Activities for All Ages in June 2021
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FOR KIDS & FAMILY
Summer Reading for All Ages!
June 1 through August 31, all locations
Kids, teens, and adults: you're invited to celebrate with Eugene Public Library all summer, inspired by this year’s theme “Reading Colors Your World.” Summer Reading helps kids keep their skills up while school's out and it's fun for everyone. All activities are free, with no library card required.
Drop by any library location to choose a free brand-new book to keep, courtesy of the Friends of Eugene Public Library. Pick up your Summer Reading Book Bingo card, too. Play bingo by reading books to match a line of squares, then return your card to be entered in a raffle for gift cards to local businesses. Plus: enjoy events online and in person, too, including book groups, storytimes, craft kits, StoryWalks, and more.
StoryWalks in Parks
All ages: enjoy children's picture books in the parks. The illustrated pages are displayed on a series of signs arranged in order along the path to read along walking paths.
In Alton Baker Park:
- Every day through June 20: "Honeybee" in connection with Bee City USA. This StoryWalk will be near the Community Gardens and Native Plant Nursery on Day Island Road. Find a map and more local activities celebrating bees and other pollinators.
In the park at Petersen Barn Community Center:
- Every day through July 6: Bilingual Storybook Obstacle Course
Drop by to play the obstacle course anytime. Or meet up for a special event for kids at the obstacle course on Sat., June 12, visit between 1pm and 3pm to compete against the clock and win a gold medal and a free book!
- June 3 through June 30: Bilingual StoryWalk
Featuring "The Little Mouse, the Red Ripe Strawberry, and the Big Hungry Bear / El Ratoncito, La Fresca Roja, y Madura y El Gran Oso Hambriento ."
Thanks to the StoryWalk® Project, created by Anne Ferguson of Montpelier, Vermont and developed in collaboration with the Kellogg-Hubbard Library. StoryWalk® is a registered service mark owned by Ms. Ferguson.
Family Storytime
Live online: Tuesdays at 11:00 a.m., Facebook Live
Stories, songs, rhymes, puppets, and more - live! Storytime helps little ones develop the language skills they’ll need when they’re learning to read. Plus it’s a lovely way to play together. No Facebook account or login is needed. Join us live, or later, or over and over here.
Crafts and STEM Kits for Kids
All locations
Drop by any Library location to pick up free kids' activity kits to keep, featuring a variety of crafts and STEM activities. Starting on the date listed, continuing while supplies last.
Tuesday, June 1: Pan flute
Monday, June 7: Rainbow scratch paper bookmark
Monday, June 14: Cute craft bugs by Maude Kerns Art Center
Monday, June 21: Paper bag puppets by Adventure! Children's Museum
Monday, June 28: "Power of Plants" by UO Museum of Natural and Cultural History
Book Buddies Group - ages 7-9
Live online: Thursday, June 10, 3:00 p.m. or 4:00 p.m., Zoom
Sign-ups start May 15. Preregistration required to receive event link. Choose a time and sign up online:
3:00 p.m. session: http://bit.ly/BookBuddiesJune2021_3pm
4:00 p.m. session: http://bit.ly/BookBuddiesJune2021_4pm
For ages 7-9 in the Eugene area. Get together online for fun conversation and activity. This month, we're reading "The Lost Stone" by Jordan Quinn, illustrated by Robert McPhillips. Sign up and we’ll mail a free copy of the book to you to keep! Or enjoy the book free with your library card in print or online: find it here.
Storybook Obstacle Course
Saturday, June 12, anytime 1:00 - 3:00 p.m., in the park at Petersen Barn
Meet up for a special event at the obstacle course to compete against the clock -- and win a gold medal and a free book!
Art Kit for Tweens and Teens
All locations: starting Monday, June 14
Tweens and teens: drop by any library location to pick up a free kit to make “Among Us” themed shrinky-dink keychains. While supplies last.
