Classes & Lectures
Through the classes and seminars held at the library, you can:
- Appreciate the genius of Shakespeare
- Discover the hidden depths of film making
- Feel the pulse of the inspired poet
- Take a guided tour through literature, film, and history
- Trace the development of the short story
- View history in a whole new light
These programs are always insightful, but casual, and are taught by seasoned and knowledgeable teachers.
See below for our current and upcoming offerings.
Fall 2024 (Aug-Dec)
PROFILES
Explore the people, places, and events that shape our lives, our world, our universe. Presented by Dr. Bill Thierfelder, Professor Emeritus and Docent Emeritus at the American Museum of Natural History.
- Ages: High School through Adult
- Wednesday, Aug. 7
- Mark Twain. Born Samuel Langhorne Clemens, Twain (1835-1910) was a humorist, journalist, lecturer, and novelist who garnered international fame for his travel narratives and for his adventure stories of boyhood. A gifted raconteur and irascible moralist, he transcended the apparent limitations of his humble Missouri origins to become one of America’s best and most beloved writers. Sign up to receive the Zoom meeting code.
- Wednesday, Sept. 4
- Judy Garland: Over the Rainbow. Using a baker’s dozen of her all-time hits, Dr. Bill Thierfelder explores the life of Judy Garland, telling a deeply personal saga filled with laughter and tears, triumphs and tragedies. From quintessential numbers like “Over the Rainbow” and “You Made Me Love You” to melting torch songs such as “The Man That Got Away” and “But Not For Me,” Garland knew how to connect with the words, the music, and--above all--the audience. Indeed, watching Garland present a song is attending a master class in artistic expression. Sign up to receive the Zoom meeting code.
- Wednesday, Oct. 2
- Truman Capote. When Truman Capote passed away in August of 1984, he left behind an enduring--and sometimes controversial--legacy of fiction and non-fiction novels, short stories, and journal pieces, including A CHRISTMAS MEMORY and IN COLD BLOOD. This program delves into both the light and shadows of one of America’s greatest writers. Sign up to receive the Zoom meeting code.
- Wednesday, Dec. 4
- A Charles Dickens Christmas. Charles Dickens has famously been called “The Man Who Invented Christmas.” Inspired by the writings of Washington Irving earlier in the 19th century, Dickens wrote five Christmas novellas between 1843 and 1848 and over a dozen short stories between 1852 and 1866. Each of these--including the perennial favorite A CHRISTMAS CAROL--helped to shape how the holiday season is celebrated in Britain and America. This program explores these wonderful flights of holiday fantasy and their lasting influence. Sign up to receive the Zoom meeting code.
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Time: 11:00 am - 12:30 pm
- Location: Online - Zoom (Not sure what that is? Call us and we'll help you! 503-682-2744)
- No Charge
- No program in November
DNA & Paper: A Recipe for Genealogy Research Success
Don Anderson will share how to combine the genealogy paper trail with DNA to create A Recipe for Success. He will cover the types of DNA tests and how to use the available tools and matches to uncover what is hiding in your genes. His book Paper & Spit will be available for $20 (Cash Only).
Presented at the Genealogy Club monthly meeting. New members and guests welcome!
- Ages: High School through Adult
- Monday, Aug. 19
- Time: 1:00-2:30pm
- Location: Oak Room
- No Charge
backyard birdwatching
If you’re just getting started with birdwatching, look no further! In this class you’ll learn what sort of equipment might be helpful, safe and ethical bird feeding, some common backyard birds to look for, and other useful tips and resources.
Presented by Rebecca Lexa, Naturalist
- Ages: High School through Adult
- Thursday, Aug. 29
- Time: 6:00-8:00pm
- Location: Oak Room
- No Charge
Space Talks
Discover the history and science behind our exploration of the moon, Mars, and the universe with these talks presented by docents Donn Anderson & John Jennings from Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum.
- Ages: High School through Adult
- Saturday, Sept. 7: Meteorites
- Saturday, Oct. 5: Planetary Defense with DART
- Saturday, Nov. 2: NASA's LUCY Mission: An Asteroid Up Close and Personal
- *SPECIAL DATE* Saturday, Dec. 14: The Bold Mission of Apollo 8
- Time: 11:00am-12:30pm
- Location: Oak Room
- No Charge
- No program in August
telling family history with a/v
Steve Edwards, filmmaker and member of Personal Historians NorthWest, will demonstrate how to bring family stories to life through audio and video. Using the latest tools and resources readily available to all, he’ll cover hardware and software, interview suggestions, as well as answer questions about how to capture and share your family's stories. For those interested in genealogy and storytelling, this will be an idea-inspiring session.
Presented at the Genealogy Club monthly meeting. New members and guests welcome!
- Ages: High School through Adult
- Monday, Sept. 16
- Time: 1:00-2:30pm
- Location: Oak Room
- No Charge
Mushroom Hunting
Mushroom foraging is a popular pursuit in the Northwest and beyond. Learn where to search for edible mushrooms and how to identify common wild mushrooms and poisonous species. Discover more facts about fungi in your backyard!
Presented by Rebecca Lexa, Naturalist
- Ages: High School through Adult
- Thursday, Sept. 19
- Time: 6:00-8:00pm
- Location: Oak Room
- No Charge
"The Year of Magical Thinking" Theater Production
Based on the beautiful, National Book Award winning and Pulitzer Prize finalist, memoir by Joan Didion. This play, adapted by the author herself, recounts the year that both her husband and daughter died. It spotlights the force that grief is in our lives as well as how we can move forward through the trials of loss to heal our-selves.
Presented by Northwest Classical Theater Collaborative
- Ages: High School through Adult
- Wednesday, Oct. 30
- Time: 6:00-7:30pm
- Location: Oak Room
- No Charge
Remembering Czech Christmas
Immerse yourself in a celebration of traditional Czech Christmas festivities with this harmonious blend of music and dance. Part of the Book Notes Concert Series.
Presented by Mark and Helena Greathouse
- Ages: High School through Adult
- Saturday, Dec. 14
- Time: 2:00-3:00pm
- Location: Main Reading Area
- No Charge
