Love Your Library

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February is Love Your Library month, a time to celebrate all the wonderful things public libraries do for the communities they serve. Public libraries of today are not just in the book business – we are in the community-building business. We are one of the few noncommercial community spaces that are open to all.

In a recent survey, 98% rated service at Tualatin Public Library as good to excellent and 95% said they would recommend Tualatin Library to a friend or family member. When is the last time you visited Tualatin Library? Here are 10 ways to show your love for Tualatin Library this month:

1. Check out a book or movie.
We also offer video games, audiobooks, and more, all available for free. Tualatin Library’s collection features popular, high-demand titles by your favorite authors and on your favorite topics. Or borrow something from our new Library of Things collection, which includes sewing machines, ukuleles, and a telescope. Through our membership in Washington County Cooperative Library Services (WCCLS), you have access to more than 1.7 million items, many of which can be delivered to Tualatin within a couple of days. Bonus: There are no late fees on materials for children.

2. Bring your children – or yourself – to a library program.
Tualatin Library hosts more than 700 programs each year and offers activities for all age groups. Our weekly storytimes are an interactive and fun way to help your child learn early reading skills. No school? Check our event calendar for our school’s out and afterschool events. Teens can enjoy movie night every Friday and gaming every Saturday and Sunday afternoon. For adults, we feature classes, musical performances, and more. Our new Tuesday Night Maker Club gives teens and adults handson time with the Library’s maker equipment.

3. Help your child enjoy reading.
1,000 Books Before Kindergarten encourages family reading with preschoolers. That may sound like a big goal, but if you read three picture books with your child every day, you will read more than 1,000 books by the end of the year! Reading together at home is one of the best ways to get your child ready for school and to build a lifelong love of reading.

4. Enjoy the library from the comfort of your home.
Thanks to WCCLS, we’re proud to offer e-books and downloadable audiobooks, available 24/7 through the Libby app. You can stream classic and new release movies through Kanopy. You can find magazine articles, homework resources, test preparation guides, language learning, and more through WCCLS’s online resources. Visit wccls.org to get started.

5. Use the library as your workspace.
The library has free wi-fi and low-cost wireless printing. Instead of going to a coffee shop, bring your laptop to the library, where you can stay as long as you like without feeling pressured to buy something. You can bring your coffee with you, too! We also offer three small meeting rooms, which can be used by individuals or groups for up to two hours.

6. Ask our librarians for book suggestions.
Tell us about the books you’ve loved, and our library staff would be happy to work with you to find your next great read. You can also check out book lists made by our librarians in the new WCCLS catalog. Recent lists feature staff favorites, picture books, teen titles, romance, and literary nonfiction reads.

7. Borrow a Cultural Pass.
The Cultural Pass to Adventure service offers library users the opportunity to explore exciting cultural locations in Oregon. Destinations include A.C. Gilbert’s Discovery Village, Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum, Lan Su Chinese Garden, the Oregon Garden, Pittock Mansion, and Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks and Minerals. Reserve free admission passes online through wccls.org/culturalpass.

8. Volunteer.
Have the time of your life while giving back to the community. Volunteering allows you to share your time and experience while you learn something new. You could put your skills to use by shelving books, helping others learn technology, or helping youth with homework. Our monthly Spruce Up the Library events are a great way to test the waters – families welcome!

9. Become a Friend.
The Friends of the Tualatin Library is a member-supported nonprofit that fundraises and advocates for the library. Through their used booksales, the Friends provide support for dozens of library programs, including Summer Reading. Memberships start at $5 for individuals. Each May and November, the Friends host a big used booksale. Clearing out your bookshelves? The Friends welcome donations of clean, undamaged books. Learn more at friendsoftualatinlibrary.org.

10. Support the Library Foundation.
The Tualatin Library Foundation supports special library projects through their endowment. While tax dollars allow the library to buy materials and operate, innovative new programs are often developed through private donations. Recent services supported by the Foundation include class field trips to the library and 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten. Every April, the Foundation hosts Vine2Wine, a fundraiser where you can enjoy wine tastings, paired food, music, and stimulating conversation. The Foundation is actively seeking new board members to expand their capacity. Learn more at tualatinlibraryfoundation.org.

Hope to see you at the Tualatin Public Library!