The Alpena County Library is preparing a full October schedule for Alpena-area residents, with programs ranging from weekly storytime and early-childhood activities to technology instruction, creative workshops and Halloween-themed events.
The schedule includes offerings for babies, children, teens, adults and families. Several programs are free and require no registration, while others have limited space or require participants to sign up in advance.
Weekly programs for young children and families
Weekly Storytime is scheduled for 9:30 to 10 a.m. each Thursday in October in the youth area. Hosted by Ms. Lydia, the sessions will include stories, music, crafts and snacks. Children ages 0 to 5 are welcome with a parent or caregiver.
Early Connections will take place from 10 to 11 a.m. each Tuesday in the Stillion Conference Room. The program offers play and socialization for caregivers and children ages 0 to 5, and no registration is required.
A free puppet storytime also is scheduled from 4 to 4:30 p.m. in the youth area.
The Lego Club will meet from 5 to 6 p.m. on Mondays, including Oct. 19, in the youth area. The club is open to children ages 6 to 13, who can take part in building challenges, group projects or free building. The library will provide bricks and base plates. Creations will remain at the library and be displayed until the next meeting.
Clubs, games and creative activities
Teen and Tween Gourd Painting is set for Saturday from 1 to 3 p.m. in the Stillion Conference Room and is open to people ages 13 to 19. Participants can paint gourds of different shapes and sizes, with Carly and Hadley available to offer guidance. The event will continue while supplies last.
The Sewing Club-MakerLab meets Tuesdays from 1 to 3 p.m. and welcomes people ages 10 and older at all skill levels. Participants may bring a sewing machine, scissors, straight pins and a project. The library will provide space and guidance, and three sewing machines are available for people who do not have one. Registration is required through Barb Brege at 989-255-8969.
Pokémon Club is scheduled for Oct. 12 and Oct. 26 from 5 to 6 p.m. in the youth area. Children ages 8 to 18 can learn to play Pokémon, battle, trade cards, make crafts and watch Pokémon-related programming. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own cards, although the library will have cards available. Registration is not required, and drop-ins are welcome.
Laser Tag will run from 5 to 6 p.m. Oct. 15 in the Stillion Conference Room for ages 9 to 17. The 60-minute program will feature multiple short team games. Registration is required, space is limited to 16 players per session, and questions can be directed to James at [email protected] or Extension 23.
A Dungeons and Dragons one-shot is planned for Oct. 24 from 1 to 3 p.m. for ages 12 to 18. Only six spots are available, and the program is open to both first-time players and people with campaign experience.
Adult learning and Halloween events
The library will host Words and Music from 1 to 2 p.m. Wednesday in the Stillion Conference Room. The all-ages program will focus on movies, music and storytelling in a relaxed setting.
An estate-planning presentation is scheduled for Wednesday from 2:30 to 4 p.m. in the Stillion Conference Room. Local attorney Ben Harpe of Harris Law, P.C. will discuss estate-planning pitfalls through anecdotes and examples.
On Oct. 8, a Technology Try It program will run from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the Stillion Conference Room. Participants can learn about new equipment available for checkout and preview the library’s planned Telehealth Privacy Pod. The program is supported by the Digital Pathways: Online Health Literacy Programming for Adults Grant.
Adults can also register for the Glowforge “Boo” Sign workshop on Oct. 24 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the MakerLab. Participants will decorate a wooden Halloween sign using paint, colors and other creative touches.
Witches Night Out, open to all ages, will run from 4 to 7 p.m. Participants will create spooky scenes on mini canvases using supplied craft materials. The canvases will be displayed downstairs for voting until Oct. 23 at 4 p.m.; the library will announce the winner and runner-up at 4:30 p.m. on its Facebook page. The winner will receive $15 in Downtown Dollars, while the runner-up will receive a $10 gift card to Cabin Creek.
Other October offerings include Joel Tacey’s Tales from Beyond, a same-day program from 5 to 6 p.m. in the Stillion Conference Room featuring historical artifacts and true, spooky stories; a cemetery tour, with more information to be released; and Beyond Differences on Oct. 23 from 4 to 5:30 p.m. for ages 12 to 21. The latter is described as a friendship club focused on kindness, inclusion and acceptance.
Because several listings in the released schedule identify events only by weekday or say that an event is happening “today,” readers should confirm dates, registration requirements and available space with the library before attending.