Cobourg Library plans for Ontario Public Library Week and more
By Cecilia Nasmith
October always brings Ontario Public Library Week, and the Cobourg Public Library literally has something going every day of that week.
Oct. 19 – There's a silent auction and book sale, along with the launch of this year's Food For Fines program (where they waive your fines in exchange for a donation to the local food bank).
Oct. 20 – The annual Share Your Stories writing contest will be launched, with a Nov. 26 deadline for submissions. Drop by the Youth Services Desk for more details.
Oct. 21 – You are invited to pop into the library for some free Kernels popcorn.
Oct. 22 – It's Superhero Day, so drop in dressed as your favourite superhero.
Oct. 23 – The Northumberland Humane Society and Just Brew It are joining forces to present Coffee & Cats.
Oct. 24 – Spin the wheel for prizes.
Oct. 25 – Drop in at 2 p.m. to see The Public, a movie that has a timely message during Ontario Public Library Week.
Oct. 26 – From 2 to 4 p.m., an Egyptologist will be in the Rotary Room as your guide for “A Thousand Miles Up The Nile”, based on the famous 1870s travelogue by a Victorian lady – registration is required.
As for another favourite October tradition, the Youth Services department is leading up to Halloween with Day of the Dead art. Drop in and learn more about the history of this holiday and help them create a collective art display for the occasion.
Other October programming includes a variety of things to look forward to.
Oct 2 from 6 to 7:30 p.m., Holiday Wreaths For Grown-ups lets you make a special Thanksgiving or Halloween decoration. Materials are provided, or you can bring your own. Registration is required.
Oct. 15 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. is when young people aged eight to 12 can make their own Zombie Barbies (materials required and registration required).
Oct. 27 from 1 to 2 p.m. brings a visit from Scott McCracken of Mann, McCracken and Associates for a talk on estate planning.
Oct. 30 from 6 to 7:30 p.m., it's DIY Terrarium time for adults to make their own Mason-jar terraria. Materials are provided, and registration is required.
A special week is planned in Youth Services Oct. 20 to 26. Library Scrabble Jr. lets you try your hand at creating a word for a possible prize, and Why Do You Love Your Library is your chance to say why on a paper heart that will be displayed in the window.
Halloween Hootenanny comes to Youth Services Oct. 28 to 31, with Halloween activities, games and crafts along with a bunch of spooky books. Don't forget to wear your costume if you want to trick-or-treat.
All branches have declared Oct. 26 Mini-Pumpkin Monsters Day, offering the opportunity to turn a mini-pumpkin into a monster with all supplies provided.
And at the Bewdley branch, learning to cross-stitch is the theme of Adult Craft Night Oct. 17 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Material and instruction is provided, and registration is required.
At the Gore's Landing branch, all ages are welcome Oct. 25 for Halloween Movie night from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. - specifically Hotel Transylvania 3. Refreshments will be served.
Ongoing weekday programming continues, with busy Mondays for all ages. Needle Nuts Yarn Circle (10:30 a.m. to noon) gathers knitters, crocheters and other needle nuts in the Reading Room to share projects and information.
Laughing With Baby (11 to 11:30 a.m.) is a drop-in program for little ones up to age two (and their care givers). And 2 p.m. movies are always a treat – enjoy Con Air Oct. 7 and Chicago Oct. 28 (no movie Oct. 14 because of Thanksgiving or on Oct. 21 because of the election).
All ages are invited to play Magic the Gathering from 5 to 7:30 p.m. every second Tuesday – Oct. 8 and 22 this month.
It's Family Story Time Wednesdays from 10:30 to 11:15 a.m., where preschoolers and their care givers have fun while developing early skills. October themes include Thanksgiving, fall, mice and Halloween. The Teen Advisory Group meets on the first Wednesday of the month at 6 p.m. for drop-in fun. On Oct. 2, explore Sticky Window Design. And homeschooling families have a program of their own Oct. 23 from 2 to 3 p.m., with the theme Dinosaur Details.
Fridays, Boomers & Beyond (for those aged 55 and up) is back by popular demand from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Rotary Room, a time for fun speakers, fellowship and a light lunch. Special October programs include author Elizabeth J. Duncan on Oct. 4 and Primrose the donkey (representing the Primrose Donkey Sanctuary) on Oct. 11.
Later each Friday in the Rotary Room, at 2 p.m. Friday movies are shown. Along with The Public on Oct. 25, you will enjoy Good Night And Good Luck Oct. 4 and the classic Laura on Oct. 11. There is no Friday movie Oct. 18 so they can get ready for the Oct. 19 book sale.
And at the Bewdley branch, Friday from 10 to 10:45 a.m. is Family Story Time, designed to develop early-school skills for young future readers.
And don't forget the month's book clubs.
The new Trending Topics Book Club for adults meets Oct. 9 from 6 to 7 p.m., where you choose a book related to the topic of the month for discussion. This month's topic is mental health.
Both township branches also have book clubs meeting this month – Oct. 1 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at Gore's Landing and Oct. 30 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in Bewdley.
As well, a book club for intellectually challenged adults meets Mondays from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. in Cobourg.
As well, the library invites you to sign up for reminders of upcoming programs by visiting their main webpage and clicking on Program Updates under e-newsletters.
