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.

Winter 2024 (Jan-Mar)

PROFILES

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

  • Ages: High School through Adult
  • Wednesday, Jan. 3
    • Failure? Who Says? Fame is a fickle thing. It's elusive. It teases, it comes, it goes. At its most mischievous, it arrives with aplomb after those seeking it have died. This program explores some household names like Melville, Bach, Van Gogh, and Dickinson who were practically unknown in their lifetimes despite often prodigious effort and output. None of them could have known just how famous they would become posthumously. How profound it is to consider what unknown legacy may await us after we're gone. The takeaway? Never give up. 
  • Wednesday, Feb. 7
    • Frederick Douglass. This is the life of a truly extraordinary human being: A person who escaped the bonds of servitude; who taught himself to read, write, and speak with eloquence; who composed one of the most famous autobiographies of the 19th century; who put his life on the line to help others overcome the horrors of slavery; who still inspires millions with his forthright honesty and determination. 
  • Wednesday, Mar. 6
    • Behind the Throne: Ten First Ladies. This program gives an overview of ten women who were not only the wives of Presidents but who often made significant contributions to the presidency and even the direction of our nation. This impressive and inspiring group--Dolley Madison, Sarah Polk, Abigail Fillmore, Edith Wilson, Eleanor Roosevelt, Jackie Kennedy, Betty Ford, Rosalyn Carter, Hillary Clinton, and Michelle Obama--illustrates the strength of women often having to navigate difficult political and social waters. Their stories are truly inspirational. Sign up to receive the Zoom meeting code.
  • 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)
  • Fee: 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 from Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum.

Presented by Donn Anderson and John Jennings, docents at Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum

  • Ages: High School through Adult
  • Saturday, Jan. 6:
    • OSIRIS-REx: To the Asteroid Bennu and Back Again
  • Saturday, Feb. 3: 
    • NASA's Amazing Mission to the Asteroid Belt
  • Saturday, Mar. 2:
    • SpaceX's Game-Changing Starship
  • Time: 11am-12:30 pm
  • Location: Oak Room
  • Fee: No Charge

 

Beginning spanish class

This 8-week class introduces active conversation and everyday aspects of the contemporary Spanish-speaking world. You will start to communicate and function in a variety of real-life situations (reading, listening, speaking and writing in Spanish). 

Presented by Carlos Iturrino.

Class limited to 15 students. Registration is required. Sign up for the class online.

  • Ages: High School through Adult
  • Monday evenings, Mar. 18-May 6
  • Time: 6:00 pm - 7:45 pm
  • Location: Oak Room
  • Fee: No Charge
  • Seating is limited. Sign up to reserve your seat!

 

Spring 2024 (Apr-May)

PROFILES

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

  • Ages: High School through Adult
  • Wednesday, Apr. 3 
    • The Sonnet. For National Poetry Month (April), this program takes a look at one of the most frequently used poetic forms: The Sonnet. This program traces the history of these 14-line gems from their beginnings in Italy during the early Renaissance to the modern period. The second half of the hour will focus on American sonnets of the past two centuries, including Hart Crane’s tribute to Emily Dickinson, Emma Lazarus’s dedication of Lady Liberty to the world’s tired and poor, as well as sonnets by Longfellow, Very, Tuckerman, Robinson, Frost, Stickney, Wylie, and Millay. Here are our Petrarchs and Shakespeares, the American masters who, by living within the strictures of the octave and the sestet, found a full voice, enlarged a tradition, and changed the sonnet forever. Sign up to receive the Zoom meeting code.
  • Wednesday, May 1
    • Monet's Garden. Claude Monet's garden at Giverny is probably the most famous garden in all of France, with over 500,000 people visiting every year. Monet lived in Giverny from 1883 until his death in 1926 and painted some of his most famous paintings there, including his water lily and Japanese bridge paintings. This program explores Monet’s life and focuses on his love affair with his home and his remarkable obsession with Nature. Sign up to receive the Zoom meeting code.
  • 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)

 

BIKE REPAIR 101

Want to learn how to adjust, clean, and repair your bicycle in a friendly, encouraging, and instructive atmosphere? Basic bike repair is much easier than you may think, and with a little instruction, anyone can learn the basics. Come learn about basic bike maintenance and about basic tools and equipment to keep on you at all times so you don’t get stranded if you get a flat. Bring your bicycle with you to get some hands-on experience with basic repairs!

If you don’t have a bike, we can lend you one to practice on!

Presented by WashCo in coordination with SMART.

Families welcome. Children must be 13 and older to participate. Registration required - sign up at RideSMART.com/BikeRepair101

  • Ages: 13 and up
  • Saturday, May 18
  • Time: 10:30am-12pm
  • Location: Oak Room
  • Fee: No Charge
  • Seating is limited. Advance registration is required. Register at RideSMART.com/BikeRepair101