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.

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 Emeritus 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-12:00pm
  • Location: Oak Room
  • Fee: No Charge
  • Seating is limited. Advance registration is required. Register at RideSMART.com/BikeRepair101 

 

History talk: Chinese & Chinese American History along the Willamette River heritage area & surrounding communities

Gain a local perspective about Chinese immigrants and laborers around Wilsonville in the late 1880s-early 1900s, and then learn about Chinese and Chinese American history in the Willamette Falls & Landing National Heritage Area with presenter Doug Sam.

Doug Sam is a PhD student of history at the University of Oregon, where he specializes in Native American and environmental history of the North American West. He is also interested in Asian American history, especially Chinese and transpacific histories. His family is ethnically Chinese from South Vietnam, who settled in the United States as refugees following the Vietnam War. Originally from Southeast Portland, he holds a BS in environmental studies and geography from the University of Oregon and an MA in environmental humanities from the University of Utah.

Co-hosted by the Willamette Falls & Landings Heritage Area Coalition (WFLHA), the Wilsonville Historical Society, and the Wilsonville Public Library.

  • Date: Tuesday, May 28
  • Time: 6:00-7:30pm
  • Location: Oak Room
  • Fee: No Charge

 

Summer 2024 (June-Aug)

PROFILES

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

  • Ages: High School through Adult
  • Wednesday, Jun. 5
    • Juneteenth! In June of 2021, President Joseph Biden signed a bill making June 19th—known as Juneteenth—a federal holiday. Although Juneteenth has been celebrated in African-American communities since its inception over a century and a half ago, many white Americans only learned about it recently. If you’re among those still learning about the holiday and you’re not sure exactly what it’s about, this program explores the remarkable history behind this remarkable event, an event rooted in slavery but celebrating the triumph of freedom. Sign up to receive the Zoom meeting code.
  • Wednesday, Jul. 3
    • Roswell and Beyond. Since the beginning of recorded history, humans have been fascinated by the skies above them, especially when "visitors" seemed to descend from the stars. There are numerous accounts of these beings and their miraculous crafts in ancient religious texts (including the Bible), in artwork, and in epic legends of gods, angels, and other strange beings. Then in 1947, a reported crash of a "flying saucer" in Roswell, New Mexico opened up the proverbial floodgates. This presentation explores the possibilities of life beyond Earth and that we've been having alien visitations for thousands if not millions of years. The truth is out there! Sign up to receive the Zoom meeting code.
  • Wednesday, Aug. 7
    • Mark Twain. Born Samuel Langhorne Clemens, Twain (1835-1910) was a humorist, journalist, lecturer, and novelist who garnered international fame for his travel narratives and for his adventure stories of boyhood. A gifted raconteur and irascible moralist, he transcended the apparent limitations of his humble Missouri origins to become one of America’s best and most beloved writers. 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)
  • 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 Donn Anderson & John Jennings from Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum.

  • Ages: High School through Adult
  • Saturday, Jun. 1: Rockets, Rockets, and More Rockets!
  • Saturday, Aug. 3: Topic TBA
  • Time: 11:00am-12:30pm
  • Location: Oak Room
  • No Charge
  • No program in July

"The Slow Way Home" Documentary & Discussion

Why do so few children in the U.S. walk to school, and what we can do to change that? A SMART Transit representative will lead a discussion after the one-hour film.

Presented by Patty Tiburcio, SMART Transit representative

  • Ages: High School through Adult
  • Thursday, Jun. 6 
  • Time: 6:00-7:30pm
  • Location: Oak Room
  • No Charge

History Talk: Samuel Boardman and the history of Oregon STate Parks

Explore the history of Oregon’s over 250 park properties and the man many consider to be the father of our State Parks: Samuel Boardman.

Presented by Darrell Jabin, Oregon's Traveling Historian

  • Ages: High School through Adult
  • Tuesday, Jun. 25
  • Time: 6:00-7:30pm
  • Location: Oak Room
  • No Charge

flash fiction writing workshop

Get ready for the August Short Story Contest with this fast-paced, fun, interactive workshop.

Presented by Andi Winter, local author

  • Ages: High School through Adult
  • Thursday, Jul. 25
  • Time: 6:00-7:30pm
  • Location: Oak Room
  • No Charge

backyard birdwatching

If you’re just getting started with birdwatching, look no further! In this class you’ll learn what sort of equipment might be helpful, safe and ethical bird feeding, some common backyard birds to look for, and other useful tips and resources.

Presented by Rebecca Lexa, Naturalist

  • Ages: High School through Adult
  • Thursday, Aug. 29
  • Time: 6:00-8:00pm
  • Location: Oak Room
  • No Charge
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