Library closure prompts discussion of holiday's proper name

Heads up! All branches of the East Bonner County Library District will be closed on Monday, Oct. 14, for Columbus Day … or Indigenous Peoples’ Day … or Native Americans’ Day.

Officially, the second week of October is a national holiday observed as Columbus Day. Some states have changed the name, while others have not. Why?

The claim that Christopher Columbus discovered the Americas is inaccurate. People had been living on these lands for centuries before he arrived. To some, this may seem like a minor detail, not worthy of so much controversy over the name of this holiday. But, this is just the beginning.

Columbus voyaged to the Americas four times. This New World became a hot spot of colonization for European political leaders, resulting in violent exploitation of the native peoples who occupied the land. Columbus was arrested for his participation in the harmful brutality of the people and he no longer enjoyed the favor of the Spanish monarchy.

The national holiday credits him for discovering the Americas, which he did not do, and honors him for crimes resulting in disasters to the existing cultures and his eventual arrest.

“Columbus Day is a national holiday in the United States, but due to inhumane actions taken by the European powers who came in waves to the Americas, several states have replaced the holiday with Indigenous Peoples’ Day to honor the original inhabitants of these lands.” (“History of Columbus Day”, nationalgeographic.com)

In Idaho, the name of the holiday has not officially been changed. This results in some confusion for those not wishing to honor Christopher Columbus since the state has not officially adopted the name “Indigenous Peoples’ Day” and there is already a “Native American Heritage Day” in November, sometimes casually referred to as Native Americans’ Day. Here at The Library, we are going with the latter and we’ll observe it again on its official day, Nov. 29 — without closing The Library again, of course.

Since we will be closed on Monday, Oct. 14, a great way to observe the national holiday (whatever you choose to call it) is to explore a native language. Mango Languages, in the Digital Library at ebonnerlibrary.org has over 70 different languages, including Cherokee. Mango offers a fun, interactive way of learning a new language and an app for on-the-go learning, even when The Library is closed.

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 — RPG and MAC (Role Playing Games and Manga/Anime Club) for Teens, 3-5 p.m., in the Innovia Foundation Community Room B. Teens play Magic the Gathering, Dungeons & Dragons, and other RPGs. 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.

- Saturdays in October — Visual Communication Skills and American Sign Language, 10:30 a.m. in the Lifelong Learning Center (Room 202). 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 or permission for course required after Oct. 19. 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. Information: Contact the Tech Desk 208-263-6930, ext.1251.

- Monday, Oct. 14 — Closed for Native Americans Day

- 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. Information: 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.

- Tuesday, Oct. 15 — Edison Robots & Kamigami Robots, 3:30 p.m., in Karen’s Room. Kids experiment and play with robotics. Information: 208-263-6930 ext. 1211 or suzanne@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- 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, 3 p.m. in the Rotary Teen Lounge as space permits. Teen-driven art, engineering, robots, and science projects and workshops. Information: 208-263-6930, ext. 1245; or kimber@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Wednesday, Oct. 16 — 10/16 Science Café, Internet Safety; 5:30 p.m., in the Innovia Foundation Community Room B. Gina Emory, library information technology manager, will lead a discussion on how to avoid internet scams through malware, identity theft, phishing and clickbait. How paranoid should you be? Learn how to create effective passwords, select anti-virus programs and protect your finances. Information: 208-265-2665.

- Saturday, Oct. 19 — Library Garden Harvest Party & Salsa-Making Competition, 2-5 p.m., in the library garden (or Community Room in case of inclement weather). It’s a family-friendly festival to celebrate the end of The Library garden season! Join us for garden games, competitions, crafts, food, and entertainment. Bring your pre-made salsa to enter the competition. Information: 208-263-6930, ext. 1245; or kimber@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Teen Lounge — Open to seventh-12th graders from any school/homeschool; Tuesdays-Thursdays until 6 p.m., and Fridays until 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 “I Know It’s Autumn” by Eileen Spinelli at Dover City Park and “Leaf Man” by Lois Ehlert 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.

- 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.

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.