Library News and Events
By Dawn Anderson
 Journey of Turtles, Waking of Butterflies
Wednesday, April 15, 7 pm
Recognizing that Stubborn Twig by Lauren Kessler and Japanese immigration are the foundations of the Oregon Reads 2009 celebration, this year the Hearing Voices storytelling festival will feature several storytellers with Japanese ancestry. Robert Kikuchi-Yngojo, whose dual ancestors come from Japan and the Philippines, will tell the roots of both immigrations.
From the volcanic island of “exile”, Hachijoshima in Japan to the volcanic black soil island of Negros, Philippines, Robert’s grandparents left these islands for a better life in America and ended up in the San Francisco Bay Area.
They brought with them tales of jungle bandits, whaling ships, the Emperors’ chamber maidens, and malaria outbreaks in Panama. These are just some of the immigrant stories that will pour from the lips of the storyteller into the ear of the listener becoming the brew of his listener’s imagination. This program is designed for ages 10 and up.
For a full schedule of the countywide activities at 13 locations, pick up a brochure at the library or visit the WCCLS website at wccls.org/hearing_voices/index.html
Blooms for Books!
 The Cedar Mill Community Library is hosting their fourth annual “Blooms for Books” Plant Sale on first Saturday in May in the library’s parking lot.
The library is taking pre-orders. They have a large variety of high-quality, value-priced landscape annuals and perennials to beautify yards and decks, available in half flats, full flats, patio planters, hanging baskets and gallon-size individual plants. Kitchen herbs and vegetable starts can be ordered for home gardens. Or choose something special for Mother’s Day! (Sunday, May 10). Plants are competitively priced. Visit the library’s website at www.cedarmill.org/library for an order form and to view photos of the plants. The pre-order deadline is April 12.
Plant sources are all local, with many of the plants grown organically. Library volunteers are donating a large variety of perennials. Returning suppliers include New Leaf Greenhouse in Cornelius and Pumpkin Ridge Gardens in North Plains.
Plant pick-up date is Saturday, May 2 at the library, located at 12505 NW Cornell Road, Portland, OR 97229. A “Spring Festival” is also being planned for May 2 where customers can purchase additional plants, books, art, food, garden-themed items and supplies. All purchases support library programs.
For more information, contact Dawn at 503-644-0043.
Bethany Library set to expand
The Cedar Mill Community Library (CMCL) recently signed a lease on a new space in Bethany Village. Plans are underway to move the library across the street into a space totaling more than 4,600 square feet. This is 2 ½ times larger than the library’s current space and will provide more room for books, children’s programs and computers. The move will be completed early this summer.
CMCL @ Bethany opened in July 2007 shortly after voters approved the Washington County library levy. Roy Kim of Central Bethany Development offered space in Bethany Village and with community donations and volunteer assistance, the library opened 10 weeks after signing the lease.
Community response to the branch has been overwhelming. It was originally forecast that the library would loan 10,000 items per month. Actual lending in 2008 averaged 32,000 items per month and the library is now averaging 40,000 loans per month. The branch is on track this year to having the highest loans per square foot of all libraries in Oregon.
With the high volume of use, there is a great need for more space to accommodate users, volunteers and books. Story Times are now at capacity and library patrons often must wait to use the 3 public computers.
CMCL is the largest non-profit public library west of the Mississippi. Since it isn't part of a city government with borrowing or taxing authority the expansion project relies on private support. Funding comes from library reserves, the Second Edition Resale shop and local community support. As the community step up to support the library, it will be filled with more books, computers and furnishings—making the Bethany Library a comfortable and attractive community resource!
For more information, contact Peter Leonard, Executive Director of the Cedar Mill Community Library at 503-644-0043 or visit www.cedarmill.org/library.
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