Train Man Returns, A Novel Idea Reveal, Downtown Bend Library Updates, and More from Your Library

In the Know Newsletter | December 2025

Community Book Club Kicks Off in December

Don’t miss the after-hours celebration as we reveal the next A Novel Idea community book club selection. On Saturday, December 6, readers and community members gather to get the first look at the 2026 A Novel Idea selections (one for adults and teens, and one for young readers). Doors open at 6:00 p.m. at the Downtown Bend Library, and the unveiling takes place upstairs at 6:30 p.m. Join us for the reveal—stay for the trivia, snacks, and bookish buzz.

Choo Choo! The Train Man is Circling Back to Bend!

After nearly 25 years of delighting kids and grown-ups with his magical model trains, Michael “The Train Man” Lavrich is returning to the Downtown Bend Library for another year of holiday joy! His beloved display has become a cherished tradition for countless Central Oregon families, and we can’t wait to welcome everyone back to experience the magic. This year’s showcase will run on select dates in December (check our online calendar for the full schedule and plan your visit). All aboard for one of our favorite holiday traditions!

Downtown Bend Library: Timeline for Remodel

Big changes are on the way for the Downtown Bend Library! Beginning in April 2026, the library will temporarily close for a major remodel that will add 25% more public space, new meeting rooms, improved technology, a children’s discovery area, and more. The building will begin winding down in phases starting in early February 2026; visit our website for a timeline. The brand-new Central Library at Stevens Ranch is set to open in Spring 2026, ensuring Bend has more library space than ever before. For floorplans and project details, visit our website.

Update: Redmond MakerSpace

We are in the process of improving service at the MakerSpace in the Redmond Library, and planning for robust offerings at the MakerSpace in the Central Library, which will open in spring 2026. Our goal is to make both MakerSpace locations highly accessible and responsive to community needs; this includes adding specialized staff to assist the public. To prepare, we are temporarily pausing service at the Redmond Library MakerSpace from December 15 through February 17. During this time tables, chairs, and power cords will be available in the MakerSpace, and you are encouraged to continue using the tables for your own crafts and projects. Already planned library-led MakerSpace events will continue as scheduled. Thank you for your patience as we work to ensure an engaging and sustainable MakerSpace for the people of Deschutes County!

Beyond the Books: Game Night

Looking for holiday fun that doesn’t involve a screen? Check out nearly 100 different board and card games from our collection. Whether you love classics like chess or want to try modern hits like Parks or Codenames, we’ve got something to brighten every gathering. Browse the collection, place a hold, and let the game nights begin.

Service Spotlight: Notary Public

Need an important document notarized for a will, trust, contract, or other paperwork? Our free notary service will be available at the Downtown Bend Library on December 12 and 15. Visit our online calendar for times and see the notary information page for more details and requirements for this service.

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. You’ll also find story times on our YouTube channel (as well as STEAM programs, scavenger hunts, and more).

Infant Music Together Workshop - 12/2 (D.Bend)

Snow Much Fun - 12/6 (D.Bend); 12/13 (Redmond); 12/16 (Sunriver); 12/18 (Sisters)

Math Stories - 12/8 (D.Bend)

B.U.R.S.T. - 12/9 (Sunriver); 12/18 (Redmond)

Kids' Intro to Hand Sewing: Gingerbread Stuffies - 12/9 (La Pine)

Graphic Novel Book Club: Aquanaut - 12/9 (Redmond)

The Write Path: For Preschool and Elementary Families - 12/10 (D.Bend)

Rainbow Family Night - 12/10 (Redmond)

Children’s Museum of Central Oregon Pop Up Exhibits - 12/11 (Sisters)

Kids' Math Night with Mathnasium - 12/12 (D.Bend)

Graphic Novel Book Club: The Happy Shop - 12/16 (Larkspur Community Center)

Pokémon Club - 12/18 (D.Bend)

MIDDLE SCHOOL AND HIGH SCHOOL

Teen Monthly D&D Club - 12/2 (La Pine); 12/5 (Sisters)

Teen Library Council - 12/3 (Redmond)

Embellish a Beanie with Hand Embroidery - 12/4 (Redmond)

3Doodler Ornaments - 12/10 (La Pine), 12/15 (D.Bend), 12/16 (Redmond)

Gingerbread Construction - 12/17 (Redmond)

Middle Ground Book Club: Not Nothing - 12/18 (Redmond)

Teen D&D On-Shot - 12/29 (La Pine)

Tummy Time en Español - 12/1 (Redmond); 12/3 (D.Bend)

Clases de Inglés Para Hispanohablantes - 12/1, 12/8 (D.Bend)

