Have you ever asked for a recommendation for a restaurant, tire shop, or car dealership on social media? It can be helpful to get input from others before spending money or time on an important purchase or experience.

This is so true for book recommendations. Even though we may gravitate toward a certain genre or format, a recommendation has the power to get us to try something new.

Maybe you like to read paperback books, but discovered that you could burn through twice as many audiobooks since a friend showed you The Library’s huge “Spoken Word” collection. Some have read nonfiction their whole lives until their teenager introduced them to a Young Adult Fiction title.

If you are one of those people who like to get a recommendation before trying something new, stop by the Staff & Volunteer Picks display.

There is one at both, the Clark Fork and Sandpoint Libraries. In Sandpoint, it is located on the second floor near the Information window. There, you can find materials that staff and library volunteers have enjoyed with a bookmark that tells you who recommends it and why.

Most of the books displayed are hardback or paperback books, but many are available in other formats like Spoken Word (books on CD), Playaway (a preloaded audiobook device), eBook, or eaudiobook. EBooks and eaudiobooks can be downloaded from OverDrive and Hoopla in the Digital Library at ebonnerlibrary.org. It’s easy to do, but if you haven’t done it before, it might be helpful to ask one of our friendly library staff to walk you through it the first time.

Pick up one of the books from our Staff & Volunteer Picks display or find it in audio or eBook format. Then, come back and let that person know what you thought of their recommendation. Maybe you will even have one to recommend to them.

All of the following classes and events take place at the Sandpoint Library, 1407 Cedar Street, unless otherwise noted.

East Bonner County Library District Schedule

- Fridays — Explore Virtual Reality — reserve sessions, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the East Bonner County Library District’s Sandpoint branch library, 1407 Cedar St. Reserve a 15-minute session in the VR room at www.ebonnerlibrary.org/Events on the event listing. Information: Contact the Tech Desk 208-263-6930, ext.1251.

- Fridays — Clark Fork Mother Goose, 10:15 a.m. at the East Bonner County Library District’s Clark Fork branch library, 601 Main St. A special story time for babies and toddlers followed by 20 minutes of play time. Infor-mation: 208-266-1321.

- Friday, March 1 — Family Game Night. 5:30 p.m. at the East Bonner County Library District’s Sandpoint branch library in the Community Room. Fun times with family, friends, and games at The Library. A light dinner will be served. Information: 208-263-6930, ext. 1211 or suzanne@ebonnerlibray.org.

- Saturday, March 2 ­— Sandpoint Friends of the Library Book Sale, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the East Bonner County Library District’s Sandpoint branch library, 1407 Cedar St. Support your library while supporting your book habit. Score deals on used books and media at the monthly FOL sale.

- Saturday, March 2 ­— Bella Note’ Music Class & Performance. 10:30 a.m. at the East Bonner County Library District’s Sandpoint branch library, 1407 in the glass children’s area. A children’s musical performance followed by a music class. All welcome. Class geared to ages 7 and younger. Information: 208-263-6930, ext. 1211 or suzanne@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Saturdays — Explore Virtual Reality –(eserve sessions), 2-4 p.m. at the East Bonner County Library District’s Sandpoint branch library, 1407 Cedar St. Reserve a 15-minute session in the new VR room at www.ebonnerlibrary.org/Events on the event listing. Information: Contact the Tech Desk 208-263-6930, ext.1251.

- Tuesdays — Mother Goose, 10 a.m. at the East Bonner County Library District’s Sandpoint branch library, 1407 Cedar St. 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.

- Tuesday, March 5 —Dr. Seuss Storytime. 11 a.m. at the East Bonner County Library District’s Sandpoint branch library, 1407 Cedar in the glass children’s area. Dr. Seuss takes over our regularly scheduled Preschool Story Time today! Join us for a Seuss-inspired storytime in celebration of Dr. Seuss Day. Information: suzanne@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Tuesdays — Preschool Story Time. 11 a.m. at the East Bonner County Library District’s Sandpoint branch library, 1407 Cedar St. Stories and crafts for kids and their caregivers. Information: 208-263-6930, ext. 1211 or suzanne@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Tuesdays — Explore Virtual Reality. 3-6 p.m., drop-in 15-minute sessions at the East Bonner County Library District’s Sandpoint branch library, 1407 Cedar St.. First come, first served. All ages welcome. Under 18 must accompany parent consent form. Under 10 must be accompanied by parent/legal guardian. Information: Contact the Tech Desk 208-263-6930, ext.1251.

