Stay cool this week at your WCCLS Library

Washington County Public Health is reminding people to take precautions over the next few days to avoid heat-related illnesses, such as heat cramps, heat stroke and heat exhaustion.

Check your library's hours for this week - they all have air conditioning and many are open until 8PM or later!

Beaverton Main Library will have the lobby and the Cathy Stanton Room open until 9 PM on Friday for people seeking relief from the heat.

Garden Home Community Library has their Annex open Thursday and Friday from 2-5 PM. (Look for the big yellow gnome in the Lamb's Thriftway plaza!) Play Mario Kart on the big screen, color, play board games, or curl up with a good book. All ages welcome.

North Plains Public Library will be open until 9PM on Tuesday through Friday, and will be offering bottled water.

Tualatin Public Library will be open extended hours on Friday (10AM-9PM). They will have cool water available, as well as family-friendly activities. The Tualatin Library is also a free lunch site for youth Monday-Friday (in partnership with the Tigard-Tualatin School District). On Sunday, the lobby and Community Room will open at 10AM; the Library will close at the usual time of 6PM Sunday night.

West Slope Library has a free after-hours event on Friday at 6:30PM. Watch the film Lion while enjoying free refreshments. Free bottled water will also be provided during regular hours on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.

In addition, please see this public health press release for a comprehensive list of places to beat the heat this weekend in Washington County. Washington County will also post any updates to cooling center information.

Tips for Staying Cool:

• Stay in an air-conditioned indoor location as much as possible.
• Do not rely on a fan as your primary cooling device when it is very hot.
• Avoid strenuous activities in the heat of the day.
• Wear loose, lightweight, light-colored clothing.
• Take cool showers or baths to lower your body temperature. Find a splash pad or fountain.
• Don’t use your stove, oven, washer or dryer on very hot days. 
• Eat small, light meals.
• Close your blinds and curtains to keep sunlight out.
• If the temperature falls at night and it’s safe to do so, open your windows to let the cool air in.

Stay hydrated:

• Drink plenty of fluids, especially while working or exercising outside.
• Avoid alcohol or sugary beverages.
• Check for symptoms and treatment of heat-related illnesses.

Experience the Solar Eclipse with Your Local Library

For many viewing a total eclipse is a once in a life-time experience. While Washington County will not be in the zone for totality, WCCLS member libraries are pleased to bring the viewing experience to residents through a series of local events. The next solar eclipse won’t be visible in the continental U.S. until 2024 so don’t miss this rare opportunity.

Due to expected increase in travel and traffic leading up to the eclipse, no library materials will be due between August 19-21.

View Eclipse Events on the WCCLS Calendar

Offered August 1 – 21, several programs are designed for all ages and a few are especially created with kids’ activities in mind.

Be sure to check whether the program you’re interested in requires advance registration.

UPDATE: Libraries do NOT have eclipse glasses, unless they are hosting a special event, and then they only have a limited supply. You may try a local retailer to see if they have glasses available for purchase. Find out where in this Oregonian article. Or find out how to make your own viewer with instructions from NASA.

August 1 - 21

Eclipse Book Display
Tigard Public Library
Look for a book display on the 2017 solar eclipse this summer and pick up a free pair of eclipse glasses while supplies last!

August 3

Kid’s Interactive Eclipse
Tualatin Public Library at 11 a.m.
Designed for ages 8-12, come have a ball learning about the eclipse and how to safely view the event. Limited number of free eclipse viewing glasses to be given away.

August 9

Book Discussion: Hidden Figures
Sherwood Public Library at 6 p.m.
Inspired by the eclipse and all things related to the race to the moon, the library is hosting a book discussion of Hidden Figures: the American Dream and the untold story of the African American women mathematicians who helped win the space race, by Margot Lee Shetterly. Join in the lively discussion about this pivotal part of history. The first five to register get a free copy of the book. Registration required – call 503-625-6688.

August 10

Eclipses & Other Occultations
Aloha Community Library at 4:00 p.m.

Join Dr. Roy Torley to discuss solar eclipses, lunar eclipses, eclipses seen from the International Space Station, eclipse chasing, and our very own eclipse. All attendees will receive a free solar eclipse viewer (while supplies last).

August 15 - 21

Eclipse It!
Sherwood Public Library - all day
Join in the activities to celebrate the coming eclipse. Receive information about how to keep your eyes protected while watching the eclipse. Limited supply of eclipse viewing glasses will be available. Explore stations throughout the library with coloring, games and more.

August 16

Eclipses & Other Occultations
Tigard Public Library from 7 - 8:30 p.m.
Dr. Roy Torley will prepare you for the solar eclipse on Monday, Aug. 21, by sharing pictures and short movies of past eclipses of the sun, the moon and on Jupiter and Saturn.

August 20

Make a Pinhole Viewer for the Eclipse
Hillsboro Brookwood Library from 1:30 - 2:30 p.m.
Use ordinary household materials to build a pinhole viewer to safely observe the August 21st solar eclipse. Library will provide materials and directions for different types of viewers.

Solar Eclipse Storytime
Hillsboro Shute Park Library from 4 - 5 p.m.
Have fun learning what will happen on August 21st and receive a pair of viewing glasses (while supplies last) to safely look at the sun during the eclipse.

August 21

Solar Eclipse Viewing
Hillsboro Shute Park Library from 9 – 11 a.m.
Join in this rare opportunity to view a solar eclipse. Gather at the plaza where you can enjoy the eclipse with viewing glasses provided (while supplies last) to make it safe to watch.

Solar Eclipse Viewing
Beaverton City Library Main, South Lawn from 9:45 -10:30 a.m.
Watch the eclipse with special viewing glasses on the library front lawn!  Glasses provided only for those registered for this event. This eclipse will only be visible on a narrow track stretching across the United States from Oregon to South Carolina. Beaverton will not experience a total eclipse (totality). Designed for ages 4-12 years with adult. Registration required; register online or call 503-350-3600.

Oregon’s Eclipse
Tualatin Public Library at 10 a.m.
Join as we safely view the eclipse! The library will provide glasses (limited supply) free of charge that will allow you to safely view the eclipse. Designed for all ages.

Eclipse Party
West Slope Library at 10 a.m.
Join in the eclipse viewing party. Glasses provided (limited supply) for safe viewing. All ages are welcome.

Eclipse Craft
Bethany Library from 11 a.m. - noon
After viewing the total solar eclipse make a paper eclipse craft to reenact this amazing event again and again! All ages welcome.

Cedar Mill Bethany Library turns 10!

Happy Birthday, Bethany Library!

The week of July 10-14 marks the Cedar Mill Bethany Library’s 10th Anniversary. Celebrate the library’s 10th birthday all week long!

Stop by the library to sign a giant birthday card and take part in all the activities planned for the week:

• Tuesday, July 11 – Birthday Themed Family Storytime at 10:30AM or 11:30AM
• Wednesday, July 12 – Bethany Evening Market, 6-8:30PM
• Thursday, July 13 – Bethany Village Summer Concert, 6-9:30PM featuring Steve Hale and The Super Soul Heroes and 10th Anniversary craft for kids
• Friday, July 14 – Cupcakes will be served outside the library from 11AM – 12PM and drop-in birthday bookmark craft for kids