Bend Public Library: Check it Out!

For a relatively small city, Bend Oregon has one of the nicest public libraries you will visit. Conveniently located downtown, within walking distance from shops, stores and coffee shops, the Bend Public Library is a place you simply have to check out!

Much of downtown Bend is characterized by historic buildings. The Bend Public Library is a modern facility that is housed in the vicinity of gorgeous historic structures on Wall Street. It is part of the larger Deschutes Public Library System which means that if you cannot find it at the Bend Public Library, you can usually head to one of the other branches in an approximately 30-mile radius that includes Redmond, Sisters, Sunriver and LaPine.

A new, 8,000 square foot East Bend library will be located in Borden’s Corner, 2175 NE Highway 20 in 2011.  Construction is set to begin in the coming weeks.

A virtual card catalog lets you browse items online and reserve them before you even walk in the front doors! Once you arrive at the library, public art, inviting gardens and benches outside give you a place to enjoy the Central Oregon sunshine while you wait for a class or lecture to begin.

While neighborhood groceries have largely faded from existence, public libraries remain the heart of the community. Where else can you take your toddlers for free enrichment, learn about preserving the environment, listen to lectures, and also connect with people from all over town while you browse the shelves for books, DVDs and CDs?

Community events are often advertised at, and sometimes held at public libraries. At the Bend Public Library, you can find an entire wall devoted to brochures about upcoming events both within the library system and in the greater Central Oregon community. Tips to help you live green, raise children, adopt pets and more can also be found.

If you are on the Board of Directors for a non-profit organization, you might want to hold a meeting at your public library. As a cub scout leader, I've taken my dens to the Bend Public Library many times over the past 4 years.

We took at least 5 trips to the Bend Public Library over the summer. With four active children, I found that the library provides affordable, green entertainment.

How?

Well, first of all, checking out books from the library is the ultimate in recycling! Don't buy a brand new book from the store. Re-use one with other members of the community.

Second, its free! Free entertainment is the best in my opinion. Instead of spending money to go to a movie or video arcade, my children love heading to the library to look for new books, use the free computers, hear a lecture or even listen to books read aloud. Weekly programs are available at the Bend Public Library for even the youngest kids.

Finally, going to the library develops important life skills. My older boys are learning to use the online card catalog and how to ask a librarian to help them find a book or information for which they are searching.

Perhaps the best thing is that you'll never know what you'll find at the library until you check it out! Browse the new books, see what treasures await in the aisles. You'll probably even run into some friends when you're there!

A variety of educational programs can help spur discussions at home, and even questions in the car on the way home.  For example, when we visited the public library this week, the kids were wondering why there was a full-sized, kid-friendly dog house in the lobby.  Turns out that it was an advertisement for an instructional program on how to build a dog house, as well as education about pet adoption.

The Bend Public Library was designed by Thomas Hacker and Associates of Portland, Oregon. The 40,000 square foot Bend Public Library opened in October 1998, and is conveniently located adjacent to downtown Bend.

The beautiful exposed beams and high ceiling on the second floor, complemented with generous windows looking east, gives an airy and open feeling. Light streams in from the high, clear windows every day of the year! You almost wonder if overhead lighting is required.

Even though the library is relatively new, its situated in a historic part of town, just a few blocks away from Drake Park, downtown Bend, Town Hall, and many other popular sites. During summer months (May through October), the local Farmer's Market is held nearby. In addition, on the first Friday of every month, the Art Walk takes place downtown Bend. Both events bring people to Wall Street, which means increased traffic for the Bend Public Library!

Across the street from the library is the Bend Boys and Girls' Club. One block further is the historic Trinity Episcopal Church.

Year-round, many community events are situated, or start right on Wall Street. The 4th of July Pet Parade, the Veterans' Day Parade, and many community festivals all take place within 1-2 blocks of the Bend Public Library.

Don't forget that the Deschutes Public Library system is free - even for those that do not live in Deschutes County. Within the greater Central Oregon region (Klamath County, Jefferson County and Crook County), you can apply to get a library card from any one of the DPL system sites.

Just make sure you return your book on time!

Borrowing books and other media is the smart way to stay in touch not only with the community, but with the world as a whole.

What doors will your public library open for you today?

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