This May, the North Bend Public Library has two big dates to celebrate: the opening of the first public library in North Bend on May 26, 1914, and the opening of the current library building on May 19, 1989—25 years ago! The library will celebrate with a week of special events, from Saturday the 17th to Thursday the 22nd (taking a break for the Memorial Day weekend). • Saturday, May 17, 1:00-2:00 p.m. – Family event featuring Lemony Snicket’s book “The Composer Is Dead”, with a reading of the book, music, crafts, and prizes. In partnership with the Oregon Coast Music Association. • Sunday, May 18, 7:00-9:00 p.m. – Folk dancing with the South Coast Folk Society! SCFS members will demonstrate dances, and invite the audience to join in. • Monday, May 19, 3:30-7:00 p.m. – Party Like It’s 1989! Say “Happy Birthday” to the library building with cake and punch, 1989 music, and activities. Drop in any time. 1980’s costumes optional! • Tuesday, May 20, 7:00-8:30 p.m. – North Bend in 1914. Noted local historian Dick Wagner gives a presentation on what our city was like one hundred years ago, when the library came to be. • Wednesday, May 21, 3:30-6:00 pm. – Free movie screening! One of the best films of 1989, this Academy award-winning movie tells the story of a teacher who inspires his students with the love of literature and life. Refreshments provided. • Thursday, May 22, 7:00-8:30 p.m. – A concert of toe-tapping folk music with instruments from around the world, as the duo “Four Shillings Short” returns to North Bend. As you celebrate everything your library offers, the North Bend Public Library Foundation and the Friends of North Bend Public Library invite you to give the library a “birthday present.” Gifts can be made in person, through the mail, or online via PayPal from the Library Foundation website at http://www.northbendlibrary.org/foundation/. Donations of gently used books, movies and music in clean condition are always welcome, for use in the Friends of the Library book sales that benefit the library. Gifts of your time and talent are just as valuable as monetary gifts. The Friends of North Bend Public Library always welcome new members and new ideas for fundraising, as well as members willing to serve as officers. Volunteers are also sought to staff the Friends’ local and online book sales, with jobs ranging from sorting books to shipping them. Friends of North Bend Public Library membership forms are available in the Library. All of the Centennial events are free and open to the public, and will be held in the Library’s large Meeting Room. For more information, please call the North Bend Public Library at 756-0400, or visit online at www.northbendlibrary.org.
