Book yourself some fun and join fellow bibliophiles

Book clubs are a great way to collaborate with people of similar interests. Through discussion and shared ideas, we can pull more out of a book than the words on the page. But, how can you find a book club that is a good fit for you? If you can’t find one, how can you go about starting your own? Here are a few tips.

As you might have guessed, The Library is a great place to start. You can ask your friendly Information Desk staff if they are aware of any community book clubs and then see if you can track down some contact information to learn more. Area book stores are also a great place to check for information about book clubs. Sometimes those stores will actually host book clubs and offer discounts on featured books. That is great when you jump into a group part way through the discussion and the book isn’t available at The Library. Another option is to search for local book clubs using the Meetup app or my-bookclub.com.

A face-to-face book club is awesome, but you might also consider an online version. Download ebooks and eaudiobooks from Hoopla in the Digital Library at ebonerlibrary.org. Then, join the Hoopla Book Club to read and discuss a new book each quarter with an online library-loving community. This session’s pick is “The Orphan’s Tale” by Pam Jenoff. Ask us about joining the Hoopla Book Club or for help finding another online book club next time you visit the Information Desk.

What if you just want to start your own book club? In that case, you get to decide on your style and theme. Will it be casual or a more formal group? Where will you meet? The Library’s community meeting rooms may be available to you at no charge. To learn more, visit the Meeting Rooms page in the Services tab on our website. Once you decide what and where, now you need to invite people to join. You can start with friends, family, coworkers, your social media community, and other groups you have an affiliation with. You can design a flyer and ask to have it posted at The Library and local book stores. Next, lay out some ground rules and make sure everyone gets a copy via email or print. You will want to have someone designated as a moderator to enforce rules and keep the framework for the group intact. That person can develop some thought-provoking questions as topics for discussion for each session or the group can casually discuss points that inspired them. It’s up to you!

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

- Fridays — Explore Virtual Reality (reserve sessions), 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the East Bonner County Library District’s Sandpoint branch, 1407 Cedar St. 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 East Bonner County Library District’s Clark Fork branch, 601 Main St. A special story time for babies and toddlers followed by 20 minutes of play time. Information: 208-266-1321.

- Saturday, March 16 — IWL Writers’ Contest – The Roar of March, 9:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. in the Community Rooms. Calling all authors! You are welcome to come and share your work with a 5-minute reading of your original material. Mingle with other writers and listen to their work. No registration necessary for this free event. All ages, genres and experience levels are welcome with prizes awarded to winners in each category. Presented by the Sandpoint Chapter of the Idaho Writers League. Sandpoint branch Community Rooms. More information: Sandy Anderson, 775-790-4443 or Mike Bauer 208-265-2665.

- Saturday, March 16 — Genealogy workshop, 1 p.m. in the computer bank on the second floor. Get an overview of the many resources available to research your family tree from experts at the Sandpoint History Center. Bring your genealogy information if you have any, and be prepared to search for a relative. Computers furnished. Information: 208-263-6930.

- Saturdays — Explore Virtual Reality (reserve sessions), 2-4 p.m. at the East Bonner County Library District’s Sandpoint branch, 1407 Cedar St. Reserve a 15-minute session in the new VR room at ebonnerlibrary.org/Events on the event listing. Information: Contact the Tech Desk 208-263-6930, ext. 1251.

- Monday, March 18 — Winter reading final party, 3:30 p.m. in the community room. Congratulations on participating in The Library’s Winter Reading Challenge! Celebrate with marble games, painting suncatchers, trivia, and snacks. Information: suzanne@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Tuesdays — Mother Goose, 10 a.m. at the East Bonner County Library District’s Sandpoint branch, 1407 Cedar St. Stories and singing for babies and toddlers 0-3 years old and their caregivers with stay & play until 10:40 a.m. Information: 208-263-6930, ext. 1211 or suzanne@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Tuesdays — Preschool Story Time, 11 a.m. at the East Bonner County Library District’s Sandpoint branch, 1407 Cedar St. Stories and crafts for kids and their caregivers. Information: 208-263-6930, ext. 1211 or suzanne@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Tuesdays — Explore Virtual Reality. 3-6 p.m., drop-in 15-minute sessions at the East Bonner County Library District’s Sandpoint branch, 1407 Cedar St.. 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 208-263-6930, ext. 1251.

