(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

Paintings by Stephen Hermansen (downtown library) — On the walls of the 2nd floor Magazines and Newspapers room. Artist Stephen Hermansen says, “Light and perspective are the two most common themes in my paintings. The elusive nature of light in particular can transform a landscape. I seek to capture a single moment in time with vividness and clarity. My current collection includes local places I have lived or explored, particularly Eugene and Cottage Grove. I like to paint streets and scenes that I find appealing. They can be ordinary or iconic places, they just have to interest me. I am hoping that the viewer will be drawn in, like I am.”

Sculptures by Linda Dyer (downtown library) — In the cases in the 2nd floor Magazines and Newspapers room. Linda Dyer exhibits sculptures of “Old Friends,” many of them animals. An award-winning artist, Dyer studied under R. Estebanez, the official sculptor for long-ago Cuban President Batista. Her pieces are formed in water-based clay, hollowed out, fired, sealed, stained with a handmade patina, then mounted on a hard-wood base. Each piece is handmade and one of a kind.

An exhibit about Pacific Northwest Rail History by Glenn Jones (downtown library) — In the Children’s Center on the 1st floor in December. Plus art and displays by Teacher Annie’s Early Learning Preschool, Lane County Audubon Society, Eugene Waldorf School, and Family School.

Events and classes

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

Kids – Minecrafters — 4:00 p.m. on Mondays and Tuesdays in December, downtown library. Kids: play together, share tips, and get creative with building challenges with Minecraft on Eugene Public Library computers. For ages 6-12 years. Space is limited, so pre-registration is required: sign up for the next week starting each Monday at 541-682-8316.

Family STEAM — 4:00 p.m. on Wednesdays in December, Sheldon branch; 4:00 p.m. on Thursdays in December, Bethel branch. Kids and family can enjoy hands-on fun and learning together. STEAM activities feature science, technology, engineering, art, and math.

Intro to Virtual Reality — 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 1, downtown library. Learn about virtual reality experiences and how to use the Oculus Rift headsets available in the Media. For adults and teens. Library card required.

Dog Tale Time — 2:00-3:30 p.m. on Saturday, December 1 and 8, downtown library; 2:00-3:30 p.m. on Saturday, December 15th, Sheldon and Bethel branches. Pre-register for individual short appointments: 541-682-8316. Kids: have fun and build skills in short one-on-one sessions reading to trained dogs. Dogs and handlers courtesy of PAAWS (Project Canine and Pet Partner teams). Sign up for the next week starting each Saturday: 541-682-8316.

eBooks and More — Drop in from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, December 2, and 3:30-4:30 p.m. on Thursday, December 13, downtown library. Have fun and save money: learn how to get downloadable and streaming 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 of online services using devices including Kindle, Android tablet, iPad, and laptops. Bring your own device, or just your curiosity.

Family Fun: Winter Crafts — 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 2, downtown library. Kids and family can make wintry up-cycled and nature crafts to keep, give as gifts, or trade at the upcoming Kids Craft and Maker Market (December 16th). Led by Megan Barella.

Shop Safely Online — 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 4, downtown library. Get expert tips to shop safely online. Learn how to protect your personal and financial information and avoid hacking, scams, and data breaches.

The Parents’ Guide to Climate Revolution — 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, December 4, Bethel branch. Mary DeMocker will talk about her new book, “The Parents’ Guide to Climate Revolution: 100 Ways to Build a Fossil-Free Future, Raise Empowered Kids, and Still Get a Good Night’s Sleep.” The book shares hundreds of wide-ranging ideas, including how to embrace “simplicity parenting”; avoid dead-end science debates; teach kids about the power of creative protest; and make lifestyle changes that deepen family bonds, improve moods, and reduce negative impact on the Earth. DeMocker has had a hand in many arts, including as a harpist, film set dresser, children’s playwright, and nonfiction writer. Currently, she uses the arts to mobilize for climate justice. She is co-founder and creative director of Eugene’s chapter of the international climate action group, 350.org.

Teens: Welcome to D&D — 3:00 or 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, December 5 and December 19, downtown library. Play Dungeons and Dragons. Learn how to create your 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.

After NaNoWriMo, Now What?! — 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, December 5, downtown library. Learn how to revise first-draft fiction, with Darryl Lynne Evans of Wordcrafters in Eugene. If you participated in National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo), bring your work. Or bring any first-draft fiction you would like to continue working on.

Nature Kids: Fossils — 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 6, downtown library. Ages 6-12 years can see, touch, sort, and make predictions about real fossils with Mia Jackson of the University of Oregon Museum of Natural and Cultural History. Learn how fossils are formed and what they teach about Oregon’s ancient life and landscapes.

