exploring, learning, and fun for ages 3-5 years . STEAM activities feature science, technology, engineering, art, and math.

Sew a Journal Cover — 3:00 p.m. on Monday, July 8, Bethel branch; 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 10, Sheldon branch. Design, sew, and embroider a journal cover. Journal and all supplies provided. For ages 11–17 years.

Try It: Virtual Reality — Drop in from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Mondays, July 8 & July 22, Sheldon branch; 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Wednesdays, July 10 & July 24, Bethel branch. Experience virtual reality (VR) with Oculus Go. For adults and teens.

Camp Minecraft for kids: 4-week Session — 4:00 p.m. every Monday, July 8-July 29, downtown library. Sign up for a four-week session of Camp Minecraft, for kids ages 6-12 years. Play together, share tips, and get creative with building challenges on Eugene Public Library’s computers. Sign up once for the complete four-week session at 541-682-8316.

Teens: Design a Canvas Bag — 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 9, downtown library. Paint a canvas bag with pop character stencils from Doctor Who to Marvel superheroes, or create your own designs. Canvas bag and all supplies provided.

Minecrafters for Kids — 4:00 p.m. on Tuesdays in July, downtown library. Play together, share tips, and get creative with building challenges with Minecraft on Eugene Public Library’s computers. For ages 6-12years. Pre-register starting one week in advance of each session: 541-682-8316.

Science Circus for Kids — 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 10, downtown library; 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 11, Bethel branch; 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 11, Sheldon branch. Learn the physics of fun with Rhys Thomas of JuggleMania and OMSI.

Minute to Win It for Teens — 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 11, downtown library. Face off in a series of absurd and hilarious challenges for the chance to win the grand prize.

Library Squad for Tweens— 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 11, downtown library. 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.

How to Prepare a Basic Business Budget by Yourself — 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 11, downtown library. Learn to create a budget quickly, easily, and painlessly with expert Dr. James A. Novitsky, who has started several businesses, both sole proprietorships and partnerships, and who has experience in small, medium, and large corporations, including being vice president of a $20 million company with over 100 direct and indirect reports. Novitsky often lectures at the University of Oregon and mentors students at Lane Community College. This workshop is presented by Eugene Public Library in partnership with SCORE: Counselors to America’s Small Business.

Summer Reading Book Sale — 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 13, downtown library. Choose from thousands of popular, gently-used novels, mysteries, science fiction, and more for summer reading, with most books priced at $1. The sale also features a collection of ephemera, such as vintage maps and pamphlets. The sale is a fundraiser by the volunteer Friends of Eugene Public Library.

Yarn & Thread — Drop in from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturdays, July 13 & July 27, Bethel and Sheldon branches. 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.

Print Your Book — 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, July 14, downtown library. Get an introduction to online self-publishing resources. Whether you have written a book you want to print and sell widely, or you want to print just a few copies of a family history or recipe collection, self-publishing is now easier and more affordable than ever. For adults and teens. Intermediate computer and internet skills required.

Summer Walking Book Groups — Meet at 10:15 a.m. on Monday, July 15, Sheldon Community Center (2445 Willakenzie Rd.); 10:15 a.m. on Wednesday, July 24, Petersen Barn Community Center (870 Berntzen Rd). Visit the Sheldon or Bethel branches to sign up and get your book for one of this month’s walking book groups. The groups will talk about each book while walking at an easy pace along nearby paved paths. The Sheldon group will discuss Brooklyn by Colm Toibin. The Bethel group will discuss The Song of the Lark by Willa Cather.

Teens: Design a Canvas Bag — 3:00 p.m. on Monday, July 15, Bethel branch; 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 17, Sheldon branch. Paint a canvas bag with pop character stencils from Doctor Who to Marvel superheroes, or create your own designs. Canvas bag and all supplies provided. For ages 11–17 years.

Escape the Space Station for Teens — Sign up for a game between 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 16, downtown library. Work as a team to solve puzzles and make it out alive before the space station explodes. Pre-register at 541-682-8316.

