Map your way to adventure at The Library

Maps are completely baffling to me. I can’t comprehend how people can use them to find their way around. I confess — I am directionally challenged. When I walk into a building, I need help getting out. My elementary school report cards inevitably read, “Marcy is a pleasure to have in class. She needs to work on her right and left.” Still working on it.

My husband is a total map guy. He understands what all of those colored lines and shapes mean. He knows his right and left, north, south, east, and west. He has traveled to distant lands where there are no roads, climbed impossible mountains, and canoed countless secluded waterways. And he can fold the map when he is done.

If maps are your thing, you should know about A to Z Maps Online. It’s a map database in the Digital Library at ebonnerlibrary.org. You can travel to places you know you’ll never visit, or you can prepare for an actual trip. There are literally hundreds of maps in this thing. Explore NASA maps and world maps as well as regional and city maps. You’ll also find geology maps, climate maps, and other specialized ones that make map people giddy — and you don’t have to fold them back up when you’re done.

I’m more of a text and images person, so I really like Global Road Warrior. It’s another travel resource in the Digital Library. Just log on with your library card and it will ask you where you want to go. Choose from 175 countries. Know before you go with details on local cuisine, language, immunizations, culture, history — over 110 topics! The brochure says “No other single resource covers so many topics, so well, for so many countries.”

When traveling involves learning a new language or a few phrases to get you by, Mango Languages is your best bet. Learn any of 70-plus different languages with a fun learning platform. It comes with a mobile app, too. If you want a little extra help, you can use Pronunciator to drill down your language learning. Find Mango and Pronunciator in the Digital Library.

If you’re wondering why I have travel on the brain, it’s because we are Mountain West Bank’s featured organization of the month and they have selected “travel” as their theme. We have an exhibit on library travel resources on display at their Ponderay Branch all month long. Go check it out and see the many ways that The Library can take you anywhere!

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.

- Friday, May 10 — 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. There will be no Mother Goose after May 10. Stay tuned for the summer schedule, beginning in June. Information: 208-266-1321.

- 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.

- Saturday, May 11 — eSports League at The Library, 1 p.m. in Community Room A. Making eSports available to high school gamers by facilitating healthy competition on a varsity level in a comfortable environment is the mission of the HSEL. The Library is partnering with the SHS eSports team to further that mission. Information: dalton.hawkins@lposd.org

- Saturday, May 11 — violin ensembles, 2 p.m.in the lobby. Ruth Klinginsmith’s violin performance group will stop by The Library for a performance during their tour around Sandpoint. Information: 208-263-6930, ext. 1211; or suzanne@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- 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.

- 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. Information: 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. Youth under 10 years old must be accompanied by parent/legal guardian. Information: 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. Information: 208-263-6930, ext. 1245; or email kimber@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Tuesday, May 14 — Beaded dragonflies, 3:30 p.m. in the glass children’s room. Come make your own delightful dragonflies to adorn your backpack. Then … make your own design! Geared to second graders and older. Free family fun with a craft to take home. Information: 208-263-6930, ext. 1211; or 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. Information: kimber@ebonnerlibrary.org or 208-263-6930, ext. 1245.

- Wednesday, May 15 — Legos (open free play), 2 p.m. in the glass children’s room. Use your imagination to make your own creations with Legos and other building materials. Information: 208-263-6930, ext. 1211; or suzanne@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Wednesday, May 15 — Cooking for college class, 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.

- Thursday, May 16 — Thursday Movie Matinee; “The Lion King”, 3:15 p.m. at the Clark Fork branch library. Free family-friendly movie screenings on Thursdays; May 23, “Indiana Jones”; and May 30, “How to Train Your Dragon”. Information: 208-266-1321.

- Saturday, May 11 — Get Growing at The Library, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. in the lobby and garden. Get a jump on spring! Bring a plant take a plant, exchange seeds, make a worm composting box, plant a flower for Mom, learn about native plants how to make good garden soil and save seed. A partnership of the Library and the Sandpoint Seed Library. Information: 208-265-2665.

- Saturday, May 18 — Book Theater, 11 a.m. in the glass children’s room. A new kind of book club: Theater games, acting, and your favorite books! For third to sixth graders. 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 “They All Saw A Cat” by Brendan Wenzel at Dover City Park and “The Water Hole” by Grahame Base 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.