June Book Club Picks

Here are what the Sandy and Hoodland book clubs have decided to read in June: 

Men's Book Club

Monday, June 1
7:00 PM
Hoyt Community Room in the Sandy Library

The Midnight Library by Matt Haig

For further information please contact Maureen Houck: mhouck@ci.sandy.or.us

Digital Book Club 

Thursday, June 4
7:00 PM
Online via Zoom

Birdgirl: Looking to the Skies in Search of a Better Future by Mya-Rose Craig

For further information and to receive the Zoom link, contact Kat Aden: kaden@ci.sandy.or.us

Women's Book Club

Thursday, June 11

6:00 PM

Hoyt Community Room in the Sandy Library

Same Author June - Jacqueline Winspear

For further information please contact Maureen Houck: mhouck@ci.sandy.or.us

Hoodland Book Club

Tuesday, June 16

4:00 PM

Hoodland Community Room

Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid

For further information please contact Alex Steinmetz: asteinmetz@ci.sandy.or.us

Sandy Library Book Recommendations for Asian American and Pacific Islander Month

May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Month. In May we take the time tor reflect on and celebrate the important role that the AAPI community has played in shaping America. 

Tying in with our One Book, One Coast program, where we are reading They Called Us Enemy by George Takei, there are several AAPI themed events taking place all of the Clackamas County library system, including a live stream interview with George Takei at the Sandy Library on May 31 at 2:00 PM. 

If you're interested in exploring AAPI month through reading, our staff has put together some titles to help you out!

Children's Books

I Am Golden by Eva Chen

What do you see when you look in the mirror, Mei? Do you see beauty?

We see eyes that point toward the sun, that give us the warmth and joy of a thousand rays when you smile. We see hair as inky black and smooth as a peaceful night sky. We see skin brushed with gold.

This joyful and lyrical picture book from New York Times-bestselling author Eva Chen is a moving ode to the immigrant experience, as well as a manifesto of self-love for Asian American children. - via Goodreads

Home is in Between by Mitali Perkins

Shanti misses the warm monsoon rains in India. Now in America, she watches fall leaves fly past her feet.

Still, her family’s apartment feels like a village: Mama cooking luchi, funny stories in Bangla, and Baba’s big laugh. But outside, everything is different – trick-or-treating, ballet class, and English books.

Back and forth, Shanti trudges between her two worlds. She remembers her village and learns her new town. She watches Bollywood movies at home and Hollywood movies with her friends. She is Indian. She is also American. How should she define home? -via Goodreads

Sandy Seed Library News - May 2026

Happy May, Gardeners!

This is an exciting month for us gardeners because it means we are finally able to get our plants outside and into the ground! We start to see the plant sales and swaps pop up all across the tri-county area and the desire to be among the flowers is mighty strong. I will confess that I have already been to the Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden and The Oregon Garden since I wrote my last newsletter.

I am ready to be among the flowers.

Photo taken by me at the Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden.

And, just a friendly reminder that both gardens are available to visit with a Cultural Pass!

To learn more about how to reserve a Cultural Pass, head to our How To blogpost! 

How to: Reserve a Cultural Pass Online

Did you know that you can use your library card to get into an assortment of venues throughout Oregon? From local parks to world class museums, our Cultural Pass Express program can open up a world of possibilities with the aid of your library card.

The best part? You can reserve your Cultural Pass online from the comfort of your own home. 

Here's how:

Step 1: Head to LINCC.org and find the "Cultural Pass Express" option on the left-hand side. 

Step 2: Click on "Reserve your Cultural Pass now". 

Step 3: Once inside, log in using the 8 digit barcode on your card and the 4 digit pin that you created when you signed up for your card. (If you don't remember your pin, call your local library branch and provide your card number)!

Step 4: Once logged in you will see the details of your Cultural Pass options. You will see how often you can receive a pass, what the display requirements are, accessibility, and hours. Scroll down to find the Cultural Pass you're interested in and click "Show first available offer."