Bilingual Stories & Songs en Español e Ingles - 12/2, 12/9 (D.Bend)

Ayuda Tecnológica - 12/2 (Redmond); 12/4 (D.Bend)

Historias a Través del Arte en Español - 12/2 (D.Bend)

Comidas Favoritas Que Realmente Reconfortan en Español - 12/3 (Redmond)

Oscuridad de Guardianes de Los Niños Darkness to Light - 12/4 (Online)

Día del Retrato Familiar en Inglés y Español - 12/7 (D.Bend); 12/9 (Redmond)

Tardes en Familia - 12/9, 12/16 (Latino Community Association); 12/10 (Redmond)

Tertulias, ¡de Película! CHOLITAS en Español - 12/11 (Redmond)

Introducción a Zoom en Español - 12/18 (Redmond)

RootedHomes Drop-In Consultations en Español - 12/23 (Redmond)

WRITE HERE

Quiet Writing Time - 12/2, 12/9, 12/16, 12/23, 12/30 (D.Bend); 12/3, 12/10, 12/17, 12/31 (Redmond); 12/4, 12/18 (Sisters)

COWG Holiday Potluck and Member Reading! - 12/9 (D.Bend)

Line Editing: Making Every Sentence Work - 12/12 (Online)

Third Thursday Spoken Word Night - 12/18 (SCP Redmond Hotel)

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 - 12/1, 12/8, 12/15, 12/22, 12/29 (D.Bend)

Technology Troubleshooting - 12/2, 12/9, 12/16, 12/23, 12/30 (Redmond); 12/4, 12/11, 12/18 (D.Bend)

Cognitive Connections Community - 12/2 (D.Bend)

SafetyNet® Training with KIDS Center - 12/2 (Online)

Let's Talk About It with KIDS Center - 12/2, 12/9 (Online)

Lawyer in the Library - 12/3, 12/17 (Online)

Adult D&D Club: Beginners - 12/3 (Redmond)

AI & Disinformation - 12/4 (D.Bend); 12/11 (Sunriver)

DREAM BOLDLY The Grand AdvenChair: Documentary Screening - 12/4 (Redmond)

A Novel Idea: Unveiled - 12/6 (D.Bend)

Solder a Snowflake - 12/9, 12/19 (Redmond)

Law Librarian Office Hours - 12/9 (Redmond)

SCORE Small Business Counseling - 12/9 (D.Bend)

Medicare Made Simple - 12/10 (D.Bend)

Notary Public in the Library - 12/12, 12/15 (D.Bend)

Business/Nonprofit Librarian Office Hours - 12/16 (Redmond); 12/19 (La Pine)

Child Abuse: Signs, Symptoms & Prevention with KIDS Center - 12/16 (Online)

27th Street Brass Quintet - 12/20 (Sunriver)

Central Oregon Flute Ensemble - 12/20 (Redmond)

Pathways to Affordable Home Ownership with RootedHomes - 12/22 (Redmond)

RootedHomes Drop-In Consultations - 12/23 (Redmond)

KNOW COMFORT & JOY

Wreath Making Workshop - 12/1 (Sunriver); 12/2 (Redmond)

Train Man Tiny Art Paintings - 12/2 (D.Bend)

San Francisco-Style Clam Chowder - 12/2 (Arome)

Snowshoeing in Central Oregon - 12/3 (D.Bend)

Caroling by Central Oregon Mastersingers - 12/4 (D.Bend)

The Bells of Sunriver Holiday Performance - 12/6 (Sunriver); 12/16 (La Pine)

Tasty Holidays! Making Flavored Vinegars & Shrubs - 12/11 (Redmond)

Ravensong Choir Holiday Performance - 12/11 (D.Bend); 12/17 (Redmond)

In Praise of Winter: Writing "Odes" - 12/13 (D.Bend)

Holiday Skate Gather and Gift - 12/18 (The Open Arts Center)

Cute, But Wild: Discovering the Lives of Fluffy Birds - 12/19 (Sisters)

All Aboard! Michael the Train Man (morning) - 12/20, 12/21, 12/22, 12/23, 12/26, 12/27, 12/28 (D.Bend)

All Aboard! Michael the Train Man (afternoon) - 12/20, 12/21, 12/22, 12/23, 12/26, 12/27, 12/28 (D.Bend)

Bella Acapella Choir - 12/27 (Sisters)

All libraries will open at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 11, for staff in-service training. All locations will be closed Wednesday, December 24 and Thursday, December 25. All locations will close at 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 31. 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.

We’re here to help; contact us