Sample before you buy at the library

In the book, “Understandable Statistics”, authors Charles Henry Brase and Corrinne Pellillo Brase identifiy the primary reason companies offer free samples to potential customers.

“Giving out food samples is expensive and labor-intensive. It clogs supermarket aisles. It is risky. What if a customer tries an item and spits it out on the floor or says the product is awful? It creates litter. Some customers drop toothpicks or small paper cups on the floor or spill the product. However, the budget that companies are willing to spend to have their products sampled is growing.”

Why is that? Sampling sells.

Do you like to sample before you buy? Maybe you’ve never thought of the library this way, but you can sample hundreds of magazines, books, CDs, DVDs, games and more before you make a commitment to add them to your personal library.

You will usually find the same new releases in our collection that you will find at the stores.

If not, you can request an inter-library loan or purchase request for the item.

Before you pay for that new app, check out The Digital Library at www.eBonnerLibrary.org to sample eBooks, eMagazines, movies, music and tons more from the comfort of your own device.

If you love the thing you sample, you can always buy it for yourself. If you don’t love it, you can return it without adding clutter to your collection. The best part of sampling at the library is that doesn’t leave a mess.

All of the following classes and events take place at the Sandpoint Branch Library, 1407 Cedar, unless otherwise indicated.

- Friday, Jan. 26 — Teen Writers Club. 3:30 p.m. at the Sand-point Branch Library, 1407 Cedar. Young writers of all writing platforms are invited to drop in for collaboration, writing prompt activities, and refreshments. For more info, contact Morgan at 263-6930 ext. 1245 or morgan at ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Saturday, Jan. 27 — Organic Gardening & Seed Saving. 1 p.m. at the Sandpoint Branch Library. A community conversation about organic gardening and seed saving techniques. Information: Camisse Nitkowski 263-6248.

- Monday, Jan. 29 — Teen Center Game. 3:30 p.m. at the Sandpoint Teen Center, 104 S. Division. Teen Librarian, Morgan Gariepy hosts collaborative gaming for teens. For more information call Morgan at 263-6930 ext. 1245 or morgan at ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Tuesday, Jan. 30 — Mother Goose. 10:15 a.m.. The Library’s Story Times will be at Creations on the Cedar St. Bridge for a while due to the construction project. Stories and singing for babies and toddlers 0-3 yrs and caregivers. For more information, email suzanne at ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Tuesday, Jan. 30 — Preschool Story Time. 11 a.m. at Creations. Stories and crafts for kids ages 2-5 yrs. The Library’s Story Times will be at Creations on the Cedar St. Bridge for a while due to the construction project. Info: suzanne at ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Tuesday, Jan. 30 — Robotics with Lego Mindstorm. 3 p.m.. Learn to build or code. For boys and girls age 8+ at the Clark Fork Branch. Subject to cancelation. Please call 266-1321 to confirm before attending.

- Wednesday, Jan. 31 — Clark Fork Stories & More. 10:30 a.m.. Kids and their caregivers enjoy story time, songs, snacks, and crafts at the Clark Fork Branch.

- Wednesday, Jan. 31 — Make It at the Library. 2 p.m.. Kids make a variety of age appropriate projects at the Clark Fork Branch.

- StoryWAlk — A partnership of the library, Kaniksu Land Trust, city of Dover, and city of Ponderay. Pages from a children’s book are posted along a trail for a fun, family experience. At Dover City Park, read “Walking in a Winter Wonderland” by Richard Smith and Felix Bernard. At McNearney Park in Ponderay (behind Panhandle Animal Shelter), enjoy “Winter is the Warmest Season,” by Lauren Stringer.

For more information, visit ebonnerlibrary.org or call Suzanne Davis, Children’s Services Librarian, 263-6930, ext. 1211, or suzanne at ebonnerlibrary.org. Get outside and read at a StoryWalk.

- Winter Reading Program — It’s time for the library’s Winter Reading Program, a reading challenge for kids. Pick up a reading bingo log and track your reading and read-to-me hours to qualify for prizes.

For more information, call Suzanne Davis, 263-6930 ext. 1211 or suzanne at ebonnerlibrary.org.