Deschutes Public Library Updates

(Photo | Courtesy of Deschutes Public Library)

Five-Year Lease Renewal Signed for the East Bend Library Location

We recently sealed the deal on a five-year renewal of the lease for the East Bend Library. What’s more, our amazing facilities staff just completed a number of updates to the space, improving the layout and flow of various areas, including the staff area and materials handling sections. The East Bend Library first opened its doors in 2011, making it the newest addition to the Deschutes Public Library System. Stop by and say hi next time you’re in the area! While the East Bend Library is the only library in our system that we do not own, we have no plans on ever leaving the east Bend area. In fact, we have six libraries throughout the county — Downtown Bend, East Bend, La Pine, Redmond, Sisters and Sunriver — and they are all open to serve you now and well into the future. Deschutes County is growing, and we will be here to grow with it, just like we have for the last 100 years. Visit our website to learn more about our growth and visioning process; there, you’ll also find a helpful list of Frequently Asked Questions.

Author! Author! 2021 Line-up

Drum roll . . . the Deschutes Public Library Foundation is proud to announce the line-up for the 2021 Author! Author! literary series. The Foundation moves forward with its ninth season with a new format: authors, in conversation with other authors, all presented online. The line-up promises to deliver diverse experiences and dynamic perspectives that speak to our times:

TAYARI JONES in conversation with Elizabeth Gilbert | January 15, 2021
TA-NEHISI COATES in conversation with Mitchell S. Jackson | February 7, 2021
NICHOLAS KRISTOF and CHERYL WuDUNN in conversation | March 4, 2021

Tickets are just $25 per event and $60 for the series; the first 100 people to purchase the series will receive a book signed by one of the authors. Money raised from ticket sales is used by the Foundation to support Deschutes Public Library programs and services that are not funded by tax dollars. Tickets are available at dplfoundation.org.

Wrapping Up Our Centennial in Style

2020 marked 100 years of library service to the people of Deschutes County, and we’re celebrating with free book bags! From carrying groceries to books or functioning as a cool day-trip catch-all, our fantastic canvas bags are our way of celebrating 100 years of Deschutes Public Library and the community we serve. Stop by any of our six locations in Deschutes County for your free bag. We have a number to choose from, with sayings like Totes Going to the Library Today, My Weekend is Booked, I Like a Little Drama and more. A bag is free for the asking while supplies last. Once you have your bag, tag us on Facebook or Instagram and show us how you’re using yours!

Library & High Desert Museum Receive Federal Grant to Expand Programming

Deschutes Public Library and the High Desert Museum received an Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) grant — the largest of its type awarded in Oregon — to create programs and resources for those most impacted in the region by the COVID-19 pandemic. The collaborative effort enables the museum and the library system to offer family centered programs that advance STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) learning and develop important literacy and social-emotional skills among pre-K-12 students.

Library Receives Award for Expanding Its Online Offerings During COVID

We are also grateful to receive the 2020 Ben Westlund Memorial Award, which recognizes the Library’s extraordinary level of delivery and access to library services and programs to the citizenry of Deschutes County. The award is a nod to our response to the challenges presented by the COVID pandemic, in particular our pivot from in-library programs to an online format — from storytimes to cultural programs. The award is given by The Deschutes Cultural Coalition of the Oregon Cultural Trust. You can access our online programming anytime, from anywhere you are with internet access.

It’s the Great Pumpkin Contest!

Voting is happening now for our Fourth Annual Pumpkin Decorating Contest, and we have nearly 30 fantastic entries this year! All pumpkins were inspired by a literary character or book. View all of the pumpkins and vote online here. Voting closes on October 28, and winners will be announced on the Library’s Facebook and Instagram accounts on October 30.

Something Tasty is Brewing in November

Tangy, funky, bubbly — we’re cultivating some tasty food and drink all November long as we delve into all things fermentation! Check out the full line-up of programs here. You’ll find everything from the science behind the fermentation process to ancient brewing techniques. You can even learn to make your own kombucha, kimchi and hot sauce. Need something more for your palate? How about a cheese tasting or a dosa demonstration? It’s fun, it’s all online and it’s all free! Find the full line-up, including dates and times, on our website here. Some programs require advance registration, so be sure to grab your spot!

New: Free Access to Scholastic Teachables with Your Library Card

Scholastic Teachables is an online database of tens of thousands of searchable and printable educational materials, and access to it is now free with your library card. Scholastic works with educators to create and vet thousands of high-quality, ready-to-use resources so that teachers and parents don’t have to spend countless hours searching for reliable content to support their instruction. You’ll find printable worksheets, lesson plans, learning games and more for just about any subject, including math, science, reading comprehension, STEM, writing and beyond. Download printable lesson plans, reading passages, games and puzzles, clip art, bulletin board ideas and skills sheets for kids in any grade. Visit our website to learn more about Scholastic Teachables and all of our educator and student resources.