10 reasons to make the library part of your routine

| April 19, 2019 1:00 AM

You can buy eBooks on Amazon and paperbacks at your local book store. You can enjoy free WIFI with purchase at the coffee shop. You have access to educational opportunities with tuition. You can do extensive research using Google or another search engine.

So, is The Library really even needed anymore? Here is a short list of the many things you can get with one-stop shopping at the Library, and nowhere else.

1. One-stop selection of books, music, movies, games and more.

2. Use of computers, scanners and fax service at no direct cost (your tax dollars already covered it).

3. Transactions are made with your library card, not a credit/debit card.

4. Ad free, no cost music and movie streaming.

5. Learn a language with Mango Languages from the Digital Library or mobile app.

6. No late fees on eBooks or streaming services. Late fees on DVDs, books and other materials never exceed 50 cents (unless they are lost or damaged).

7. Tuition-free education and skills development

8. Unlimited, secure, high speed WIFI (and you don’t even have to buy coffee to use it).

9. Knowledgeable staff to help you research both sides of an issue without bias.

10. Tinker with technology such as 3D printing and virtual reality with no commitment to buy.

Communities need libraries to provide open access to resources we need every day. Take advantage of these and more services available to you with your library card and make the library part of your regular routine.

East Bonner County Library District schedule

- Fridays — Explore virtual reality (reserve sessions), 10 a.m.-1 p.m.; reserve a 15-minute session in the VR room at ebonnerlibrary.org/Events on the event listing. Information: Contact the Tech Desk 208-263-6930, ext.1251.

- Fridays — Clark Fork Mother Goose.,10:15 a.m. at the Clark Fork branch library. A special story time for babies and toddlers followed by 20 minutes of play time. Information: 208-266-1321.

- Friday, April 19 — Cooking for College, 4:30-6 p.m. in the Teen Lounge. You will (probably) be broke and you (most likely) won’t have a kitchen. So how can you prepare awesome meals on the cheap and with only small electrical appliances? To find out, join us on a college dorm room culinary journey. Permission slip required. Information: kimber@ebonnerlibrary.org or 208-263-6930, ext. 1245.

- Saturday, April 20 — Earth Week StoryWalk at The Library, 9 a.m.-12 p.m., “Flowers Are Calling” by Rita Gray. Information: earthweeksandpoint.org.

- Saturday, April 20 — Earth Week film screening, “Saving Snow’, 10 a.m.-12 p.m., in the Community Room. “Saving Snow” is a feature documentary on how ski towns are coping with warmer winters. It was made to educate audiences about the impacts of climate change on the winter economy and build support for mitigation and adaptation efforts across the country. It is the second film created by independent filmmaker Diogo Castro Freire as part of the Adaptation Now documentary project. Panel discussion to follow. Panel members are Tom Chasse, Schweitzer Mountain Resort, Kevin Davis, Idaho Panhandle Avalanche Center - US Forest Service; Danny Tappa, hydrologist, Natural Resources Conservation Service - SNOTEL Survey. Information: 208-265-2665.

- Saturday, April 20 — Earth Day Festival at Farmin Park, 1-4 p.m. The Library and 350Sandpoint.org joined forces to organize Earth Week, culminating in a family-friendly festival with performances, food, presentations, games, prizes and more. Details at earthweeksandpoint.org.

- Saturdays — Explore virtual reality (drop-in sessions), 10 a.m.-12 p.m.; drop-in 15-minute sessions. First come, first served. All ages welcome. Under 18 must accompany parent consent form. Under 10 must be accompanied by parent/legal guardian. Information: Contact the Tech Desk at 208-263-6930, ext.1251.

- Saturdays — Explore virtual reality (reserve sessions), 2-4 p.m.. Reserve a 15-minute session in the new VR room at ebonnerlibrary.org/Events on the event listing. Information: Contact the Tech Desk at 208-263-6930, ext.1251.

