Author Tommy Orange, Tax Help, Great Book Recommendations, and More at Your Library

In the Know eNewsletter | February 2022 | Libraries Are OPEN

Author! Author! Continues with Tommy Orange on February 3

The tenth season of Deschutes Public Library Foundation’s Author! Author! literary series is in full swing, with award-winning writer Tommy Orange (There There) joining us virtually on February 3 at 7:00 p.m.; buy your ticket online at www.dplfoundation.org. The tenth season of Author! Author! concludes on March 6 with a presentation from best-selling author Neil Gaiman (American Gods, Good Omens, The Ocean at the End of the Lane). Ticket sales benefit library programs and services not funded by tax dollars.

What to Read, What to Read ...

More than a million books are published every year in the United States. If the sheer volume of that seems a little overwhelming, we can help! Visit our Reading Recommendations page to explore all of the ways you can find books that fit your interests. Looking for personalized recommendations? Try Your Next Book, and one of our librarians will place three books on hold for you or send you a personalized list of titles. If you'd like monthly recommendations in a variety of genres, be sure to sign up for NextReads for reading lists delivered straight to your inbox, and try NoveList to browse online lists of recommended reads and award-winning books. And of course, stop by your library anytime for ideas—we love to talk books!

Hands-on Learning Fun with STEAM Team

STEAM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math, and it's a philosophy of education that embraces teaching skills and subjects in an a way that resembles real life. Our STEAM Team programs give kids ages 6–12 a chance to engage with fun, hands-on activities, from learning basic coding with an ozobot to crafting unique creations with a Cricut machine. Check out our online calendar and select "Children's Programs" to view what's coming up in February. You'll also find STEAM Team videos on our YouTube channel.

Have Tax Questions? Tax-Aide Has Answers

AARP Foundation Tax-Aide is back this year with free tax preparation sessions for Central Oregonians at the Downtown Bend Library. These weekly walk-in sessions can help you learn more about tax credits, and an IRS-certified volunteer can answer some of your tax questions and help you prepare your taxes online using IRS-certified software. Walk-in sessions at the Downtown Bend Library are on Saturdays from 9am–4pm beginning February 12. For more information visit http://cashoregon.org for a list of items to bring with you to the session.

Volunteer Expo: Sunday, February 13

If you're looking for an opportunity to serve your community, don’t miss the Volunteer Expo at the Downtown Bend Library on February 13 (11am–2pm). Stop by and visit with community organizations looking for civic-minded individuals who want to make a positive impact. During the Expo, local agencies will be on hand to answer questions about how you can help.

Books & More: Curriculum Crates

We offer a variety of resources and services to help educators, whether that's in a classroom or at home. Case in point: Curriculum Crates. Each crate is filled with engaging books on a popular subject, from science and history to humanities and social movements. These crates are great for students in kindergarten through eighth grade. We are grateful for the recent addition of cultural and heritage Curriculum Crates that include handcrafted, miniaturized, and culturally significant objects created by members of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs. The Warm Springs crates were created to support Senate Bill 13 (Tribal History/Shared History), which was voted into law to include Native American curriculum in Oregon's public schools.

Service Spotlight: Open Computer Labs

New year—new smart phone, tablet, or e-reader? We can help. Stop by an Open Computer Lab and practice your computer skills and problem-solve with library staff. Use a library computer or bring your own laptop or device; these free, drop-in sessions can help you find answers to your questions.

Downtown Bend: Thursdays, 1:30–3:00pm

East Bend: Tuesdays, 10–11:30am

Redmond: Tuesdays, 1:30–3:00pm

You can also use our Book-a-Librarian service for one-on-one help anytime; visit our website to learn more.