Samuel’s Public Library Packs October With Programs for All Ages

Samuel’s Public Library is heading into October with a full calendar of activities, from holiday writing and art to hydroponic gardening, local history, photography, ghost hunting and outdoor skills.

Michal Ashby, Youth Services Supervisor, and Kaitlyn Leckliter, Adult Reference Manager, highlight some of the programs planned for children, teens and adults during the month.

The discussion followed a busy September and a successful SAMICON, which included a presentation by Dr. Dominic Benford on the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, an escape room, scavenger hunts, and other activities.

October begins another busy stretch, including the library’s 48th Holiday Writing Contest.

Writers can submit a poem or short story of 500 words or less centered on the holiday season, including Christmas, Hanukkah, or Kwanzaa. Entry forms are available at the library and online.

Selected entries will be professionally published, and winners will be honored at a reception. Ashby said Walmart is sponsoring this year’s reception.

“It’s one of my favorite programs,” she said.

Young patrons will also have opportunities to explore history and art.

A Patriotic Block Printing program will introduce children to printing techniques and their role in art and history. The activity is among programs supported through a grant from Front Royal United Methodist Church tied to the nation’s 250th anniversary.

Another program, offered with the Oak Spring Garden Foundation, will introduce elementary-age children to woven and crocheted art.

Ashby is also preparing the library’s first youth art showcase, giving children and teens an opportunity to display their work for the community.

Young artists can bring paintings, sculptures, jewelry, writing and other creations. Ashby said the early group of participants already includes painters, sculptors and four published teen authors who plan to display their books.

“I really want to highlight how incredibly talented the kids and teens are in this area,” she said.

October will also bring some Halloween fun.

Ashby is partnering with Fable Greenhouse for a Halloween story time inside the greenhouse, followed by an opportunity for children to walk through and see its tropical plants.

Teens looking for something spookier can join a ghost-hunting program in the library garden. Participants will learn about basic ghost hunting equipment and some of the stories associated with Front Royal.

The library also has ghost-hunting kits available through its Library of Things collection.

Ashby also put out a call for more teen volunteers. About 25 to 30 teens currently volunteer two to three hours each week, helping with gardening, crafts, shelving movies and program preparation.

The library could use another five or six volunteers, she said.

Adults also have a packed October calendar.

Leckliter highlighted a month-long introduction to hydroponic growing offered with Virginia Cooperative Extension Master Gardener volunteers. Programs will be held each Monday in October and cover different aspects of growing plants without soil. A hydroponic tower will remain at the library during the month.

The library will also offer meditation and sound healing programs with Jessica Eve of Grace and Joy. The sound healing session uses singing bowls, gongs, chimes, and other instruments to create a relaxing environment.

Local history is also on the schedule through the library’s partnership with the Warren Heritage Society. This month’s Third Thursday program will focus on how Civil War soldiers were fed and supplied.

For those who would rather head outdoors, photographer Sharon Fisher will lead an Autumn Colors photography scavenger hunt at Shenandoah River State Park. Participants can use anything from a smartphone to a professional camera.

The library will also host a how-to backpacking program featuring local hikers who take overnight trips. They will demonstrate what they carry, how they prepare for trips, and what hikers should consider before heading into the backcountry.

Studio 330 will get into the action with a Sublimation 101 program led by Fisher. Participants will learn the process by creating 4-by-4-inch coasters from a selection of images.

Leckliter said partnerships with local organizations help the library provide a wide variety of programs throughout the year.

“There are just so many things to do,” she said. “We all kind of feed off of each other, all the different partners.”

With dozens of activities scheduled, Ashby and Leckliter encouraged residents to check the library’s full October calendar for dates, times, registration requirements, and additional programs.

From writing and art to gardening, history and a little ghost hunting, October offers another example of how Samuel’s Public Library has grown beyond simply being a place to check out a book.

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