In the Know Newsletter | January 2026

2025 Library Wrapped

Who doesn’t love a good year-in-review? In 2025, customers checked out more than 2.5 million items, we welcomed nearly 17,000 new cardholders, and you showed up in big ways both online and in person. From beloved books and audiobooks to a busy year for the Library of Things, your curiosity and creativity were on full display. Take a look at our full Library Wrapped to see what our community read, listened to, and loved most this year.

Get Creative With Your Library in January

To kick off 2026, get creative with free online classes on Creativebug, attend library programs to make friendship bracelets with Swifties, and learn about The Boston Tea Party. Our January theme, Know Tea, explores everything from armchair travels and tea-soaked novels to hands-on crafts and tasting adventures. This curated book list will pair perfectly with your favorite brew and highlights books that will steep you in ideas for our upcoming tea-themed library programs.

Deschutes Library Staff: Top Picks of 2025

From fantasy to thriller to unforgettable films, these are the 2025 releases our staff couldn’t stop recommending. Our annual Staff Picks list features the books and movies we kept talking about and sharing with friends. Books like Sunrise on the Reaping and Alchemised made waves, alongside films like 28 Years Later and Last Breath. Browse the collection and discover your next great read or watch. Is your favorite pick of the year on the list?

Love the Library? Consider Volunteering!

We are looking for people who want to give back to their community and volunteer at the new Central Library at Stevens Ranch, which opens in May. We have volunteer positions open for shelving, docents, MakerSpace support, and Creative Space support. We ask for a six-month commitment starting in late spring for a regular two-hour shift. Explore our volunteer website to learn more about the different opportunities at the Central Library and apply online today.

Big updates are coming to the Downtown Bend Library as we prepare for an exciting remodel as well as the opening of the new Central Library at Stevens Ranch. Beginning in February 2026, the Downtown Bend Library will transition to a temporary closure in phases, with limited access available on the first floor while collections and spaces shift to support upcoming improvements. These temporary changes help set the stage for more public space, improved amenities, and a better library experience for everyone once the remodel is complete. Be sure to check out our online calendar for program locations, as many library events in Bend will take place off-site during this transition. For the full timeline and details, including information about the Central Library at Stevens Ranch, visit our website and check out the FAQs to stay up to date.

Beyond the Books: Discovery Passes

Explore Central Oregon’s top attractions for free with a Discovery Pass, which grants admission for up to four people. Visit the Deschutes Historical Museum, experience wildlife and history at the High Desert Museum, or explore nature and the night sky at the Sunriver Nature Center and Observatory.

Service Spotlight: LinkedIn Learning

Looking to level up your career or explore a new hobby? Deschutes Public Library offers free access to LinkedIn Learning, a treasure trove of technology, business, and professional development courses. Using the LinkedIn Learning app? Just enter "dpl" as your library identifier to get started!

Follow the links below to learn how to access these programs

KIDS & FAMILIES

Family Story Time, Toddler Story Time, Preschool Story Time, and Baby Story Time - Visit our online calendar for dates, locations, and times. Youll also find story times on our YouTube channel (as well as STEAM programs, scavenger hunts, and more).



Jump for Joy: Toddler Time - 1/6 (Mountain Air Trampoline Park)

Hygge with the Library - 1/8 (La Pine); 1/22 (Redmond); 1/23 (Sunriver)

Creating a CommuniTEA of Fitness - 1/10 (Gym X)

Music Together Workshop - 1/10 (La Pine)

Graphic Novel Book Club: City of Dragons: The Awakening Storm - 1/13 (Redmond)

Childrens Museum of Central Oregon Pop Up Exhibits - 1/14 (Sunriver)

Rainbow Family Night - 1/14 (Redmond)

B.U.R.S.T. - 1/15 (Redmond)

Pokémon Club - 1/15 (Rosie Bareis Community Campus)

Mad Tea Party - 1/17 (Sunriver)

Graphic Novel Book Club: Wildfire - 1/20 (Larkspur Community Center)

Page to Screen Family Movie Night: Barbie - 1/23 (Tower Theater)

Kids' Math Night with Mathnasium - 1/30 (Redmond)

MIDDLE SCHOOL & HIGH SCHOOL

Teen Monthly D&D Club - 1/2 (Sisters); 1/6 (La Pine)

Swift-Tea and Friendship Bracelet Making - 1/13 (Larkspur Community Center)

Teen Library Council - 1/14; 1/28 (Redmond)

Middle Ground Book Club: Isle of Ever - 1/15 (Redmond)

Teen Open Mic Night - 1/15 (The Open Arts Center)

Stop Motion: Finger Skateboard Edition - 1/16 (Stellar Jay Creative)

Watercolor Intro - 1/20 (Redmond)

Tummy Time en Español - 1/5 (Redmond)

Bilingual Stories & Songs en Español e Ingles - 1/6, 1/13, 1/20, 1/27 (Deschutes Children's Foundation)

Tardes en Familia - 1/6, 1/13, 1/20, 1/27 (Latino Community Association); 1/7, 1/14, 1/21, 1/28 (Redmond)

