Skip to content

As part of our annual Columbia River Reads initiative, several libraries will be hosting outdoors-themed programs this spring.

Speakers will talk on a host of topics, including hiking the Pacific Crest Trail, backcountry safety, grizzly bear recovery and native plants of Central
Washington.

Now in its third year, the Columbia River Reads program encourages everyone in our five-county library district to read the same book. This year, that
book is Cheryl Strayed’s memoir Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail. Strayed will speak at a public event in Wenatchee on
April 13. Tickets in the main auditorium are sold out, but there are still tickets left for the livestream room next door.

“This year’s Columbia River Reads book, Wild, follows the journey of a woman determined to transform herself while hiking one of the most famous trails in the nation,” said Kim Neher, our adult services manager. “In North Central Washington, we’re incredibly lucky to be surrounded by opportunities to get outdoors, explore nature, and be transformed by the beauty of our natural surroundings. We’re excited to spend this year celebrating the natural resources and outdoor opportunities that make our region such an attractive place to live for so many people.”

While we’re waiting for the main event with Cheryl, we encourage everyone to attend these free upcoming library events:

Piece by Piece on the PCT: How land conservation made my 2,650-mile hike possible

Presented by Chelan-Douglas Land Trust’s Hillary Schwirtlich

March 23, Leavenworth Public Library, 6:30 p.m.

March 30, Entiat Public Library, 6 p.m.

Life on the Pacific Crest Trail

Presented by Wenatchee Valley College sociology professor Rich Brinkman

March 25, Curlew Public Library, 12:30 p.m.

March 30, Twisp Public Library, 6 p.m.

April 8, Brewster Public Library, 2 p.m.

April 22, Okanogan Public Library, 1 p.m.

Search and Rescue: Backcountry safety and rescue operations

Presented by deputies from the Emergency Management division of the Chelan County Sherriff’s Office

March 16, Cashmere Public Library, 6:30 p.m.

March 21, Manson Public Library, 6 p.m.

March 30, Wenatchee Public Library, 6:30 p.m.

Ghost Bears: A look at the elusive grizzly bear in the North Cascades

Presented by wildlife biologist Bill Gaines

March 15, Quincy Public Library, 6 p.m.

March 21, Chelan Public Library, 7 p.m.

March 28, Warden Public Library, 5 p.m.

April 18, Winthrop Public Library, 7 p.m.

Incredible, Unforgettable and Edible Wildflowers of the Methow Valley

Presented by Dana Visalli

April 6, Winthrop Public Library, 7 p.m.

Wenatchee Wildflowers

Presented by Native Plants Society members Jack Mynatt and Don Schaechtel

 April 18, Wenatchee Public Library, 6:30 p.m.

Leavenworth Wildflowers

Presented by Native Plants Society members Jack Mynatt and Don Schaechtel

April 27, Leavenworth Public Library, 6:30 p.m.

Mushroaming: Finding and identifying choice edible mushrooms of the Pacific Northwest

Presented by Daniel Winkler, author of Field Guides to Edible Mushrooms of the Pacific Northwest and California

May 10, Wenatchee Public Library, 6 p.m.

May 11, Entiat Public Library, 6 p.m.

May 12, Leavenworth Public Library, 6:30 p.m.

Leave No Trace

Presented by the Bureau of Land Management

May 30, Wenatchee Public Library, 6 p.m.

Stay Informed!

The latest library happenings, delivered straight to your inbox.

Need help? Check out our FAQ’s.
Not finding what you're looking for? Make a purchase suggestion.

Click here to close search window.