Pumpkin decorating contest, spine-tingling book picks and more at your library.
It’s the Return of the Great Pumpkin Decorating Contest
The annual Pumpkin Decorating Contest is back, and we cannot wait to see where your creativity takes you this year! To take part, simply decorate a pumpkin as one of your favorite book characters; winners get a bag of cool library swag. It’s easy and fun for the whole family and for pumpkin and book-lovers of all ages. Pumpkins will be displayed in libraries in late October, and voting will take place online. Visit our website here for all the details, including rules and guidelines. Pumpkin drop-off is between October 12 and 16, so now’s the time to plan your masterpiece!
Spine-tingling Staff Picks for October
There’s something in the air—and it’s not pumpkin spice. It’s that certain hair-raising chill that comes with the crisp days and long shadows of October. We asked library staff members to recommend their favorite spine-tingling books and movies to share with you, and they did not disappoint. From ghosts and nefarious characters to real-life challenges and future calamities, you’ll find a mix of recommendations here to give you the creeps—from the safety of your sofa. Find more great book picks, customized just for you by a librarian, through Your Next Book, our personalized reading recommendation service.
Oregon Battle of the Books (OBOB) Book Clubs
On your mark, get set … read! Oregon Battle of the Books, or OBOB, is a statewide reading program for youth that kicks off every fall. This annual program encourages students to broaden their reading interests while promoting cooperative learning and teamwork as they “battle” in a Jeopardy-style book competition. Starting in October and running through March, we’re hosting a monthly virtual book club for students ages 6 through 12 that focuses on one OBOB book a month. The first online discussion takes place on October 27 when we’ll talk about Clean Getaway by Nic Stone. Bring your OBOB participant and get book battle ready!
Know Mystery in October at Your Library
“Mystery creates wonder and wonder is the basis of man’s desire to understand.” – Neil Armstrong. Explore all kinds of enigmas with us this October as we seek to Know Mystery. Learn what it takes to be a forensic scientist, cozy up with some great mystery novels, explore the glacial mysteries of the Oregon Cascades, hear tales of Bigfoot, delve into the genius of Aztec hieroglyphs, learn about the powerful pull of conspiracy theories and more. All programs are free and take place online, but how to take part is no mystery at all: find all the details here.
COVID Vaccine Clinics Continue through October
If you need a vaccine, Deschutes County Health Services is hosting free, weekly vaccination clinics through November at the Downtown Bend and La Pine Libraries. There is no appointment needed for these walk-in clinics, and hours have been extended. Find library clinic dates and times on our website here, and find the County’s full calendar of clinics here.
Beyond Books: Creativebug
What better time to explore a new creative outlet than in the fall? As we cozy in to autumn, explore your artistic side with Creativebug, an online learning platform dedicated entirely to all types of art: from printmaking to cooking, sewing to knitting, jewelry making to painting and so much more. The best part? Deschutes County residents have free access with their library card! Whether you want to make a gift for someone special, learn a new artistic skill, or take your existing skills to the next level, Creativebug has thousands of classes that offer something for everyone. Have your library card number handy when you log in here. You’ll find tips and tricks for getting started with Creativebug here.
Resource Spotlight: ShareBrary
Old books never die, they just find their way into the hands of new readers! When books wear out or when they no longer circulate — that is, they haven’t been checked out for a long period of time—we move them off the shelves. But that starts a new beginning! Through our ShareBrary program, these books find their way into the hands of eager readers of all ages. They go to outreach programs, including to houseless communities, as well as to senior living facilities, the airport, Little Free Libraries and more. Has a ShareBrary book found its way into your hands?
KIDS & FAMILIES
New story times are posted every week on our website. Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel for even more, including STEAM programs and scavenger hunts.
Story Time Activity Pick-Up — Pick up a weekly craft kit for kids from your library; visit our web calendar for locations and days.
Pumpkins Grab-and-Go Kits — October 9
Your Next Book: Kids’ Edition — October 13
Fall Activities Grab-and-Go Kits — October 23
Family STEAM: Pumpkin Density — October 27
OBOB Book Club — October 27
Halloween Story Time Online — October 30
EN ESPAÑOL
Abogado en la Biblioteca — October 6, October 13, October 20, October 27
BOOK CLUBS
Sunriver: The House in the Cerulean Sea — October 13
Redmond: Crooked Hallelujah — October 14
All locations: The Irish Assassins — October 14
East Bend: Darling Rose Gold — October 19
La Pine: Darling Rose Gold — October 19
Downtown Bend: Blacktop Wasteland — October 22
Sisters: The Secret Lives of Church Ladies — October 27