The Original Portable Zoo Comes to the Canyonville Community Library!

Discover the incredible world of insects this summer! Experience hands-on learning with the region's most impressive collection of live insects, preserved specimens, and interactive activities—all brought to your library as part of our Summer Reading Program.

What You'll Explore

Prepare to be amazed by some of the largest preserved insects on Earth—many bigger than your head! Our expert-led program focuses on fascinating aspects of the insect world, including:

- Bug anatomy and how insects are built

- The vital roles insects play in our environment

- What different insects eat and how they hunt

- Amazing insect defenses and camouflage strategies

- How insects benefit humans (through interactive games)

- Did you know? There are quintillions of insects alive at any given moment—we'll help you understand this incredible number!

- The evolutionary history of insects (available upon request)

Touch & Explore Live Insects

Get up close and personal with carefully selected live specimens! Touchable insects include:

- 3 species of stick insects

- A tarantula

- 2 species of cockroaches

- A vinegaroon

- Blue-berry beetles

We also have non-touchable displays featuring black widow spiders, bark scorpions, orb weaver spiders, praying mantids, superworms, and more.

The Challenge: Eat Real Insects!

Yes, you read that right. We offer brave visitors the chance to taste freeze-dried crickets and mealworms—they're described as "popcorn with legs" or chicken with a potato-chip coating. Since we started offering this unique experience, everyone who's tried it has said yes to eating insects! This is truly something you won't want to miss.