Family Night: Beach Party — 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 16, Sheldon branch; 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 23, Bethel branch. At Family Night this month, the theme is Beach Party. Bring the kids for beach-themed stories, songs, and a starfish craft.

“Stories of the Stars” Puppet Show for Kids — 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 17, downtown library; 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 18, Bethel branch; 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 18, Sheldon branch. Explore tales of the constellations at a lively puppet show by Tears of Joy Theatre.

Comics Squad for Tweens— 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 17, downtown library. Read, write, draw, create, and geek out about comics and graphic novels. For ages 9-12 years.

Try It: Virtual Reality — 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 17, downtown library. 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.

Eugene Emeralds at Family Music Time — 10:15 a.m. on Thursday, July 18, downtown library. Meet up with ballplayers from the Eugene Emeralds at this special Family Music Time, hosted by popular children’s performer Rich Glauber. Uniformed Emeralds players will join in a sing-along of “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” and sign autographs for kids.

Stuck in the Middle Book Club — 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 18, downtown library. This month’s title is Cinder by Melissa Meyer. Pre-register and pick up the book at the Downtown Library’s Teen Center. For ages 11-14 years.

One-on-One Job Hunt Help — 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 18, downtown library. Pre-register for individual 30-minute appointments at 541-682-5450. Job hunters get expert advice and assistance on 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.

Ani-Manga Club for Teens — 2:00 p.m. on Friday, July 19, downtown library. Get together to watch anime and enjoy snacks.

Teddy Bear Picnic — 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 20, in the park at Campbell Community Center (155 High Street) for a favorite annual tradition for young children. Bring kids and their stuffed friends to this family gathering in the park, featuring live music by Carleen and Mike McCornack and the Garden Variety Band.

Make A Musical Painting: Makerspaces in Education — 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 20, downtown library. Kimberlee Swisher presents a hands-on workshop that blends visual aesthetics, sonic arts, and engineering in a unique, expressive, and interdisciplinary project. Use conductive craft materials to create paintings that include basic circuits, then connect them to free software to add music and sounds. Come to watch and learn the process, or join in and make a project to take home. For ages 12 years through adult. Kimberlee Swisher teaches in the School of Arts, Media, and Engineering at Arizona State University’s Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts and co-directs the Digital Culture Summer Institute for youth there.

Harry and the Potters: Wizard Rock Band — 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 21, downtown library. What would happen if Harry Potter quit quidditch, stole a time turner, and started a band with his earlier self? Find out with the band that invented wizard rock at this all-ages concert and dance party. Brothers Paul and Joe DeGeorge have been touring the globe since 2002 with this legendary high-energy show.

Watercolors for Teens — 3:00 p.m. on Monday, July 22, Bethel branch; 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 24, Sheldon branch. Get creative and play with watercolors. Learn about textures, colors, and techniques at a relaxing workshop. For ages 11–17 years.

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Tournament for Teens — 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 23, downtown library. Get your smash on with the latest Switch version of Super Smash Bros. Compete for prizes in the beginner or expert squad.

Summer Reading Book Group — 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 23, downtown library. Get together to talk about the science fiction classic Childhood’s End by Arthur C. Clarke. Visit the Downtown Library’s 3rd floor Reader’s Advisory desk to sign up and pick up your copy of the book.

Taiko Drums for Kids — 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 24, downtown library; 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 25, Bethel branch; 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 25, Sheldon branch. Get moving and energized to the powerful beat of Eugene Taiko drummers.

eBooks and More: Drop In — Stop by from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 24, downtown library. Have fun and save money, learning how to download and stream eBooks, audiobooks, magazines, music, movies, and TV shows free with your Eugene Public Library card. Tens of thousands of titles are available to enjoy at home or on the road. See demonstrations and get answers to your questions. Bring your own device or use the library’s.

Teen Book Group — 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 25, downtown library. This month’s book is Defy the Stars by Claudia Gray. Get together to talk about it over pizza. Visit the Downtown Teen Desk to sign up and pick up the book.

