Putnam County October library programs announced

The Putnam County Library District has announced programs for October.

All Putnam County libraries

• Monday, Oct. 12 — All libraries will be closed for Columbus Day. They will reopen on Tuesday, Oct. 13.

Hennepin

• Fall Into Reading — For the month of October, the Hennepin library branch encourages to read. For every book that is read, or visit made to the library, patrons may submit their name on a slip for an opportunity to win a prize basket.

• Thursday, Oct. 8 — A virtual hand-on science sphero training will be at 6 p.m. Participants can check out a sphero from the library for online training. There is a limit of 11 spheros across the county to check out; limit 1 per household. Patrons will learn the basic use of the sphero robot and the materials that come included. This is part of the IEEE Chicago Section Grant. A Zoom link will be posted on the website.

• Thursday, Oct. 15 — Megan Baznik will discuss the Devil in the White City at the Chicago World Fair at 6:30 p.m. The program will be both in person and virtual on Facebook and Zoom. A Zoom link will be posted on the website.

• Thursday, Sept. 10 — Heinz Suppan will present “Ottawa Rescue Case on Jim Gray” at 6:30 p.m. The presentation will be done in person and virtual on Facebook and Zoom. A Zoom link will be posted on the website. Suppan will discuss the Underground Railroad that was organized to help runaway slaves seek freedom. The Northern District of the Illinois State Supreme Court became the scene of a hearing of a runaway slave, Jim Gray, who had been arrested in Union County in southern Illinois.

• Thursday, Oct. 22 — Grab and go craft event. Participants will make a Popsicle stick spider web.

• Every Thursday — Story time at 3:30 p.m.

• Homework Helper — Students are welcome to work on homework at the library during library hours.

Granville

• Saturday, Oct. 12 — Grab and go craft event will be potato stamp ghosts and clothespin button bats.

• Saturday, Oct. 24 — Witches Circle: The Hocus Pocus Hags will perform at 11 a.m. at Hopkins Park. Those coming for the show should bring their own chairs and blankets; the bathrooms will be closed. The group started dancing in the Illinois Valley four years ago. After seeing a video of a German witch dance, a couple of the ladies decided this would be a fun thing to do. The first group was about 13 ladies. In 2019, approximately 45 ladies, ranging from 16 to 70, danced their way to the streets. Practice started in a garage and slowly moved to a new location and then once again had to move to an even bigger location. These ladies are the most creative when it comes to their outfits — head pieces and makeup.

Thursday, Oct. 29 — A Putnam County Community Center representative will be at the library from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. for seniors who have questions about Medicare and open enrollment.

• Every Tuesday — An online story time at 9 a.m. on Facebook.

• Preschool story are to be determined.

Magnolia

• Saturday, Oct. 3 — A story hour and pick up of family movie night bag will be at 10 a.m.

• Saturday, Oct. 3 — “It’s a Bug Life” will be presented at 10 a.m. Participants will learn about insects with the Marshall-Putnam Ag in the Classroom. Materials can be picked up at any branch in Putnam County. Abrianne Holler, Ag in the Classroom community worker, will present the program.

• Tuesday, Oct. 13 — Lisa Sons and Meg Overocker, who are with the University of Illinois Extension Office Master Gardeners, will present “Backyard Birds” at 5:30 p.m. This will be a Zoom webinar program. The link will be on the website.

• Saturday, Oct. 17 — A pick up and take home family craft day box will be available.

• Thursday, Oct. 29 — Movie @ Library, featuring “Four Kids and IT,” will be at 5:30 p.m.

• Homework Helper — Students are welcome to work on homework at the library during library hours.

McNabb

• Wednesday, Oct. 7 — Story hour with take-home science box at 4 p.m.

• Wednesday, Oct. 14 — Natalie Martin and Meg Overocker from the University of Illinois Extension Master Gardeners will present “Fall Garden Preparation” at 6:30 p.m.. The program will incorporate what bulbs to plant this fall. This will be a Zoom webinar program. The link will be on the website.

• Wednesday, Oct. 28 — A scary story hour, with treat bag, will be at 4 p.m.

• Homework Helper — Students are welcome to work on homework at the library during library hours on Wednesdays.

Standard

• Tuesday, Oct. 20 — A grab and go craft event. Participants will make a Popsicle stick spider web.