discover life's possibilities | September

Bring A Friend To The Library
I was recently reading about “Threshold Fear”, an architectural idea about how people often feel discomfort when entering a space for the first time. As Nina Simon says in The Art of Relevance:
 
​“You may not always feel “fear” when passing through an unfamiliar door, but you likely feel some discomfort. Until you can identify whether you belong in the room, your guard is up. You may start adopting the behaviors of people in the room—consciously or unconsciously—to blend in more easily. You walk with a bit more swagger. You lower your voice. You stay on guard.” (p. 68-69)
 
​This is an important concept for anyone managing a space,and these thoughts have turned my attention to our library’s entrance. What could we do to help newcomers feel welcome? We’ve always prioritized a welcoming environment at the library, emphasizing easy-to-access spaces and friendly service, but it is always helpful to look at our spaces with fresh eyes and see what a newcomer would see.
 
I also learned that threshold fear is reduced when people enter a new space with a trusted companion. When someone is struggling to try something new, accompanying them is a great way to break down barriers. Which brings me to my request: I want you to bring a friend to the library! Come to a program together, play one of our board games, recommend one of your favorite books, or pick a movie to watch together.  If they need a library card, we’ll be excited to sign them up (and once you both have library cards, imagine the shenanigans you can get into together!) The library is for everyone, and you can help us prove that true. Bring them in, and I’ll see you both at the library!
 
-Anthony
 
Anthony Morris

-Assistant Director
-Omnivorous Looper
-Barberry Geometer
 
 
Currently Reading
The Vorrh by Brian Catling

Winnie the Pooh and Coloring, Too!
Saturdays in October, come celebrate 100 years of Winnie the Pooh with a read aloud, tea, honey sweets, and coloring, too! All ages are welcome to gather around the fireplace. Light refreshments will be offered. Theatrical readings will be done by our guest reader Malia from Friday Harbor High School's theatre club. 
 
COSTUME CLOSET
'Shop' for free costumes at the Library for the whole month of October! Donate unwanted clean, gently used costumes to the Library front desk.
 
THE PENNY PINCHER
Featuring popular services paid for by your tax dollars that you can access from the Library at no cost!  
Become a published Indie Author! Local authors can use Pressbooks to create, edit, format, and generate print-ready and eBook formats for your books and instantly publish to the Indie Author Project. No design experience is necessary to create professional quality eBook and print-ready book files, at no cost to you. Bring your self-publishing to another level!
UPCOMING EVENTS
Lost Apples of the San Juan Islands with KWIAHT
Saturday, Sept. 19th
12:00pm - 1:30pm
 
Botanist Madrona Murphy shares the latest findings of Kwiaht's effort to relocate the island's oldest orchards, identify apples genetically, and preserve rare heirloom and seedling varieties. 
 
Share your own San Juan Island apples: bring your own apples, preserves, and treats to share! (Please label ingredients and apple varieties where known) KWIAHT will be bringing fresh apples and homemade pies to sample!
 Reading with Rover: Read to a Dog 
Mondays at 3:00pm - 4:00pm
 
Stop by the Library's Main Salon to meet the Reading with Rover dogs. Say hello, read or show them a story, and get paw stickers!
 
The Reading with Rover dogs are trained canines who serve as supportive listeners to help youth boost their literacy skills and reading confidence. Drop-ins are welcome between 3:00-4:00 PM.  Offered at no cost to participants.
Local Poetry Reading
Gary Thompson with Sam & Sally Green
Sunday, Sept. 27th
3:00pm-4:30pm
 
Join us for a delightful afternoon of local poetry, with San Juan Islander Gary Thompson, and Waldron Islanders Sam and Sally Green, who are launching their newest collections of poetry.
Skagit Legal Aid Clinic
Saturday, October 10th
11:00am-3:00pm
 
Skagit Legal Aid is hosting a Free Legal Clinic where anyone from San Juan Island can meet with an attorney about any civil legal issue, including but not limited to: Housing (Real Property, Landlord/Tenant, Mobile Homes), Family (Divorce, Parenting Plan, Child or Spousal Support), Advanced Planning (Powers of Attorneys, Wills, and Estates), Post Conviction Support (Legal Financial Obligations and Vacating Convictions), Immigration, Debt (Bankruptcy, Consumer Debt Collection, Small Claims), General Civil (Non-Criminal) Legal Issues. Pro bono consultations will be limited to 30 minutes. Clients can walk-in on the day of the clinic.   
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DONATE TO THE LIBRARY
The San Juan Island Library welcomes gifts to support the programs, collections, and services designed to meet the needs of San Juan Islanders, nonprofit partners, and visitors of all ages, that are not met by tax revenue. There are many ways to support your library!
STAFF PICKS
Check out our latest faves!
 
Board Game
 
You are an amateur dracologist in the world of Wyrmspan, a place where dragons of all shapes, sizes, and colors roam the skies. Excavate a hidden labyrinth you recently unearthed on your land and entice these beautiful creatures to roost in the sanctuary of your caves. During a game of Wyrmspan, you will build a sanctuary for dragons of all shapes and sizes. Your sanctuary begins with 3 excavated spaces--the leftmost space in your Crimson Cavern, your Golden Grotto, and your Amethyst Abyss. Over the course of the game, you will excavate additional spaces in your sanctuary and entice dragons to live there, chaining together powerful abilities and earning the favor of the Dragon Guild.
TV Series
 
In this workplace comedy from writer/executive producer/star Quinta Brunson and executive producers Justin Halpern & Patrick Schumacker, a group of teachers is brought together in a Philadelphia public school, because they love teaching. Though outnumbered and underfunded, they love what they do even if they don't love the school district's less-than-stellar attitude toward educating children.
Seniors man male outdoors elderly retired nature sightseeing binoculars bird watching
The Library of Things
 
Jump-start your local birdwatching by checking out our Birdwatching backpack kit! You'll have everything you need to get started, including a pair of Bushnell binoculars, 3 laminated Mac's Field Guide cards, and the Birds of the Puget Sound Region identification book.