Stuck in the Middle Book Group - ages 11-14
Live online: Wednesday, June 16, 4:00 p.m., Zoom
Sign-ups start May 15. Preregistration required to receive event link. Sign up online: http://bit.ly/MiddleBookGroupJune2021
For ages 11-14 in the Eugene area. Get together to share opinions and ideas about books. This month, we're reading "Counting by 7s" by Holly Goldberg Sloan. Sign up and we’ll mail a free copy of the book to you to keep! Or enjoy the book free with your library card in print or online: find it here.
Tween Scene Book Group - ages 9-12
Live online: Thursday, June 17, 4:00 p.m., Zoom
Sign-ups start May 15. Preregistration required to receive event link. Sign up online: http://bit.ly/TweenBookGroupJune2021
For ages 9-12 in the Eugene area. Get together for fun conversation and activity. This month, we're reading "The Serpent's Secret" by Sayantani DasGupta. Sign up and we’ll mail a free copy of the book to you to keep! Or enjoy the book free with your library card in print or online: find it here.
OBOB Book Group - grades 3-5
Live online: Tuesday, June 22, 4:00 p.m., Zoom
Sign-ups start May 15. Preregistration required to receive event link. Sign up online: http://bit.ly/OBOBJune2021
For kids in grades 3-5 in the Eugene area. Get together for fun quizzes and conversation about this year's Oregon Battle of the Books (OBOB) titles. This group meets every two months to focus on two titles at a time. For the June meeting, we're reading “Clean Getaway” by Nic Stone and “Save Me a Seat” by Sarah Weeks and Gita Varadarajan. Sign up and we’ll mail free copies of the books to you to keep! Or enjoy the books free with your library card in print or online:
Clean Getaway
Save Me a Seat
Kids Show: Red Yarn's Backyard
Live online: Thursday, June 24, 4:00 p.m., YouTube Live: https://www.youtube.com/EugeneLRCS
Come sing, dance, and learn with fave family performer Red Yarn and his colorful crew of puppet critters. Through high-energy folk-rock songs and tender, funny skits, Red Yarn and the Critters explore themes like appreciating each others' differences, standing up for what we believe in, and the multicultural roots of beloved folktales and songs. Everybody's welcome in Red Yarn's Backyard!
Art Kit for Tweens and Teens
All locations: starting Monday, June 28
Tweens and teens: drop by any library location to pick up a free kit to make magnetic poetry. While supplies last.
Watch online anytime:
Bilingual Storytime Online: with special guest Naibe Reynoso, author of the children's book "How to Fold a Taco/Como Doblar un Taco." Recorded liv e in April 2021.
Bilingual Storytime Online: join Toña Aguilar online for fun stories, songs, and rhymes in Spanish and English. Two storytimes: September 2020 and April 2021.
Día recommended children's books: our librarians suggest titles, recorded live in English in April 2021.
Pigeon Party: a storytime with special performances celebrating the character Pigeon from Mo Willem's beloved books, recorded live in March 2021.
Oregon's Dino-Story: learn about dinosaurs in Oregon's past with paleontologists from UO's Museum of Natural and Cultural History, shared in March 2021.
Online Storytimes on our Facebook or YouTube.
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FOR TEENS
Summer Reading for All Ages!
June 1 through August 31, all locations
Kids, teens, and adults: you're invited to celebrate with Eugene Public Library all summer, inspired by this year’s theme “Reading Colors Your World.” Summer Reading helps kids keep their skills up while school's out and it's fun for everyone. All activities are free, with no library card required.
Drop by any library location to choose a free brand-new book to keep, courtesy of the Friends of Eugene Public Library. Pick up your Summer Reading Book Bingo card, too. Play bingo by reading books to match a line of squares, then return your card to be entered in a raffle for gift cards to local businesses. Plus: enjoy events online and in person, too, including book groups, storytimes, craft kits, StoryWalks, and more.
