Union’s Carnegie Library Is Making Reading Fun and Memorable this Summer

By on Monday, July 10th, 2023 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News

UNION – No matter what corner of the state someone finds themselves in, they can count on their local library going above and beyond to get people reading this summer. The City of Union’s Carnegie Library is no exception. From offering fun prizes for avid readers of all ages, to letting kids get hands on with an archeological dig, the Union Carnegie Library’s Summer Reading Program is certainly one for the books.

Like the La Grande and Baker City Libraries, the Union Carnegie Library follows a national reading program with an overarching theme of “Find Your Voice.” Kids, teens and even adults can participate by logging their reading hours to earn prizes, with themes of identity and self-worth being tied-in along the way. In conjunction with the reading and overall theme, the library hosts an assortment of educational and creative activities for all ages. Participation in either the reading or activity side is both completely free and completely optional based on participant interest. As explained by Lead Librarian Tiffany Derichsweiler:

“You can attend events which are educational and enriching, and you can log your reading time and redeem it for prizes. You only do what works for you and participate on your own terms. Our patrons come to the library, and they learn, because it’s exciting and enjoyable. I’m focused on providing them with the opportunity to create and problem solve, and the inspiration to do so.”

When it comes to inspiration, there’s been no shortage in the program thus far. Two activities that Derichsweiler is particularly proud of are Savage Serpents and the youth archaeology dig. Savage Serpents saw various reptiles brought out to the Catherine Creek Community Center for kids to learn about and even hold. The library really went all out on this year’s archeology dig as well, with Derichsweiler describing the event:

“It was held off site at private property. We buried four bodies in staged burials. It was three coyotes dismembering a deer, with shotgun shells in the corner. The kids didn’t know what was going to be on the site and they didn’t know it was a staged site. We had two archaeologists from EOU, Adison Gonzani and Amanda Welch on site and they taught us the basics of archaeology, let the kids grid off the digs, and taught them how to dig. We put them in teams, and they spent two days uncovering those corpses, figuring out what kind of animals they were. At the end, based on the information they had, they made their educated speculation about what happened at the site.”

For those that missed these two events, don’t worry, Union Carnegie Library has plenty more still to come. Activities for ages 0-5 include:

(All events at 10:00 A.M. at the Library unless otherwise noted)

  • Thursday 7/13 Leaf cutting tray
  • Monday 7/17 Edible finger paint
  • Wednesday 7/19 Character puppets
  • Monday 7/24 "Chiqui Chef" toddler cooking
  • Wednesday 7/26 Ice painting
  • Monday 7/31 Superhero design
  • Wednesday 8/2 Chalk art, City park
  • Wednesday 8/9 Constellation play doh

(All events at 10:00 AM, at the city park unless otherwise noted)

  • Activities for school aged kids include:
  • Tuesday 7/11 10:00 Yoga & movement
  • Wednesday 7/12 10:00 Finding Bugs in Nature
  • Thursday 7/13 10:00 Solar Prints
  • Tuesday 7/18 10:00 Yoga & Movement
  • Thursday 7/20 10:00 Geodes
  • Thursday 7/20 2:00 Oregon Rocks Library
  • Thursday 7/27 10:00 Go STEM! Magnetics & Solar Energy
  • Tuesday 8/1 10:00 Stained Glass coloring
  • Monday 8/7 10:00 Butterfly Symmetry Library
  • Tuesday 8/8 10:00 Tree identification
  • Monday 8/14 10:00 Skeleton team race Library
  • Wednesday 8/16 10:00 Airplane Aerodynamics

For teens and adults:

  • Wednesday 7/12 2:00 Yoga Library
  • Friday 7/14 10:00 Watershed Exploration age 11+ City Park
  • Monday 7/17 5:00 Guided ARTitation Library
  • Monday 7/24 5:00 Floral Candles Library
  • Tuesday 7/25 10:00 Go STEM! Teen City Park
  • Monday 7/31 5:00 Watercolor bookmarks Library
  • Monday 8/7 4:00 Intro to Genealogy Library
  • Monday 8/14 5:00 Intro to Genealogy II Library
  • Monday 8/21 5:00 Intro to Genealogy III Library
  • Monday 8/28 5:00 Intro to Genealogy IV Library

And available for all ages:

  • Monday 7/10 5:00 Sleepy Time Tea Blending Library
  • Wednesday 7/12 2:00 Yoga Library
  • Friday 7/14 10:00 Watershed Exploration age 11+ City Park
  • Monday 7/17 5:00 Guided ARTitation Library
  • Monday 7/24 5:00 Floral Candles Library
  • Tuesday 7/25 10:00 Go STEM! Teen City Park
  • Monday 7/31 5:00 Watercolor bookmarks Library
  • Monday 8/7 4:00 Intro to Genealogy Library
  • Monday 8/14 5:00 Intro to Genealogy II Library
  • Monday 8/21 5:00 Intro to Genealogy III Library
  • Monday 8/28 5:00 Intro to Genealogy IV Library

Note that most of the events listed do require pre-registration to attend. However, as mentioned previously, participation is both free and completely optional. The Union Carnegie Library’s summer reading program, like the other programs covered so far, is meant to foster reading habits and community involvement, not to be treated as another chore. As Derichsweiler best put it:

“I always encourage people to register because there’s no obligation to join in anything. We’re here to serve you, and so after you fill out that registration form, you are welcome to join our program and any of the events that interest you, but you’re not obligated to.”

Registration is available in person at the library. For more information, visit the library’s webpage at https://cityofunion.com/directory/city-library/  or their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100083119044782.

Elkhorn Media Group