As part of the Cedar Mill Library's 40th anniversary celebration in 2014, librarians Mark Richardson and Lynne Erlandson sat down with Vi and Bob Metzler, two early advocates and volunteers at the library who were instrumental in laying the foundations for the thriving library we have today.  Vi and Bob talk about the early days of the library, some of the bigger challenges and what it was like for Vi being one of the first paid librarians at the library.

Lori Buffington recalls how she and her mother, Marvel Noyes, got involved with the founding of the Cedar Mill Library back in the mid-70s.  Lori remembers the earliest incarnation of the library when it was the Book Van, before there was even a building. She remained involved in a variety of volunteer positions over the years and gives us a good picture of how the library has grown since those early days.  To celebrate our 40th anniversary in 2014, we're looking back at how CML began with these interviews.  Be sure to look at our earlier Founder Histories with Georgia & Jack Thurber, Muriel and Allen Van Veen, Mary Packer and Janette Gill. 

Our Teen Library Council met in March to describe young adult titles that were recently published.  Find out what you should be reading next here!  The titles they talked about were:

• To All the Boys I've Loved Before - Jenny Han
• The Winner's Curse - Marie Rutkoski
• Tales from my Closet - Jennifer Anne Moses
• Rise of the Arcane Fire - Kristin Bailey
• Will in Scarlet - Matthew Cody
• This Side of Salvation - Jeri Smith-Ready

The Cedar Mill Teen Library Council has a new batch of recent or about-to-be published books to talk about.  They met in January and recorded this new book roundup to give you the inside scoop on these new titles.  Give it a listen and enjoy!  Books discussed are as follows:

• Inhuman by Kat Falls
• The Hit by Melvin Burgess
• Neverwas by Kelly Moore, Larkin Reed and Tucker Reed
• Manor of Secrets by Katherine Longshore
• Save the Enemy by Arin Greenwood
• Defy by Sara B. Larson
• Landry Park by Bethany Hagen

Our Teen Library Council has been reading new books all summer and fall and they have the inside scoop on what you should read and what to skip.  Listen and find out what's worth your time in teen novels today.  Books reviewed are as follows:

• Torn by David Massey
• A Spark Unseen by Sharon Cameron
• Sorrow's Knot by Erin Bow
• Palace of Spies by Sarah Zettel
• How to Catch a Boggle by Catherine Jinks
• Marie Antoinette, Serial Killer by Katie Alender
• Forevermore by Cindy Miles
• Keeper of the Lost Cities by Shannon Messenger
• Seeing Red by Kathryn Erskine
• If I Ever Get Out of Here by Eric Gansworth

Our Teen Library Council has been in a reading frenzy lately.  They've got the scoop on several recently published teen books, just in time for summer reading.  Listen and find out which ones are worth your time.  Books on the discussion list this month are:

• The Goddess Inheritance by Aimee Carter
• The Beautiful and the Cursed by Page Morgan
• Romeo Blue by Phoebe Stone
• The Outlaws of Sherwood Street: Giving to the Poor by Peter Abrahms
• Openly Straight by Bill Konigsberg
• Hold Fast by Blue Balliett
• Twerp by Mark Goldblatt
• Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell

Local teens from our Teen Library Council read a bunch of newly published books and they've got the scoop on whether they are worth your time or not.  The books discussed in March were:

• Darwin Arklight and the Insidious Bleck by AJ Hartley
• Always October by Bruce Coville
• The Fire Horse Girl by Kay Honeyman
• Money Run by Jack Heath
• Prisoner B-3087 by Alan Gratz

Members of the Teen Library Council discussed a new round of recently published YA novels in February of 2013.  Get details about basic plot points, character info and whether they liked the book or not.  The following titles were discussed:

• The Innocents by Lili Peloquin
• The Different Girl by Gordon Dahlquist
• Just One Day by Gayle Forman
• Anything But Ordinary by Lara Avery
• A Tangle of Knots by Lisa Graff
• The Cloak Society by Jeramey Kraatz
• Nerve by Jeanne Ryan

Traveling from Hong Kong to New York for college was quite a culture shock for Cleo Leigh.  Listen to her story as she shares how she came to Oregon and other challenges as an immigrant.  Cleo met with Sunset high students in May of 2012 to tell her story.

