Summer library programs in full swing

School may be out for summer, but there are still many opportunities for learning.

Children, teens and their families have a wide variety of in enriching activities to take part in throughout the summer, thanks to the help of local public libraries.

Librarians at Coos Bay, North Bend and surrounding areas have scheduled a summer packed full of events – from the continuation of their popular story time programs to the kick off of summer reading challenges, and events celebrating nature and culture.

“We provide a series of enrichment activities for students, families and people of all ages within the community,” said Jennifer Knight, youth services librarian at Coos Bay Public Library.

“We do this because research has shown that it's really important to stay engaged during the summer months, and to keep active outside of school activities. The library plays a unique role because it is able to do that at no charge to the public,” she said.

Local librarians said that when they schedule summer activities, they try to plan a little something for everyone.

“Hopefully, people of all different ages will find something that they enjoy coming to,” said North Bend Children’s Librarian Laura Chapman.

“This year we have some special things going on,” she said.

Some events are being shared among the Coastline Libraries network, allowing a greater section of the community to enjoy them.

This includes an upcoming ‘Journey Under the Sea,’ program developed by the Museum of Natural and Cultural History. Participants will dive into an ocean of hands-on science fun while exploring Oregon's underwater environments. This program will be happening in libraries across Coos County throughout the month of July.

Other events are library specific.

Some of the family events the Coos Bay Library is highlighting includes a Charreria cultural celebration and exhibition honoring the way of life that shaped Mexican identity. This event happens on Wednesday, July 10 in the libraries Myrtle Room and the exhibit will be on display until Aug. 8.

Other Coos Bay Library events are taking place off-site, such as an ‘elegantly silly time’ with Lucy Kalantari and the Jazz cats at the Mingus Park Amphitheater on Aug. 1; followed by lunch with Birds of a Feather, a new American indie family super duo, also at Mingus Park on Tues, Aug. 6.

There are also some new wellness-programs for tweens, teens and adults, including Yoga for Teens and Tween Cooking with OSU Extension Service at the Coos Bay Library.

At the North Bend Library, children’s librarian Chapman, said she’s excited to offer some programs that haven’t been presented before, including a program with Wildlife Safari.

“They're bringing some of their ambassador animals with them, and we're doing an educational outreach program with them called ‘Here Today, Gone Tomorrow,’ about endangered and vulnerable species,” Chapman said.

This program happens on Tuesday, July 9 at 2 p.m. at the North Bend Event Tent located at 2040 Union Avenue.

Other children’s programs being offered through the North Bend Library this summer include an interactive puppet show, ‘The Super Silly Circus’ on July 17, an interactive ranger talk on July 25 about the threatened shorebird, snowy plover, as well as a Messy children’s festival, “The Children’s Messtival” on Aug. 3.

“The Messtival is an outdoor activity. It is going to be a lot of good, messy fun for kids from three to twelve,” Chapman said.

The local children’s librarian said one of her favorite parts of the job is getting to know children in the local community, and watching them learn and grow.

“It's always fun to see that they are having a good time and enjoying coming to the library,” Chapman said.

There are a variety of ways to keep up-to-date with local library activities, including following Facebook Pages, looking at the online calendar on library websites, and going in and talking with local librarians.

The North Bend Public Library is located at 1800 Sherman Ave. They can be reached at (541) 756-0400 or online at through the City of North Bend site northbendoregon.us.

The Coos Bay Public Library is located at 525 Anderson Ave. They can be reached at (541) 269-1101 or online at coosbaylibrary.org.