Library invites public to join a weekend of fun

I would like to invite the community to two days of outstanding library activities this coming weekend, May 13 and 14. Pulitzer Prize-winning Sandpoint native Marilynne Robinson is coming Sunday, but first, the news on the Saturday events.

The silent auction for the 30-plus unique and original birdhouses will close at the end of Saturday's events. Bidding on the birdhouses is already in progress and there is some good-spirited competition going on among those who have already selected their favorites. There will be live music at the library featuring Folk Remedy at noon, Betsy Hammett at 1 p.m., and Beth Pederson at 2 p.m.

Noon is also the start of the computer sale, approximately 20 surplus used computers and monitors. The computers will have an operating system and productivity software installed. Come join the fun but remember that all events and the silent auction will end at 3 p.m..

What a pleasure it is to welcome Marilynne Robinson to Sandpoint with two Sunday events! We have discussed her Sandpoint-based book, Housekeeping, in the library's Let's Talk About It discussion group repeatedly since its 1981 publication. Last year's Pulitzer-winner, Gilead, exhibits a similarly rhapsodic appreciation of life and nature. The East Bonner County Library District and Lost Horse Press, with the assistance of Friends of the Library, Coldwater Creek and the Idaho Commission on the Arts, are proud to bring Ms. Robinson back to Sandpoint from the University of Iowa, welcoming her with an 11 am reception at the Sandpoint branch library (1407 Cedar Street) and a 3 p.m. program at the Panida.

Before Ms. Robinson takes the stage there will be readings by the library's young writers' group, the Blue Dragons. These programs are free but donations will be gratefully accepted to help cover costs and to support the young writers' workshop which will be at the library June 16-17.

For further information check the library's Web site at www.ebcl.lib.id.us\ebcl or call the library at 263-6930.

Gloria Ray is the administrative librarian for print collections for the East Bonner County Library in Sandpoint.