Members of the Cedar Mill Teen Library Council met in November 2012 to discuss several books published around that time.  Expect a recap of basic plot points, character descriptions, what they thought of the books and who the book is published for to be discussed.  The titles discussed are:

• Anything But Ordinary by Lara Avery
• Secret Prophecy by Herbie Brennan
• False Memory by Dan Krokos
• Sweet Shadows by Tera Lynn Childs 

Susanna Breiling spoke with some Sunset High School students in May of 2012 about her experiences growing up in Argentina and Sweden in the 70s before settling down in Oregon as an adult.  Her interview is a part of our ongoing Oral History Project.

Jo McCutcheon shares her observations about America from her perspective as an immigrant from England with Sunset High School Seniors from May 2012.  Jo moved to the US in the early 80s at the age of 26 after falling in love with a US citizen.  This is part of the Library's ongoing discussion series with local immigrants

Local immigrant Charity Spires spoke with Sunset High seniors in May 2012 as a part of the library's Oral History project.  Charity was born and raised in Palau before moving to Oregon for college.  She shares what some of the differences between the two countries are and what she likes about Palau and Oregon.

Henry Wang was born in China and moved to Taiwan when he was young.  As a young adult, he moved to the US and earned an engineering degree.  In this recording, Henry shares his story with local Sunset High students about the differences Henry has experienced as an immigrant.  This recording kicks off our 2012 series of interviews with local immigrants.

Members of the Cedar Mill Library Teen Council met in May 2012 to discuss upcoming Young Adult novels they they had a chance to read.  The talked about the books, what audience the book is aimed at, the age range, the book cover and what they liked or disliked about the novel.  The titles they discussed are listed below:

• Unraveling by Elizabeth Norris
• Immortal City by Scott Speer
• Alice in Time by Penelope Bush
• Smart Girls Get What They Want by Sarah Strohmeyer
• A Want so Wicked by Suzanne Young
• Something Strange and Deadly by Susan Dennant
• Zombie by J. R. Angelella

Tim Tingle is a well known storyteller and author from Texas who is a member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma.  He visited the Cedar Mill Library on April 13th, 2012 to relate stories about growing up with his family.  Learn what "Salty Pie" means to Tim and his family along with other humorous and poignant vignettes about his grandma, his aunt, his father and other members of his family. He spends a few minutes at the start discussing the controversial novel, The Education of Little Tree.  If you want to jump straight to the storytelling, go to the 7:35 mark. Tim's performance was part of the Washington County Cooperative Library Services' 2012 Hearing Voices Festival.

Georgie and Jack Thurber moved to the Cedar Mill area in 1971 and within a few years, were deeply involved in the creation of the Cedar Mill Community Library.  They served on the board, edited many of the early newsletters, helped to organize the MESS and many other early library activities.  This interview with them was recorded in December 2011 and includes many interesting stories and insights about the founding of the library. This interview is part of a larger project funded by the Oregon Cultural Trust and the Cultural Coalition of Washington County to capture the memories of our three decades of service by digitizing and providing online access to historic photographs, articles, documents and oral histories about the library's founding.

Members of the Cedar Mill Teen Library Council met in March 2012 to discuss recently published and soon to be published Young Adult novels.  They discussed what they liked of what they read, who the books were meant for, and which titles they wanted to read next.  The books that they read are listed below:

• Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers
• Revived by Cat Patrick
• Dreamsleeves by Coleen Paratore
• The Wicked and the Just by Jillian Coats
• A Temptation of Angels by Michelle Zink
• The Difference Between You and Me by Madeleine George
• Ghost Flower by Michele Jaffe
• Dark Eyes by William Richter
• Springsweet by Saundra Mitchell

Listen to the bluegrass duo, the Honey Dewdrops from their live musical performance at the Cedar Mill Library on April 5th, 2012.  The Honey Dewdrops are Laura Wortman and Kagey Parrish and they hail from Charlottesville, VA. They have written and sung folk and old country music together for the past several years.  Their third folk album, Silver Lining, is due to be released in late spring, 2012. In this recording, there is an introduction describing the library and then a little about their background before the music gets started around the 1:50 minute mark.  To learn more about the duo, visit their website at www.thehoneydewdrops.com . Photo is by Jack Looney from the Honey Dewdrops website.

