Guide to Libraries in Eugene, Oregon

If you ask anyone where the library is in Eugene, they'll point you to the downtown branch. Right next to the LTD bus station. You can't miss it. It's huge! (Okay, by small town standards.) It's as inspiring inside as out. We have several library branches in Eugene and Springfield, but when someone says THE Library they're talking about downtown.

Eugene Public Library (Downtown Branch)
100 W 10th Ave
Eugene, OR 97401
(541) 682-5450
www.eugene-or.gov/library
Email: LibraryAskUs@ci.eugene.or.us

I kicked off National Library Week by nabbing a box of books from the 31st Annual Friends of Eugene Public Library Book Sale. Held every year at Lane County Fairgrounds, it's the library's major fundraiser. Over 300 volunteers work on the Book Sale, many year-round. In 2008, the event took in more than $78,000 to support Eugene Public Library programs and services. More than 90,000 books, DVDs, CDs, etc. priced around a dollar each. Literally mind-boggling. I spent less than $10 and got Laurell K. Hamilton's Blood Noir (hard-cover), some paperback mysteries, Audre Lorde's The Marvelous Arithmetics of Distance and a dog-eared copy of Carolyn Forche's anthology Against Forgetting: Poetry of Witness.

So what if I already have two copies of Against Forgetting. It's the most important poetry anthology released in our lifetimes. I buy up every copy I see because I lend it out a lot. And I paid over $30 for the first copies so you can imagine how excited I was to nab it for $1. (Oh, did you really think I would make it through a LIBRARY guide without giving a shout out to some books?! Really?)

Last weekend, the Downtown Branch hosted Glitterary Word Festival 2009. The annual festivities are
co-sponsored by Young Writers Association (YWA). This year featured a workshop for young poets and their parents with Oregon Poet Laureate, Lawson Inada. Also an innovative library tour by choreographer Margo Van Ummersen and storyteller Louisa Lindsay-Sprouse narrated through a traveling "story dance". Free and open to the public, kids of all ages were welcome to explore and create with writers, educators and performers.

Intrepid writers were even able to record their writing on "Elsie" KLCC Radio's studio on wheels. Elsie, an over-sized van painted in black and white cow splotches, is a familiar site at festivals and concerts in Eugene.

The gala ended with a reading of the winners of YWA's writing contest. If all that weren't sweet enough, there was cake for everyone in honor of YWA's 15th birthday! For more information about Glitterary Word Festival or YWA-Young Writers Association visit www.ywalane.org.

Don't worry if you missed those events. There's next year for them both and every week there's more happening at the library than books. There's events, concerts, and classes.

The City Singers

On First Friday May 1 at 6:00, the City Singers will perform a free concert at Eugene Public Library, Downtown. The choir is made up entirely of City of Eugene employees who formed (on their own time, of course!) to create and share music together outside the bounds of their "day jobs" as architects, 911 operators, police officers, librarians and court administrators, etc. Directed by Mo Robeson, the group's selections range from 16th century madrigals to doo-wop to Billy Joel. The City Singers' programs often feature international folk pieces as well, including songs in Hebrew, Korean, Japanese, Latin, Spanish, and a number of African dialects. This is a great addition to my favorite local monthly event - First Friday Art Walk - in which a number of downtown art galleries stay open late and unveil new exhibitions with snacks and wine.

Ongoing Library Happenings:

Some Saturday afternoons: Bilingual Family Fiestas (at the Downtown Library and the Bethel Branch Library) celebrate in Spanish and English with stories, songs, crafts and snacks.

Some Tuesday evenings: Windfall Poetry Reading Series features two amazing poets; often a local and visiting author. The Windfall Reading Series is sponsored by Eugene Public Library, Lane Literary Guild, Friends of the Library, the Eugene Public Library Foundation, and the Cultural Services Division of Lane Arts Council.(As a member of the Oregon State Poetry Association and one time member of Lane Literary Guild I should know the magic math that determines which Tuesday are Windfall days but instead I rely on e-mail from poets. If you're not on a poet's e-list, I suggest checking the calendar. If you figure out the magic math, comment here or e-mail me.)

Book Groups: Book Buddies book group is for grades 2 - 3 and Tween Scene book group is for grades 4 - 6. The book of the month is announced early enough to check the book out and read it before group.

Dog Tale Time: Kids have fun and build skills reading to trained dogs. Dogs and handlers courtesy of PAAWS' (People and Animals Who Serve) Project READ.

Classes

Classes at the Library are free, but for computer classes pre-registration is required: 682-5450.

Computer classes including: Genealogy, Digital Photos Management, Introduction to the Internet, Job Search & Resumes. Call or check the library's online calendar for upcoming classes and dates.

Hands-on workshops about a wide range of topics, including visual and performing arts, writing and literature, science, nature, world cultures, history, and more.

Preschool Storytimes

In April, Eugene Public Library's free preschool storytimes celebrate the multicultural holiday "El día de los niños/El día de los libros" (Children's Day/Book Day) with guest presenter Amy Costales, an award-winning author of books for young children.

Friday, April 24, 10:15 at the Bethel Branch
Wednesday, April 29, 10:15 and 11:00 at the Downtown Library
Thursday, April 30, 11:00 at the Sheldon Branch

Addresses of Eugene Branch Libraries

Downtown Library
100 West 10th Ave.

Bethel Branch
1990 Echo Hollow Rd.

Sheldon Branch
1566 Coburg Rd.

Mailing Address
Eugene Public Library
100 West 10th Ave.
Eugene, Oregon 97401