Art Kit for Tweens and Teens
All locations: starting Monday, June 14
Tweens and teens: drop by any library location to pick up a free kit to make “Among Us” themed shrinky-dink keychains. While supplies last.
Teen Book Group - ages 13-18
Live online: Tuesday, June 15, 4:00 p.m., Zoom
Sign-ups start May 15. Preregistration required to receive event link. Sign up online: http://bit.ly/TeenBookGroupJune2021
For ages 13-18 in the Eugene area. Get together to share opinions and ideas about books. This month, we're reading "Darius the Great is Not Okay" by Adib Khorram. Sign up and we’ll mail a free copy of the book to you to keep! Or enjoy the book free with your library card in print or online: find it here.
Stuck in the Middle Book Group - ages 11-14
Live online: Wednesday, June 16, 4:00 p.m., Zoom
Sign-ups start May 15. Preregistration required to receive event link. Sign up online: http://bit.ly/MiddleBookGroupJune2021
For ages 11-14 in the Eugene area. Get together to share opinions and ideas about books. This month, we're reading "Counting by 7s" by Holly Goldberg Sloan. Sign up and we’ll mail a free copy of the book to you to keep! Or enjoy the book free with your library card in print or online: find it here.
Art Kit for Tweens and Teens
All locations: starting Monday, June 28
Tweens and teens: drop by any library location to pick up a free kit to make magnetic poetry. While supplies last.
Watch online anytime:
William Ritter: Live Interview Enjoy a talk with the author of the popular and beloved "Jackaby" and "Oddmire" series, recorded summer 2020.
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FOR ADULTS
Summer Reading for All Ages!
June 1 through August 31, all locations
Kids, teens, and adults: you're invited to celebrate with Eugene Public Library all summer, inspired by this year’s theme “Reading Colors Your World.” Summer Reading helps kids keep their skills up while school's out and it's fun for everyone. All activities are free, with no library card required.
Drop by any library location to choose a free brand-new book to keep, courtesy of the Friends of Eugene Public Library. Pick up your Summer Reading Book Bingo card, too. Play bingo by reading books to match a line of squares, then return your card to be entered in a raffle for gift cards to local businesses. Plus: enjoy events online and in person, too, including book groups, storytimes, craft kits, StoryWalks, and more.
"Circe" Novelist Madeline Miller
Watch recording through June 5: http://bit.ly/EugeneCirce
Join us for an online visit with novelist Madeline Miller, who will talk about her work and answer questions. This event was recorded on May 22; watch the video anytime through June 5: https://bit.ly/EugeneCirce
Enjoy Miller's novels free with your library card in print, or online as ebooks or audiobooks:
"Circe": https://bit.ly/3sikPbg
"Song of Achilles": https://bit.ly/3g7udMp
Online: Oregon BIPOC Experiences and the "1000 Hopes" Art Project
Live online: Saturday, June 5, 3:00 p.m.: http://bit.ly/1000HopesPanel
Tune in for a live online panel presentation led by “1000 Hopes” artist Sara Miura Zolbrod. She will talk about the recent 1000 Hopes participatory art installation at the Downtown Library, then with other BIPOC panelists, briefly survey Oregon’s past state-led racism.
Panelists: Eric Richardson is Executive Director of NAACP Eugene/Springfield. Maya Rabasa is a member of the board of directors of Centro Latino Americano and newly elected member of the board of Eugene School District 4J. Haley Case-Scott is a Siletz Tribal Member and NAACP Eugene/Springfield staff member. Aimee Yogi became an expert in the 1942 forcible removal of Japanese-Americans from the University of Oregon and Lane County through her work at the Knight Library.
Career Exploration Workshop
Live online: Thursday, June 10 and/or Thursday, June 24, 10:00 a.m., GoToMeeting
Join Lane County Workforce Services to explore ways to identify your skills and interests while researching possible career choices. Career exploration will provide you access to assessments based on preference and gained experiences. In addition, we will review the labor market and discover jobs in growing local industries.
