Classes & Lectures

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Through the classes and seminars held at the library, you can:

  • Appreciate the genius of Shakespeare
  • Discover the hidden depths of film making
  • Feel the pulse of the inspired poet
  • Take a guided tour through literature, film, and history
  • Trace the development of the short story
  • View history in a whole new light

These programs are always insightful, but casual, and are taught by seasoned and knowledgeable teachers.

See below for our current and upcoming offerings.

 

Summer (June-Aug.)

COMPUTER BASICS

Build a strong foundation in your educational journey by learning the basics of computer use. This class is for those who haven't ever opened a computer, and for casual users wanting to get the most from their time spent in front of the computer screen. Computers provided for class use run on Windows 11.

No registration. Drop in!

Presented by Goodwill Career Center

  • Ages: High School through Adult
  • Mondays (1st Monday of the month): 6/01, 7/06, 8/03
  • Time: 11:00am-12:00pm
  • Location: Rose Room
  • No Charge

PROFILES

Explore the people, places, and events that shape our lives, our world, our universe. Presented by Dr. Bill Thierfelder, Professor Emeritus and Docent Emeritus at the American Museum of Natural History. 

  • Ages: High School through Adult
  • Wednesday, June 3
    • Governing with Pride. This program explores the accomplishments of seven LGBTQ+ political leaders in America, from Harvey Milk to recent leaders like Pete Buttigieg. In this brief overview, we learn about the positive impact that the Queer community has had on our nation--from local government to the country at large.  Sign up to receive the Zoom meeting code.
  • Wednesday, July 1
  • Wednesday, Aug. 5
  • Time: 11:00 am - 12:30 pm
  • Location: Online - Zoom (Not sure what that is? Call us and we'll help you! 503-682-2744)
  • No Charge

 

Space Talks

Discover the history and science behind our exploration of the moon, Mars, and the universe with these talks presented by docents Donn Anderson & John Jennings from Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum. Learn more on the Space Talks page.

  • Ages: High School through Adult
  • Saturday, June 6: Artemis - Back to the Moon, This Time to Stay
  • No Space Talks in July and August
  • Time: 11:00am-12:30pm
  • Location: Oak Room
  • No Charge

 

GMAIL

Learn to create, or better utilize, a Google email (Gmail) account. This class will guide you through the process of account creation and help you navigate the use of tools to enhance email productivity. Computers provided for class use run on Windows 11.

No registration. Drop in!

Presented by Goodwill Career Center

  • Ages: High School through Adult
  • Mondays (2nd Monday of the month): 6/08, 6/13, 8/10
  • Time: 11:00am-12:00pm
  • Location: Rose Room
  • No Charge

 

MICROSOFT WORD

Begin to master the spectrum of capabilities within Microsoft Word, gaining practical formatting skills and an introduction to advanced skills like design and layout. Computers provided for class use run on Windows 11.

No registration. Drop in!

Presented by Goodwill Career Center

  • Ages: High School through Adult
  • Mondays (3rd Monday of the month): 6/15, 7/20, 8/17
  • Time: 11:00am-12:00pm
  • Location: Rose Room
  • No Charge

 

Beyond 250: Who are "We the People"?

Our stories about who we are—as a nation or as a community—often don’t match the reality of who is actually part of our community.

When the Declaration of Independence was written, people living in what would become the United States didn’t all have the same rights. What does that mean for us 250 years later? This conversation is a chance to reflect on what the Declaration of Independence means today, what it means to be American, and what it takes to work together for the benefit of all.

Sponsored by The Oregon Humanities. Facilitated by Eliot Feenstra.

  • Ages: High School through Adult
  • Date: Monday, June 15
  • Time: 6:00-7:30pm
  • Location: Oak Room
  • No Charge

 

ONLINE JOB SEEKING

This class will guide you through the modern job search process, helping you navigate online job postings with confidence. Whether you are new to online job searching or looking to refine your approach, this class will equip you with essential skills to stand out to employers. Computers provided for class use run on Windows 11.

No registration. Drop in!

Presented by Goodwill Career Center

  • Ages: High School through Adult
  • Mondays (4th Monday of the month): 6/22, 7/27, 8/24
  • Time: 11:00am-12:00pm
  • Location: Rose Room
  • No Charge

 

Mushroom Hunting for Beginners

Mushroom foraging is a popular pursuit in the Northwest! More than just a slideshow of edible mushrooms, it emphasizes skills and tools needed for accurate identification of mushrooms to determine edibility.

Presented by Rebecca Lexa, certified Oregon Master Naturalist and author of The Everyday Naturalist: How to Identify Animals, Plants, and Fungi Wherever You Go 

  • Ages: High School through Adult
  • Date: Monday, June 29
  • Time: 6:00-7:30pm
  • Location: Oak Room
  • No Charge

 

Flash Fiction Workshop

Unlock your creativity at this fast-paced workshop! We'll guide you through the art of flash fiction, where you'll learn to craft compelling narratives that pack a punch. Get ready for our August Short Story Contest with this fun, interactive workshop.

Presented by Andi Winter, local author

  • Ages: High School through Adult
  • Date: Thursday, July 23
  • Time: 6:00-7:30pm
  • Location: Oak Room
  • No Charge

 

Plant Identification for Non-Botanists

No botany degree? No problem! Join Master Naturalist Rebecca Lexa as she shares beginner-friendly tools and skills for identifying plants wherever you may be. This is a casual identification class so technical terms will be at a minimum, and you’ll also learn some resources for further exploration.

Presented by Rebecca Lexa, certified Oregon Master Naturalist and author of The Everyday Naturalist: How to Identify Animals, Plants, and Fungi Wherever You Go 

  • Ages: High School through Adult
  • Date: Monday, July 27
  • Time: 6:00-7:30pm
  • Location: Oak Room
  • No Charge

 

Backyard Birdwatching for Beginners

Which bird is which? This class gives you the skills and tools to know what to pay attention to when you see a new bird and how to figure out what species it is. We’ll also cover bird feeders, great places to go birdwatching, and there will be pictures of common species throughout the class. Whether you’re a backyard bird watcher, or are eager to go out into the wilderness to check species off your life list, this is a great class to get you started.

Presented by Rebecca Lexa, certified Oregon Master Naturalist and author of The Everyday Naturalist: How to Identify Animals, Plants, and Fungi Wherever You Go 

  • Ages: High School through Adult
  • Date: Monday, Aug. 24
  • Time: 6:00-7:30pm
  • Location: Oak Room
  • No Charge
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