News & Events

Programs
Storytimes
Book Groups
Movies

Author Talks
Computer Classes & Technology Workshops
Friends of the Library Book Sales
And More…

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Come and join in activities just for teens on Saturdays from 1 – 3 p.m. during the month of May. All activities are held in the Medford Teen Library of the Medford Branch Library, 205 South Central Avenue.

Saturday, May 19: Chess Club and Board Games

Saturday, May 26: Wii™ Activity, MarioKart

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Friends of the Shady Cove Library and the Upper Rogue Artists Association present Pat Rebello for an Artist Reception on Tuesday May 15, from 4:00 – 5:30 p.m., at the Shady Cove Branch Library Community Meeting Room, 22477 Highway 62.

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“Sarah Ann: A Jackson County Mystery” is the topic of the next Guild Lecture on Wednesday, May 16, from 12 noon-1 p.m., at the Medford Branch Library, 205 South Central Avenue.

There are no names on her gravestone in the Jacksonville Cemetery—just the single word: “MOTHER.” Who was she? What was her story? How was her mystery solved? Anne Billeter, Director of the Jackson County Genealogy Library, will introduce this mysterious headstone and the woman for whom it was made as part of the "Mysteries in Our Backyard” project sponsored by the Rogue Valley Genealogical Society, the Southern Oregon Historical Society, and the Jackson County Heritage Association. The public can claim a mystery to solve and use the wealth of resources available at local historical societies and libraries by going to the website: www.mysteries.jcheritage.org/.

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Botanist Barbara Mumblo will present a program on noxious weeds of the Applegate Valley and southwestern Oregon on Friday, May 18, from 5 – 6 p.m., at the Applegate Branch Library, 18485 North Applegate Road.

A resident of the Applegate Valley and a botanist for the Siskiyou Mountains Ranger District, Ms. Mumblo will discuss what to do about problematic weeds and how to stop new weeds before they become a problem.

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Learn about rabies awareness and prevention on Saturday, May 19, from 1 – 2 p.m., at the Ruch Branch Library, 7919 Highway 238.

Presenter Jackson Baures, with Jackson County Environmental Public Health, serves as the local resource to investigate cases of human and pet contact with suspected rabid animals. His program will cover understanding basic information about the rabies virus, rabies prevalence worldwide and locally, Oregon laws regarding rabies, and what we can do to help prevent rabies.

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Presenter Susan Moulder will use “hands-on storytelling” to tell the history of the wagon trains which traveled what is known as the “Overland Trail” from St. Louis to Oregon on Wednesday, May 23, from 6:30 – 8:00 p.m., at the Gold Hill Branch Library, 202 Dardanelles Street.

Utilizing an impressive collection of 3-D props as tactile and visual aids, Ms. Moulder will light up the imagination of listeners of all ages. Imagine you are on the Oregon Trail in the 1850s traveling to a new home in oxen pulled wagons with everything you possessed. Would you survive? Find out how families did survive this long arduous journey and made their homes in Oregon.

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Members of BrushStrokers Art Group will display their work “BrushStrokers Paint Spring” during the month of May at the Rogue River Branch Library, 412 East Main Street.

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Paintings by Len Dickson will be available for viewing at the library during open hours through the month of May, at the Eagle Point Branch Library, 239 West Main Street.

After a 35-year hiatus from creating art, Mr. Dickson was curious to see if any “art” was left in him. Knowing he still had the eye for it, he began taking lessons last fall from three instructors in the Medford area and they re-lit the fire. The artist heartily recommends everyone to take up artistic endeavors…even in retirement.

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"Portraits of Disconnection", a photo exhibit on homelessness in the Rogue Valley by Lisa Byrne, is on exhibit now through the month of May at the Ashland Branch Library. A reception is being hosted by the Ashland Branch Library and the Jackson County Homeless Task Force who invite the public to view the opening of this exhibit on Wednesday, March 28, from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m., in the Gresham Room of the Ashland Branch Library, 410 Siskiyou Boulevard. Ashland Mayor John Stromberg will give the opening remarks.

