Salem Reads 2026: Read the Book. Discuss the Topics. Enjoy the Programs

Sponsored by the Salem Public Library Foundation, Salem Reads: One Book, One Community is a community-wide reading project that invites the people of Salem to come together in person or virtually through reading, discussion, and programs based on the themes of a common book. The Salem Reads 2026 Event Flyer is available to pick up at the library and some community locations or to view/download online.

The signature event for February 2026 is a live appearance by author Shelby Van Pelt. She will be in conversation with Carlee Wright, publisher of Press Play Salem at 7 p.m. Thursday, February 19 at the Salem Convention Center in Salem. Interpreted into American Sign Language. This is a free event with registration required. Registration is available online through the library’s LibCal event calendar.

Van Pelt and Wright will talk about Van Pelt’s 2022 release that became an instant New York Times bestseller, exploring the themes and inspiration for this extraordinary story of a unique friendship between an aging night custodian and a restless octopus who connect during their hours spent in a coastal aquarium. A book signing will follow.

Additional events are planned in February as part of Salem Reads 2026. All events are free and take place at Salem Public Library, 585 Liberty St. SE, unless otherwise noted:

• Brown Bag Book Club discussing Remarkably Bright Creatures – 12-1 p.m. Tuesday, February 3 in the Collaboration Studio. Join the conversation with our monthly adult book discussion group. First come, first seated.

• Natural Cleansers Mixology – 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Saturday, February 7 in the Collaboration Studio. Mix up and take home your own environmentally friendly cleaning product along with recipes and resources for more information. Drop in. First come, first served while supplies last.

• Songs of the Sea by Biddy on the Bench – 2-3 p.m. Saturday, February 7 in Loucks Auditorium. Join Portland-based Irish band Biddy on the Bench as they perform a set of toe-tapping oceanic tunes. First come, first seated.

• Yes, Octopuses Are That Cool – HYBRID PROGRAM! – 5:30-6:30 p.m. Wednesday, February 11 on Zoom and in Anderson Rooms A&B. Join us in the Anderson Rooms for viewing or connect from home as Kathleen Hackett from the Oregon Coast Aquarium talks about what makes octopuses such unique creatures of the ocean. In person: First come, first seated. Online: Advance sign-up is needed to get the Zoom access information.

• Programs for Accessible Learning: Octopuses – 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Thursday, February 12 in Anderson Rooms A&B. Come and have fun exploring octopuses as part of this drop-in adaptive adult program that includes a sensory storytime, puppets, songs, bubbles, snacks, and an activity. PAL is interpreted into American Sign Language.

• Speed Friending – 2:30-4 p.m. Saturday, February 14 in Anderson Rooms A&B. Making friends as an adult can be tricky. Find people with similar interests through this unique interactive friend “speed-dating” experience. There will be snacks. First come, first seated.

• Knit-Wits Book Discussion – 5:30-6:30 p.m. Wednesday, February 18 in Anderson Rooms A&B. Bring your knitting or crochet project along for this literary event combining fiber arts with a lively conversation about the ideas and themes in Remarkably Bright Creatures. Non-knitters welcome. First come, first seated.

• Teen Create & Connect: DIY Octopus – 4:30-6 p.m. Thursday, February 19 in the Teen Scene Room. Create your own octopus at this monthly teen maker event. Bring a project or use our supplies. All middle and high school-aged youth are welcome. Drop in.

• Tween Friendship is Magic Party – 2-3 p.m. Saturday, February 21 in Story Rooms A&B. Youth in grades 3-6 are invited to drop in to celebrate friends and make new friends while sharing fun activities and social time.

• Salem City Club: Human-Animal Communication – 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Thursday, February 26 in the Dye House at the Willamette Heritage Center, 1313 Mill St. SE. Registration required. To register, visit SalemCityClub.com after February 9. We’ve all experienced, seen, or heard about people “communicating” with favorite pets, with working animals, with wild animals and even with Giant Pacific octopuses. Emily Plec, Professor of Communication Studies at Western Oregon University, will guide us in an exploration of human-animal communication: what it is, what it is not, and how it can help us better understand ourselves and our place in the natural world.

In addition, an interactive display created by local artist Bella Ramey and featuring octopus and underwater themes will be available on Floor 1 at Salem Public Library from February 3-21.

At the West Salem Branch, 395 Glen Creek Road NW, there will be two Salem Reads-related displays:

• Under the Sea Quilt Display behind the desk, featuring a beautiful quilt awash with octopuses and other sea creatures

• iSpy in the Ocean in the West Salem Display Case. Search for octopuses and other oceanside and underwater features and be eligible to get a sticker at the West Salem Branch desk.

From now until February 28, get an Adult Program Stamp Card and collect five stamps by attending these and other library programs. Completed cards can be turned in through February 28 for a prize drawing in March. Cards are available at the Floor 1 Ask Here Desk and at all adult library programs.

Remarkably Bright Creatures is available to read or listen to in preparation for Salem Reads in February 2026. Print copies in English and Spanish, as well as English audiobook on CD are available to borrow from the library. In addition, eBooks and eAudiobooks in English and Spanish are available to download and enjoy on the CloudLibrary and Libby apps.

The Salem Public Library Foundation funds this effort to foster community and invite people of diverse ages, backgrounds, and viewpoints to come together to discuss compelling topics. To learn more or to donate to this and other projects and programs of the Salem Public Library Foundation, visit splfoundation.org.