- Tuesday, March 19 and Thursday, March 21 — Chess class, 3-4:30 p.m. in the glass children’s area. Work on your chess game with Dave Braun. All welcome. Information: 208-263-6930, ext. 1211, or suzanne@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Tuesdays — MAGIC the Gathering. 3:30-5 p.m. at the East Bonner County Library District’s Sandpoint branch, 1407 Cedar St. Teens meet in Community Room A to play the game, MAGIC. Information: 208-263-6930, ext. 1245 or kimber@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Tuesday, March 19 — 3D Printing Workshop. 5 p.m. in the second floor computer bank. Design your own 3D printed object and learn some fascinating ways 3D printers are being used. Space is limited and pre-registration is required for this beginner-level class. Register online from the Events calendar at ebonnerlibrary.org or call 208-263-6930.

- Tuesdays — Away with Words, 5:30 p.m. at the East Bonner County Library District’s Sandpoint branch, 1407 Cedar St. 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. Information: kimber@ebonnerlibrary.org or 208-263-6930, ext. 1245.

- Wednesdays — Clark Fork Stories and More, 10:30 a.m.. Stories, crafts, prizes and snacks for kids ages 3-8. East Bonner County Library District’s Clark Fork branch, 601 Main.

- Wednesday, March 20 — Afterschool Science – Build a Roller Coaster, 2:30 p.m. in the glass children’s area. Design a crazy roller coaster ride for a marble — but make sure it doesn’t fly off the track. Information: 208-263-6930, ext. 1211, or suzanne@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Wednesday, March 20 — 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.

- Wednesday, March 20 — Teen Heart Talk. 4:30-6 p.m. in the Teen Lounge. Local resident, Brad Huhta, retired heart surgeon, will lead us on a journey through the heart. We will explore the heart, its role in our body, career focuses, health, and just possibly a little bit of philosophy. Note: This presentation will show graphic images/forensic sample which may not be suitable for all students. Discretion is advised.

- Wednesday, March 20 — Science Cafe: Forensics - the Art and Science of Crime. Marie Bayles, former forensic scientist, will present real criminal cases and you will help solve the crime through photos, fingerprinting, footprint plaster casts, DNA evidence, bloodstain pattern analysis, and toxicology evidence. Science Cafes are casual conversations about a science topic. They are open to everyone and are not a lecture. They are dynamic, two-way discussions led by an expert on a science topic pertinent to our lives. You do not have to have a background in science to benefit. Information: 208-265-2665.

- Thursday, March 21 — Spring Kids’ Dance Party, 10:30 a.m. in the glass children’s area. Join us for 30 minutes of dancing to some fun kids’ music! Information: 208-263-6930, ext. 1211 orsuzanne@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Saturday, March 23 — Garden planning and seed starting, 10 a.m. at the East Bonner County Library District’s Sandpoint branch, 1407 Cedar St. in Room 102. Learn how to plan your garden and give your plants a head start for a productive season. Pre-registration is required: 265-2665.

- Saturday, March 23 — Book theater, 11 a.m. at the East Bonner County Library District’s Sandpoint branch, 1407 Cedar St. in the glass children’s area. A new kind of “book club.” Come share your favorite books…puppets and performance included! Geared to 4th-6th grades. Information: suzanne@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Saturday, March 23 — Saturday Movie, “Moana”, 1 p.m. at the East Bonner County Library District’s Sandpoint branch, 1407 Cedar St. in the glass children’s area. Come watch Disney’s “Moana” with us! Information: 208-263-6930, ext. 1211 or suzanne@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- StoryWalk — Pages from a children’s book are posted along a trail for a fun, family experience. Enjoy “Winter is the Warmest Season” by Lauren Stringer at Dover City Park and “Wolfie the Bunny” by Ame Dyckman at McNearney Park. Read, connect, & 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- 208-263-6930, ext. 1204.