by Molly Walsh
As the pages turn from winter to spring, a series of special events from Olympia Timberland Library will allow attendees to discover regional bands, share their favorite stories, engage in meaningful philosophical discussion and reconnect with their inner child.
Programming includes events for infants, toddlers, school-age children, teens, adults and families. According to Zach Havekost, patron input is considered when planning events.
A common goal is to inspire an enduring love of literature, curiosity and knowledge. For children and families, that may mean fostering an interest in science or the arts. And all events are of no cost to attendees.
Over the past year, Lantern Lights the Library has flourished into a one-of-a-kind concert experience for all ages at Olympia Timberland Library. Lantern Lights the Library is a collaboration with Olympia-based Lantern Records. Once a month, Lantern Records transforms the library into a unique concert venue with a quality sound system and mood lighting. According to Havekost, Lantern Records also recruits bands for each concert lineup and the majority of bands are based in the Pacific Northwest, including up-and-coming bands from Olympia. Music spans genres from punk rock to heavy metal to singer-songwriters.
Lantern Lights the Library takes place the second Friday of each month at 7 p.m. This spring, performances will take place on April 11, May 9 and June 13.
The Open Book Club gathers at The Brotherhood Lounge each month for adults aged 21 and over looking to share their most recent reads and connect with fellow lovers of literature. According to Havekost, Open Book Club departs from a more conventional book club format, where all members of the group read the same story at the same time. Instead, Open Book Club allows each member to discuss books of their choice, whether it is a story they recently finished reading or a long-beloved novel.
Havekost said this off-site format invites a wide range of community members, and the ambiance at The Brotherhood allows for a more relaxed event where attendees are welcome to chat, get a drink or enjoy a slice of pizza. A regular newsletter is also sent to Open Book Club attendees with titles of the stories that are mentioned during club meetings. Upcoming meetings are taking place at The Brotherhood Lounge from 7-8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 6 and Tuesday, June 3.
Death Cafe is a monthly group that gathers community members at Olympia Timberland Library, for conversation related to death and mortality, with cake and tea provided. According to Havekost, Death Cafe is not intended as a support group, but instead as a place for members to tackle potentially difficult topics and share their personal stories. Each session may bring both tears and laughter. And through this common thread, members of the group may find a sense of community.
Death Cafe at Olympia Timberland Library is part of a greater movement across the globe, aimed at speaking freely about death and uncloaking the experience. Havekost adds that the library group spans ages, from teenagers, to nonagenarians and might suit community members who are tending to an ill relative, facing a serious illness, or are simply interested in the subject matter. Upcoming Death Cafe meetings will take place at Olympia Timberland Library on Monday, April 14 from 4-5:30 p.m., Saturday, May 3 from 2-3:30 p.m. and Monday, June 9 from 4-5:30 p.m.
On the first Friday of each month, community members can find a temporary reprieve from the hustle and bustle of everyday life through Listen Here: A Lunch Break Story Time for Adults.
This event was initially born over a decade ago, as audiobooks continued to rise in popularity and has shifted slightly in format through time, including online during the COVID-19 pandemic. According to Havekost, the event’s Zoom-based meetings were so in demand, that the event currently operates in a hybrid format. Community members can choose to attend the event in person at Olympia Timberland Library or sign up to participate via Zoom.
Listen Here brings the audiobook experience to life, with stories read aloud by professional audiobook narrator, Corey Snow. Havekost said the stories that are presented during Listen Here span decades, capturing a spectrum of genres and viewpoints, from F. Scott Fitzgerald, to recently published authors. Certain weeks may feature mysteries or poetry, and other weeks, science fiction and fantasy.
On April 4, from noon to 1 p.m., attendees can listen to a selection of short tales centered around Latin American baseball included in the anthology, Kill the Ámpaya!. On May 2, from noon to 1 p.m., a selection of stories by poet and short story author Souvankham Thammavongsa, will be read.
All photos are courtesy of Zach Havekost/Olympia Timberland Library.
WHAT:
Spring Events at Olympia Timberland Library
WHEN:
April-June 2025
WHERE:
Olympia Timberland Library, 313 8th Avenue SE Olympia, WA 98501
COST:
No Cost
LEARN MORE:
https://trl.org/