Does anyone go to the library anymore? No, I don’t mean the hushed halls of the Knight Library on campus where students cram for their next midterm, but the welcoming embrace of the public library.
The Eugene Public Library offers an array of fun weekly activities, offering a space for people of all ages in the Eugene community located downtown.
When people think of the word “library,” they usually think of a quiet space with books and a shushing librarian. Library Director Angela Ocaña strives to change that narrative and put emphasis on the community-focused aspects of the library beyond just books.
The EPL provides an inclusive environment for all ages, with designated centers tailored to children, teens and adults. Children can participate in storytime sessions filled with books and singing, while teens have access to a space for gaming and creative endeavors with polymer clay. Additionally, adults can unwind and explore their interests through gentle yoga sessions or viewing parties of retro shows like “Freaks and Geeks.”
Ocaña’s perception of libraries shifted when she was growing up. Initially uninterested in librarianship due to a misconception that it was dull, she encountered librarians who transformed her understanding of the library’s potential and the endless possibilities it offers.
“I met a bunch of strong [and] powerful women who helped influence my career,” Ocaña said. “Libraries aren’t just for adults. You can do cool adult programming, programming for teens and programming for kids.”
As a child, Ocaña frequently used the library because it was free and accessible. This instilled a desire in her to give back to the community through the library’s programs. Together with her staff, she aims to create a community space through relationship-driven interactions with anyone who walks through its doors.
She finds fulfillment in forming authentic relationships, particularly with young individuals dealing with political and environmental issues, aiming to offer support and guidance, especially with those who are unhoused. Resources like sanitation products are also made available for them. With these connections, Ocaña aims to provide validation and support to aid their growth and well-being.
“I know that the library makes a difference in people’s lives,” Ocaña said. “Those who engage with it, from printing a job application to just having a safe place to sit, this place makes a really big difference in lots of different ways, whether [people] tell us or not.”
The library fosters inclusivity in various ways, including a visible progressive flag, pronoun pins and diverse book displays featuring works by BIPOC and queer creators. Even programs like Talk Time provide a welcoming space for individuals with diverse English proficiency levels and reading skills to engage in conversation. Ocaña said that reading in a dominant language like English can sometimes be taken for granted, so this gives a resource to navigate a predominantly white, English-speaking and middle-class world.
Again, the library is more than just books. It features a “Library of Things,” offering items like board games, audio equipment and unconventional objects like baking pans, metal detectors, robotic therapy cats and more. Students at UO looking for something fun to do also have access to these resources.
Ocaña believes that publicly funded resources like the library are important and people should take advantage of them because a lot of the programs and items offered are free with (and some without) a library card. She believes that people naturally seek connections and a sense of belonging, and the library is the perfect place with its community-building programs.
“I think people forget about that when they think about the benefits of what a library can bring,” Ocaña said. “We’re such a community resource that’s here for the public, whether they have a library card or not. If they’re craving knowledge, if they want a book, if they want a place to sit, whatever brings them in, there’s something for everybody at the public library.”
