Cook Memorial Library launches January Fishtrap Reads programming for families

Cook Memorial Library in La Grande is rolling out a full slate of January programming that blends early literacy, family activities, and community reading conversations tied to Fishtrap Reads. The lineup includes regular storytimes and children's programs, themed offerings such as "Bears Around the World: Nature and Stories," book clubs for adults and teens, take-home craft kits, and collaborative reading-discussion events with Fishtrap and other regional organizations.

The library’s expanded schedule underscores its role as one of Union County's core civic institutions. By hosting events for multiple age groups and partnering with a regional literary nonprofit, the library creates low-barrier opportunities for residents to engage with literature, local culture, and one another. For parents and caregivers, storytimes and kids’ events provide structured literacy support and social connection for young children. For adults and older teens, book clubs and Fishtrap-related discussions offer public forums where neighbors can examine themes and ideas together.

Institutional collaboration is a notable feature of the January program. Fishtrap Reads is a regional initiative that fosters community reading and conversation; Cook Memorial Library’s participation demonstrates how local libraries serve as nodes for broader cultural networks. These partnerships can stretch limited municipal resources by pooling expertise, volunteer networks, and promotional reach. For Union County policymakers and budget committees, such cooperative programming highlights the return on investment public libraries provide beyond circulation statistics—delivering community education, civic discourse, and family supports that complement schools and social services.

The practical impact on residents includes accessible, often free, programming and materials that support childhood development and adult civic engagement. Take-home crafts and recurring community programs lower barriers for working families and residents without easy transportation. Reading-discussion events tied to Fishtrap Reads create shared reference points that can improve public deliberation and local civic literacy, tools that strengthen informed participation in elections and community decision-making.

As the month progresses, dates and specifics may vary. Residents interested in participating should consult the library’s events calendar or contact Cook Memorial Library directly for times and registration requirements. Attendance at these programs can also shape future offerings; public turnout and feedback will inform which collaborations and formats the library prioritizes in its next budgeting and programming cycles.

For Union County readers, Cook Memorial Library’s January schedule is more than entertainment. It is civic infrastructure in action: creating learning pathways for children, meeting places for neighbors, and forums for thoughtful local conversation that influence how the community organizes and votes on shared priorities going forward.