Library offers free community civics program for all ages March, April, May
Josephine Community Library invites the community to join Everyday Civics, a program providing opportunities to engage people in community civic life through simple activities for all ages throughout the months of March, April, and May. Participants can earn raffle tickets for prizes including $25 gift certificates from local businesses and an annual subscription to the Daily Courier. Winners will be selected and notified after May 31.
Program details and registration information can be found at josephinelibrary.org and will include fun activities, programs, resources for all ages, and more. Participants can track their activities using the online reading tracker Beanstack to earn raffle tickets.
“Through Everyday Civics, families, friends, and neighbors can participate in a variety of activities to get involved in our vibrant community,” said Library Director Kate Lasky. “We are so happy to offer these upcoming programs and open our doors to host learning and community once again.”
This online program helps people find reliable information and learn more about how self-government works in today’s world.
In addition, special events include:
Journalism, Democracy, and the Informed Citizen (3-part series)
Virtual or at the Grants Pass branch
6–7:30pm
March 3: The Big Picture: World media and news sources with Charles F. Rund
March 10: US Journalism & Informed Citizens: Political issues and the public with Kathleen Frankovic
March 17: State & Local News: The news business and its future with Scott Stoddard
Panelists discuss world media and news sources, contemporary political issues, and the future of local news facilitated by policy researcher and former president of Charlton Research Company, Charles F. Rund.
Something About Poetry: A Community of Poets
Saturday, April 16 from 2–4 pm
Virtual or at the Grants Pass branch
Learn about poetry and write your own with the guidance of Applegate Poet Lisa Baldwin.
Consider This: Intellectual Freedom in America (2-part series)
Virtual or at the Grants Pass branch
4–5:30pm
April 23: Censorship
April 30: Privacy
Join us for this 2-part series as Dr. Carrie Gardiner discusses the First Amendment in the context of US history and the Constitution.
Freedom: A History of US (exhibit)
Available for viewing during the month of May at the Grants Pass branch
This traveling exhibit from Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History documents and illustrates critical figures and events in America while tracing the evolving concept of freedom from founding until 1968. This exhibit is sponsored by James Basker.
Civics in Spanish
Friday, May 6 from 5:30–7:30 pm
Virtual or at the Grants Pass branch
During this bilingual presentation, facilitator Janet Soto Rodriguez, deputy director of Foundations for A Better Oregon, will interview local panelists to learn more about how Spanish-speakers in Josephine County can find reliable information and learn how self-government works in our community.
Emergency Preparedness for Your Family and Neighborhood
12–1 pm
Illinois Valley branch | May 14
Grants Pass branch | May 21
Families and children are invited to learn how to prepare for emergencies such as earthquakes and wildfires in southern Oregon.
Everyday Empathy: A Bilingual Storytime
2:30–3:30 pm
Saturday, April 9
Saturday, May 14
Saturday, June 11
Grants Pass branch
Elementary-age children and their families are invited to storytime in Spanish and English about empathy, manners, and how to be kind to others. After storytime, participants will look at self-portraits of famous artists and create their own.
A library card is not needed to take part; however, instant online library cards are available to all Josephine County residents at no cost and can be used to access ebooks, audiobooks, or other digital resources. To get a physical library card, community members can visit their preferred branch in Grants Pass, Illinois Valley, Williams, or Wolf Creek during open hours.
Everyday Civics is sponsored by Oregon Pacific Financial Advisors and made possible in part by Oregon Humanities and the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History.
For more information about Everyday Civics or current library services send an email to info@josephinelibrary.org, or call 541-476-0571.