Conexiones Literarias con Hilda en Español - 1/6, 1/20 (Redmond)

Té vs Café: ¿Cuál es Mejor para Tu Salud? en Español - 1/10 (Larkspur Community Center)

Repair Café in English y Español - 1/12 (Redmond)

La Vida es Bella en Español - 1/24 (Larkspur Community Center)

Pintando con té en Español - 1/24 (The Open Arts Center)

RootedHomes Drop-In Consultations en Español - 1/27 (Redmond)

BOOK CLUBS

The Nonfiction Library Book Club: The Elements of Marie Curie - 1/6 (Suttle Tea)

The Larkspur Library Book Club: Get the Picture - 1/21 (Larkspur Community Center)

The Library Book Club: Colored Television - 1/23 (Thump Downtown Bend)

The Fiction Library Book Club: Daughter of Mine - 1/28 (Online)

WRITE HERE

Quiet Writing Time - 1/7, 1/14, 1/21, 1/28 (Redmond); 1/8, 1/15, 1/22, 1/29 (Sisters)

Central Oregon Writers Guild - 1/13 (Central Oregon Community College)

Third Thursday Spoken Word Night - 1/15 (SCP Redmond Hotel)

The Write Path: For Tweens, Teens, and Parents - 1/21 (Sisters)

ADULTS

Thrive Central Oregon Drop-in Consultations - see calendar for dates and times and visit Thrive's website for more drop-in sessions and locations throughout the county.


Changing Patterns: Re-Entry Weeklies - 1/5, 1/12, 1/26 (Larkspur Community Center)

Technology Troubleshooting - 1/6, 1/13, 1/20, 1/27 (Redmond); 1/8, 1/15 (D.Bend)

Recreating Safely in Winter - 1/7 (Sunriver)

Lawyer in the Library - 1/7, 1/21 (Online)

Notary Public in the Library - 1/8, 1/13, 1/22, 1/26 (D.Bend)

27th Street Brass Quartet - 1/10 (La Pine)

Cascade Chamber Players Quartet - 1/10 (Sisters)

Repair Café in English y Español - 1/12 (Redmond)

Law Librarian Office Hours - 1/13 (Redmond)

MyChart - 1/13 (La Pine); 1/22 (Sisters); 1/29 (D.Bend)

SCORE Small Business Counseling - 1/13, 1/27 (D.Bend)

Child Abuse: Signs, Symptoms & Prevention with KIDS Center - 1/13 (La Pine)

Medicare Made Simple - 1/13 (D.Bend); 1/27 (Redmond)

Setting Better Boundaries - 1/13 (Redmond)

Screening: Left Behind - 1/15 (Tower Theater)

Business/Nonprofit Librarian Office Hours - 1/16 (La Pine); 1/20 (Redmond)

Scam Proofing for Seniors - 1/16 (Redmond)

Da Chara Duo Performance - 1/17 (Redmond)

The "Terrific" Giant Spike-Toothed Salmon - 1/21 (Online)

Let's Talk About It with KIDS Center - 1/22 (Sisters)

Craft Swap Drop-Off - 1/24 (Redmond)

Craft Swap and Share - 1/24 (Redmond)

Red Cross Blood Drive - 1/26 (Redmond)

Pathways for Affordable Homeownership with RootedHomes - 1/26 (Redmond)

RootedHomes Drop-In Consultations - 1/27 (Redmond)

SCORE: Meet a Mentor - 1/27 (Redmond)

SafetyNet: Smart Cyber Choices® with KIDS Center - 1/27 (Becky Johnson Community Center)

Winter Tea and Book Pairing - 1/28 (Suttle Tea)

Adult D&D Club: Beginners - 1/28 (Redmond)

Death Café - 1/28 (Rosie Bareis Community Campus)

Beginner Crochet Workshop -1/31 (La Pine)

KNOW TEA

Attend a “Know Tea” program in January and pick up a free sample of Reader’s Blend Tea by Metolius Tea (while supplies last).


Sips & Sentiments: A Card-Making & Tea Event - 1/9 (La Pine)

The Art of Tea: Iris Folding Paper Creations - 1/14 (Sisters); 1/16 (Rosie Bareis Community Campus)

Mo-Tea-Vation: A Bullet Journal Workshop - 1/14 (Rosie Bareis Community Campus); 1/15 (Sisters)

Tea Making with Metolius Artisan Tea - 1/24 (La Pine)

The Boston Tea Party and Creation of American Identity - 1/25 (Rosie Bareis Community Campus); 1/31 (Redmond)

Teas of the World - 1/28 (Arome)

Swift-Tea and Friendship Bracelet Making - 1/28 (Larkspur Community Center)

All libraries will be closed on Thursday, January 1, in observance of New Year's Day and on Monday, January 19, for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. All locations will open late at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 8, for in-service training. Visit our website for locations and hours.

Our Mission:

Deschutes Public Library enriches the community through equitable, open access to books, services, and resources that inspire people to reach for their dreams. To learn more about our mission, vision, and core values, visit our website.

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