Listed below are free events at Jackson County Library Services, including virtual programs and Take & Make kits. Online programs take place via Zoom and/or Facebook LIVE. Meeting or webinar details will be emailed to participants when they register at here or by calling the Library. Event times, dates, and locations are subject to change. Programs may be recorded and later made available on the JCLS Beyond YouTube channel at jcls.org/youtube. Some programs are sponsored by the Friends of the Jackson County Libraries.
IN-PERSON PROGRAMS
Jackson County Library Services recognizes that public health and safety is a top priority. All in-person programs and events will adhere to current COVID-19 restrictions, including masks and social distancing, and, when possible, meeting outdoors. In-person events may be canceled or rescheduled to take place online; please visit the JCLS Event Calendar for updates.
Ready to Roll: A Hands-On Bicycle Repair Workshop
Applegate Library: Tuesday, May 4 • 2:00–3:00 PM
Ashland Library: Tuesday, May 11 • 2:00–3:00 PM
Eagle Point Library: Tuesday, May 18 • 2:00–3:00 PM
Shady Cove Library: Tuesday, May 25 • 2:00–3:00 PM
Learn the basics of bike repair with a local bike mechanic so you can be ready to roll to work, the coffee shop, or one of the many bike trails in the Rogue Valley during Bike to Work Month.
Kundalini Yoga
Shady Cove Library: Fridays, May 7, 14, 21, and 28 • 11:00 AM–12:00 PM
Learn new skills to cope with everyday stresses and challenges during yoga practice with Certified Kundalini Yoga Teacher, Linda Larson.
Coping with Stress
Shady Cove Library: Friday, May 14 • 3:00–4:00 PM
Join us for a one-hour presentation on self-care, and gain a deeper understanding of what happens when you are stressed. Receive a journal, pen, and helpful handouts. Pre-register by calling the Shady Cove Library at 541-878-2270.
ONLINE PROGRAMS
Online programs take place via Zoom and/or Facebook LIVE. Meeting or webinar details will be emailed to you when you register through the JCLS Events Calendar at jcls.org or by calling your library. Learn how to join a Zoom meeting with this short video tutorial: https://youtu.be/hIkCmbvAHQQ.
ALL AGES
Middle Earth Walking Challenge
May 1–31
The Middle Earth Walking Challenge is a fitness program tied to literature. J.R.R. Tolkien’s series The Lord of the Rings gives participants the fantasy challenge of saving Middle Earth by walking from the Shire to Mt. Doom, with the goal of destroying the One Ring. Track your miles at jcls.beanstack.org to receive a special sticker and be entered into a prize drawing.
TEENS & TWEENS
Queer Coffee House @ the Virtual Library
Saturday, May 1 • 10:00 AM–12:00 PM
Make a cup of coffee, and join us virtually! Bring a list of your recent favorite books, movies, and podcasts. Share what projects you’re working on, whether that be knitting, beading, woodworking, pet training, etc. LGBTQ+ folx and allies are all welcome.
Medford Teen Advisory Group (T.A.G.), 12-18 YRS
Tuesday, May 11 • 4:30–5:30 PM
T.A.G. members are dedicated, motivated teens in grades 7-12 who meet to brainstorm ideas, discuss books and movies, make crafts, and make decisions on programming and displays. Register for this program or contact the Medford Teen Library to be added to the mailing list.
Random Fandom
Third Saturdays • 12:30–1:30 PM
May 15: It’s Your Turn!
Tween Book Club
Third Saturdays • 2:00–3:00 PM
May 15: Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes by Eleanor Coerr
Teen Trivia
Fourth Wednesdays • 4:00–5:00 PM
Join us for a game of trivia using Zoom and Kahoot. The winner will get to choose a free book!
May 26: Mental Health & Wellness Trivia
ADULTS
Queer Coffee House @ the Virtual Library
Saturday, May 1 • 10:00 AM–12:00 PM
Make a cup of coffee, and join us virtually! Bring a list of your recent favorite books, movies, and podcasts. Share what projects you’re working on, whether that be knitting, beading, woodworking, pet training, etc. LGBTQ+ folx and allies are all welcome!
Books@Noon
Tuesday, May 4 • 12:00–1:00 PM
Share what you are reading, and find your next great read.
Eagle Point Library Book Club
First Tuesdays • 2:00–3:00 PM
May 4: The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes
Windows in Time: “Scandals from the Oregon Railways, 1884-1923”
Wednesday, May 5 • 12:00–1:00 PM
The 1880s arrival of the railroad to Southern Oregon brought many lifestyle changes and advantages to these small, and then isolated, communities. Ashland author Sue DeMarinis discusses the scandals that also linked the rails to our area’s little-known history.
Gardening Success in Raised Beds
Saturday, May 8 • 12:00–1:00 PM
Learn how to garden successfully in raised beds. Certified Master Gardener John Kobal will discuss how to build and place raised beds, soil types and amendments, critter control, extending the vegetable growing season, and cover crops.
Medford Library Book Chat
Tuesday, May 11 • 5:30–6:30 PM
Discuss A Man Called Ove by Frederick Backman.
In Our Own Voice
Thursday, May 13 • 6:30–8:00 PM
Individuals in recovery from mental illness discuss their paths to recovery and living well with mental illness. This program is presented in cooperation with NAMI of Southern Oregon, a nonprofit affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness.
Gold Hill Library Book Club, 18+ YRS
Third Fridays • 3:00–4:00 PM
May 21: The Parisian by Isabella Hammad
Brain Books
Fourth Tuesdays • 3:00–5:00 PM
Discuss nonfiction titles full of big ideas.
