Celebrate our freedom to read

In honor of Banned Books Week, we're highlighting your First Amendment right to read, listen, view, write, speak and create freely. This year, our nation faces a striking increase in censorship targeting public libraries, school libraries, classrooms and book stores. It's the perfect time to check out our recommended titles for adults, teens, and kids. And to learn more, keep up with the latest, and celebrate the fact that the majority of challenged books remain available precisely because of people who speak out for free speech. 

What's next?

Many thanks to all of you who have shared your ideas and opinions about the library's services! If you haven't yet, please take a few minutes to answer our "Craft Our Next Chapter" online survey, open through Sept. We want to know what's important to you as we plan for the future. In addition to the survey, we're gathering ideas and opinions through fun activities onsite and around town. Our goal is to get input from as many community members as possible -- so thank you for spreading the word about this opportunity, too.

Fun and learning for kids

New this month: check the fall storytime schedule for options at all our locations, plus a new playtime for young children. Sign-up now for upcoming kids book groups (see the Oct. calendar), including Oregon Battle of the Books. Take StoryWalks in the parks or display kids' art or collections at the library. Tweens: learn to sew a felt key chain or zipper pull (9/27). And try these services free online with your library card: Tumblebooks read-along books, homework help including live tutoring, and access to Britannica for Kids. 

For teens

Drop in for a new activity every week: make back-to-school crafts (9/7), create stress relief toys (9/14), play life-size Pac-Man (9/21) or watch anime (9/28). Get together to volunteer with our Teen Team (apply now). Or for Rainbow Reads book club (9/14), hosted by Wordcrafters. Use your library card to get free online homework help including live tutoring, practice tests, and more. Or ask us anytime for assistance with anything -- from research for school assignments to finding books, movies, and more for fun.

And for adults

Check out our expanding Library Of Things, now including dedicated collections at Bethel and Sheldon branches. Bring whatever you're reading to Silent Book Club (9/13). Watch the Windfall Reading Series (9/20) start a new season with bilingual writer and translator Amalia Gladhart. Support our community's little learners at the delightful Imagination Library luncheon fundraiser (9/21). And save the date for a visit by bestseller Silvia Moreno-Garcia (11/6); in Oct. our book group will read her novel Velvet Was the Night (signups start 9/15).

Fiesta Cultural

Fiesta Cultural returns for the 8th year to celebrate Latino/a/x/e arts, culture and heritage in Lane County. Join us at the kickoff on the evening of First Friday (9/2) at the Farmers Market Pavilion. Enjoy live music by Organización Oaxaca and DJ texcaliente, fresh local food, beer by Xicha brewing, an artist marketplace and a Kids Zone -- come say hi at our booth! Brought to you by Lane Arts Council with City of Eugene Cultural Services. We're looking forward to a wide variety of Fiesta Cultural events in the coming months.

Art at the Downtown Library

This weekend, you can still catch the Mayor's Art Show (through 9/4). Meet Jessica Zapata of Eugene Arte Latino, curator of our new display of embroidery in connection with Fiesta Cultural (9/2).  Then chat with Marco Elliott and Robert Baret, the artists who created our next exhibit, 20Twenty Cage Blues (9/6), which reflects on the pandemic from two continents. Anytime, enjoy large scale Windowfront Exhibitions by local artists around downtown, including the StoryHelix project on display in our streetside windows, plus new works for fall.