Calling all ghosts, ghouls and goblins! Children, teens and adults can get in the Halloween spirit at Naperville Public Library with spooky storytimes, chilling crafts and wicked writing contests now through the end of October.
To see a full list of programs, visit naperville-lib.org/events.
CHILDREN
Monster Bingo: Naper Blvd. Library at 4 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 10. Let’s play monster BINGO! Find the monster pictures on the game board to win a prize. This program perfect for children who don’t know how to read yet but can recognize pictures.
Frankenscience: Nichols Library at 11:15 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 16, and at 95th Street Library at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 29. It’s time to celebrate monsters! Enjoy a short storytime, then create a monster using household supplies and put it to the test against other creations. They’re going to be spook-tacular!
Halloween Story Stroll at the Grand Pavilion: Nichols Library from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Oct. 19. Come in costume and take a stroll along the Naperville Riverwalk as you read a fall-themed picture book. Pages from the featured picture book will be posted along a designated path. Participants can read and stroll at their own pace. Themed crafts and a small prize will be available at the end.
Kid-Friendly Haunted House: Nichols Library at 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 27. Join us for an all-ages haunted house just in time for Halloween! Our Teen Advisory Group volunteers are putting together a haunted library sure to fright and delight all the ghosts and goblins who visit.
Halloween in the Park: 95th Street Library at 1 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 31. Goblins, pumpkins and puppets, oh my! Children of all ages and their caregivers can dress in costume and enjoy Halloween fun at Wagner Family Pavilion. Get into the spirit with stories, songs, and a puppet show about this favorite fall holiday.
TEENS
Frightful Nights Teen Writing Contest: All Locations from Oct. 1-25. Something wicked this way comes… Teen writers can submit their best creepy story, most horrific poem or darkest tale to win a gift card. Submissions can be made online or at any Adult and Teen Services Desk.
Teen DIY: Spooky Cross-Stitch: 95th Street Library at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 30. Learn the basics of cross-stitching and create a spooky bookmark featuring pumpkins, black cats and spiders. Join us for a fun introduction to this craft and leave with a charming, handmade bookmark.
ADULTS
Mary Shelley’s Monster: 95th Street Library at 1 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 3. Mary Shelley’s horror classic, “Frankenstein,” embodies the complexities of fear, especially the fear of scientific progress, and asks whether our attempt to control chaos is beneficial or will lead to further destruction. We’ll examine how Shelley unpacks this tension and how the novel encompasses the fear and anxiety of the past, present and future.
Spooky Candle Holder: 95th Street Library at 1 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 10; Nichols Library at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 15; and Naper Blvd. Library at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 23. Create a boo-tiful pumpkin, eyeball or spider candle holder just in time for Halloween!
History of Halloween: 95th Street Library at 1 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 17. Explore the history of Halloween from its beginnings as the Celtic festival of Samhain to the coming of the holiday to America and the modern Halloween traditions we know today.
Ashlee Conour is the marketing specialist at Naperville Public Library.