May 25: Apocalypse Never: Why Environmental Alarmism Hurts Us All by Michael Shellenberger
TAKE & MAKE KITS
Take & Make Kits contain hands-on activities to make or do at home. Kits are available beginning on the dates listed on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last.
Ashland Library
Teen “Stress Less” Journaling Kit, 13+ YRS
Available starting Saturday, May 1
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and journaling is a good way to improve mental health. Kits include a composition notebook, gel pens, supplies to decorate the cover, and journaling prompts. Follow @jclsteens on Instagram for more prompts on our Instagram story throughout May.
Share the Love: Appreciation Card Craft, 3+ YRS
Available starting Saturday, May 8
Create a beautiful card of appreciation for a special person in your life. After May 8, visit jcls.org/blog for a related Storytime Short and step-by-step instructions.
Parent and Teen “Stress Less” Spa Kit, 13+ YRS
Available starting Saturday, May 8
Make a green tea eye mask and sugar scrub for yourself and another to gift.
Lavender Relaxation Aromatherapy, 18+ YRS
Available starting Saturday, May 15
Make your own aromatherapeutic relaxation roll-on with lavender essential oil.
Snuggle Bunny Sock Craft, 3+ YRS
Available starting Saturday, May 22
Everyone needs a hug and a snuggle now and then. After May 22, visit jcls.org/blog for a related Storytime Short and step-by-step instructions to make a snuggle bunny.
Teen “Stress Less” Coloring Kit, 13+ YRS
Available starting Saturday, May 22
Focus on putting pencil to paper while letting outside stressors melt away with an advanced coloring book and a set of colored pencils.
Butte Falls Library
Plant a Posy, 3+ YRS
Available starting Tuesday, May 4
Plant flower seeds and watch your posy grow! Kits include fun coloring sheets.
Central Point Library
Soaps with Dried Flowers, 3+ YRS
Available starting Saturday, May 1
Make soap for Mother’s Day, or just for fun.
Eagle Point Library
Mother’s Day Craft, 3+ YRS
Available starting Tuesday, May 4
Make a memorable craft with your preschooler.
Gold Hill Library
May Fairy, 3+ YRS
Available starting Monday, May 3
Make a May clothespin fairy to celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, complete with an origami paper kimono.
Origami Peace Cranes, 6+ YRS
Available starting Monday, May 10
Learn to fold origami peace cranes.
Grow Your Own Flowers, 3+ YRS
Available starting Monday, May 17
Grow flowers with your kit, which includes seeds, soil, and a small flower pot.
Jacksonville Library
Grow Your Own Wheatgrass, 3+ YRS
Available starting Monday, May 17
Grow a container of wheatgrass for smoothies, juicing, or your pets. It’s also a fresh, green addition to a spring basket!
Medford Library
Teen “Stress Less” Journaling Kit, 13+ YRS
Available starting Saturday, May 1
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and journaling is a good way to improve mental health. Kits include a composition notebook, gel pens, supplies to decorate the cover, and journaling prompts. Follow @jclsteens on Instagram for prompts on our Instagram story throughout May.
Pop-up Mother’s Day Card, 5+ YRS
Available starting Sunday, May 2
Give the gift of hearts and flowers to your favorite person on Mother’s Day!
Parent and Teen “Stress Less” Spa Kit, 13+ YRS
Available starting Saturday, May 8
Make a green tea eye mask and sugar scrub for yourself and another to gift.
Tooth Craft, 3+ YRS
Available starting Sunday, May 9
Make a wonderful tooth craft to remind you that good dental hygiene makes for happy teeth.
Garden Craft, 3+ YRS
Available starting Sunday, May 16
Come to the Medford Children’s Library to paint a terracotta pot, or help us plant seeds and starts in the Children’s Garden.
Teen “Stress Less” Coloring Kit, 13+ YRS
Available starting Saturday, May 22
Focus on putting pencil to paper while letting outside stressors melt away with an advanced coloring book and a set of colored pencils.
Memorial Day Poppy Flower, 3+ YRS
Available starting Sunday, May 23
Celebrate Memorial Day with a torn paper poppy flower remembrance craft.
Phoenix Library
Funny Art, 3+ YRS
Available starting Saturday, May 1
Ha-ha! Make a fun, funny, crazy work of art, then bring it back to the library for a prize.
Prospect Library
Plant a Posy, 3+ YRS
Available starting Wednesday, May 5
Plant flower seeds and watch your posy grow! Kits include fun coloring sheets.
Rogue River Library
DIY Gardening, 3+ YRS
Available starting Monday, May 24
Grow vegetables and flowers to celebrate World Plant a Vegetable Garden Day (May 19) and Water a Flower Day (May 30).
Shady Cove Library
Plant a Posy, 3+ YRS
Available starting Tuesday, May 4
Plant flower seeds and watch your posy grow! Kits include fun coloring sheets.
Journaling Kit, 9+ YRS
Available starting Tuesday, May 18
Put thoughts on paper with a journal, gel pen, and handouts on mental health awareness.
Talent Library
Rock Cactus, 3+ YRS
Available starting Saturday, May 1
Make a fun rock cactus—it might make a cute Mother’s Day gift!
White City Library
Let’s Celebrate Cinco De Mayo, 5+ YRS
Available starting Monday, May 3
Make a fun Cinco De Mayo craft. Kits include activity sheets and a related reading list.
Plant a Posy, 3+ YRS
Available starting Monday, May 3
Plant flower seeds and watch your posy grow! Kits include fun coloring sheets.