Salem Public Library cooperates with a number of community organizations to co-sponsor regular monthly and weekly meetings at library locations. Meeting details are handled by group organizers and information on each is available as noted below. All library-sponsored groups are free and open to the public.
Camerata Musica
One Sunday afternoon each month from September-May in Loucks Auditorium
Camerata Musica is a community organization that offers free chamber music concerts. The concerts are varied in instrumentation, personnel, and musical era, and are usually performed by local musicians. Concert expenses are covered by tax deductible donations from our patrons and from generous grants. Information is availble at www.cameratamusica.org
Classic Poetry Group
7 p.m. on the first Thursday of each month in the Plaza Room
This group shares favorite poems from the great tradition of British and American poetry written before the First World War. Each member brings a handful of poems to read aloud to the group. For more information call Wendell Buck at 503-588-6317.
Mid-Valley Travel Club
7 p.m. on the second Thursday of each month in Loucks Auditorium
The Mid-Valley Travel Club is an informal group of people living in the Mid-Willamette Valley of Oregon, who are interested in travel. The group offers free travel discussions from September through June at Salem Public Library to share travel information and listen to presentations by Club members and invited guests on travel to interesting destinations. The group is not related to travel agents, nor does it organize group or individual travel. Our mission is purely educational. More information is available at www.midvalleytravelclub.org
Salem Audubon Society
7 p.m. on the third Tuesday of each month in Anderson Rooms A&B
The Salem Audubon Society (SAS), in Salem, Oregon is an active chapter of the National Audubon Society (NAS), with our shared mission to conserve and restore natural ecosystems, focusing on birds, other wildlife, and their habitats. The group meets monthly for various nature-related programs. All meetings are open to the public. More information is available at audubons.qwestoffice.net
Straub Lecture Series
7 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month in Loucks Auditorium
Lectures focusing on the environment and environmental issues are organized monthly from September to May by the Friends of Straub Environmental Learning Center. More information is available at www.fselc.org.
Groupe de Conversation en Français/French Conversation Group
6 p.m. on the fourth Monday of each month at the West Salem Branch
This is a casual, supportive group of speakers at various levels, including native speakers. Francophiles interested in a short grammar review begin at 6 p.m. Open conversation begins at 6:30 p.m. Discussions continue until 7:45 p.m. More information is available from GwenEllyn Anderson at 503-585-2856.
Literary Discussion Group
1 p.m. Wednesdays in the Plaza Room
The group reads and discusses contemporary and classic literature. Members take turns facilitating the discussions. More information is available at 503-588-6186.
Writers Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow (WYTTs)
12:30 p.m. Thursdays in the Plaza Room
WYTTs members write novels, short stories, memoirs, poetry, etc. The group offers participants a chance to read and listen to other people’s work and challenges. Members are willing to critique if desired. More information is available from Gladys Bryson at 503-588-9035.
Salem Chess Club
1-5 p.m. Saturdays in the West Salem Branch meeting room
This weekly chess club welcomes everyone from beginners to experts. Instruction is provided. Information is available at salemchessclub.tripod.com