Hallow-Read tops list of monthly library activities

Hallow-Read 2022
Sign-up for this month long reading challenge through Beanstack (Fortmadison.beanstack.org).  Read 300 minutes during the month of October and complete three seasonal activities to win a broom shaped pen and a sweet treat.  Don’t be intimidated by the three activities, they’re really easy and something you’ll probably do this month, anyway.  The first challenge is to make yourself a Halloween treat such as pumpkin seeds, apples sprinkled with cinnamon or a candy mix of your choice.  I’m a fan of popcorn and Reese’s Pieces.  For the second challenge, make a Jack-o-Lantern either carve a real pumpkin (and then toast those pumpkin seeds) or draw one or make one out of paper or your favorite craft supplies.  Whatever you choose to do, make something festive to decorate your house.  Finally, read a spooky book or watch a spooky movie.  If you need some help finding a spooky book, ask a librarian or check out the list of recommendations in Beanstack.  I’ve started the pattern of reading “A Night in the Lonesome October” by Roger Zelazny each October.  Since the book is written in diary form with one entry for every day from October 1 through Halloween, I read one diary entry a day as the month progresses.  It can be hard to skip ahead.

Friends of the Library
The Fort Madison Public Library gets by with a little help from our Friends . . .  actually, we get by with a lot of help from our Friends! Established in 1990, our Friends of the Library group has enhanced library services over the years by funding children’s  and adult programming, providing equipment, helping the library apply for grants and contributing funding for new and emerging technologies.
October 16-22, 2022 is National Friends of Libraries Week, and it’s the perfect opportunity to give the Friends of the Fort Madison Public Library a big shout out for all they do to make a difference for us every single day.
We know the Friends are always looking for new members and volunteers. They have so much fun while working to make our community better.  It’s easy to join, pick up a brochure and application at the Library.  In my opinion, the biggest benefit of Friends membership is getting first pick of the books at the sale as you volunteer to help get the room ready.
Joining the Friends of the Library is a terrific way to make new friends of your own, and give back to our town and make its library even better.

 Community Calendar
We have begun adding community events to the online library calendar at https://fortmadison.librarycalendar.com.  Events are added to the calendar as they are submitted by community organizations using the form found here https://tinyurl.com/547jam3h.  Does your group have an upcoming community event?  Let us know by submitting it through the form.  Most community events open to the public are eligible for inclusion in the community calendar.

A Librarian’s Dozen of Spooky Books

1. The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson (F PB JAC)
2. Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury (F BRA)
3. John Dies at the End by David Wong (F/PB WON)
4. And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie (MYS/PB CHR)
5. Night Shift by Stephen King (F KIN)
6. Old Country by Matt Query (F QUE)
7. 20th Century Ghosts by Joe Hill (F HIL)
8. Bunnicula by James How (J F HOW, also in graphic novel format YA GN HOW)
9. The Witches by Roald Dahl (J F DAH)
10. Zombies vs. Unicorns compiled by Holly Black and Justine Larbalestier (YA F ZOM)
11. Anya’s Ghost by Vera Brosgol (YA GN BRO)
12. The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman (J F GAI)
13. Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark by Alvin Schwartz (J F SCH)

Upcoming Events at the Fort Madison Public Library –
• Closed for Staff Development – The library will be closed on Monday, October 10 for the staff development.
• Pre-School/Toddler Story Hour –Wednesday morning at 10:30.
• Hang Teen – Tuesday, 3:30-5:00 for ages 12-19, except on October 4.
• Minecraft –3:30-5:00, all ages on Mondays. 
• Once Upon a Wednesday –Join us from 1:30-2:30 for a variety of adventures.  October 5 will be Bingo (with prizes!).  There will be a food craft on October 12 and a Halloween craft on October 19.  Lee County Conservation will be teaching about bats on October 26.
• Thursday Crafternoon –Thursday, 3:30-5:00, for ages 14-adult.  This program is an opportunity to spend some time working on an in-depth project for the whole month. 
 • All Booked Up! - The library's book discussion group meets on the first Thursday of the month at 1:30 p.m.  On Thursday, October 6, we will be discussing "Cloud Cuckoo Land” by Anthony Doerr.  On November 3, we will be discussing “Help Me!” by Marianne Power.
• Cook the Book –October 11 at 6:00 pm, we will be sharing recipes selected from “Sheet Pan Suppers” by Molly Gilbert.