Happy Adventuring: So Much More Than Books (But They Also Have Lots of Great Books, Too)

Do you guys go to the Eugene Public Library?

Please tell me that you do. Because - wow - we are so lucky to live in Eugene and have the BEST library system EVER. Forgive me for gushing, but we really do. I know this looks like a ridiculously long list, but I bet there is something here that you haven't discovered yet and that will be a fun treat for your family.

Did you know you can:

• Check out puppets in the kid's section?
• Check out book club kits? There are kits for kids, teens, and adults, each kit contains at least six books, and they are at the downtown branch.
• Find writing contests for your budding authors to enter?
• Access book lists and recommendations? There are even links to the best apps and ebooks for kiddos. Potty training? Moving? There's a list for that.
• Enjoy excellent, age appropriate storytimes? From babies to preschool, there's one for every early reader. They also have special storytimes for kids with special needs. I've been taking my kiddo to storytime since he was a few months old. It's an awesome, free, educational activity, and is a wonderful choice to work into your weekly rhythm.
• Pick from three locations? Bethel, Sheldon, downtown...so many options! Sometimes it's nice to visit a different one that you usually do, just for a change of scenery. :)
• Rock out to music as a family? Every Saturday at 10:15 at the downtown branch, there is a free music program.

photo via dailyemerald.com

• Let your K-6 grader read to a specially trained dog? Sign up for a one-on-one session to build your kiddo's reading confidence! (note from Emily: we have done this with my school age kids & they absolutely loved it. it is especially great if you are not quite ready for a pet but one is requested every birthday & Christmas :)

• Check out a family pass to the Cascades Raptor Center, the Museum of Natural and Cultural History, or the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art? (I didn't know about this one until I poked around on the website a bit. So cool!)

• Download free music? The library subscribes to a service called Freegal, and with a library card you are eligible for five free downloads a week.
• Check out learning kits? These are AWESOME. We use them all the time. They are located at the downtown branch in the kid's section, and are big tubs full of fun stuff, all about a common theme. You can check out tubs on topics like summer, bathtime, construction, gardening, or dinosaurs. Each tub contains books, felt stories, cds, and puppets that relate to the theme.
• Look through a great list of parenting, teacher, and homeschooling resources on the library website?
• Use Tumblebooks for free? Tumblebooks is an online library where you can watch and listen to animated stories being read as you follow along. No more purchasing them in the app store!

• Use Consumer Reports for free? Next time you need to buy a new crib or car seat or dishwasher, research your purchase.
• Receive a free book for your kiddo each month in the mail? This is a brand new program for our library. It's called Dolly Parton's Imagination Library. From birth to age four, kids can get a free book every single month. In the mail! For reals!! We just got our first one last week after signing up and waiting (not so) patiently, and Henry was so very thrilled. What a wonderful program and a free way to build your at home library!

• Give your mama brain a rest by browsing through some juicy celebrity gossip? The library subscribes to Zinio, an online service that lets you read magazines cover to cover. So now you'll know what Jennifer Lawrence is up to. You're welcome.

So there you go. Have I convinced you that our library is the greatest of all time? I should hope so!
Happy Adventuring and Happy Reading, too!

Just The Facts:

Eugene Downtown Library, 100 W. 10th Ave, Eugene
Mon-Thurs: 10-8
Fri-Sat: 10-6
Sun: 1-6
First Friday: 10-8

Bethel Branch 1990 Echo Hollow Rd, Eugene
Tues: 2-8
Wed-Thurs: 2-6
Fri-Sat: 10-4
Sun-Mon: Closed

Sheldon Branch 1566 Coburg Rd, Eugene
Tues: 2-8
Wed-Thurs: 2-6
Fri-Sat: 10-4
Sun-Mon: Closed

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Megan Defferding is the mom to two super fun boys who love to find great stuff to do all around Lane County! Check out her blog series, Happy Adventuring, every Wednesday on GoMomGo.
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We would love to highlight the other libraries in Lane County. If you visit the libraries in Springfield, Creswell, Cottage Grove, Veneta, Harrisburg or Florence let us know! Email us gomomgoeugene@gmail.com & we'll add your thoughts when we do a post about them!