Editor’s note: Please contact your local library for the latest information, including cancellations. If the listing is inaccurate or if you would like to submit an event, please contact Julie Norwood at julie.norwood@pioneergroup.com.
Big Rapids Community Library
426 S. Michigan Ave., Big Rapids
September Scavenger Hunt ā Bug Facts: All month long. Pick up the Scavenger Hunt sheet at the desk on the first floor and find all the bugs hiding in the library. Once you’ve found all 12 bugs, return your completed sheet to win a prize. Bonus: Use PebbleGo to teach librarians facts about bugs and enter a drawing for a bug kit!
October Scavenger Hunt ā Fall Foliage: All month long. Pick up the Scavenger Hunt sheet at the desk on the first floor and find the leaves hidden in the library. Once you’ve found them all, return the filled out sheet to win a prize.
Game Start: Fridays in September from 3:30pm to 5:30pm in the media room. Create with building bricks or try a board game. Most games can be checked out after the event.
Story time with Mr. Howard: Oct. 18 and 25 at 11 a.m.; Storytime returns to the Big Rapids Community Library on Wednesdays in September. Weather permitting, meet Mr. Howard outside. (One story time each month is held at a different location.)
Police story time: October 11th at 11am. Meet Mr. Howard at the Big Rapids Department of Public Safety, 435 N. Michigan Ave., to hear more.
Saturday Storytime: October 14th, 11am. Introducing our latest story time! Mr. Howard hosts a family story time on the second Saturday of each month. Enjoy the story, music, and movement. This event will be held outdoors, weather permitting.
Arts & Crafts Workshop: October 10th, 2pm: Ages 9 and up. Join us for a guided craft on the second Tuesday of every month. In October, we will be doing creative activities using Perler beads. Space is limited. Register on our website at www.bigrapidslibrary.org or call 231-796-5234.
Sixth Sense Creepy Storytelling: October 12th at 4pm. Youth workshop with Dr. Deirdre Fagan of Ferris College. Available for junior high school students and above. This is a multi-genre (novel/poetry) spooky story where participants discover how to scare readers using all five senses (taste, smell, hearing, sight, touch) and think about the author. This will be a discussion and creative event. You’re trying to scare the reader with that all-important “sixth sense.” Space is limited. Register on our website at www.bigrapidslibrary.org or call 231-796-5234.
Dim the lights and invite ghosts: October 19th from 6pm to 7:30pm. Workshop for adults by Dr. Deirdre Fagan of Ferris University. What scares us the most is our own imagination. A memorable piece of writing is not only determined by what is included, but also by what is left out. Dimming the Light to Create Greater Darkness In this workshop, we will discuss and create writing that limits the known in order to chill the reader with the unknown. Space is limited. Register on our website at www.bigrapidslibrary.org or call 231-796-5234.
Next Chapter Junior Book Box: Discover new books by selecting Bookboxes based on your favorite book series, genre, or author. Please stop by the circulation counter and request a loan. Each box includes two library books and fun goodies that can be borrowed with your BRCL library card. New boxes are available monthly and are on a first-come, first-served basis.
teen book box: Grades 8-12 with a BRCL library card. Limited boxes are also available. Each box contains his 3 library books and some fun loot. Fill out the Teen Book Box form at the desk on the first floor and pick up your box. All boxes are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Reed City Area District Library
829 S. Chestnut St., Reed City
Story Hour (ages 3-6): Wednesday 11:30am
Little Explorer Story Time (0-3 years old): 2pm on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month.
Family board games: October 10th from 4pm to 6pm in the community room.
greeting: October 17th from 4:30pm to 6:30pm. Meet the library’s new deputy director and grab a bite to eat.
Wonder Chicken Lulu: October 24th from 4:30pm to 5:30pm. Meet our award-winning feathered friends.
Library Halloween: Oct. 31, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Please stop by and enjoy some delicious snacks.
Indoor story walk: Ninja Little Red Riding Hood, presented in full color and Braille text.
