Know Gardens throughout April

Are you dreaming of a backyard bounty or looking to garden more sustainably? Join us as we sew, dig, and harvest for Know Gardens in April. Learn the fundamentals of water-wise gardening and explore Monet’s innovative landscapes. Deeply connect to the natural world with a forest-bathing experience and indulge in animal therapy with Parsley the bunny. Attend a garden fair to learn more about composting, pollinator habitat, growing vegetables, seed bombs, and more. All programs are free and open to the public. See the full listing of programs on our website.

Celebrate National Poetry Month with Us

April is National Poetry Month, a time when people of all ages are encouraged to engage with poetry, whether by writing, reading, sharing, or discussing it. We have a month full of events, from poetry readings and open mic spoken word events, to classes and workshops for all skill levels. Visit our website for a full list of programs, and be sure to browse this list of new and coming-soon poetry books for some inspiration.

Staff In-Service Days Begin in April

Starting April 11, all libraries will close on the second Thursday of the month to allow for a full day of staff training and education. This in-service day consolidates late-openings that had happened on various days every month at all library locations and provides time for staff training in areas like customer service and library processes. These trainings also provide staff with information and training related to the library remodeling and construction impacts and changes that are critical to day-to-day operations. All digital services (access to eBooks, streaming movies, digital audiobooks, etc.) will still be available on these days. Staff in-service days will run for six months, at which time we will assess the process. We thank you for your patience as we work to build a library system that grows along with Deschutes County.  

Día de los niños y libros (Children’s Day/Book Day)

El día de los niños/El día de los libros (Day of the Child/Day of the Book) celebrates children of all cultures and connects them to the world of learning through books, stories, and the library. Join us for this year’s celebration—the whole family is welcome! April 26, 6-8:00 p.m., Hugh Hartman Elementary // El día de los niños/El día de los libros celebra a los niños de todas las culturas y los conecta con el mundo del aprendizaje a través de libros, cuentos y la biblioteca. Únase a nosotros para la celebración de este año. ¡Toda la familia es bienvenida! 26 de abril, 6-8:00 p.m., Hugh Hartman Elementary School.

May is Just Around the Corner, and So Are Some Great Literary Events

In May we kick off the 21st year of the A Novel Idea community read program. Take a look at our website to start planning for all of the free events (starting in late April) that enrich what you’ll find in the books—including visits from the authors. The Reader’s Guide for A Novel Idea 2024 will be available April 19, so be sure to pick up a copy at your local library. And mark your calendar for May 16, when best-selling author Robin Wall Kimmerer wraps up the 2024 season of the Author! Author! literary series. Author! Author! is a ticketed event that raises funds for library programs and services that are not funded through tax dollars. You can buy tickets to Kimmerer’s presentation on the Deschutes Public Library Foundation’s website.

Sisters Library is Fully Open Again

The children’s area and the community room at the Sisters Library are open to the public once again. These spaces closed in late January following a burst pipe and subsequent water leak. The rest of the library was open while much of the repair work was done, but now the entire library is fully open once again. Be sure to stop in to enjoy the new children’s area, as well a new art, including a large-scale piece by Kristy Kún in the community room.

Stay In-the-Know with the DPL Podcast

There’s a lot happening with remodeling and construction of libraries around Deschutes County! Be sure to check out the DPL Podcast for information about the projects and other things happening with and around your libraries. You’ll find the Deschutes Public Library Podcast on Spotify (dpl.pub/podcast-spotify) and Apple Podcasts (dpl.pub/podcast-apple).

Follow the links below to learn how to access these programs

Note: We’ve partnered with a variety of businesses and organizations to ensure that we can continue story times and adult programs during remodeling and construction work, so be sure to note the locations for all programs and events when following the links below.

All libraries will be closed on Thursday, April 11