Step 5: If reserving for the current day, select the green reserve button. If opting to reserve for a different date, select the blue highlighted "Reserve different date" link. 

Step 6: Once your correct date is reserved, you will enter your email address to receive your confirmation notice. Once you've entered your email address, you will hit the green continue button at the bottom. 

Step 7: Select the Print/Download button to save your pass. Once you select the print/download option you cannot cancel your reservation. Depending on the venue, you may be able to show your pass on your phone, however some passes require printing.*

Step 8: Your finished pass will look similar to the image above. Enjoy your venue and don't forget to share your Cultural Pass experience with others! 

*No printer? No problem. Head to your closest library to print your document. To upload a document for printing at Sandy, click here. To upload a document for printing at Hoodland, click here. 

May Book Club Picks

Here are what the Sandy and Hoodland book clubs have decided to read in May: 

Men's Book Club

Monday, May 4
7:00 PM
Hoyt Community Room in the Sandy Library

The God of the Woods by Liz Moore

For further information please contact Maureen Houck: mhouck@ci.sandy.or.us

Digital Book Club 

Thursday, May 7
7:00 PM
Online via Zoom

I Have Some Questions for You by Rebecca Makkai

For further information and to receive the Zoom link, contact Kat Aden: kaden@ci.sandy.or.us

Women's Book Club

Thursday, May 14

6:00 PM

Hoyt Community Room in the Sandy Library

Last Bus to Wisdom by Ivan Doig

For further information please contact Maureen Houck: mhouck@ci.sandy.or.us

Hoodland Book Club

Tuesday, May 19

4:00 PM

Hoodland Community Room

They Called Us Enemy by George Takai

For further information please contact Alex Steinmetz: asteinmetz@ci.sandy.or.us

Sandy Seed Library News - April 2026

Happy April, Gardeners!

Spring is here and to celebrate I have put together a list of gardens to visit! This was inspired by a few conversations I have had with several friends that enjoy gardens and gardening, and my desire to connect them to one another while we explore.

Maybe you can catch the cherry blossoms in bloom at the Portland Japanese Garden early this month, or in mid-April through early May you can visit a lilac garden. Don’t forget about wandering through an arboretum to celebrate Arbor Day! The wonderful thing about this list is that there are places to visit all-year-round and several of them feature free passes for library patrons.

One that is not on this list, but is a recent addition to our Cultural Pass Express program, is the World Forestry Center located in Washington Park, Portland. Washington Park is loaded with so many garden/nature opportunities (the International Rose Test Garden, the Portland Japanese Garden, and Hoyt Arboretum to name a few) that if you decide to head that way, you might want to visit the World Forestry Center as well!

If anyone has a garden they recommend that is not on this list, I would love to know about it!

Please enjoy my goofy selfie that was taken at the Hulda-Klager Lilac Garden in 2024!

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List of Gardens to Visit

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April Book Club Picks

  Here are what the Sandy and Hoodland book clubs have decided to read in April: 

Digital Book Club 

Thursday, April 2
7:00 PM
Online via Zoom

The Enchanted April by Elizabeth von Arnim

For further information and to receive the Zoom link, contact Kat Aden: kaden@ci.sandy.or.us

Men's Book Club

Monday, April 6
7:00 PM
Hoyt Community Room in the Sandy Library

The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson

For further information please contact Maureen Houck: mhouck@ci.sandy.or.us

Women's Book Club

Thursday, April 9

6:00 PM

Hoyt Community Room in the Sandy Library

Mrs. Endicott's Splendid Adventure by Rhys Bowen

For further information please contact Maureen Houck: mhouck@ci.sandy.or.us

Hoodland Book Club

Tuesday, April 21

4:00 PM

Hoodland Community Room

Writers & Lovers by Lily King

For further information please contact Alex Steinmetz: asteinmetz@ci.sandy.or.us