- Tuesdays — MAGIC the Gathering. 3:30-5 p.m. at the East Bonner County Library District’s Sandpoint branch library, 1407 Cedar St. Teens meet in Community Room A to play the game, MAGIC. Information: 208-263-6930, ext. 1245 or kimber@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Tuesdays — Away with Words. 5:30 p.m. at the East Bonner County Library District’s Sandpoint branch library, 1407 Cedar St. in the YA Reading Area. A Creative Writing Workshop for teens with Beth Weber. Whether you are a poet, penner of short stories, or working on the great American novel, join us at the library to make your literary endeavor come to life. Information: kimber@ebonnerlibrary.org or 208-263-6930, ext. 1245.

- Wednesday — Clark Fork Stories and More. 10:30 a.m.. Stories, crafts, prizes and snacks for kids ages 3-8. East Bonner County Library District’s Clark Fork branch library, 601 Main. No Story Time on February 13th.

- Wednesday, March 6 ­— Lego Club. 2:30-4 p.m. at the East Bonner County Library District’s Sandpoint branch library, 1407 Cedar St. in the glass children’s area. Build with Lego, marble runs, Keva blocks, and snap circuits. Information: 208-263-6930, ext. 1211 or suzanne@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Wednesday, March 6 ­— Clark Fork 3D Printing Club. 4 p.m. at the East Bonner County Library District’s Clark Fork branch library, 601 Main St. Drop in to collaborate with others and learn more from staff about 3D printing and design. A few laptops will be provided or you may bring your own device. Open to all ages and skill levels. Information: 208-266-1321.

- Wednesday, March 6 ­— Artistically Yours for Teens - Alcohol Ink Painting. 4:30 p.m. at the East Bonner County Library District’s Sandpoint branch library, 1407 Cedar St. in the Teen Lounge. Alcohol ink painting is one of the newest crazes in painting. The art captures attention with its super intense vibrancy, colors that blend together gorgeously, and it is really fun to do! Information: 208-263-6930, ext. 1245 or kimber@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- Thursday, March 7 — Brer Rabbit Puppet Show, 11 a.m. at the East Bonner County Library District’s Sandpoint branch library, 1407 Cedar St. in the glass children’s area. Enjoy a Brer Rabbit puppet show followed by a puppet craft. Information: 263-6930 ext 1211 or suzanne@ebonnerlibrqary.org.

- Saturday, March 9 — eSports League at The Library. 1 p.m. at the East Bonner County Library District’s Sandpoint branch library, 1407 Cedar St. in the Teen Lounge. 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: dalton.hawkins@lposd.org

- Saturday, March 9 — Wild Babies – To Rescue or Not To Rescue; 2 p.m. at the East Bonner County Library District’s Clark Fork branch library, 601 Main St. American Heritage Wildlife Foundation presents a discussion about what to do when a wild baby animal is found. Photos of actual patients will be shown and many tips and pointers to identify if the animal is truly in distress. Information: 208-266-1321.

- Now through March 15 — The Library’s Winter Reading Challenge. For all ages! A new adult reading challenge is now open! Register for the Winter Reading Challenge to log your reading and read-to-me time for prizes, drawings, and a party! Details at ebonnerlibrary.org. Contact Suzanne Davis for more information: 208-263-6930, ext. 1211 or suzanne@ebonnerlibrary.org.

- StoryWalk — Pages from a children’s book are posted along a trail for a fun, family experience. Enjoy “Winter is the Warmest Season” by Lauren Stringer at Dover City Park and “Wolfie the Bunny” by Ame Dyckman at McNearny Park 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- 208-263-6930, ext. 1204.