The reality is VR is a lot of fun for everyone

| November 22, 2019 12:00 AM

Virtual Reality Day is a relatively new observance that encourages organizations and individuals to host virtual reality events worldwide with the goal of helping VR to become more mainstream. To that end, The Library is opening the VR Room to group reservations all day this Saturday, Virtual Reality Day 2019.

Groups of two to five people can reserve the VR Room for up to an hour to play the group VR experience, “Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes.” This is an interactive game that tasks a player with disarming a bomb with the assistance of other players who must use a manual containing instructions. It is an action-packed game, perfect for a group of friends or a family.

Reservations can be made in advance by calling the Tech Desk at (208)263-6930 ext. 1251. On the hour spots are available from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Sandpoint Branch Library this Saturday only in observance of Virtual Reality Day. The regular weekly schedule of drop-in and reservation sessions can be found in the schedule below.

The following classes and events take place at the East Bonner County Library District Sandpoint Branch, 1407 Cedar St. unless otherwise indicated.

East Bonner County Library District schedule

- Fridays — Explore virtual reality (reserve sessions), 10 a.m.-12 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 — Teen Role Playing Games, 3-5 p.m., Room 102. Teens play Magic the Gathering, Dungeons & Dragons, and other RPGs. Information: 208-263-6930, ext. 1245; or kimber@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Fridays — M.A.C. (Manga/Anime Club) for Teens, 3-5 p.m., Room 102. Celebrate fandom at The Library. Read, write, and watch your favorite manga and anime with other enthusiasts. Information, 208-263-6930, ext. 1245; or kimber@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Saturday, Nov. 23 — VR Day, group reservations; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sign up a group of two to five people to play “Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes” and exciting multiplayer game where players assist each other in disarming a virtual bomb! Registrations times are on the hour until 4 p.m. Pre-register your group at 208-263-6930, ext. 1251.

- Saturdays in November — Visual Communication Skills and American Sign Language. 10:30 a.m. in the VR Room. Open your eyes for a hands-on workout in communication skills. Welcome anyone struggling with hearing loss or anyone interested in learning about American Sign Language and the visual culture of the deaf community. Open to new students until third class. Registration required. Information: Susan Schaller, susan.schaller@gmail.com.

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

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

- Tuesdays — Preschool Story Time, 11 a.m., in Karen’s Room. 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: Tech Desk, 208-263-6930, ext.1251.

- Tuesdays in November — NanoWriMo Write-In, 3-7 p.m. in the Laura Moore Cunningham Foundation Community Room A. NanoWriMo is a challenge for authors to write 50,000 words during the month of November. The Library is holding weekly write-ins for fellow writers to gather and support each other in their NanoWriMo quest. All ages and abilities welcomed. The goal is to write as many words as possible to develop your story — this is not an editing session. This is not a workshop or critique session. Coffee and caloric fuel provided by The Library. Facilitated by the Sandpoint Chapter of the Idaho Writers League. More information: Mike Bauer, 208-265-2665.

- Wednesdays — Clark Fork Mother Goose, 10:30 a.m. at the Clark Fork branch library; stories, rhymes, and music for toddlers and their caregivers followed by 20 minutes of play time. Information: 208-266-1321.

- Wednesdays — Clark Fork Storytime, 11:30 a.m., Clark Fork branch library. Stories, music, and crafts geared to ages 3-8. All welcome. Information: 208-266-1321.

- Wednesdays — Teen Lounge Passive Pop-Up Programs, 4 p.m. in the Rotary Teen Lounge. Teen-driven art, engineering, robots, and science projects and workshops. Information: 208-263-6930, ext. 1245; or kimber@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Wednesday, Nov. 27 — Early closure. Closing at 5 p.m. for the Thanksgiving Holiday.

- Thursday, Nov. 28 — The Library is closed for Thanksgiving.

- Now through Sunday, Dec. 1 — Clark Fork Autumn Reading Program — for all ages. Read between Sept. 1 and Dec. 1 and record the name of each book, full magazine, or book on tape with the author’s name. For each completed item, earn a library bidding dollar for use in the Holiday Silent Auction held on Dec. 6 and 7. Information: 208-266-1321.

- Winter Reading Challenge — Register at ebonnerlibrary.beanstack.org for the first of three winter reading challenges. Our first one is a Holiday Challenge, from Nov. 4 through Dec. 13. Read and complete holiday-related activities to earn books and drawing entries. Drawing prizes include robots, knitting looms, and legos. Separate January and February Challenges will follow in the new year. Information: 208-263-6930, ext. 1211; or suzanne@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Teen Winter Reading Challenge — Runs Nov 1 - Feb 29. Fun new format and great prizes. Visit ebonnerlibrary.beanstack.org for more information and to register. Information: 208-263-6930, ext. 1245; or kimber@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Rotary Teen Lounge — Open to seventh-12th graders from any school/homeschool; Tuesdays-Thursdays, 2-6 p.m., and Fridays, 2-5 p.m. Information: kimber@ebonnerlibrary.org, or 208-263-6930, ext. 1245.

- StoryWalk — Pages from a children’s book are posted along a trail for a fun, family experience. Enjoy “Over the River & Through the Woods” by Linda Ashman at Dover City Park and “Time to Sleep” by Denise Fleming 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.