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Come play one of the oldest games on earth. The Chess Club will meet on the third Saturday of each month from 1-3 p.m. in the Medford Branch Teen Library, 205 South Central Avenue.

Teens interested in playing the game of chess are welcome to drop in and test their skills. All levels of players are welcome, with basic instruction offered.

Third Saturday Chess Club schedule from 1-3 p.m. for 2012:
May 19
June 16
July 21
August 18
September 15
October 20
November 17
December 15

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People of all ages are invited to drop in, learn domino games, and play on Thursdays from 1 – 3 p.m. in the Meyer Memorial Trust Community Meeting Room of the Phoenix Branch Library, 510 West 1st Street.

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Create Dungeons and Dragons-type adventures during the Teen Game Group on Wednesdays from 4 – 5 p.m. at the Gold Hill Branch Library, 202 Dardanelles Street.

Teens are invited to join in a cooperative-based game where players work together to survive obstacles in a world they create with the throw of the dice.

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Jackson County Library Services is adding Babies and Wobblers programs at the following libraries.
Babies and Wobblers Storytimes are lively sessions full of rhymes, books, and songs for children who are 0-36 months, accompanied by a parent or caregiver. 

Eagle Point Branch Library 
239 West Main Street
Friday: 11:00-11:30 a.m. (Starts January 13, 2012)
Older siblings are always welcome!
Please call the Eagle Point Branch Library at 541-826-3313 for more information.

Rogue River Branch Library
412 East Main Street 
Monday: 10:30 – 11:00 a.m. (Starts January 9, 2012)
Older siblings are always welcome!
Please call the Rogue River Branch Library at 541-864-8850 for more information.

Medford Branch Library 
205 South Central Avenue
Medford Children’s Library will now offer two Wobblers groups on Wednesday mornings. Wobblers storytimes are for children who are walking up to the age of 36 months.
Wednesday: 10:00-10:30 a.m.
Wednesday: 10:50-11:20 a.m. (This replaces the 1:30 p.m. program which is being discontinued.)

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Join the discussion of the The Social Animal: The Hidden Sources of Love, Character, and Achievement by David Brooks on Tuesday, May 22, from 1:30 – 3:00 p.m., in the Guanajuato Room of the Ashland Branch Library, 410 Siskiyou Boulevard.

The reviews of this book range from “an uncommonly brilliant blend of sociology, intellect, and allegory" to "pop psychology, not done well.” Whatever review you agree with, his premises will build a very lively conversation.

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Enjoy a family film on Monday, May 21, from 4 – 6 p.m., at the Gold Hill Branch Library Community Meeting Room, 202 Dardanelles Street.

This month’s movie features a cat with fancy footwear. Enjoy the story of his exciting life before he met his ogre friend.

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Enjoy Shakespearean movies shown on Wednesday afternoons in May, from 1:30 – 4:30 p.m., at the Central Point Branch Library, 116 South Third Street.

Watch James Cagney as Bottom, Laurence Olivier as Hamlet, Kenneth Branagh as Henry V, and Helen Mirren as Prospera come to life in these classic films. Movies will be preceded by a classic cartoon or short film.

May 9: A Midsummer Night’s Dream (1935)
May 16: Hamlet (1948)
May 23: Henry V (1989)
May 30: The Tempest (2010)

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Melinda Perlman introduces her book True: a Novel and discusses the Indie publishing trade on Sunday, May 20, from 3 – 5 p.m., at the Ashland Branch Library, 410 Siskiyou Boulevard.

In the novel, sixteen year old Cat moves to Northern California to live with a grandmother she's never known. Her story takes twists and turns as she becomes a part of a circle of horsewomen friends. Over the course of a year, these authentic women and their ties to their families, animals, their pristine wild environment and each other inspire an unforgettable story that will be passed from friend to friend and mother to daughter. Published by Wise Women Ink, an independent publishing company whose goal is to further the goals of women around the planet by seeing their literary works come to fruition.

