Do you have teens who are looking for excitement now that it is fall? With Halloween around the corner, take them to the library! That'll scare them!

Growing up, I have fond memories reading the Goosebumps series and Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark collections, the latter of which had a movie adapted from them recently. We have those anthologies in our collection, plus many others available at your local library. We also have scary stories for adults written by authors such as Stephen King, Edgar Allan Poe, Mary Shelley, and more.

Scaring people seems to be part of our heritage as myths and mythical creatures are passed down from generation to generation. It excites us in a way that general storytelling doesn't. There's an anticipation and payoff, even if it makes us a little uncomfortable.

Also at our library, if your teens are looking for some volunteer work or need to do some community service, we will have a haunted house the last week of October. We need all capable hands for hanging, decorating and scaring anyone looking for fun during Halloween. And be sure to invite your friends to it the last week of October! Little ones are welcome to come see it in costume, and any trick or treaters on Halloween can also pick up a free book from the library.

Finally in October, we will be hosting the recently appointed Sullivan County Poet Laureate, Mark Blackford. Saturday the 19th at 1pm, there will be a reading with a Q&A and books available for purchase. If you would like to join us be sure to contact the library.

Did you also know that November is National Picture Book Month? Early reading has been shown to have all kinds of benefits, including better vocabulary and having a greater general knowledge, but also starts kids with a lifelong hobby. We have many new Picture Books for young readers, so come take a look!

Livingston Manor Free Library will also be having a fundraising event after Thanksgiving. There will be a Black Friday Book Sale, so be sure to look for a deal! Going off of Small Business Saturday, we will have a meet and greet on “Small Library Saturday”. Come in and get to know some of the library staff over light refreshments.

Did you also know that all of the RCLS libraries have e-books and online resources? If you have any technological questions stop in at the Livingston Manor Free Library on “Cyber Monday” and ask! And don't forget about your local library on Giving Tuesday.

Also remember to check out what else is going on in your community library. Every town has different needs, and libraries aim to provide them. As the holidays approach, I am sure there are many different kinds of programs and events available at the local branch.

The library is a place for information and the latest best sellers, but we also offer all kinds of programs and events. It's a community center and always welcoming to the general public. We look forward to you using the library in the fall.