Audio Editing for Podcasts — 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, December 6, downtown library. Get expert guidance about editing a podcast with audio professional Danny Ledonne. Learn to trim clips, adjust levels, add music and sound effects, and export the project into a single file for distribution. For adults and teens. Library card required. Danny Ledonne is the owner/operator of Emberwilde Productions and has taught widely, including at Lane Community College. His documentaries and new media projects have been shown worldwide at film festivals, academic and industry events, and through non-profit and commercial distribution.

Intro to Project Management — 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 6, downtown library. Project management means taking a systematic, structured approach to achieving work goals. Expert Tom Smith explains how to take a systematic, structured approach to achieving work goals: how to clearly define requirements, plan and sequence tasks, and more. Tom Smith was a senior consultant with IPS Learning with more than 38 years of project and program management experience. In addition to teaching and consulting, he has years of practical experience in applying PM methodology to projects and programs within the telecommunications industry, information systems, the travel industry, organizational development, and within the Department of Defense for the USAF. This event presented in partnership by Eugene Public Library and SCORE: Counselors to America’s Small Business.

Eugene Youth Ballet at Bethel and Sheldon Family Storytimes — 10:15 a.m. on Friday, December 7, Sheldon branch; 10:15 a.m. on Friday, December 14, Bethel branch. Dancers from Eugene Youth Ballet share a taste of the Nutcracker at Family Storytimes. (Note: the full Nutcracker show by Eugene Youth Ballet will be performed at the Downtown Library on Wednesday, December 12, 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.)

Quilling: Snowflakes — 3:00 p.m. on Friday, December 7, Sheldon branch; 3:00 p.m. on Friday, December 14, Bethel branch. Adults and teens learn the basics of quilling, the craft of coiling paper into decorative shapes. Make snowflakes to brighten windows or greeting cards. No experience needed. All supplies provided.

Concert: Byrdsong Renaissance Consort (poster 4/2016) — 6:00 p.m. on Friday, December 7, downtown library. Byrdsong Renaissance Consort will perform music of England, Ireland, and Scotland from the 16th through 18th centuries with violin, recorder, flute, viol, harpsichord, and voice. The concert will also include holiday tunes and a few contemporary surprises. Byrdsong features Michael Bardossi (violin); Alice Barkan (viol, recorder); Julia Heydon (violin, viol, recorder, voice); Elnora Sears (viol, recorder, flutes); and Tom Sears (viol, recorder, harpsichord).

Learning with Lynda.com — 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 8, downtown library. Get an introduction to Lynda.com, a valuable online resource available free through Eugene Public Library. Lynda.com offers top-quality courses by industry experts to learn business, software, technology, and creative skills. At this workshop, get an overview of the available topics, find your topics of interest, and learn how to create an individualized curriculum to achieve your personal and professional goals.

Film: “Topsy-Turvy” — 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 8, downtown library. Eugene Public Library and Eugene Opera host a showing of “Topsy-Turvy,” the Mike Leigh film about famed operetta maestros Gilbert and Sullivan. Set in the 1880s, the film shows a creative partnership in crisis before the duo turns everything around by writing “The Mikado.” This event is offered in connection with Eugene Opera’s upcoming performances of Gilbert and Sullivan’s comic masterwork “HMS Pinafore.”

Yarn & Thread — Drop in anytime from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 8, Sheldon branch or 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 15, Bethel branch. 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.

3D Print an Ornament — 11:00 a.m. on Sunday, December 9, downtown library. Learn how to create patterns with Tinkercad software, then 3D-print them. The Spirograph-like objects can then be used as decorative window hangers – or phone bling, zipper pulls, key rings, and more. For adults and teens. No experience needed. Library card required.

Family Fun: Bhangra Dancing — 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 9, downtown library. Kids and family can jump into Bollywood-style dance led by Sat Pavan Kaur Khalsa of Eugene Bhangra.

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

Teen Fandom Club: Yuri on Ice — Drop in from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 11, downtown library. Get together to make Yuri crafts, snack on icy foods, and watch the best show in the world.

The Nutcracker: Short & Suite — Two shows at 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 12, downtown library. A beloved library tradition: the Eugene Youth Ballet performs a child-size version of the classic Nutcracker. Travel the globe with these dancers and dream of sugarplums all night. Perfect for kids and family – everyone’s welcome.

Orientation to the Media Lab — Sign up for individual appointments between 4:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, December 12, downtown library. Beginners will get a one-on-one introduction to the downtown library’s Media Lab. Learn about the audio recording and digitizing tools available to use free with your library card. For adults and teens. A Eugene Public Library card and pre-registration are required for each 30-minute session. Call 541-682-5450 to sign up.

DIY Photo Canvas Collage — 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 13, downtown library. Make your own photo canvas using Xerox transfers. No experience needed. All supplies provided.

