Have you tried writing a novel yet?

NaNoWriMo sounds more like a word from the language of Ork (for you 1970s fans) than a nationally recognized creative writing initiative. It’s been 18 years since the inaugural National Novel Writing Month took place, encouraging people of all writing proficiencies to write a 50,000-word novel in one month. Growing each year, November is now widely recognized as NaNoWriMo with more than 430,000 registered participants as of 2015.

Did you participate? Whether you officially registered or spontaneously set on a course of novel writing, your participation contributed to the wave of creativity that was generated nationwide with an untold impact to humankind. And while you may not have considered your place in the universe as you feverishly pushed out 50,000 words (more or less), you may have wondered if there could be more meaning than simply writing for your personal satisfaction.

For the month of December, the Sandpoint Branch Library will feature a display of local NaNoWriMo and other locally written works. Whether you finished a novel last month or not, we encourage you to submit anything you feel comfortable sharing; the full novel, a chapter or an excerpt. Submissions do not even have to have been written last month since the purpose is to celebrate the creative works of amateur novelists, local published authors and first-time NaNoWriMer’s (I don’t think that is a word yet). The items will not be available for checkout, but patrons are encouraged to take them from the display to read while at the library and return them to the display or library staff when finished.

Any-one who is interested in sharing their work should contact Brenden Bobby at brenden@ebonnerlibrary.org. Please print out your works for the display (you may have heard that we are trying to raise money for a big project – printing novels might set us back a bit). Brenden is keeping impeccable records on submissions so that all works can be returned to their authors when the display comes down in January.

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

• Friday, Dec. 2 and Saturday, Dec. 3 — Clark Fork Library’s annual Silent Auction, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. The East Bonner County Library District’s Clark Fork Library annual Autumn Reading Program culminates in a silent auction for two days with some unexpected items up for bid. Read books, magazines and audio books and submit your list by Dec. 2nd to exchange for bidding dollars. This year’s auction is dedicated to the memory of Pete the Library Cat.

• Saturday, Dec. 3 — Computer Class: Basic Internet. 8:15 am sharp. The amount of information available on the internet is staggering. Learn how to sift through it efficiently to find useful information. Space is limited and preregistration is required. Information: 263-6930.

• Saturday, Dec. 3 — Friends of the Library Book Sale, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Support the Friends of the Library Book Sale by firing up your creative side with Christmas books on decorating, crafts and cooking, and browse our books for gift-giving, art and fiction for your imagination. How about books as stocking stuffers?

• Monday, Dec. 5 — Toddler Dance Party, 10 a.m.; toddlers and caregivers dance their socks off at a family dance party.

• Monday, Dec. 5 — Free Family Movie: “Polar Express”, 3 p.m. Join your friends at the library for a kid-friendly holiday movie.

• Tuesday, Dec. 6 — Mother Goose Reading & Singing, 10:15 a.m.; for ages 0-3.

• Tuesday, Dec. 6 — Preschool Story Time, 11 a.m.; for ages 2-5.

• Tuesday, Dec. 6 — Make It at the Library, 3 p.m. Makerspace activities for kids including robotics, Arduinos, Legos and fiber arts.

• Tuesday, Dec. 6 — Robotics with Lego Mindstorm, 3 p.m., for ages 8-plus; Clark Fork Library, 601 Main.

• Wednesday, Dec. 7 — 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 Library, 601 Main.

• Wednesday, Dec. 7 — Make It at the Clark Fork Library, 2 p.m. Kids make age-appropriate crafts at the East Bonner County Library District’s Clark Fork Library.

• Wednesday, Dec. 7 — Lego Club, 2 p.m.; create with open Lego play for kids of all ages.

• Wednesday, Dec. 7 — 3D printing workshop, 4 p.m. Learn what 3D printers are used for and how to design your own 3D printable object. This class is beginner level. Space is limited and pre-registration is required; Clark Fork Library. Contact 266-1321.

• Friday, Dec. 9 — Teen Writers Club, 3:30 p.m.; teens who write … unite! Collaboration, peer reviews, brainstorming activities. Writing supplies and refreshments provided.

• Saturday, Dec. 10 — Computer clas on library’s digital services 8:15 a.m. sharp. Find out how to access downloadable books, music, magazines and much more — all available free to you as an East Bonner County Library District patron. Space is limited and pre-registration is required. Information: 263-6930.

• Saturday, Dec. 10 — Native Heritage Film Series: “What Was Ours”; two showings, 12:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. Advance screening of Vision Maker Media’s award-winning documentary film that tells a story of hope and promise. A discussion led by Jane Fritz, Director of The Idaho Mythweaver follows each film. The series is presented by The Idaho Mythweaver, East Bonner County Library District’sand Vision Maker Media. It is funded by the Idaho Community Foundation, Idaho Humanities Council, TransEco Services and is endorsed by the Bonner County Human Rights Task Force. For more information, visit www.ebonnerlibrary.org.

Marcy Timblin is in charge of public relations, marketing and community development for the East Bonner County Library District. She can be reached at 208-263-6930, ext. 1204.