Tween Scene — 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 25, downtown library. This month, Tween Scene features a novel and a comic that both feature mythology and magic. Enjoy Aru Shah and the End of Time by Roshani Chokshi and Cucumber Quest: The Doughnut Kingdom by Gigi D.G. For ages 9-12 years. Pre-register and pick up the books at the Downtown Library’s Children’s Center.

Easy Steps to Getting Business Loan Ready — 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 25, downtown library. Small businesses get expert advice on how to prepare to apply for a business loan. Although applying for a loan can be challenging, the process is easier and more likely to be successful when you have taken the necessary steps in advance. Workshop leader Corey Deel is a senior loan officer with Community Lendingworks, often working with individuals and business owners taking out a loan for the first time or looking to expand their small business operations. This workshop is presented by Eugene Public Library in partnership with SCORE: Counselors to America’s Small Business.

Make a Mini Pillow — 3:00 p.m. on Friday, July 26, downtown library. Tweens learn to use a sewing machine by making a mini pillow or travel pillow. No experience needed. All materials provided. For ages 9-12 years. Sign up starting July 10 at 541-682-8316.

Meet LEGO Designer Grant Davis — 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 27, Sheldon branch. During the Sheldon Branch’s weekly LEGO playtime for kids, all ages are welcome to meet special guest Grant Davis, a real-life professional LEGO designer. He shares how his ideas about a LEGO pop-up book turned into a LEGO set that is currently on shelves around the world, how he started working with LEGO, his evolution as a builder, and what it is like to work with the largest toy company in the world. Davis is an electrical engineering student at George Fox University.

Lindsay Ellis Presents Universal Language: How Sci-Fi Imagines Alien Language — 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 27, downtown library. Hear film critic, media critic, and YouTube phenomenon Lindsay Ellis talk about how science fiction has portrayed alien language through the decades. Science fiction writers often imagine how non-human languages might evolve, work, and affect speakers’ consciousness. From “Star Trek” to “Arrival,” from “Ender’s Game” to “Embassytown,” Ellis, who has her own YouTube channel with nearly 700,000 subscribers, explores the relationships among narrative utility, world-building, and different modes of storytelling about communication. She also writes and hosts content for Vox Media and hosts the miniseries “It’s Lit!” for PBS Digital Studios. Her debut novel will be released in 2020.

Inkblot Creatures for Teens — 3:00 p.m. on Monday, July 29, Bethel branch; 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 31, Sheldon branch. Learn to make inkblot art by spilling the ink, blowing it into a design with straws and canned air, then coloring with markers and pencils to create a fantastical creature. For ages 11–17 years.

I Have a Library Card, Now What? — 5:00 p.m. on Monday, July 29, downtown library. 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.

“Spill the T” Tea Party for Teens — 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 30, downtown library. TGet together to “spill the T” over tasty tea. Learn to mix a personal tea blend, then enjoy it hot or iced, with scones, cookies, and cucumber sandwiches.

Shark Time for Kids — 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 31, downtown library; 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, August 1, Bethel branch; 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 1, Sheldon branch. Learn about the amazing creatures with the Oregon Coast Aquarium.

Stories of Immigrants — 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 31, downtown library. Integration Network for Immigrants of Lane County hosts an evening of three first-person presentations about immigration and the U.S. Rosie Hernandez reads “A Dream in a Golden World,” a poem that expresses the challenges of migrant people working in the fields. Guadalupe Quinn shares her story as a Mexican immigrant who came to the United States with her family in 1951 and moved to Oregon in 1978. Quinn has spent most of her life working for racial justice, economic justice, and worker rights, focusing for the last 20 years on immigrant rights. Kate Gessert, who has taught adult ESL classes for many years, reads the short story “The Night Gardener,” about a day in the life of Silvia, an immigrant mother whose husband has recently been deported. This event is presented in partnership by Eugene Public Library and Integration Network for Immigrants of Lane County.