By Julienne Villar

Halloween is right around the corner and you’re still looking for ways to make the most out of the spooky season. Fear not, the library is here to help! The library isn’t just for books and study rooms, there are also free activities, events and programs to participate in. With the power of the library and your library card, here are 5 ways the library makes Halloween more fun. 

1. Fall-coded Programs

Joliet Public Library runs tons of events throughout the year and during the fall season, there are a handful of programs to keep the autumn spirit alive. 

  • Halloween-adjacent events like Crow Party is a great program for kids to get into the fall spirit. It’s a trinket trading event with an all black dress code. It draws inspiration from crows and their quirk of gift giving.
  • For even younger kids, events like Not-So-Spooky Storytime is a storytime, craft time, and a practice trick-or-treating for when then they grow up a little bit more. It’s a great and safe time for socialization.
  • Now for teens, they might be looking for some spooks. Therefore, Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark at the Library might be the program for them. It’s scary stories, crafts, and jumpscares to keep them on their toes this Halloween.
  • To round out the Halloween programs, Monster Mash is a spooky scary dance party with D.J. DreLaurin to celebrate just before Halloween. 

2. DIY Costume

You’ve been brainstorming months in advance for your costume. Halloween stores couldn’t possibly carry the vision you have for this year. Where would you even start? Well, the library has tons of resources and even more inspiration for your costumes. 

  • If you’re looking to create your own mask or props, travel down to the Digital Media Studio (DMS) to 3D print pieces and props for your costume. There’s a character shirt design you want to replicate? Well, you can print your own design on a t-shirt and have the coolest custom shirt!
  • On the other hand, if you’re looking to actually sew, crochet, or knit your costume, the library has tons of resources to get you started. For example, Hoopla has a Sewing SeasonPass to learn the basics of sewing and guide you through it. There are also dozens, if not hundreds, of books for every kind of needlework to help you with your DIY costume and bring it to life. 

3. Curling up with a Cozy (or Creepy) Book 

Staying in this Halloween or want to take a breather before the real festivities begin? A good book is exactly what you need. If you find yourself at the library, take a look at what our librarians have to recommend! Especially upstairs in the youth and teen sections, they always have rotating themed displays. Our librarians are always willing to help you find your perfect read for the season.

As a personal recommendation, a sci-fi series I love to read during this time of year, Marissa Meyer’s “The Lunar Chronicles.” It’s a science fiction take on classic fairy tales. What is more Halloween than a good twist on a classic? Curl up with an autumnal book recommended by the library.

4. Free TV and Movie Streaming 

Thanks to the library, you’re able to stream TV shows, movies and podcasts for free with your card. Stretching from physical media, like CDs and DVDs, to online streaming through Kanopy and Hoopla, you’re able to watch your favorite shows and movies for free. 

This Halloween season, you can stream classics like Barry Sonnenfeld’s 1991 film, “The Addams Family” on Kanopy or Hoopla. 

As mentioned, physical DVDs are also available and with your library card. For the family, you could binge Disney’s “Halloweentown” series for a Halloween marathon. If you’re looking for more Disney variety, the “Bingle Box: Disney’s Halloween Spooktacular” is available and stream Halloween Disney classics for the whole family. 

5. Fall Baking

What is fall without some warm spices and baked goods? Spend your money on ingredients and decorations over cookbooks and seasonal activity books. The library provides tons of free resources for seasonal baking for both adults and children. 

  • If you’re looking specifically for Halloween baking, Ruth Owen’s “Holiday Cooking for Kids! Halloween Sweets and Treats” can be a place to look. Featuring simple treats like Eyeball Cupcakes, it can inspire simple decoration ideas for your spooky treats.
  • If you’re looking for something more implicitly Halloween themed, Tara Theoharis’s “Minecraft Gather, Cook, Eat! Official Cookbook” is another option for some festive baking. Inspired by in-game food items from the popular game, Minecraft, you can transform your kitchen into a cube dimension for a night. 
  • Lastly, for another inspired cookbook, the “Disney Villains Devilishly Delicious Cookbook” creates foods from classic Disney stories such as Sleeping Beauty’s green poison apples or treats like the Mistress of All Evil Trifle inspired by the colors of Maleficent.