Janette Gill got involved with the Cedar Mill Library around 1975 and quickly became a popular storyteller. In this interview, Janette discusses her transformation into a storyteller, volunteer, fundraiser and ultimately, Board President of the Cedar Mill Library in the 70s and 80s.  This interview is part of a larger project funded by the Oregon Cultural Trust and the Cultural Coalition of Washington County to capture the memories of our three decades of service by digitizing and providing online access to historic photographs, articles, documents and oral histories about the library's founding.

Muriel and Allen Van Veen share with us how the idea to start a library in the Cedar Mill area germinated in their house around their fireplace back in the early to mid 70s.  They go on to talk about its development in the years afterwards and the committed volunteer effort that made the library possible.  This interview is part of a larger project funded by the Oregon Cultural Trust and the Cultural Coalition of Washington County to capture the memories of our three decades of service by digitizing and providing online access to historic photographs, articles, documents and oral histories about the library's founding.

Mary Packer arrived in the Cedar Mill area in September of 1975, right around the same time that a group of citizens were starting the Cedar Mill Community Library.  Mary shares her early experiences volunteering with this group as the library formed and struggled to find funding to operate.  Mary documents the growth and expansion of the library and the yearly rummage sale, the MESS, as it became a success and transformed into our ongoing resale store, Second Edition.  This interview is part of a larger project funded by the Oregon Cultural Trust and the Cultural Coalition of Washington County to capture the memories of our three decades of service by digitizing and providing online access to historic photographs, articles, documents and oral histories about the library's founding.

Members of the Cedar Mill Community Teen Library Council met in January of 2012 to discuss several soon to be published books (and some already published).  The teens discuss what worked, what didn't, who might like the book and whether the covers helped or hurt the book.  The list of books discussed are as follows:

• My Rotten Life by David Lubar
• Eona by Alison Goodman
• The Catastrophic History of You and Me by Jess Rothenberg
• The Waking: Spirits of the Noh by Thomas Randall
• Girls of No Return by Erin Saldin
• Dragonswood by Janet Lee Carey
• Truth by Julia Karr
• Chopsticks by Jessica Anthony
• Awkward by Marnie Bates
• Bloodrose by Andrea Cremer
• Trafficked by Kim Purcell
• Ditched: a love story by Robin Mellum

Members of the Cedar Mill Library's Teen Library Council discuss recently published and soon to be published books in November of 2011.  Books discussed are The Future of Us by Jay Asher and Carolyn Mackler, Shattered Souls by Mary Lindsey, Take a Bow by Elizabeth Eulberg, Tilt by Alan Cumyn, Vanished by Sheela Chari and Wings of the Wicked by Courtney Allison Moulton.

This recording took place at Sunset High School in May 2011 as part of the Cedar Mill Library's ongoing oral history project to record local immigration stories.  Sunset High School teacher Matt Hiefield interviewed Eduardo Corona about the differences between Mexico and living in Oregon.

This interview is a part of our continuing set of Oral History interviews with local immigrants. Dolores immigrated to the United States from Argentina with her family in 2001, settling first in Southern California then moving to Oregon after significant social and financial upheavals in Argentina.  The interview was conducted at Sunset High School in May 2011.

This interview is a part of our continuing set of Oral History interviews with local immigrants.  Veronica shares with us what life is like for an immigrant not only in the US, but also in Southeast Asia.  She discusses the differences between Argentina and the US, particularly in regards to her children and their education.  This interview was conducted at Sunset High School in May 2011.