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The year 2012 promises to be the year of the digital book. Find out how to check out eBooks and audiobooks from Jackson County Library Services by attending a free "eReaders and More" presentation near you.

Find out how your eReader or audio device works with library software and how to use it to access thousands of books anytime. Demonstrations will show how to use the Library2Go Web site to get the most out of your device. The Ashland presentation will be broken down into one-hour segments, each dealing with a specific device or operating system (see schedule below for current offerings). All other presentations will feature an overview of various devices. There will be time for questions and one-on-one assistance.

Ashland Branch: Saturday, May 5, 2 – 4 p.m.
2 – 3 p.m.: Library2Go for Kindle
3 – 4 p.m.: Library2Go for mobile devices (Apple, Android, Blackberry, Windows Phone)

Talent Branch: Thursday, May 17, 2 – 4 p.m.

All devices covered.

Eagle Point: Thursday, May 31, 2 – 4 p.m.

All devices covered.

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Winter/Spring Schedule

Sign up now for free Adult Basic Computer Demonstrations offered January through June at Jackson County branch libraries. All hands-on demonstrations are bilingual (English and Spanish). Seating is limited. Reservations are encouraged. Please call your local library branch to reserve a spot in any or all sessions.

Basics I
Session One – Using the Mouse and Keyboard
Session Two – Internet Navigation
Session Three – Electronic Mail (E-mail)
Session Four – Individualized Instruction and Practice

Basics II
Session One – Word Processing
Session Two – Photo Editing
Session Three – File Management
Session Four – Review and Practice

Basics III
Session One – Advanced Word Processing
Session Two – Spreadsheet
Session Three – Computer Management
Session Four – Internet Services

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Purchase gently-used books at the Friends of the Talent Library Spring Book Sale on Saturday, May 19, from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., at the Talent Branch Library, 101 Home Street.

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Check out the great selection of gently-used books at the White City Friends of the Library Book Sale on Saturday, May 19, from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., in the Community Meeting Room of the White City Branch Library, 3143 Avenue C.

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All branches of Jackson County Library Services will be closed on Memorial Day, Monday, May 28, 2012.

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The Jackson County Board of Commissioners announces a vacancy on the Jackson County Library Advisory Committee. This is a seven member committee and members serve without compensation for a four-year term.

The Library Advisory Committee advises the Board of Commissioners on issues as they affect governance of the library system in Jackson County.

Applicants may be interviewed by the Board of Commissioners. Interested applicants should complete an application at www.jacksoncounty.org or call the Board of Commissioners, 541-776-6116 (10 S. Oakdale, Room 214, Medford) for an application.

Questions about the committee may be directed to Lisa White, 541-774-6402.

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Jackson County Library Services has installed WinWay Resume Deluxe software on designated computers for help in getting resumes formatted and ready to go. This easy step-by-step program offers help with phrases and wording to personalize resumes and cover letters. WinWay software also has instructional videos on the interview process. Stop by any one of the 15 Jackson County library branches and take the next step on the ladder to success.

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Jackson County Library Services is pleased to announce that the Amazon® Kindle compatibility with Library2Go e-book collection is here. This update allows most existing e-books in the library’s collection to be read on all Kindle devices or by using free Kindle apps for iPhone®, iPad®, Android™ and other mobile devices.

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Did you know that 75 percent of the electricity used in the average home to power home electronics and appliances is consumed while the products are turned off? Find out how much electricity your electronic devices use—whether on or off. On your next visit to your local library branch, check out a Kill A Watt™ monitor. Click here to reserve yours today.

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Whether you are in the doctor’s office, at your kitchen table, or under the hood of your car, Jackson County Library Services is excited to announce a way to bring the library to you.

Download the free Gale AccessMyLibrary mobile application for the iPhone or Android by searching “AccessMyLibrary.” Research is simple, allowing access to Jackson County Library Services' Online Resources from Gale wherever you are. AccessMyLibrary finds your global position and locates libraries within a ten-mile radius.