(Graphic | Courtesy of Deschutes Public Library)
Author! Author! Continues with Tommy Orange on February 3
The tenth season of Deschutes Public Library Foundation’s Author! Author! literary series is in full swing, with award-winning writer Tommy Orange (There There) joining us virtually on February 3 at 7pm; buy your ticket online at dplfoundation.org. The tenth season of Author! Author! concludes on March 6 with a presentation from best-selling author Neil Gaiman (American Gods, Good Omens, The Ocean at the End of the Lane). Ticket sales benefit library programs and services not funded by tax dollars.
What to Read, What to Read …
More than a million books are published every year in the United States. If the sheer volume of that seems a little overwhelming, we can help! Visit our Reading Recommendations page to explore all of the ways you can find books that fit your interests. Looking for personalized recommendations? Try Your Next Book, and one of our librarians will place three books on hold for you or send you a personalized list of titles. If you’d like monthly recommendations in a variety of genres, be sure to sign up for NextReads for reading lists delivered straight to your inbox, and try NoveList to browse online lists of recommended reads and award-winning books. And of course, stop by your library anytime for ideas — we love to talk books!
Hands-on Learning Fun with STEAM Team
STEAM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math, and it’s a philosophy of education that embraces teaching skills and subjects in an a way that resembles real life. Our STEAM Team programs give kids ages six to 12 a chance to engage with fun, hands-on activities, from learning basic coding with an ozobot to crafting unique creations with a Cricut machine. Check out our online calendar and select “Children’s Programs” to view what’s coming up in February. You’ll also find STEAM Team videos on our YouTube channel.
Have Tax Questions? Tax-Aide Has Answers
AARP Foundation Tax-Aide is back this year with free tax preparation sessions for Central Oregonians at the Downtown Bend Library. These weekly walk-in sessions can help you learn more about tax credits, and an IRS-certified volunteer can answer some of your tax questions and help you prepare your taxes online using IRS-certified software. Walk-in sessions at the Downtown Bend Library are on Saturdays from 9am-4pm beginning February 12. For more information visit http://cashoregon.org for a list of items to bring with you to the session.
Volunteer Expo: Sunday, February 13
If you’re looking for an opportunity to serve your community, don’t miss the Volunteer Expo at the Downtown Bend Library on February 13 (11am-2pm). Stop by and visit with community organizations looking for civic-minded individuals who want to make a positive impact. During the Expo, local agencies will be on hand to answer questions about how you can help.
Books & More: Curriculum Crates
We offer a variety of resources and services to help educators, whether that’s in a classroom or at home. Case in point: Curriculum Crates. Each crate is filled with engaging books on a popular subject, from science and history to humanities and social movements. These crates are great for students in kindergarten through eighth grade. We are grateful for the recent addition of cultural and heritage Curriculum Crates that include handcrafted, miniaturized, and culturally significant objects created by members of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs. The Warm Springs crates were created to support Senate Bill 13 (Tribal History/Shared History), which was voted into law to include Native American curriculum in Oregon’s public schools.
Service Spotlight: Open Computer Labs
New year — new smart phone, tablet, or e-reader? We can help. Stop by an Open Computer Lab and practice your computer skills and problem-solve with library staff. Use a library computer or bring your own laptop or device; these free, drop-in sessions can help you find answers to your questions.
Downtown Bend: Thursdays, 1:30-3pm
East Bend: Tuesdays, 10-11:30am
Redmond: Tuesdays, 1:30-3pm
You can also use our Book-a-Librarian service for one-on-one help anytime; visit our website to learn more.
Events & Programs in February
KIDS & FAMILIES
Find story times on our YouTube channel as well as STEAM programs, scavenger hunts, and more.
Story Time Activity Pick-Up — Pick up a weekly craft kit for kids from your library; visit our web calendar for locations and days
Your Next Book: Kids’ Edition: Award Winners (online) — February 9
STEAM Team: Ozobots — February 9 (E.Bend); February 15 (Redmond); February 17 (Sisters)
STEAM Team: Friendship Bracelets — February 9 (La Pine); February 15 (D.Bend); February 23 (Sunriver)
Grab & Go: Tiny Heart Pillows (all locations) — February 12
Grab & Go: Storm Keeper’s Island (all locations) — February 25
OBOB Book Chatter: Storm Keeper’s Island (online) — February 26
TWEENS/TEENS
DIY Comics — February 9 (Sunriver); February 12 (E.Bend)
Your Next Book: Graphic Novel Recommendations (online) — February 22
Abogado en la Biblioteca — February 2, February 9, February 16, February 23 (en línea)
BOOK CLUBS
Sunriver: There There (in person and online) — February 9
Redmond: There There (in person and online) — February 10
Non-fiction Book Club: The View from the Cheap Seats (online) — February 10
East Bend: There There (in person and online) — February 15
La Pine: There There (in person) — February 17
Sisters: There There (online) — February 23
Downtown Bend: Killers of the Flower Moon (in person) — February 25
ADULTS
Thrive Central Oregon Walk-in Consultations (D.Bend and Redmond) — see calendar for dates
Open Computer Lab (E.Bend) — February 1, February 8, February 15, February 22
Open Computer Lab (Redmond) — February 1, February 8, February 15, February 22
SCORE Small Business Counseling (D.Bend) — February 1, February 8, February 15, February 22
Lawyer in the Library (online) — February 2, February 9, February 16, February 23
Open Computer Lab (D. Bend) — February 3, February 10, February 17, February 24
Let’s Talk About It: Training with KIDS Center (online and in person/Redmond) — February 8
Tax Aide (D.Bend) — February 12, February 19, February 26
Caramel & Sugar Demonstration (Kindred Creative Kitchen) — February 12
Black History Month: Food Is Culture (D.Bend) — February 12
Volunteer Expo (D.Bend) — February 13
SCORE Workshop: Learning from Your Competitors (online) — February 16
Open Hub Singing Club (Redmond) — February 16
Adult Craftivity Grab & Go: Art Journaling (all locations) — February 18
KNOW COMICS
Comics Journalism (online) — February 9
Social Justice & Comics (online) — February 15
Laughter Yoga — February 17 (D.Bend); February 26 (Sisters)
America’s Mythology: The History of Superhero Comics — February 17 (online); February 24 (D.Bend)
Graphic Novel Book Talk for Adults (online) — February 23
Comedy Night at High Desert Music Hall — February 24
Batman’s Biggest Secret (online) — February 26
Film Screening: Black Panther (D.Bend) — February 27
WRITE HERE
Quiet Writing Time (D. Bend) — February 7, February 14, February 28
Quiet Writing Time (Redmond) — February 1, February 8, February 15, February 22
Images That Shimmy and Shake Playshop (online and in person/D.Bend) — February 8
Using the Physical to Write About the Emotional (D.Bend) — February 11