This interview is a part of our continuing set of Oral History interviews with local immigrants.  Luis discusses with a Sunset high school student what it is like to be an immigrant in Oregon from Mexico, what the differences are, what he misses and doesn't miss and how he and his family ended up in Oregon. This interview with Luis Amezcua was conducted at Sunset High School in May 2011.

Storyteller Kelly Hoffman performed "A Cacophony of Classics" at the library on April 11, 2011 as part of the countywide Hearing Voices storytelling festival.  Kelly delivered a vibrant, evocative evening of tales from a variety of sources in front of a packed audience.  Kelly described her performance this way, "Classic tales taken from legends and great literature meet in this performance sure to take you on the adventure ride of your life. Conflict scenes may be too intense for non-school age children."  We are pleased to offer the audio for everyone.  Enjoy!

Members of our teen library council met in January 2011 with other local teens to discuss the third book of Suzanne Collins' Hunger Games trilogy, Mockingjay.  Listen to the discussion here, but beware... there will be spoilers.

This book discussion features Catherine Gilbert Murdock's book, Dairy Queen.  Stoller Middle School students discuss their thoughts on the character of DJ Schwenk, a Wisconsin tomboy forced to take over her family's farm when her father gets injured.

Stoller Middle School students discuss the harrowing tale of friendship set in and around Auschwitz during World War 2.

What is it worth to be "Pretty"?  What are the costs to become one. These questions and others are considered by Stoller Middle School students while discussing the modern scifi classic Uglies by Scott Westerfeld. 

Dragons and quests are the topics in this book discussion with Stoller Middle School students.  The students discuss the second book of Christopher Paolini's Inheritance trilogy, Eldest.

Alice Kern grew up in a Romanian Jewish community. She survived the concentration camps at Auschwitz and Bergen-Belsen during the War, and later settled in Portland, Oregon after her recovery.  As part of Oregon's sesquicentennial, Cedar Mill Community Library recorded interviews with local immigrants to learn about their experiences coming to and living in America. This is one of our interview from 2009.

Reinhart discusses his work in the high tech fields and being a professor.  He also talks about life during and after World War II in Germany.  Wilhelma discusses what life in the U.S. was like for a mother raising her children in a foreign country with limited English language skills.  As part of Oregon's sesquicentennial, Cedar Mill Community Library recorded interviews with local immigrants to learn about their experiences coming to and living in America. This is one of our interview from 2009.

A Canadian immigrant of Polish heritage, Chris Gniewosz discusses his family's flight from Poland after World War II and their efforts to settle in Portland, Oregon.  As part of Oregon's sesquicentennial, Cedar Mill Community Library recorded interviews with local immigrants to learn about their experiences coming to and living in America. This is one of our interview from 2009.

Elin Helene Simmons tells of her parents, who immigrated from Sweden and Norway to the US.  She discusses her family and the differences between her parents' home countries and the US.  As part of Oregon's sesquicentennial, Cedar Mill Community Library recorded interviews with local immigrants to learn about their experiences coming to and living in America. This is one of our interview from 2009.

Chann Noun is a local immigrant from Cambodia.  He struggled under the Khmer Rouge regime and for 4 years in a refugee camp before he was able to come to the US.  As part of Oregon's sesquicentennial, Cedar Mill Community Library recorded interviews with local immigrants to learn about their experiences coming to and living in America. This is one of our interview from 2009.

Julie Dennis tells us the story of her father-in-law, Hank Dennis, who immigrated to the US from Poland as a 12 year old boy.  In February and March of 2009, local immigrants or descendants of local immigrants met with Sunset High School students to discuss what it is like to be an immigrant in Oregon.  We recorded these discussions and have posted them for the public to listen to. 

Eva-Marie Muecke left her small village in West Germany at the age of 17 to enter the hotel business, which eventually brought her to California where she started her college career.  She now teaches biology and zoology.  In February and March of 2009, local immigrants or descendants of local immigrants met with Sunset High School students to discuss what it is like to be an immigrant in Oregon.  We recorded these discussions and have posted them for the public to listen to. 