Try It: Coding for Kids — 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, December 13, or 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 15, downtown library. For kids ages 9-12 years who know how to use a mouse and keyboard; no coding experience needed.

Intro to Silhouette Cameo Cutter — 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 15, downtown library. Learn how to use the library’s electronic cutting machine by making your own gift tags. For adults and teens. All supplies provided. No experience needed. The Silhouette Cameo cutter is available to use in the Maker Hub at the downtown library.

Teens: Make Gifts — Drop in anytime 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 15, downtown library. Teens will learn to craft fun, easy DIY projects to give as gifts or to keep.

Family Fun: Kids Crafts & Maker Market — 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 16, downtown library. Kids and family can find great gifts at the Kids’ Craft and Maker Market. All kids get free tickets to trade for kid-crafted items. (Young creators who would like to trade their own works need to reserve a table in advance; call 541-682-8316).

Laughable Lords and Singing Sailors: The Topsy-Turvy Humor of Gilbert & Sullivan — 6:00 p.m. on Monday, December 17, downtown library. Martha Bayless talks about Gilbert and Sullivan’s “HMS Pinafore,” illustrated by Eugene Opera singers accompanied on keyboard by artisticdirector Andrew Bisantz. Bayless, a professor of English at the University of Oregon, will speak about the inventiveness, humor, and lasting appeal of this Victorian classic, including the story behind the scenes. This event is offered in connection with Eugene Opera’s upcoming performances of Gilbert and Sullivan’s comic masterwork, “HMS Pinafore.”

Teens: Decorate Cookies! — 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 18, downtown library. Get together to eat cookies and learn how to decorate them.

Family Night: Winter Lights — 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, December 18, Sheldon branch. In December, the theme is “Winter Lights.” Enjoy solstice stories and songs, and craft paper bag luminaries with LED candles. All supplies provided.

Stuck in the Middle Book Club — 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 20, downtown library. The library hosts one book group for tweens and another for teens, and now there’s “Stuck in the Middle,” a book group to bridge the two. This month’s book is “Calvin,” by Martine Leavitt.” In this funny and serious novel, a teen who believes his fate is tied to the comic strip “Calvin and Hobbes” struggles to separate reality from illusion. Pre-register and pick up the book at the Downtown Library’s Teen Center. For ages 11-14 years.

Teens: Ani-Manga Club — 4:00 p.m. Friday, December 21, downtown library. Get together to watch anime and enjoy snacks.

Family Fun: Drive-In Storytime — 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 23, downtown library. Kids and family can make cardboard cars to take home and listen to some transportation-themed stories and songs.

Tween Scene — 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 27, downtown library. This month’s book is “The Bad Beginning” by Lemony Snicket. Read the book, then get together to watch the Netflix version. Pre-register and pick up the book at the Downtown Library’s Children’s Center. For ages 9-12 years.

Teen Book Group — 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 27, downtown library. This month’s title is “Let It Snow,” by John Green, Lauren Myracle, and Maureen Johnson. Enjoy three interconnected stories written by these bestselling authors, each filled with fun, romance, and holiday magic. Visit the Downtown Teen Desk to pre-register and pick up the book.

All-Ages: Build It — Drop in anytime 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Friday, December 28, Bethel and Sheldon branches. Play and experiment with a variety of materials such as Legos, Duplos, Keva Planks, Strawbees, and Brain Flakes, plus everyday items such as toothpicks and gumdrops.

Kids: Make It – Sew a Fleece Scarf — 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 29, downtown library. Kids ages 9-12 years can use the library’s sewing machines to make a fleece scarf with hand-warming pockets. No experience needed. All supplies provided. Pre-registration is required. Starting December 10, call 541-682-8316 to sign up.

Family Fun: Nearly New Year’s Eve Bash — 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 30, downtown library. Ring in the new year early as a family, with games, activities, and crafts (plus a mock ball drop).

Weekly Storytimes

Talkers Storytime — 10:15 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. on Tuesdays, downtown library. For toddlers who are starting to string words together, with their caregivers.

Pajama Storytime — 6:30 p.m. on Tuesdays, downtown library. For young children with their caregivers.

Preschool Storytime — 10:15 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. on Wednesdays, downtown library. For preschoolers with their caregivers.

Walkers Storytime — 10:15 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. on Thursdays, downtown library. For babies up on their feet, with their caregivers.

Baby Storytime — 10:15 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. on Fridays, downtown library. For babies from birth to first steps, with their caregivers.

Family Storytime at Sheldon — 10:15 a.m. on Fridays, Sheldon branch. For kids of all ages, with their caregivers.

Family Storytime at Bethel — 10:15 a.m. on Fridays, Bethel branch. For kids of all ages, with their caregivers.

Family Music Time — 10:15 a.m. on Saturdays, downtown library. Live music for kids of all ages, with their caregivers.