At the time of the meeting, visit https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/812729269. The meeting ID # is 812-729-269. You may be prompted to download the free GoToMeeting app or log in on the web. GoToMeeting is free. You can also attend by phone at 646-749-3122.
This workshop will be held every 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month, featuring updated information and changing conversations. Participate at one session or more. No registration needed.
For more information, contact Lane County Workforce Services by phone 541-686-7985 or email lchswm@lanecountyor.gov..
Art Kit for Adults
All locations: starting Friday, June 11
Adults: drop by any library location to pick up a free activity kit to enjoy at home and keep. While supplies last.
This month's kit will include materials and instructions to explore cyanotypes, art made with photosensitive paper. The kits are created by Sam Wrigglesworth, a queer artist and arts organizer based in Oregon who is a member of Tropical Contemporary. An instructional video by the artist will be posted on YouTube for free viewing (link coming soon).
Creativity: A Talk by Reed Davaz McGowan
Live online: Friday, June 11, 12:00 p.m., Zoom
Preregistration required to receive event link: click here.
Join the Eugene Public Library Foundation for this month's entry in their series, “In Conversation with Experts and Enthusiasts,” each featuring a brief lecture followed by Q&A. On June 11, Reed Davaz McGowan will share "An Interactive Look at Creating a Multimedia Arts Practice." In addition to a career in nonprofit leadership including serving as the current Executive Director of the Eugene Public Library Foundation, she is a multimedia designer who weaves tactile design pieces. Follow along with making a basic tapestry weaving loom from objects around your house and learn how to make your arts and crafts activities more sustainable.
Friends of the Library Book Bundle Sale
Order online starting Monday, June 14, 9:00 a.m., https://libraryfriendsmarket.com
The Friends of Eugene Public Library are back with another contactless used book sale! Order online, then drive through to pick up your book bundle. Choose from a variety of genres -- mystery, biography, romance, art, nature, etc. -- and get a bundle of ten books for adults for $10, or fifteen children’s books for $10. Plus bags of special books, DVDs, and games and puzzles at varied prices. Pick-up appointments will be scheduled for June 27 at the Friends’ warehouse on Hwy. 99.
"The House in the Cerulean Sea" Book Group
Live online: Tuesday, June 22, 4:00 p.m., Zoom
In person: Saturday, June 26, 11:00 a.m., Friendly Park
Sign-ups start June 1. Sign up for the online group or the in-person group.
Get together to share opinions and ideas about one of our featured Summer Reading books. Pick up your free copy of the book at any library location. Or enjoy the book free with your library card in print or online: find it here.
Bookish Brain Trivia Night
Live online: Friday, June 25, 6:00 p.m., Zoom
Join the Eugene Public Library Foundation for a fun Bookish Brain Trivia Night. Sign up with a team of 4 to 6 people or on your own to be matched to a team. Share your wide-ranging knowledge and raise funds for Eugene Public Library while competing for prizes -- and bragging rights. Invite your friends! Get tickets here.
Job Search Help
Ongoing: by appointment at the Downtown Library: call 541-686-7985 to schedule
Make a one-on-one appointment to meet in person at the Downtown Library with an advisor from Lane County Workforce Services. These friendly experts help job seekers make career plans, become more employable, improve job search skills, and find work. Topics include online applications, resumes, cover letters, interviewing skills, community resources, networking, training scholarships. This service is free and available in English and Spanish. Lane Workforce Partnership/WorkSource Lane is an equal opportunity employer/program. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. This program is co-sponsored by Lane County Human Services, Lane Workforce Partnership, and Eugene Public Library. Call 541-686-7985 to schedule an appointment.
"World of Wonders" Book Group
In person: Saturday, July 10, 10:00 a.m., Hays Tree Garden (Alton Baker Park)
Sign-ups start June 1 for this in-person group. Sign up here.
Get together to share opinions and ideas about one of our featured Summer Reading books. Pick up your free copy of the book at any library location. Or enjoy the book free with your library card in print or online: find it here.
