The Obama Presidential Center opens today in Chicago. Attached is an image of some dignitaries in attendance. Fun fact: Michelle and GW are besties. We recommend googling their interactions over the years. 100% Delightful!

You've read "The Medium is the Massage" by McCluhen. You've read "Amusing Ourselves to Death" by Postman. We recommend "Screen People" by Megan Garber.

The real deal.

And what is so rare as a day in June? Then, if ever, come perfect days; Then Heaven tries earth if it be in tune, And over it softly her warm ear lays; Whether we look, or whether we listen, We hear life murmur, or see it glisten …

“The game I play is a very interesting one,” says Nobel Laureate Richard Feynman in a low-resolution video posted to YouTube. “It’s imagination in a tight straitjacket.”

Spring time, the only pretty ring time. When birds do sing, hey ding a ding, ding, sweet lovers love the spring.

The dearest ones of time, the strongest friends of the soul--BOOKS.

Don't meet your heroes.

Every book is a children's book if the kid can read.

"What then must we do?" Tolstoy asked the same question. He wrote a book with that title. He got so upset about the poverty in Moscow that he went one night into the poorest section and just gave away all his money. You could do that now. (from "The Year of Living Dangerously")

There are only two plots in all of literature: 1) A person goes on a journey. 2) A stranger comes to town.

I'd like to be Under the sea In an octopus's garden In the shade...

These days of disinheritance, we feast On human heads. True, birds rebuild Old nests and there is blue in the woods.

The nitrogen in our DNA, the calcium in our teeth, the iron in our blood, the carbon in our apple pies were made in the interiors of collapsing stars. We are made of starstuff.

“Kathy, I’m lost,” I said, though I knew she was sleeping. “I’m empty and aching and I don’t know why.” Counting the cars on the New Jersey Turnpike. They’ve all come to look for America.

2+2=5

You're either on the bus or off the bus.

Time is what keeps everything from happening all at once.

There's a crack in everything. That's how the light gets in.

Library Fish Hatchery update part trois. The Steelhead were released into Klootchy Creek this morning. Big Ups to the Watershed Council (Maddie, Ryan, etc) for allowing us to host one of the most awesome library programs ever! Available on facebooks here: www.facebook.com/search/top?q...

Our library fish hatchery is in full swing. This is one of our favorite programs ever. It's soFISHticated. www.youtube.com/watch?v=LMuD...

Thanks to the Oregon Department of Wildlife, we now have a hatchery at the library. After the eggs hatch, we will release the fry into the Necanicum River. The smolt will eventually head to the ocean and complete the cycle of life. Steelhead FTW. We support the "Eggs to Fry" program 1000%!

We are deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Catharine O’Hara. She brought so much joy to so many people. Her performances were always imbued with a deep sense of humanity, light, and love. Thanks, Catharine ... For everything. May you rest in peace.

We believe pencils are superior to pens, especially for filling out crossword puzzles. Does that make us erasist? But, seriously… We are digging “Across the Universe: The Past, Present, and Future of the Crossword Puzzle” by Natan Last. Check it out!

On this day in 1861, Kansas became our 34th state. Hey, that reminds us of a certain book. Have you read this one? Timely.

Surely, you’ve noticed all the romantasy books now come with sprayed edges. Definitely trending. This style has been around for a while: natlib.govt.nz/blog/posts/a... Everything old is new again. And we know your name isn’t Shirley LOL.

Head any good books lately? New audio just landed in CD format: 1. Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry. 2. Say You’ll Remember Me by Abby Jimenez. 3. The Middleman by Olen Steinhauer. 4. Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid. A little bit of this, a little bit of that…

Mercator projection with Tissot's indicatrix.

We just started “Your Name Here” by Helen DeWitt. This may be the wildest thing we have ever read. And, suffice it to say, we read the wilds. It’s like the lovechild of Vollman, Barth, and Borges. Must really be read to be believed. Can you say 2FC2E? Neither can we.

A whole bunch of new DVDs just landed, feature films and documentaries. This one caught our eye: Thank You Very Much! Now, Andy, did you hear about this one? Tell me, are you locked in the punch? Hey, Andy, are you goofing on Elvis? Hey, baby Are you having fun? www.youtube.com/watch?v=PD2a...

