At a recent dinner party, I was asked to write about some of the virtual reality offerings we currently have at The Library. Such is the life of a marketer. You can’t just turn it off when you leave the office.

As you can see from the schedule below, you have several opportunities each week to dabble in VR under the safe supervision of trained library staff.

We currently offer 30 different VR experiences. You can make your selection based on the level of difficulty, age/content rating, physical requirements, and program topic. What programs do we have? I thought you would never ask! Below is a general list of the program content available right now:

- Bowling

- Car racing

- Cave digging

- Discovering imaginary places

- Exploring with Google Earth and other real places

- Music immersion

- Plank walking

- Playing carnival games

- Robotics

- Roller coasters

- Star Wars repairs

- Swimming in the ocean

- Wielding lasers

- 3D painting

Which ones do you want to try? Each session is 15 minutes long and available to one person at a time. A monitor displays the scene that the user is immersed in so that friends and family can watch from the sidelines. Eventually, we plan to add more sessions including some regular group reservations.

Some of you have asked how I come up with new library topics to write about every week. Now you know — dinner parties.

East Bonner County Library District schedule

All events take place at the Sandpoint branch unless otherwise indicated.

- Fridays — Explore virtual reality (reserve sessions), 10 a.m.-12 p.m.; reserve a 15-minute session in the VR room at ebonnerlibrary.org/Events on the event listing. Information: Contact the Tech Desk 208-263-6930, ext.1251.

- Fridays — M.A.C. (Manga/Anime Club) for Teens, 3-5 p.m., Room 102. Celebrate fandom at The Library. Read, write, and watch your favorite manga and anime with other enthusiasts. Information, 208-263-6930, ext. 1245; or kimber@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Saturdays, Dec. 14 — Visual Communication Skills and American Sign Language, 10:30 a.m., in the Virtual Reality Room. Open your eyes for a hands on workout in communication skills. Welcome anyone struggling with hearing loss or anyone interested in learning about American Sign Language and the visual culture of the deaf community. Registration required. Information: Susan Schaller, susan.schaller@gmail.com.

- Saturday, Dec. 14 — SHS eSports at The Library, 1 p.m., in the Laura Moore Cunningham Foundation Community Room A. Making eSports available to high school gamers by facilitating healthy competition on a varsity level in a comfortable environment is the mission of the HSEL. The Library is partnering with the SHS eSports team to further that mission. Information: kimber@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Saturdays — Explore virtual reality (reserve sessions), 2-4 p.m.; reserve a 15-minute session in the VR room at ebonnerlibrary.org/Events on the event listing. Information: Contact the Tech Desk 208-263-6930, ext.1251.

- Monday, Dec. 16 — Open play with blocks, 10 1.m.-4:30 p.m. in Karen’s Room. This is a drop-in STEM-inspired “What can you build?” challenge. Younger children should have a parent present. Information: 208-263-6930, ext. 1211; or suzanne@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Monday, Dec. 16 — Beaded ornaments, 3:30 p.m. in Karen’s Room. Kids make free crafts to take home. Information: 208-263-6930, ext. 1211; or suzanne@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Tuesdays — Mother Goose, 10 a.m. in Karen’s Room. Stories and singing for babies and toddlers 0-3 years old and their caregivers with stay & play until 10:40 a.m. Information: 208-263-6930, ext. 1211; or suzanne@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Tuesdays — Preschool Story Time, 11 a.m., in Karen’s Room. Stories and crafts for kids and their caregivers. Information: 208-263-6930, ext. 1211; or suzanne@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Tuesdays — Explore virtual reality (drop-in sessions), 3-6 p.m., drop-in 15-minute sessions. First come, first served. All ages welcome. Under 18 must accompany parent consent form. Youth under 10 years old must be accompanied by parent/legal guardian. Information: Tech Desk, 208-263-6930, ext.1251.

- Wednesdays — Clark Fork Mother Goose, 10:30 a.m. at the Clark Fork branch library; stories, rhymes, and music for toddlers and their caregivers followed by 20 minutes of play time. Information: 208-266-1321.

- Wednesdays — Clark Fork Storytime, 11:30 a.m., Clark Fork branch library. Stories, music, and crafts geared to ages 3-8. All welcome. Information: 208-266-1321.

- Wednesday, Dec. 18 — Clark Fork holiday craft day, 11 a.m. at the Clark Fork branch library. Free for all ages. Younger children should be accompanied by an adult. Make your own ornaments, Christmas cards, pinecone trees, and more! Information: 208-266-1321.

- Wednesday, Dec. 18 — Painted ornaments, 2:30 p.m. in the Laura Moore Cunningham Foundation Community Room A. Kids make free crafts to take home. Information: 208-263-6930, ext. 1211; or suzanne@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Wednesdays — Teen Lounge Passive Pop-Up Programs, 4 p.m. in the Rotary Teen Lounge. Teen-driven art, engineering, robots, and science projects and workshops. Information: 208-263-6930, ext. 1245; or kimber@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Wednesday, Dec. 18 — Science Café: Opioids. 5:30-7 p.m. in the Innovia Foundation Community Room B. This discussion will be centered on myths and facts surrounding the opioid epidemic in our nation. We will also look at the state of Idaho, Bonner County and how opioids are having an impact locally. This discussion is audience-driven, so bring your questions! This session will be facilitated by Trina Kennedy, clinical educator with Bonner General Health. Information: Mike Bauer, 208-265-2665.

- Winter Reading Challenge — Register at ebonnerlibrary.beanstack.org for the first of three winter reading challenges. Our first one is a Holiday Challenge, from Nov. 4 through Dec. 13. Read and complete holiday-related activities to earn books and drawing entries. Drawing prizes include robots, knitting looms, and Legos. Separate January and February Challenges will follow in the new year. Information: 208-263-6930, ext. 1211; or suzanne@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Teen Winter Reading Challenge — Runs Nov 1 - Feb 29. Fun new format and great prizes. Visit ebonnerlibrary.beanstack.org for more information and to register. Information: 208-263-6930, ext. 1245; or kimber@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Rotary Teen Lounge — Open to seventh-12th graders from any school/homeschool; Tuesdays-Thursdays, 2-6 p.m., and Fridays, 2-5 p.m. Information: kimber@ebonnerlibrary.org, or 208-263-6930, ext. 1245.

- StoryWalk — Pages from a children’s book are posted along a trail for a fun, family experience. Enjoy “The Wild Christmas Reindeer” by Jan Brett at Dover City Park and “A Very Fuddles Christmas” by Frans Vischer at McNearney Park. Read, connect, and get outside at a StoryWalk, a partnership of The Library, Kaniksu Land Trust, city of Dover, and city of Ponderay. For more information, visit Facebook.com/BonnerStoryWalk.

Marcy Timblin is in charge of public relations, marketing & community development for the East Bonner County Library District. She can be reached at 208-208- 208-208-263-6930, ext. 1204.