Get Ready for a Spooktacular October @ Your Library

Fun Activities and Fundraiser Concert Await!

Mark your calendars: The library has pages of fun autumnal and spooky activities for October! Our building renovation project also reaches a new milestone with a fundraiser concert later this month—check out more details below.

This Month’s Highlight Event:

Join us for our fundraiser concert with pop country singer/songwriter Kaylyn Sahs! All proceeds will support the Bellevue Public Library Building Project.

When: Sunday, October 22 • 4:00 PM (Doors open at 3:00 PM.)
Where: Bellevue East High School Auditorium (1401 High School Drive, Bellevue, NE)
Opening Act: Celtic Boulevard
Admission
$20 Individual (13+)
$10 Individual (12 & Under)
Note: Cash or check only, paid at the door. Please make checks payable to the Bellevue Library Foundation.

Other Upcoming & Ongoing October Activities:

Why does the vampire read library books? Because she heard they have great circulation!
Spooky season is here! Log your reading in our all-ages Hallow-Read Challenge throughout the month to earn a set of limited-edition badges.

What is bullying? Who does it affect? Learn how to treat others with respect and how you can help stop bullying in your community—and beyond! Read and complete activities in our Bullying Prevention Month Challenge for kids and teens, October 1-31.

Get started at bellevue.beanstack.org and/or download the Beanstack Tracker from your mobile app store for easy on-the-go participation (and a book ISBN scanner)!

Children’s & Family Programming

Pre-K Steam: Yarn Pumpkins • Monday, October 9 – 10:00-11:00 AM
Pumpkins are an awesome way to celebrate October! After reading a fun book all about pumpkins, kids will create an adorable yarn pumpkin. Supplies will be provided during this in-person program. Kits will be provided only for those children who cannot attend. For ages 3-5. Registration required.
Emotional Pumpkins • October 1-31 – During library hours.
Pumpkins have feelings, too! Grab a scavenger hunt sheet and search our Children’s Area to find each of the emotional pumpkins. Look closely, then write down how you think each pumpkin is feeling! Turn in your completed sheet for a chance to win a free book! Ten winners will be randomly drawn in November. For children through Grade 6.
Maker Lab: Bubble Wrap Autumn Trees • Wednesday, October 18 – 3:00-3:45 PM or 4:00-4:45 PM With the help of Cinnamon Cooney, a.k.a. The Art Sherpa, we will learn how to create one-of-a-kind bubble wrap autumn trees. All supplies provided; 24 spots available. For K-Grade 6. Registration required.

Pawsitive Reading • Saturday, October 28 – 9:30-10:30 AM (15-minute time slots)
Sign your child up to share stories with a furry (or not so furry) animal! One session per child. Please note that Farrah, Leo, Noodle, and Sphissy are not therapy certified. For PreK-Grade 6. Registration required.
Kitty Café • Sunday, October 29 – 2:00-4:00 PM (15-minute time slots)
Toe beans, teefies, and bleps! Come meet some cute kitties, brought to you by NALA Rescue. Plus, they’re adoptable: apply to become a cat’s forever home! For all ages. Registration required.

See the full calendar on our website or snag a calendar during your next library visit! Register for upcoming activities and events at: bellevuelibrary.org

Teen

Fall Bookmark Contest • September 8-October 15
Design bookmarks with an autumn theme to celebrate libraries, reading, and art! Compete for art supply bundle prizes and a chance to see your designs printed and distributed within the community. Last day to enter: Sunday, October 15 by 5:00 PM (Digital entries accepted through 11:59 PM.) For kids & teens. Grab a bookmark template during your library visit or download it from: bit.ly/fallbookmarkcontest

Dreadful Things Club • Friday, October 13 – 4:45-5:45 PM
Join our new teen horror club! Our first meet-up (in the Young Adult area) is about all things Five Nights at Freddy’s! For teens in Grade 7-12.
Skeleton Show • Contest starts: Tuesday, October 10
Create an outfit for a 6-inch skeleton to display in our show! Whether it’s extremely humerus or bone-afide supermodel, your skeleton can show off any kind of look. Sign up for a contest kit starting October 7 at bellevuelibrary.org. Pick-up starts October 10; the kit will contain all the contest and prize info. For teens in Grade 7-12.
Gamefest • Friday, October 27 – 3:30-5:30 PM
Hang out with your friends after school for some video, tabletop, and ping pong gaming! We have Nintendo Switch, Wii U, Gamecube, and Xbox 360 consoles–plus a variety of tabletop titles! Attendees may bring handhelds and games that are multiplayer and rated Teen or below. Note: Gamefest ends at 5:30 PM and the library closes at 6:00 PM on Fridays. Parents/guardians MUST provide transport to minors after dark, in inclement weather (this includes high heat), and/or who live a considerable distance away. For teens in Grades 7-12.
Pop-Up: Spooky Diamond Painting • Monday, October 30 – 3:30-5:30 PM
Drop by the Young Adult area to “paint” some mini bookmarks, coasters, stickers, and more! For teens in Grades 7-12. Sign up for this month’s teen activity kits, featuring: D.I.Y. Terror-iums, a Glowing Mummy Hand, and Vampire Butterfly Wing Pins! Registration opens Saturday, October 7 at: bellevuelibrary.org

Why did the ghost keep coming back to the library? He went through his books too quickly! Get in the Spooktober mood with ghastly and ghost reads—plus, some paranormal romances that are love at first bite! See our monthly displays in the teen area for some Hallow-Read book inspo.

Adult

It’s Only Rock and Roll • Monday, October 9 – 6:00-7:00 PM
Join us with presenter Randall Snyder for a brief look at the unique cultural atmosphere of the 1950s that promoted the emergence of Rockabilly and Rock and Roll. Dress in 1950s attire or come as you are! Plus: learn about the work done by the Friends of the Bellevue Public Library and enter to win a door prize! This program is provided by Humanities Nebraska. Registration is encouraged, but not required at: bellevuelibrary.org
Fall Gnomes Workshop • Friday, October 13 – 2:30-4:30 PM
Are you ready to embrace the cozy vibes of autumn and add a touch of whimsy to your home décor? Unleash your inner artist as you craft your very own adorable fall gnome wall hanging. Choose from an array of autumn-inspired fabrics, colors, and embellishments to make your gnome uniquely yours. No crafting experience? No problem! Our experienced instructors will guide you through every step of the process. Space is limited and our classes tend to fill up quickly: reserve your spot starting October 8!
Wooden Birdhouse Kit • Registration opens: Sunday, October 8 – Kit pick-up starts: Friday, October 13
Add a touch of nature to your surroundings with this DIY Wooden Birdhouse kit for adults! Each kit includes pre-cut wooden parts ready for assembly, and clear instructions for a stress-free building experience. Craft at your own pace and in the comfort of your own space. Suitable for all skill levels—and also makes a great gift! Registration required.
Butterfly Windchime Kit • Registration opens: Sunday, October 15 – Kit pick-up starts: Friday, October 20
Dive into the enchanting world of butterflies with this whimsical windchime kit! Our step-by-step instructions will ensure that your DIY journey is a breeze—even if you’re new to crafting. Craft at your own pace, anywhere you like, and bring your vision to life. Registration required.

And don’t forget to sign up for the Origami Art and Crystal Hummingbird adult kits going out in late
October! Check out our calendar at bellevuelibrary.org for all our ongoing book clubs and more.