Bob Weir (October 16, 1947 – January 10, 2026) “Such a long long time to be gone, and a short time to be here.”

Our social media team is back from holiday. It was chill. We predict that in 2026: 1. The library will add some great new items. 2. The library will offer great programming for all ages. 3. The library bluesky will get progressively strange. "Jeremiah was a bullfrog!"

We would like to thank all the kind patrons who brought us holiday treats. Sweets from the sweet. You didn’t have to do that (but we’re glad you did). Thanks again, that mint a lot to us.

James Patterson and Danielle Steel both released books on the same day. Do you know what that means? The day ends with the letter “y.”

This day in history…literary style: December 17, 1807 – Fireside poet John Greenleaf Whittier was born in Haverhill, Massachusetts. Wittier is best known for his anti-slavery poems and his collection of poems, Snow-Bound. “I'll lift you and you lift me, and we'll both ascend together.”

William Shakespeare came into the library today. He tried to place a book on hold. The computer wouldn’t let him because of outstanding fines. The error message said, “No holds, bard!” That’s humor, get it? Bard, barred? Nevermind.

Apart from funny names, what do Wilt the Stilt, Earl the Pearl, Pistol Pete, Magic, and King James have in common? They all appear in the poppin' new book, “Masters of the Game: A Controversial History of the NBA in 75 Legendary Players” by Sam Smith and Phil Jackson. We hoop you read this one.

Favorite line from a book: "Tell me things I won't mind forgetting," she said. "Make it useless stuff or skip it." --Amy Hempel, "In the Cemetery Where Al Jolson Is Buried," from Reasons to Live

The new Lee Child book (number #30) had us up way past our bedtime last night. It's terrific. Every one of his Jack Reacher books is the same. Why does each one feel so new and alive? Jack may not have a change of clothes but he always has a toothbrush. The American Dental Association approves.

New coffee table book just arrived: “Webb’s Universe: The Space Telescope Images That Reveal Our Cosmic History” by Maggie Aderin-Pocock. Fresh photos from deep recesses of the cosmos. Awe-inspiring would be an understatement. Ya know…The Universe is a big place…some say the biggest.

If you are fascinated by the history of science, we highly recommend Michael Rossi’s “Capturing Kahanamoku.” It’s about the fateful collision of surfing and eugenics. Insane, right? This accounting must be read to be believed. Truth can be stranger than fiction. Ten toes on the nose!

FREE ADVICE: if someone tells you to smell something, don't do it! Unless, of course, it is the amazing gingerbread house located at our circulation desk. It smells every bit as good as it looks! Big ups to the staff member who made this art (you know who you are).

For mysterious reasons, our bluesky went down. It's back up and will be bigger and better than ever. Our postpausal focus will be on things that are good and right with the world. Stay tuned. Don't change that channel. Rad vibes on the immediate horizon.

New holiday-themed DVDs just arrived: Breakup Season Red One Hallmark Countdown to Christmas Peanuts Holiday Collection Best Christmas Pageant Ever

From the better late than never department… We recently discovered Jim Harrison. It started with the memoir, then came the fiction, after that some poetry, and then came essays…good gracious, such essays! Everything he put to page is pure, unadulterated enchantment. Jimbo's the real deal.

Did you wake up this morning with a roof over your head? Do you have access to clean water? Will you eat today? If you answered “yes” to the above, you have been blessed. One third of the humans on the planet are deprived these basic necessities.

Q: Why did the jeans take a nap? A: They were feeling a little worn out. That's humor LOL. Don’t toss those worn dungarees; upcycle, repurpose, and restyle instead Janelle Hanna’s new book, “Jean Genius,” will show you the hows, whys, and what have yous of the slow denim movement. Sew wild!

On this day back in 1956, The Nat King Cole Show premiered on television. The program hosted the biggest names in the recording industry but couldn’t secure sponsorships. To which, Cole quipped, “Madison Avenue is afraid of the dark.” He wasn’t wrong. The program was cancelled on Dec 17, 1957.

J'ai réglé ma montre à l'heure d'hiver. aha ... zee french!

Today is Henry Winkler’s 80th birthday. People of a certain age remember him as “Fonzie.” He’s still on the television, most notably the program BARRY. We have Season 1 on dvd. Check it out and see why people say Henry/Fonzie is the GOAT.