Halloween Happenings at JCPL

It's time for the fall holidays to begin and at JCPL we have several events coming up sure to get you in the mood for a haunting good time.

On Saturday, Oct. 24, stop in at the Rensselaer Library from 2-3 pm for the Riley Read. A long-time Rensselaer tradition that the Library has been pleased to continue, the Riley Read celebrates the poetry of Hoosier native James Whitcomb Riley. All ages are welcome to attend as veteran storyteller Jane Lord will usher back to a time of Gobble-uns and orphants, strawberries melting on the vine and frost on the punkin. This family event is open to all ages. Registration is requested.

If spooky tales are more to your fancy, consider the DeMotte Library's traditional Ghost Stories at the Fairchild House on Tuesday, Oct. 27 at 6-8pm. Registration required. Karen Slager from the Northwest Indiana Storyteller’s Guild will share stories of ghostly encounters on the lawn of the neighboring Fairchild House. Scarier stories will be told later in the program. Participants are encouraged to bring family-friendly ghost tales of their own to share.

The Wheatfield Library will also touch on the spooky side of things with November's book discussion, The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield. Margaret Lea is going to write the life story of Vida Winter and becomes mesmerized by her story telling. Things come to light and they fight the ghosts that have haunted both of them their whole lives. Join us Nov 10 at 6:30 pm as we discuss this tale. In celebration of the nine year anniversary of the Wheatifield Library’s Book Club, a carry in meal will precede the discussion, and everyone in attendance is welcome to bring their favorite dish or dessert along…

Check your local library for upcoming childrens events for the holidays, and don't be surprised if you stop in on Oct. 30 or 31 and see your favorite librarians dressed up in their own costumes! Trick-or-treat!

Wishing you a safe holiday season. -- JCPL

Family Matters. Read about it at JCPL this month.

This month the Jasper County Public Library will be participating for the second year in “Books to Bridge the Region,” a regional program to encourage residents of all ages to read selected titles and share their reading experiences with one another.

Other participating counties include Lake, LaPorte, Newton, Porter, Pulaski, and Starke.

“Family Matters” is this year’s theme and is carried out in three book selections for adults, teens and children.

Adults are invited to read The Ride of Our Lives by Mike Leonard, children and teens are invited to read The Watsons Go to Birmingham 1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis and the chosen title for preschoolers and young children is A Day With Wilbur Robinson by William Joyce.

The books chosen for this program focus on the common theme of the importance of family, and each library will hold special programs related to the selected titles. Special events and programs include book discussions at each branch of JCPL, as well as author visits and other related programs.

For more information about “Books to Bridge the Region,” including a list of the special programs we have going on this month, check out our Community Reads page.