October 2024: Volume 3, Issue 10

For the past 19 years, the American Library Association has dedicated a week in October to celebrate the important contributions Friends of Library organizations make towards the success of their local community libraries. This year, October 20th - 26th is National Friends of Libraries Week! Here at the Centre County Library and Historical Museum, we are so fortunate to have these kinds of organizations supporting each of our three

library locations.

The Bellefonte Library, in continuous operation since 1939, has been supported by various Friends organizations over the years. Recently, a newly formed Bellefonte Library Friends has stepped up and the group has lots of exciting plans. They meet the first Wednesday of each month and are actively looking for members to serve on their Board. Currently, the group has submitted an order for a new computer workstation to be built for the Bellefonte Library. The Friends have over half the funds raised for its purchase. They plan to raise the rest of the money at a book sale coming up soon!

The former Centre Hall Area Branch Library Association, now rebranded as the Partnership for Penns Valley Library Services (PPVLS), has long supported the Centre Hall Area branch, funding its construction, the DVD and large print collections and programming. They've also secured multiple grants to augment the book collections. PPVLS aims to expand library services throughout Penns Valley. Their signature fundraiser, an annual steak dinner, will be held on Saturday, October 19th at the American Legion. Plans to expand the branch library will be shared at the event. For tickets, visit the Centre Hall Area Branch Library, call 814-364-2580, or email askppvls@outlook.com.

The Friends of the Holt Memorial Library in Philipsburg have been supporting the library for more than 60 years. They purchased the current building on Front Street which became the permanent location of the Holt Memorial Library in 2010 and continually raise money through regular book sales. The fundraising events that they coordinate provide the means for capital improvements to the building, new furniture, programming support and, of course, money to purchase lots of new books. You can follow them on Facebook at FriendsOfTheHoltMemorialLibrary.  

We know our Friends are always looking for new members and volunteers. They have so much fun while working to make our community better. Joining the Friends of the Library is a terrific way to make new friends of your own, give back to your community, and make the library even better. For more information visit any one of our library locations or our website to learn how to join. You’ll be glad you did!

Join us virtually or at one of our locations for any of our book clubs! We even have a book club for book lovers who prefer talking about books in general rather than a specific book. See below for details.

Wednesday, October 2nd, 1PM: Stop by the Holt Memorial Library to discuss the nonfiction book, "Code Girls," by Liza Mundy. No registration is necessary. Call 814-342-1987 if you have any questions.

Thursday, October 10th, 6 PM: The Centre Hall Mystery Book Club is discussing the classic mystery novel, "The Moonstone" by Wilkie Collins for the October meeting. There is no need to register, but you may call 814-364-2580 if you have any questions. We always welcome new book club members!

Saturday, October 12th, 10 AM: Book Lovers Coffee Hour. Come discuss what you are reading with other book lovers! Please register to attend by clicking the button below and receive a Zoom link via email!

Wednesday, October 16th, 6:30 PM: The Virtual Evening Book Discussion Group will be discussing the 2023 novel, "Weyward," by Emilia Hart. Please register to attend by clicking the button below and receive a Zoom link via email.

Thursday, October 24th, 6 PM: Join us for our "Booked for Murder" mystery book club at the Bellefonte Library! This month, we will be discussing the novel, "The Book of Cold Cases" by Simone St. James. Click the button below to be added to our text message reminder group for the Booked for Murder book club.

Join us virtually or in person at the Bellefonte Library for a Film talk in October.

On Friday, October 4th at 1 PM, the club will meet in person at the Bellefonte Library to watch and discuss the classic comedy film, "Young Frankenstein."

On Friday, October 19th at 1 PM the club will meet virtually to discuss the film, "Gojira." Please register for the virtual meeting by emailing film@CentreCountyLibrary.org so that you can receive the Zoom link and ensure that you can obtain a copy of the movie.



The club will also have a special in person Saturday meeting on October 19th at 1 PM to watch and discuss the film, "Psycho II."

Pick up a “Book Monster” take and make craft from your nearest library location (Centre County Library - Bellefonte, Centre Hall Area Branch Library, or the Holt Memorial Library). You can create it to be reading your favorite title or you can come up with your very own book for the monster to read! Take and makes will only be available while supplies last.

Our library's famous Horatio calendars are on sale soon! Stop by the Bellefonte Library or visit our Etsy shop starting on October 4th to purchase calendars for 2025. Calendars will be available for purchase at the Holt Memorial Library and Centre Hall Area Branch Library at a later date (please let us know if you'd like to purchase a calendar at one of those locations). All proceeds go towards the support of library programming and events.

