This Week at The Dalles Library: Jan. 11, 2026

Jan 11

Written By Columbia Community Connection

By Joshuah Albert

The Dalles, Ore., Jan. 7, 2026 — From STEAM activities and storytimes to live music, crafts and teen gaming nights, The Dalles Public Library hosts a wide range of free January programs for all ages.

Monday, Jan. 12
Charades and Charcuterie, 3:30–4:30 p.m. The Dalles Public Library teen room. Open to teens. Play charades, enjoy snacks and compete for prizes. Food may contain common allergens.

Tuesday, Jan. 13
The Creative and Compassionate Art of Seeing Others Deeply with David Brooks (virtual), 11 a.m.–noon. Online event. Open to teens and adults. Cultural writer and bestselling author David Brooks discusses his book, How to Know a Person, and the art of meaningful human connection. Registration required.

Little Learners Lab: Kids in STEAM, 11:15 a.m.–12:15 p.m. The Dalles Public Library children’s wing. Open to preschoolers with accompanying adults. Hands-on STEAM activities designed to build curiosity, creativity and confidence. Drop-offs not permitted.

Totoro Cross Stitch, 3:30–5 p.m. The Dalles Public Library teen room. Open to teens. Beginner-friendly cross-stitch craft inspired by Totoro. Space limited to 10 participants; materials available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Thursday, Jan. 15
Playdough Storytime, 10:30–11:15 a.m. The Dalles Public Library children’s wing. Open to preschoolers with accompanying adults. Interactive storytime using playdough to support early literacy skills. Materials limited.

WaFd Bank Presents: Financial Literacy — Building Your Financial Future with Shannon Wilkinson, 5:30–6:30 p.m. The Dalles Public Library makerspace. Open to adults. Part of a three-week series focused on budgeting, debt management, credit and long-term financial planning. Registration required.

Acrylic Painting with Yvonne Pepin-Wakefield, 6–7 p.m. The Dalles Public Library meeting room. Open to teens and adults. Introductory acrylic painting workshop. Registration required.

Family Craft Night: Calendars, 6–7 p.m. The Dalles Public Library main library. Open to all ages with accompanying adults for children. Family-friendly craft night featuring a decorate-your-own calendar project. Food may contain common allergens.

Friday, Jan. 16
Fun Fridays for Teens: Trivia! With Prizes, 3:30–4:30 p.m. The Dalles Public Library teen room. Open to teens. Team-based trivia covering pop culture and history, with prizes for winners.

Saturday, Jan. 17
Embroidery with Steph Evans, 10 a.m.–noon. The Dalles Public Library makerspace. Open to teens and adults. Hands-on embroidery workshop. Registration full.

RPG — Role Play Games, 10 a.m.–2 p.m. The Dalles Public Library meeting room. Role-playing games session. Additional details not provided.

Red Yarn, 11 a.m.–12:30 p.m. The Dalles Public Library children’s wing. Open to all ages. Family-friendly performance featuring puppets, music and folk storytelling by entertainer Red Yarn.

DIY Book Nook Window Bookmark Holder, 2:30–4:30 p.m. The Dalles Public Library meeting room. Open to adults. Multi-session craft program creating interchangeable book nook bookmark holders. Registration full.

Super Smash Bros. on the Big Screen, 5:15–6:30 p.m. The Dalles Public Library main library. Open to teens. After-hours gaming event featuring Nintendo Switch games, snacks and drinks. Pick-up promptly at 6:30 p.m. Food may contain common allergens.