Activities for All Ages in October and November 2021
Join us for free activities at home, online, and in person. For updates as they happen, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter, and sign up for our newsletter.
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FOR KIDS & FAMILY
StoryWalks
All ages: enjoy children's picture books displayed on a series of signs arranged in order along the path.
In Willakenzie Park: "The Rainbow Fish / El Pez Arco Iris" (bilingual)
In the park at Petersen Barn: "Creepy Carrots / Las Zanahorias Maleficas" (bilingual)
In the playground at Amazon Community Center, Oct. 15-Nov. 7: "Just a Minute: A Trickster Tale and Counting Book" (English, featuring Spanish)
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.
Fun of the Week Kits for Kids
All locations every Monday
Drop by any library location to pick up a free surprise activity kit to keep. There's a new one starting each Monday, while supplies last.
In-Person Storytimes
Multiple days each week in October
Young children and family: join us to learn and have fun together with stories, songs, and more! Sign up for storytimes at Sheldon Community Center and Echo Hollow Pool, or drop in at the Downtown Library. Find more information and sign up.
Online Storytime
Live online: Wednesdays in October at 10:30 a.m., Facebook Live
Stories, songs, rhymes, puppets, and more - live! Online 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.
Book Buddies Group - ages 7-9
Live online: Thursday, October 14, 3:30 p.m. or 4:30 p.m., Zoom
Sign-ups start Sept. 15. Preregistration required to receive event link. Choose a time and sign up online:
3:30 p.m. session: https://bit.ly/BookBuddiesOct2021_330pm
4:30 p.m. session: https://bit.ly/BookBuddiesOct2021_430pm
For ages 7-9 in the Eugene area. Get together online for fun conversation and activity. This month, we're reading "13th Street: Battle of the Bad-Breath Bats.” Sign up and we’ll give you a free copy of the book 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, October 20, 4:00 p.m., Zoom
Sign-ups start Sept. 15. Preregistration required to receive event link. Sign up online: https://bit.ly/MiddleBookGroupOct2021
For ages 11-14 in the Eugene area. Get together to share opinions and ideas about books. This month, we're reading "It's the End of the World As I Know It." Sign up and we’ll give you a free copy of the book 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, October 21, 4:00 p.m., Zoom
Sign-ups start Sept. 15. Preregistration required to receive event link. Sign up online: https://bit.ly/TweenBookGroupOct2021
For ages 9-12 in the Eugene area. Get together for fun conversation and activity. This month, we're reading "Amari and the Night Brothers." Sign up and we’ll give you a free copy of the book 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, October 26, 4:00 p.m., Zoom
Sign-ups start Sept. 15. Preregistration required to receive event link. Sign up online: https://bit.ly/OBOB_Oct2021
For kids in grades 3 - 5 in the Eugene area. Get together for fun quizzes and conversation about two of this year's Oregon Battle of the Books (OBOB) titles. For the October meeting, we're reading "The Harlem Charade" and "Sarah Journeys West.” Sign up and we’ll give you free copies of the books to keep! Or enjoy the books free with your library card in print or online:
The Harlem Charade
Sarah Journeys West
Book Buddies Group - ages 7-9
Live online: Friday, November 12, 3:30 p.m. or 4:30 p.m., Zoom
Sign-ups start Oct. 15. Preregistration required to receive event link. Choose a time and sign up online:
3:30 p.m. session: https://bit.ly/BookBuddiesNov2021_330pm
4:30 p.m. session: https://bit.ly/BookBuddiesNov2021_430pm
For ages 7-9 in the Eugene area. Get together online for fun conversation and activity. This month, we're reading "Gimme Shelter: Misadventures and Misinformation.” Sign up and we’ll give you a free copy of the book 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, November 17, 4:00 p.m., Zoom
Sign-ups start Oct. 15. Preregistration required to receive event link. Sign up online: https://bit.ly/MiddleBookGroupNov2021
For ages 11-14 in the Eugene area. Get together to share opinions and ideas about books. This month, we're reading "When You Reach Me." Sign up and we’ll give you a free copy of the book 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, November 18, 4:00 p.m., Zoom
Sign-ups start Oct. 15. Preregistration required to receive event link. Sign up online: https://bit.ly/TweenBookGroupNov2021
For ages 9-12 in the Eugene area. Get together for fun conversation and activity. This month, we're reading two books: "I Survived the Sinking of the Titanic, 1912" and "History Smashers: The Titanic." Sign up and we’ll give you free copies of the books to keep! Or enjoy the books free with your library card in print or online:
"I Survived the Sinking of the Titanic, 1912"
"History Smashers: The Titanic"
Watch online anytime:
Recorded online storytimes on our Facebook or YouTube.
Teddy Bear Picnic Online: sing and dance along with live music by Mike and Carleen McCornack and the Garden Variety Band. Recorded live in July 2021.
