All events FREE.
Author Kim Cooley Reeder at Sheldon and Bethel Branch Family Storytimes
Friday, October 3, 10:15 a.m., Sheldon Branch of Eugene Public Library, 1566 Coburg Road
Friday, October 17, 10:15 a.m., Bethel Branch of Eugene Public Library, 1990 Echo Hollow Road
Author Kim Cooley Reeder visits Family Storytimes to read from her new children’s book, “Runaway Tomato.” Free. Information: 541-682-8316 or www.eugene-or.gov/library.
Poetry Writing Workshop
Saturday, October 11, 1:00 – 5:00 p.m., Downtown Eugene Public Library, 10th & Olive
Adults are invited to a fun-filled poetry writing workshop led by local poets C. Steven Blue, Michele Graf, and Rachel Rich. Beginners welcome! Brought to you by Eugene Public Library, Lane Literary Guild, Willamette Writers, and Groundwaters Magazine. Plus, a week later: Poetry Showcase & Open Mic on Saturday, October 18, 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. Free. Information: 541-682-5450 or www.eugene-or.gov/library.
Free eBooks & Audiobooks for Tablets & Smartphones
Wednesday, October 15, 2:30p.m., Downtown Eugene Public Library, 10th & Olive
Bring your device to learn how to borrow free eBooks and audiobooks from the huge selection in Eugene Public Library’s online service, Library2Go. This two-hour class is for users of Kindle Fire, Nook HD, Apple, and Android tablets and smartphones. Required: basic computer and Internet skills, basic knowledge of your device. Free. Information: 541-682-5450 or www.eugene-or.gov/library.
Blogging: Next Steps
Thursday, October 16, 1:30 p.m., Downtown Eugene Public Library, 10th & Olive
For those with some blogging experience: get advanced tips on topics including RSS feeds, Google AdSense, the differences between professional and personal blogs, and ways to make your blog easier for potential readers to find. Required: Eugene Public Library’s Intro to Blogging class or experience writing a basic blog. Free. Information: 541-682-5450 or www.eugene-or.gov/library.
Poetry Showcase & Open Mic
Saturday, October 18, 1:00 – 5:00 p.m., Downtown Eugene Public Library, 10th & Olive
Keynote readers Laura LeHew, Quinton Hallett, Nancy Carol Moody, and C. Steven Blue will highlight apoetry showcase featuring a diverse variety of readings and performance, followed by an open mic reading. Everyone is welcome to read; sign up starting at 1:00. Brought to you by Eugene Public Library, Lane Literary Guild, Willamette Writers, and Groundwaters Magazine. Free. Information: 541-682-5450 or www.eugene-or.gov/library.
Windfall Reading: Allan Peterson and Mel Wells
Tuesday, October 21, 5:30 p.m., Downtown Eugene Public Library, 10th & Olive
This month’s Windfall Reading features poet Allan Peterson and essayist Mel Wells.
Allan Peterson is a celebrated poet whose “Fragile Acts” was a finalist for the 2013 National Book Critics Circle Award and the Oregon Book Award. A frequent award-winner, his works include the books “Precarious,” “As Much As,” “All the Lavish in Common,” and “Anonymous Or,” as well as seven chapbooks, most recently “Other Than They Seem.” Peterson has also been honored with Pushcart Prize nomination and a fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts.
Mel Wells has been published in a number of literary journals. She has essays forthcoming in the anthologies “Spent” and “Untangling the Knot.” She works in her “dream job” as Program Coordinator for Literary Arts.
The Windfall Reading Series is sponsored by Eugene Public Library, Lane Literary Guild, Friends of Eugene Public Library, Eugene Public Library Foundation, and Cultural Services Division of Lane Arts Council. Refreshments served at intermission. Free. Information: 541-682-5450 or www.eugene-or.gov/library.
Monster Tales and Lore: Storytelling Workshop
Sunday, October 26, 2:00 p.m., Downtown Eugene Public Library, 10th & Olive
Storyteller and educator Robert Rubinstein will lead a workshop on understanding and telling monster stories. Explore the origin, psychology, symbolism, and human nature of monsters. Learn about why human beings – and especially children – have a need for monster tales. Plus, hear and share stories. Pre-register for limited spaces starting October 10 at 541-682-5450 (press 2).
Robert Rubinstein is a popular performer and recording artist, as well as the author of six books. He created and directed the nationally-known Troupe of Tellers at Roosevelt Middle School for 24 years, and produced and directed Eugene’s Multi-Cultural Storytelling Festival for 20 years. He will also perform scary stories for adults at “Monsters and Other Things” on Thursday, October 30, 6:30 p.m. at the Downtown Eugene Public Library. For more information, contact Eugene Public Library: 541-682-5450 or www.eugene-or.gov/library.
Bird World: Insights for Humans
Wednesday, October 29, 6:00 p.m., Downtown Eugene Public Library, 10th & Olive
An entertaining illustrated talk by Noah Strycker, author of “The Thing with Feathers.” Approaching bird behavior from new and surprising angles, Strycker explores the astonishing homing abilities of pigeons, extraordinary memories of nutcrackers, self-image in magpies, life-long loves of albatrosses, particle physics of starling flocks, and other mysteries — revealing why birds do what they do, and how we can relate. With humor and wit, this talk draws deeply from cutting-edge science and anecdotes from the field.
A well-known and widely published writer and photographer, Noah Strycker is Associate Editor of “Birding” magazine and author of a previous book, “Among Penguins.” He has studied birds on six continents with field seasons in Panama, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Hawaii, Maine, Michigan, Australia, Antarctica, the Galapagos Islands, and the Farallon Islands, and his “life list” is approaching 2500 species. He also works as a naturalist guide on expedition cruises to Antarctica and Norway’s Svalbard archipelago. For more information, contact Eugene Public Library: 541-682-5450 or www.eugene-or.gov/library.
Tween Scene
Thursday, October 30, 4:00 p.m., Downtown Eugene Public Library, 10th & Olive
This month’s book is “Jake and Lily” by Jerry Spinelli. Twins Jake and Lily have always felt like two halves of one person – until they turn eleven and Jake starts hanging around with a new friend. For grades 4 through 6. Pre-register and pick up the book at the Children’s Center starting October 1. Free. Information: 541-682-8316 or www.eugene-or.gov/library.
Teen Book Group
Thursday, October 30, 4:00 p.m., Downtown Eugene Public Library, 10th & Olive
This month’s book is “Asylum” by Madeleine Roux. Suspenseful and creepy, this mystery is illustrated with real historical photos. The story follows three teens as they uncover buried secrets about their dorm at a summer school program for gifted students. For middle and high schoolers. Visit the Downtown Teen Desk to pre-register and pick up your copy of the book starting October 1. Free. Information: 541-682-8316 or www.eugene-or.gov/library.
Monsters and Other Things: Scary Stories for Grown-Ups
Thursday, October 30, 6:30 p.m., Downtown Eugene Public Library, 10th & Olive
A show of scary stories for grown-ups, performed by Robert Rubinstein just in time for Halloween. Rubinstein is a popular performer and recording artist, as well as the author of six books. He created and directed the nationally-known Troupe of Tellers at Roosevelt Middle School for 24 years, and produced and directed Eugene’s Multi-Cultural Storytelling Festival for 20 years. Free. Information: 541-682-5450 or www.eugene-or.gov/library.