It’s December! The twenty-first century is bidding adieu to its teenage years and welcoming 2020, which I’ve always thought should be known as the year of good vision! Here’s hoping that the coming year brings a plethora of good visions to all and sundry. But before we get to that…we should address December’s holiday extravaganza!
Adult Readers
So here’s what’s happening this month on the grown-up side of the Library:
Do you know someone who would like to brush up on English? Please tell them about our English Conversation Group.On four Monday evenings this month December 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd and 30th, beginning at 6:00PM.,participants can drop in to learn and practice English in this free, informal class.Speakers of any language and any English comprehensive level are welcome, and no registration is necessary.
Additionally, we host Free English Classes on Thursdays, December 5th, 12th, 19th, and 26th at 11:00AM. It’s an informal class setting with no registration required, and all levels welcome. So drop in! If you have questions, please contact Outreach Librarian Deborah Gitlitz at 503-570-1582 or gitlitz@wilsonvillelibrary.org.
It’s not happening at the library, but you may be interested to join the Community Tree Lighting Ceremony at Town Center Park (again, not here at the library!), that will be held on Wednesday, December 4th from 5:30 to 7:30PM. There will be cookies, cocoa, holiday carols, a storytime from the library, and a visit from Santa! Donations of new, unwrapped toys are encouraged, but not required.
On Sunday, December 8th at 1:30PM, please attend our free talk Santa Claus, the Biography by Dr. Bill Thierfelder, professor emeritus and docent at the American Museum of Natural History. This month, not-so-coincidentally, he’ll cover the humble origins of real life Saint Nicholas over 1,700 years ago, and trace the development of his legend across time and space. Join us for the fun!
On Tuesday, December 10th, at 6:00PM, our Great Books Discussion Group gathers. Are you interested in philosophy and the big questions of life? (Well sure, but right now I’m more interested in finding where I left my keys!)Join us each month for a roundtable discussion of how modern day issues are reflected and illuminated by the great Western classic books. This month, we’ll be discussing Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics, Book I. Call or email us to join our Great Books e-mailing list and receive monthly links to online versions of our group readings.
Pssst! Wanna join a book club? You’re in luck! The Wilsonville Library Book Club meets this month on Thursday, December 12th at 6:00PM. This month we’ll be reading Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein. This young adult historical fiction novel focuses on the friendship between two young British women, one English and one Scottish, in World War II – one a spy captured by the Nazis in German-occupied France and the other – the pilot who brought her there. Books are available for checkout at the circulation desk several weeks before the meeting, so come onboard!
The honeyed notes of our free monthly Book notes Concert will enliven the library’s aural environment on Saturday, December 14th, at 2:00PM. This time around, we will feature singer-songwriter Bernie Sims who will perform holiday songs with influences by Kenny Loggins, Stephen Stills, and Paul McCartney, but hopefully not Justin Bieber!
Hooray! It’s the Genealogy Club, meeting again on Monday, December 16th, at 1:00PM. Join Malia and the all the hoary regulars at 1:00PM for helpful tips and tricks for all levels from beginners to seasoned genealogists. Discover new genealogical resources and tools, discuss personal research and goals, and learn from others!
Do I even need to say that the library will be closed early on Tuesday, December 24th (at 2:00PM), and then closed all day onWednesday, December 25th in celebration of the Christmas holiday? If you have something nice planned, then hooray for you and yours. Remember to eat with abandon—because calories don’t count on national holidays!
On Friday, December 27th, just in case you have any blood still circulating, the library is hosting anotherRed Cross Blood Drive, beginning at 12:00 Noon. Donate your blood to help those in need!For an appointment, please visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Walk-ins are also gratefully accepted.
Younger Readers
For the younger set we also host many fun activities this month!
Baby Time meets just once this month, on Friday, December 6that 10:30AM – Moms, Dads, Grandmas and Caregivers join us for songs, rhymes, and special bonding time with your baby. Stay afterward to play and chat with other caregivers about all things baby!
Play Group meets only once this month, onMonday, December 2nd, at 10:00AM. Drop in anytime and let the kiddos play with a variety of toys, as well as socialize with the under-6 crowd. For children ages birth to 6 with their grownups.
Toddler Time will meet twice, but onthe same day this month, namelyTuesday, December3rd, at 10:00AM, then again the same day at 11:00AM – Join us for an interactive program that includes songs, parachute fun, bubbles, puppets, and stories for our youngest patrons. This program is designed with even the most active toddler in mind! This month features a visit from a guy in a red suit, who doesn’t really need to put a pillow underneath it anymore.
Family Storytime meets on two days this month! We’ll see you on Wednesday, December 4th at 10:30AM; then again on Thursday, December 5that 10:30AM. Bring the whole family for fun with creative storytelling with stories, songs, and puppets, and don’t forget the aforementioned visit of the guy in the red suit!
For kids in 3-5 grades, how about a visit to the Science Zone? On Wednesday, December 4th at 1:30PM, they can have hands-on fun with exciting science experiments. No sign-up necessary, and we promise they won’t be handling any radio nucleotides.
Teen Readers
And last but not least, here’s what’s going on for teens in 6th to 12th grades!
Wednesday, December 4that 4:00PM– There will be a free Teen After School Activity! Teens in grades 6-12 can always come hang out in the Teen Area with friends anytime… But on the 4th, they can look for the free drop-in after-school activities like video game tournaments, fuse beads, screening the latest movie releases, and much more!
Don’t forget to visit the library and see what’s available from our Library of Things! Now you can check out games, appliances, musical instruments, and more!