Kids Show: Red Yarn's Backyard: sing, dance, and learn with fave family performer Red Yarn and his colorful crew of puppet critter. Recorded live in June 2021.
Bilingual Storytime Online: with special guest Naibe Reynoso, author of the children's book "How to Fold a Taco/Como Doblar un Taco." Recorded live 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.
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FOR TEENS
Teen Book Group - ages 13-19
Live online: Tuesday, October 19, 4:00 p.m., Zoom
Sign-ups start Sept. 15. Preregistration required to receive event link. Sign up online: https://bit.ly/TeenBookGroupOct2021
For ages 13-19 in the Eugene area. Get together to share opinions and ideas about books. This month, we're reading "There's Someone Inside Your House." Sign up and we’ll give you a free copy of the book 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, October 20, 4:00 p.m., Zoom
Sign-ups start Sept. 15. Preregistration required to receive event link. Sign up online: https://bit.ly/MiddleBookGroupOct2021
For ages 11-14 in the Eugene area. Get together to share opinions and ideas about books. This month, we're reading "It's the End of the World As I Know It." Sign up and we’ll give you a free copy of the book to keep! Or enjoy the book free with your library card in print or online: find it here.
Teen Book Group - ages 13-19
Live online: Tuesday, November 16, 4:00 p.m., Zoom
Sign-ups start Oct. 15. Preregistration required to receive event link. Sign up online: https://bit.ly/TeenBookGroupNov2021
For ages 13-19 in the Eugene area. Get together to share opinions and ideas about books. This month, we're reading "Pemmican Wars." Sign up and we’ll give you a free copy of the book 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, November 17, 4:00 p.m., Zoom
Sign-ups start Oct. 15. Preregistration required to receive event link. Sign up online: https://bit.ly/MiddleBookGroupNov2021
For ages 11-14 in the Eugene area. Get together to share opinions and ideas about books. This month, we're reading "When You Reach Me." Sign up and we’ll give you a free copy of the book to keep! Or enjoy the book free with your library card in print or online: find it here.
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
Art Exhibit by OSLP Arts & Culture Program
Downtown Library 2nd floor, through October
Enjoy works created by the OSLP Arts & Culture Program, which aims to break down barriers to participation in the arts for people of all abilities and build bridges to a more diverse and inclusive community for all.
Career Exploration Workshop
Live online: Thursday, October 14 and/or Thursday, October 28, 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.
Windfall Reading Series: Annie Sheppard and Michael McGriff
Live online: Tuesday, October 19, 6:00 p.m., YouTube Live
Join Lane Literary Guild and Eugene Public Library for a livestream of this season's first Windfall Reading, a monthly gathering highlighting local and regional writers. This month, writers Annie Sheppard and Michael McGriff read and take questions. More information and watch: bit.ly/WindfallOct2021
Shifting the Narrative: A Conversation on Race and Identity in Children’s Books
Live online: Thursday, October 28, 3:00 p.m., YouTube Live
Join UO Libraries and Eugene Public Library for a conversation about how race and identity have been represented in children's books in the past, how and why authors and illustrators are working to change that in the present, and panelists' hopes for the future of children's literature. Panelists will address complex questions including who can tell whose story, how do we deal with our racist past, and how we can begin to bring fresh narratives and perspectives to the field.
Participants include moderator Elizabeth Wheeler, University of Oregon Associate Professor of English; Kimberly Johnson, University of Oregon Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education and Young Adult author; Debbie Reese (Nambé Pueblo), founder, American Indians in Children’s Literature; and Chenoa (Lummi and S’Klallam) and Keith (Lummi) Egawa, authors and illustrators of children’s books.
More information and watch: bit.ly/ShiftingNarrativePanel
"Mexican Gothic" Book Group
Live online: Saturday, October 30, 2:00 p.m., Zoom
Sign-ups start Oct. 1.. Preregistration required to receive event link. Sign up online: https://eugene.libcal.com/event/8354279
In honor of Fiesta Cultural and Halloween, get together to chat about this NY Times bestselling horror novel by Silvia Moreno-Garcia. Sign up for the book group and we'll provide a free copy of the book for you to read and keep. Or enjoy the book free with your library card in print or online. Find it 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.
Watch online anytime:
Windfall Reading Series: monthly readings by NW writers coordinated by Lane Literary Guild. Watch past Windfall Readings on YouTube.
"1000 Hopes" Project and Oregon BIPOC Experiences panel on YouTube Live, recorded in June 2021.
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 Store and Online Book Sales
The Friends' Second Hand Prose book store offers amazing deals on gently-used books in the Entry Garden of the Downtown Library. You can also shop online for store pick-up or at the Friends' Amazon store. See store hours and shopping information.
Imagination Library Luncheon
Watch anytime on YouTube
Enjoy the recording of the 2021 Imagination Library of Eugene event featuring "Stone Soup" cartoonist Jan Eliot, children’s author/illustrator Sandy Silverthorne, Dr. Audrey Lucero, joke-telling kids, and more.
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.