BY MARYELLEN KANARR

Special to The Press

Don’t ghost us!

October is a great month to reap the benefits of your library card.

Parkland Community Library, 4422 Walbert Ave., South Whitehall, offers its usual lineup of weekly story times and monthly events.

Additionally, there are some special events this month as well.

Visit us if you dare!

Trick or Treat at the library is on Oct. 31.

Come in costume and get a treat between 11 a.m. and 9 p.m. while supplies last.

Also, elementary school kids can paint pumpkins on Oct. 23 in the evening, but be sure to register as space and pumpkins are limited.

For teens, the Safe Sitter program is offered through Nanny Loft during the day on Oct. 14 with registration required, and pumpkin painting is offered at the Teen Advisory Board’s evening meeting on Oct. 29.

For adults, there is an art history exploration of Keith Haring on Oct. 24, a presentation by local ghost author and storyteller Charles J. Adams III on Oct. 28, and a Stephen King Night of Trivia on Oct. 30, all in the evening.

Check the calendar for more details.

In other news, the library was awarded two grants in September, made possible in part by federal funds from the Institute of Museum and Library Services administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, Office of Commonwealth Libraries.

The Sustaining Success: Local Library Grants for Pennsylvania Family Place Libraries and Play and Grow Libraries will include $2,500 for board books, parenting materials, and educational early childhood toys.

The Excellent and Equitable Youth Services Local Library Grant will include $5,000 for diverse materials.

Look for us out in the community: Barktoberfest at Grange Park on Oct. 5; Halloween Spooktacular at Covered Bridge Park on Oct. 18; Trunk or Treat at Lone Lane Park on Oct. 18; and National Night Out at Grange Park on Oct. 20.

Check township websites or social media for more information.

Celebrate National Friends of the Library Week from Oct. 20 through 26.

Friends of the Library is a nonprofit organization of volunteers who fund raise to supplement the library’s budget.

For example, Friends of the Library supports all of the library’s events.

Without their book sales, book store, and other fundraising efforts, the library could not offer so many wonderful events for all ages.

It’s easy to join the Friends of the Library.

Pick up an application at the library or download it from the library’s website.

With all these exciting events happening, don’t forget to read more booooks!

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Editor’s note: Maryellen Kanarr is the executive director of Parkland Community Library, South Whitehall.