- Monday, April 22 — #TrashTag Challenge, 3 p.m. Teens, meet at The Library for Earth Day to pick up trash along Division Avenue and post your #TrashTag Challenge achievements on social media. Information: 208-263-6930, ext. 1245.

- Tuesdays — Mother Goose, 10 a.m. Stories and singing for babies and toddlers 0-3 years old and their caregivers with stay & play until 10:40 a.m. Info: 208-263-6930, ext. 1211; or email suzanne@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Tuesdays — Preschool Story Time, 11 a.m., in the glass children’s area. Stories and crafts for kids and their caregivers. Information: 208-263-6930, ext. 1211; or suzanne@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Tuesdays — Explore virtual reality (drop-in sessions), 3-6 p.m., drop-in 15-minute sessions. First come, first served. All ages welcome. Under 18 must accompany parent consent form. Under 10 must be accompanied by parent/legal guardian. Info: Contact the Tech Desk 208-263-6930, ext.1251.

- Tuesdays — MAGIC the Gathering. 3:30-5 PM in Community Room A. Teens play the game, MAGIC the Gathering. Info: 208-263-6930, ext. 1245; or email kimber@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Tuesday, April 23, and Thursday, April 25 — knitting class for kids, 3:45 p.m. in the glass children’s area. Fourth- to sixth-grade kids will learn to knit on a circular loom. Each child will knit a hat for free! Space is limited and preregistration is required: 208-263-6930, ext. 1211; or email suzanne@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Tuesdays — Away with Words, 5:30 p.m., in the YA reading area, a creative writing workshop for teens with Beth Weber. Whether you are a poet, penner of short stories, or working on the great American novel, join us at the library to make your literary endeavor come to life. Info: kimber@ebonnerlibrary.org or 208-263-6930, ext. 1245.

- Wednesdays — Clark Fork Stories and More, 10:30 a.m. at the Clark Fork branch library; stories, crafts, and prizes for kids ages 3-8. Info: 208-266-1321.

- Wednesday, April 23 — MCS Youth Orchestra concert, 3 p.m. in the lobby. Enjoy a free community concert in the lobby of The Library with the Music Conservatory of Sandpoint’s Youth Orchestra. Information: 208-263-6930, ext. 1211.

- Wednesday, April 23 — 3D Printing Club. 4:30- p.m., VR Room. Drop in the second and fourth Wednesday of the month to join us at our 3D Printing Club. Collaborate with others and learn more from staff about 3D printing and design. A few laptops will be provided or you may bring your own device. Open to all ages and skill levels. Information: 208-263-6930, ext. 1251.

- Wednesdays (in April) — Arts, Crafts, & Creations, 4:30 p.m., in the Teen Lounge. Celebrate this year’s Earth Day global theme, Protect Our Species, by building pollinator habitats. Every Wednesday we will tackle a new project to support bees, bats, butterflies, and birds. Info: 208-263-6930, ext. 1245.

- Thursday, April 25 — Kids Dance Party, 10:30 a.m., glass children’s area. Dancing fun with children’s music for 2-4 year olds (everyone is welcome). Information: 208-263-6930, ext. 1211.

- Saturday, April 27 — Book Theater, 11 a.m., glass children’s area. A new kind of “book club.” Come share your favorite books … puppets and performance included! Geared to third to fifth graders. Information: suzanne@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- StoryWalk — Pages from a children’s book are posted along a trail for a fun, family experience. Enjoy special Earth Day-themed titles; “Wake Up!” by Helen Frost at Dover City Park and “On Meadowview Street” by Henry Cole at McNearney Park. Read, connect, and get outside at a StoryWalk, a partnership of The Library, Kaniksu Land Trust, city of Dover, and city of Ponderay. For more information, visit Facebook.com/BonnerStoryWalk.

Marcy Timblin is in charge of public relations, marketing & community development for the East Bonner County Library District. She can be reached at 208-208- 208-208-263-6930, ext. 1204.