This Week at The Dalles Library: Aug. 18, 2026

Aug 18

Written By Columbia Community Connection

The Dalles, Ore., Aug. 17, 2026 — The Dalles Public Library has a packed week Aug. 17-22, with yoga, crafts, outdoor skills, movies, summer reading fun and an author talk with Jane Kirkpatrick.

Monday, Aug. 17

Yoga — Noon-1 p.m., Meeting Room: Start the week with a 60-minute yoga session combining movement, breathwork and mindfulness to build strength, stability, mobility and flexibility. The class is open to adults of all experience levels.

Trail Junk — 2-3 p.m., Teen Room: Teens can create their own custom trail mix from a variety of snack foods. No nuts will be provided. Materials are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Tuesday, Aug. 18

Quilling with Corina — 11 a.m.-noon, Meeting Room: Learn the art of paper quilling by rolling, shaping and arranging thin strips of paper into decorative designs. The hands-on program is open to all ages and all materials are provided.

Crazy Craft Club: Fashion Mannequin — 4-5:30 p.m., Makerspace: Kids and tweens ages 8-12 can get creative with the library's colorful, messy and larger-than-life Crazy Craft Club. Children must attend with an accompanying adult; drop-offs are not permitted.

Wednesday, Aug. 19

DIY Bag Charms & CD Crafts — 2-4 p.m., Teen Room: Teens can use beads, string, plushies and other materials to create custom charms for bags or backpacks. Snacks will be provided. Materials are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Movie Matinee: “Project Hail Mary” — 4-7 p.m., Meeting Room: The library's monthly family-friendly movie matinee features the science-fiction film “Project Hail Mary,” about a last-ditch effort to save the sun from an alien microbe. Snacks will be provided and all ages are welcome.

Thursday, Aug. 20

Plant a Seed, Read! Summer Reading Wrap-Up Party — 4-7 p.m., Lower Parking Lot: The library celebrates the end of its 2026 Summer Reading program with an all-ages party for children and families. Participants can enjoy some final summer fun and claim their Summer Reading prizes.

Open Makerspace — 5:30-7:30 p.m., Makerspace: Teens and adults are invited to spend the evening exploring the library's Makerspace. The program focuses on arts and crafts and STEAM learning.

Family Craft Night: Clay Flowers — 6-7 p.m., Main Library: Families can create colorful modeling-clay flowers and arrange them in small vases during the library's monthly Family Craft Night. Participants are also welcome to use the clay for other creations. Children must attend with an accompanying adult.

Friday, Aug. 21

School Supply Take & Make Kit — All day, while supplies last: Preschoolers through high school students can pick up a take-home kit to create a custom backpack charm. Kits also include some fun and unusual school supplies.

Outdoor Recreation 101 and 201 — 10 a.m.-noon, Meeting Room: Search and Rescue veteran Won Kim leads two hands-on classes covering outdoor safety and preparedness. Outdoor Recreation 101, from 10-11 a.m., covers trip planning, what to bring, safety and basic navigation. Outdoor Recreation 201, from 11 a.m.-noon, covers emergency shelters, maximizing outdoor gear, what to do when lost or in need of rescue, and intermediate navigation. All experience levels are welcome.

Fun Fridays — 3:30-4:30 p.m., Children's Wing: Elementary school-age children can enjoy a rotating lineup of activities that could include art, crafts, games, Code-a-pillars, Bee-Bots and more. The program is intended for ages 5-10, but everyone is welcome.

Saturday, Aug. 22

Rock Collection Take & Make Kit — All day, while supplies last: Pick up a rock sample and mini fact sheet to start or add to a collection. The fourth-Saturday program is geared toward school-age children, teens and adults. Supplies are limited.

Family Board Game Afternoons — 2-4 p.m.: Families can spend Saturday afternoon playing everything from classics such as Monopoly, Clue and Operation to newer games including Wingspan and Mysterium. Light snacks will be provided and all ages are welcome.

Jane Kirkpatrick Author Talk — 3-4 p.m., Main Library: New York Times bestselling author Jane Kirkpatrick visits The Dalles Public Library for an author talk. Kirkpatrick has written more than 40 books, including “Beneath the Bending Skies,” “A Light in the Wilderness,” “The Memory Weaver,” “This Road We Traveled” and “A Sweetness to the Soul.” Her honors include the WILLA Literary Award, Carol Award for Historical Fiction and five Will Rogers Gold Medallion Awards. The program is open to all ages.