Dolores DeYoung Fallon talks about her family's immigration experience from Belgium to the US.  In February and March of 2009, local immigrants or descendants of local immigrants met with Sunset High School students to discuss what it is like to be an immigrant in Oregon.  We recorded these discussions and have posted them for the public to listen to. 

Jim Tsugawa is a native Oregonian of Japanese descent who was interned during World War 2 in an internment camp with his family.  He went on to become a dentist and settle in Portland.  In February and March of 2009, local immigrants or descendants of local immigrants met with us at the Cedar Mill Community Library to discuss what it is like to be an immigrant in Oregon.  We recorded these discussions and have posted them for the public to listen to. 

Native Oregonian, Rosemary Mead, tells about her Grandmother, who came across the Plains in covered wagons in 1852 to be an early settler in Oregon.  In February and March of 2009, local immigrants or descendants of local immigrants met with Sunset High School students to discuss what it is like to be an immigrant in Oregon.  We recorded these discussions and have posted them for the public to listen to. 

Sitcho Karste came to the US in 1993 fro Tibet via India.  Her family joined her five years later.  In February and March of 2009, local immigrants or descendants of local immigrants met with Sunset High School students to discuss what it is like to be an immigrant in Oregon.  We recorded these discussions and have posted them for the public to listen to. 

Kathy Foldes tells the tale of her Jewish parents immigrating to the US from Hungary in 1939 to escape Fascism.  In February and March of 2009, local immigrants or descendants of local immigrants met with Sunset High School students to discuss what it is like to be an immigrant in Oregon.  We recorded these discussions and have posted them for the public to listen to. 

Wayne Hess is a native Oregonian but his Swiss and German family settled in NW Portland and had an impact on our local community.  This is their story. In February and March of 2009, local immigrants or descendants of local immigrants met with Sunset High School students to discuss what it is like to be an immigrant in Oregon.  We recorded these discussions and have posted them for the public to listen to. 

This is an interview with Gloria Rivera.  She is an immigrant from the Philippines who came to the US in 1973.  She worked here as a nurse.  In February and March of 2009, local immigrants or descendants of local immigrants met with Sunset High School students to discuss what it is like to be an immigrant in Oregon.  We recorded these discussions and have posted them for the public to listen to.  This is the first recording we posted.  

Rhonda Lynne Erlandson shares with Sunset high school students stories about her great grandfather immigrating to the US from Sweden in 1902 and then her grandparents and father, Rolf, following in the late 40s.  This interview is a part of a larger oral history project by the Cedar Mill Community Library devoted to recording the immigration stories of local residents of Beaverton and Portland Oregon.

Lisette Sage tells us her story in this interview with Sunset High School students.  Lisette talks about her early years in Holland, moving to South Africa as a child, then moving to America when she was ten.  Learing about the differences between these three places gives the listener some insight into all three countries.  This interview is a part of a larger oral history project by the Cedar Mill Community Library devoted to recording the immigration stories of local residents of Beaverton and Portland Oregon.

Sherman Alexie's book The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian is discussed by several Stoller Middle School students and Mark Richardson, the young adult librarian at the Cedar Mill Community Library.  The students talk about the characters in the book, how they identify with Arnold (as well as which ways they don't) and whether they liked the book.  This was recorded at Stoller Middle School with the help of technology teacher, John Wickham.

Rita Aparicio is the subject of this interview with Sunset High School students.  Rita discusses the differences between Oregon and Puerto Rico, what she misses from there (her job as a midwife) and what she likes about Oregon. This interview is a part of a larger oral history project by the Cedar Mill Community Library devoted to recording the immigration stories of local residents of Beaverton and Portland Oregon

In this interview of Alex Gajowskyj by Sunset High School students, Alex discusses his early years growing up in England, what brought him to the US and Oregon, and what the main differences he sees between living here and living in England.  This interview is a part of a larger oral history project by the Cedar Mill Community Library devoted to recording the immigration stories of local residents of Beaverton and Portland Oregon