Watch online anytime:
Windfall Reading Series: monthly readings by NW writers coordinated by Lane Literary Guild. Watch Windfall Readings Sept. 2020 through May 2021 on YouTube.
What to Read Next: book recommendations for all ages on a variety of themes by Eugene Public Library. Watch "What to Read Next" on YouTube.
History of Comics Censorship: Banned Books Week talk: on YouTube Live, recorded in October 2020.
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ONGOING: LIBRARY FRIENDS AND FOUNDATION
Friends of Eugene Public Library: Book Sales
The Friends' Second Hand Prose book store is open for browsing Monday through Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. in the Entry Garden of the Downtown Library. Find gently-used books there, or order online for in-person pick-up. You can also browse selected items online to be shipped from the Friends' Amazon storefront.
Plus special for June: a book bundle sale! Starting Monday, June 14 at 9:00 a.m., order online at https://libraryfriendsmarket.com, then drive through to pick up your book bundle. Choose from a variety of genres -- mystery, biography, romance, art, nature, etc. -- and get a bundle of ten books for adults for $10, or fifteen children’s books for $10. Plus bags of special books, DVDs, and games and puzzles at varied prices. Pick-up appointments will be scheduled for June 27 at the Friends’ warehouse on Hwy. 99.
Connecting Community: Wifi Hotspots Live Event
Watch anytime: bit.ly/connectingcommunity2021
Originally streamed live in April 2021, available to watch anytime, this Eugene Public Library Foundation and Friends of Eugene Public Library livestream event celebrated their fundraising campaign to purchase mobile wifi hotspots to lend at the library. Featuring host Storm Kennedy, an epic book domino fall, and special guests including Bev Smith, Kimberly Johnson, Dennis Dixon, Ashton Eaton, Brianne Theisen-Eaton, and more. Learn more about the campaign: eplfoundation.org/wifi.
Imagination Library Film: Live Online
Watch anytime: Facebook Live
Stream the new, uplifting documentary, "The Library That Dolly Built," free: https://www.facebook.com/dollysimaginationlibrary/videos/369048854395459. No Facebook account or login is needed. Visit Eugene Imagination Library to learn about our local program, including how to sign up your child (ages 0 through 4) and how to donate to support the program.
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ONLINE & ONGOING
All free! Some online actitivies require a library card. If you don’t have one, call us to sign up: 541-682-5450.
Personalized reading recommendations
Get expert suggestions to match your tastes and interests. Fill out our online form for adults or kids and teens, email us, live chat with us, or call us at 541-682-5450.
Book lists, reviews, and more
Booklist Online
Books & Authors
NoveList Plus
Eugene Public Library Escape Rooms
Solve puzzles and clues to escape! Work on these fun challenges alone or as a team.
- Ghost Ship Escape Room (ages 10 and up)
- Undersea Atlantis Escape Room (ages 10 and up)
- The Labyrinth: Greek Mythology Escape Room (ages 10 and up)
- Spy School: Secret Agent Training Escape Room - Part 1 (ages 13 and up)
- Spy School: Secret Agent Training Escape Room - Part 2 (ages 13 and up)
- Murder in the Library (ages 13 and up)
- Murder at the Ski Resort (ages 13 and up)
Art Exhibit: Acrylic Paintings by Amy Hartsfield
Enjoy a video art exhibit featuring paintings of trees and other "nature-scapes" by self-taught Eugene artist Amy Hartsfield.
Women Make Waves: Listening Experience
Take a listening adventure with a wide variety of performers and types of music. Start now.
Ancestry.com
Explore your family tree, history, and more. Library card required. Start now.
LinkedIn Learning
Formerly known as Lynda.com, these professional courses provide training in software development, web development, design, photography, and business. Library card required. Start now.
Mango Languages
Interactive lessons to learn dozens of languages, including English as a second language. Library card required. Start now.
And more ...
Yes, more learning and entertainment from home!
And even more!