Tamarack District Library
832 S. Lincoln Ave., Lakeview
A little free library tour: September 30th – October 31. Stop by the library and pick up a passport containing a map. Visit each LFL to get a sticker to add to your passport and hopefully a good book too. Return your completed passport to the Tamarack District Library front desk by noon on Nov. 1 to be entered into a drawing for a free gas card or children’s book.
Potato Famine and the arrival of the Irish in America: October 10th, 6pm Irish storyteller Terence O’Leary weaves historical research for his novel into a 45-minute presentation on the Great Famine. Book purchases and autograph sessions will be held at the event. To attend this free event, which is open to the public, call 989-352-6274.
āStepping into the darkness:ā October 17th at 6pm. Paranormal investigator Kat Tedsen of Michigan Haunted Travels tells true stories of people and events in Michigan that defy explanation, past and/or present. Not recommended for young viewers. To attend this free event, which is open to the public, call 989-352-6274.
Costume exchange: Oct. 19 from 5 to 7 p.m. Bring your beloved costumes to the library’s Costume Exchange for a new look this Halloween. Only one costume per person is allowed. Please be sure to visit us to select your costume. Is there no exchange? no problem. Please come and get your costume. Donated costumes will be accepted during normal business hours leading up to the event.
āMadame Wardenā author talk: October 24th at 6pm. Author Pamela Withrow talks about being the first woman to head a men’s prison in Michigan and her remarkable 25-year career in prison administration. Call 989-352-6274 to reserve your spot in this program, which is free and open to the public.
Michigan Mystery Halloween Edition: October 26th at 6pm. Author and shipwreck hunter Ross Richardson explores stories of long-lost ships and mysterious events in the beautiful Mitten State. Call 989-352-6274 to sign up and make reservations for this free program, which is open to the public.
list of libraries
Mecosta County
- Big Rapids Community Library, 426 S.michigan Ave., Big Rapids, 231-796-5234
- Morton Township Library 110 S. James St., Mecosta, 231-972-8315
- Walton Erickson Public Library, 4808 Northland Drive, Morley, 231-856-4298
- Wheatland Township Library, 207 Michigan Avenue, Remus, 989-967-8271
- Baritone Public Library, Baritone Branch, 198 Northern Avenue, Baritone, 989-382-5288
- Barryton Public Library, Chippewa Branch, 19171 Fourth St., Chippewa Lake, 231-867-2014
Osceola County
- Reed City Area District Library, 829 S. Chestnut St., Reed City, 231-832-2131
- Ewald Public Library, 104 N. Main St., Ewald, 231-734-5542
- Leroy Community Library, 104 W. Gilbert St., Leroy, 231-768-4493
- M. Alice Chapin Memorial Library, 120 E. Main St., Marion, 231-743-2421
- Tustin Community Library, 310 S. Neilson St., Tustin, 231-829-3012
lake county
- Pathfinder Community Library, 812 Michigan Avenue, Baldwin, 231-745-4010
- Chase Township Public Library, 8400 E. North St., Chase, 231-832-9511
- Luther Regional Library, 115 State St., Luther, 231-797-8006
montcalm county
- Tamarack District Library, 832 S. Lincoln Ave, Lakeview, 989-352-6274
area book club
- Novelty Book Club: 3 p.m. third Thursday of each month at Artworks, 106 N. Michigan Ave., Big Rapids. 231-796-2420.
- Mary’s Book Club: Meets the third Friday of each month from 1:00 pm at the Big Rapids Community Library, 426 S. Michigan Ave., Big Rapids.
- Reed City Readers Book Club: Third Thursday of each month at 6 p.m., Reed City Area District Library, 829 S. Chestnut St., Reed City. 231-832-2131.
- Page Turner’s Book Club: Second Tuesday of each month at 1 p.m., Morton Township Library, 110 S. James St., Mecosta, 231-972-8315.
- Coffee Break Book Connection: Second Tuesday of each month, Walton Erickson Public Library, 4808 Northland Drive, Morley, 231-856-4298.
- Words & Wine Book Club: Held on the first Wednesday of June through September, 6:30 p.m., at Young Farms, 8396 70th Ave., Mecosta. Contact: 231-972-8315, email info@mtplibrary.org