Summer Reading Program wrapping up

ROSEBURG, Ore. – Roseburg Public Library’s Summer Reading Program is drawing to a close.

This is the 12^th and final week of this year’s extravaganza. All participants must submit their reading logs and book reviews by 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 24, to be eligible for prizes.

Please be patient as Library staff sort entries and draw for prizes. Winners will be notified by Friday, Aug. 30.

This also is the final week of programs for the summer. Youth Services Librarian Aurora Ropp then will take a well-earned hiatus in September. She doesn’t get much of a break, though, because she will finalize programs for the fall, which begin in October, according to Library Director Kris Wiley.

Programs for adults will pick up in the fall, as well.

That includes a return visit from Oregon author Eileen Garvin, who will Zoom in for a discussion of her second novel, “Crow Talk,” at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 19.

Wiley said she is trying something new with Garvin’s visit. Patrons are invited to join staff at the library, where Wiley will have a meeting room set up to project Garvin on a large screen. Wiley also will have a camera and microphone focused on the audience so Garvin can see and hear everyone. Attendees will be able to share their thoughts and questions directly with Garvin.

Alternately, patrons can tune in to the discussion on the library’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/roseburglibrary; a Facebook account is not required. Questions for the author may be submitted before the event to kwiley@roseburgor.gov or 541-492-7051. Viewers who have a Facebook account may post questions during the event by commenting on the live stream.

Library staff chatted with Garvin in late 2021 about her nationally bestselling debut novel, “The Music of Bees,” which followed three grieving strangers brought together at a honeybee farm in rural Oregon.

“Crow Talk” introduces new characters and a new plot, but Garvin’s trademark heartwarming storytelling and Pacific Northwest setting remain.

Two women anchor the book. Frankie O’Neill is a graduate student studying ornithology. Following a fallout at school, she escapes to her family’s cabin near Mount Adams, where she not only tries to salvage her academic career but work through her grief over the recent death of her father.

Anne Ryan is a music professor on forced leave who is grieving the death of her best friend and navigating the changes in her 5-year-old son, Aiden. Once a happy and talkative child, Aiden has been silent except for occasional, heart-wrenching outbursts for the past 18 months.

Anne, Aiden and dad Tim escape Seattle to regroup at the family’s vacation home near Frankie, and friendship blooms when Aiden becomes enchanted with a baby crow Frankie is rehabilitating.

Wiley said she enjoyed the beautiful setting and Garvin’s descriptions of the natural area around Mount Adams. Wiley said she also learned so much about crows, from how they care for their young to their rituals to the meanings behind their talk.

“Crow Talk” is available in print at the library and digitally on the library’s two platforms, cloudLibrary and Libby.

Regardless of whether you read the book, please consider joining Garvin and Wiley Thursday, Sept. 19. All are welcome.

This Week’s Library Events

• Monday, Aug. 19, through Saturday, Aug. 24, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.: StoryWalk® at Stewart Park by YMCA

• Tuesday, Aug. 20, 10 a.m.: Grab-and-go craft kits while supplies last

• Tuesday, Aug. 20, 1 to 2 p.m.: Children’s program: Ozobot color coding robots

• Wednesday, Aug. 21, 10:30 a.m.: Storytime at Stewart Park Pavilion

• Thursday, Aug. 22, 10:15 a.m.: Storytime at library

• Thursday, Aug. 22, 1 to 2:30 p.m.: Teen program: Virtual reality

• Thursday, Aug. 22, 6:30 p.m.: Silent Book Group

• Friday, Aug. 23, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.: Children’s program at Stewart Park Pavilion: Paint flowerpots

• Saturday, Aug. 24, 2 p.m.: Summer Reading Program ends