Pumpkins, ghosts and scarecrows…oh, my!

Join us at the Westover Branch Library on Saturday at 2;30 for festive children’s stories, part of the Westover Village Halloween Celebration.

** Updated Thursday, Oct. 28 to include information regarding the power outage **

In light of this week’s technical difficulties with County computer systems and the power outage at Central Library on Wednesday:

• Fines for Library materials due Oct. 24 through Sunday, Oct. 31 will be waived if those items are returned by Monday, Nov. 1.
• Renewals – Fines will be waived for materials that could not be renewed between Oct. 24 and Oct. 31. Please speak to staff about any fines incurred during this these days.
• Holds – Items placed on the hold shelf for pickup between Saturday, Oct. 23 and Wednesday, Oct. 27 will remain on the shelf until Wednesday, Nov. 3.

We want to thank our patrons for their patience and understanding during this period, and apologize for any inconvenience.

** UPDATED Tuesday, Oct. 26 **

Due to recent outages of County computer servers including those that handle the Library’s catalog and account information, Library material due dates for this week are suspended and fines on those materials are waived through Tuesday, Oct. 26. Read more about renewals and holds.

We apologize for any inconvenience and hope to have all systems restored as soon as possible. Please check back for updates.

The Aurora Hills Branch Library celebrates the 69th birthday of Steven Kellogg – author of more than 90 children’s titles – on Monday, Oct. 25.

This squirrel didn’t visit the Columbia Pike Branch Library for the tasty ACORN catalog. Instead, he came looking for some tasty sunflower seeds in our Papillon Park.

He probably doesn’t know we have kids books about him in the nonfiction section under 599.3232 or books about Squirrel Nutkin or Scaredy Squirrel as well as many other squirrel characters. Come check them out!

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On October 29th, the Aurora Hills Library will celebrate the birthday of novelist Louisa May Alcott who wrote the children’s literature classic Little Women. 

Little Women has influenced generations of young women and the Aurora Hills Librarian still cherishes her grandmother’s well worn copy. But while Alcott is most famous for her story about the close-knit family of sisters struggling to grow into adulthood, she was a prolific writer and published many works of fiction on varying topics.

Join in the celebration by checking out a collection of Alcott’s thrillers, short stories, or one of her other novels. Or read a biography of her fascinating life – whatever you choose, you won’t be disappointed!

On Friday, October 22 the Aurora Hills Branch Library will celebrate the 113th birthday of beloved children’s author Marjorie Flack. 

Her classic titles include Ask Mr. Bear, The Story about Ping and the Caldecott Honor winning The Boats on the River. The Aurora Hills Librarians remember turning the pages of their own well worn copy of Ask Mr. Bear at bed time when they were young.

Try checking it out today and make it a regular at your story time!

Would you like to honor a loved one who has passed away?

You’re invited to share a picture of a deceased loved one, and something small to represent them, for the Columbia Pike Branch Library’s Day of the Dead Display.

We also welcome you to add Library books or genres that your loved one read. Items on the display can be labeled with cards located at the display.

The Day of the Dead is celebrated on November 2 in Mexico and by Mexican Americans. Generally it is a joyful occasion with which to honor loved ones who have died. Celebrations often include food and private altars honoring the deceased.

October 17-23 is National Friends of the Library Week. That means this is a great time to learn more about Friends of the Arlington Public Library.

The Friends are a membership organization whose mission is to encourage and assist the Library in providing the highest quality library services. They run the biannual Friends Book Sale, as well as smaller ongoing sales at many Library locations throughout the year. Money earned from Friends memberships and the Book Sales goes directly to support Library programming and services.

How can you take part?

• Become a member
• Donate materials to the Book Sale
• Donate Financially
• Become a Library Volunteer
• Keep up with the Friends on Facebook

Paula Poundstone for Friends of Libraries:

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Today the Aurora Hills Branch Library is celebrating Ed Emberley’s 79th birthday!  

Ed Emberley is an author and illustrator who has illustrated dozens of books for children. He believes that everyone can draw no matter what they think of their artistic abilities and has devoted the majority of his career writing instructional books on drawing.

Try checking out his Ed Emberley’s Halloween Drawing Book today and whip up some spooky decorations just in time for Trick or Treating in his honor!