Join at the Bellefonte Library on Tuesday, October 8th at 5:30 PM in creating your own cemetarium (cemetery terrarium) to add to your Halloween decor. This program is for adults and teens. Registration is required.

All materials will be provided including a glass container, dirt, preserved moss, and rocks. We will also create mini tombstones out of clay.

Participants are welcome to bring their own container or other decor to use or to share as well. Please click the button below to register.

Attention all horror film and book fanatics! How well do you know the genre?

If you have what it takes, come out to the Bellefonte Library on Wednesday, October 23rd at 6 PM for an evening of spooky trivia fun and win prizes! Questions will cover both the horror classics and more modern works. There will be snacks too! Invite and play against your family and friends. Registration is required for this event. Please click the button below to sign up. If you plan on attending the event with a friend or family member, please fill out 1 form for each registrant.

Another Nerf Night is coming up on Friday, October 11th from 5-7 PM at the Bellefonte Library! Kids aged 10 to 14 are invited to play with Nerf dart shooters at the library after hours! Have your child bring their own Nerf dart shooter and we will provide the darts and pizza! Registration and guardian permission is necessary to participate. Please click the button below to sign up!

Have your young children (ages 3-6) join us at the Bellefonte Library on Friday, October 18th at 10:30 AM for a presentation from AmeriHealth Caritas all about tooth health! Kids will learn about tooth brushing, healthy foods, sugar bugs, and what it's like to go to the dentist's office. Please register to attend below as space is limited.



On Friday, October 25th at 10:30 AM bring your toddlers down to the Bellefonte Library for a toddler Halloween themed dance party! We will play songs that are familiar toddler favorites. Costumes are encouraged!

On the last Saturday of October, the 26th, from 1 to 3 PM, children and families are invited to stop by the library and engage with STEM kits and games set up in the Community Room. This month, the Tail Waggin’ Tutors (our trained therapy dog friends) will be special guests. Attendees can come to meet the dogs and do a special activity with them. There is no need to register, just drop in!

The Centre Hall Area Branch Library will have a special take home mystery kit available for visitors to pick up at the library throughout the month of October. Grab a kit and see if you can solve a murder mystery! Supplies are limited, so be sure to stop by the library quickly!

Calling all parents and guardians of high school students! Sign up to attend a presentation and Q & A on Monday, Oct. 7th at 6 PM all about Financial Aid for students looking to obtain higher education after high school. This program will be presented at the Centre Hall Area Branch Library by the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA). Spaces are limited, so please click the button below to register.

Children and their families are invited to stop by the Centre Hall Area Branch Library on Friday, October 18th between 10 AM and 4 PM for No-School Build Day! We will bring out our collection of LEGOs, Duplos, Magna Tiles, and Lincoln Logs into the children's area for everyone to play with. What a great way to enjoy a day of no school!

Do you have baby or toddler in your life? Help them get ready to read, learn and socialize by bringing them to our Mother Goose on the Loose program at the Holt Memorial Library on the first Saturday of each month at 11 AM. Children will learn about the basics of storytelling and language with their guardians while we sing songs, say rhymes, play with puppets and meet new friends!

The Mother Goose on the Loose program follows an award winning format designed by Dr. Betsy Cohen that focuses on learning through play and enhancing parent/child bonding. Bringing your child to the event will help them to get a head start in learning and bonding with you!

Do you love the Holt Memorial Library in Philipsburg so much that you wish you could work there? Now is your chance! We are looking for an enthusiastic and customer services-oriented person to join our team as a Part-Time Library Assistant. Learn more about the position on our website by clicking the button below.

Join us at the Holt Memorial Library on Saturday, Oct. 19th at 11 AM as we play BINGO and win some books! Please call 814-342-1987 to register as space and supplies are limited. This event is for adults and teens.

Mission

Centre County Library & Historical Museum is a free community destination providing books, information, Internet access, and technology resources to preserve our heritage and promote a lifetime of reading and learning.

Vision

Centre County Library & Historical Museum will be an inviting and vital part of our community by providing access to current technology and services to foster education and to enhance our community’s quality of life.

We are a PA Forward Library

PA Forward is an initiative of the Pennsylvania Library Association designed to increase awareness of the vital role libraries play in the well-being of their communities.

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