Ritzville Carnegie Library welcomes fall

Summer has waved goodbye, school bells are ringing and we at the library are diving headfirst into our jam-packed programming schedule. Get ready for a lineup of shiny new programs and the return of your all-time favorites — there’s a lot to get excited about.

In September, we had the wonderful opportunity to host the Pacific Science Center from Seattle, allowing them to visit numerous schools in our service area. They brought along their Science on Wheels van, spending an entire day at each school and concluding their Physics experience at the library.

The entire week was an exciting success, and we look forward to inviting another one of their Science on Wheels programs next year, such as Blood and Guts.

They wrapped up the week at the library with the launch of our new Homeschool Hangout, scheduled for 10:30 a.m. on the fourth Friday of each month. We will offer a variety of enjoyable activities, educational opportunities and resources tailored for homeschool families in the community.

If you have any ideas for experiences or resources you would like us to include, please don’t hesitate to reach out and share your thoughts.

By the time you read this, you may have missed the Oct. 18 out-of-this-world presentation by Steve Edmiston from Humanities Washington. He dove into “UFO Northwest: How Washington State Spawned the Men in Black.” Steve’s not just your average Joe; he’s a business and entertainment lawyer at Bracepoint Law and a creative indie film screenwriter and producer.

On Aug. 1, 1947, a B-25 bomber crash in Washington State led to the FBI investigating “The Maury Island Incident,” marking the first alleged encounter with the “Men in Black.”

Sealed FBI records reveal Cold War tensions, cover-ups, and the involvement of FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover.

We have brought back our adult book club, Liquid Lit. It’s at 6:30 p.m. on the fourth Thursday of each month and hosted at Mi Jalisco.

Can’t come in person? No problem, join the conversation on Fable, our book club app! It is free and allows you to discuss chapter by chapter so there are no spoilers, and you can contribute to the conversation at your pace. Didn’t read the book? No worries, just come for some good food, fun company, and stimulating conversation! Our book for October is Starling House by Alix E. Harrow.

Additional Programs Happening in October:

At 10 a.m. every Monday, we dive into the magical world of Preschool Storytime. Grab your imagination and join the fun.

Our D&D guild gathers on the second Wednesday (ages 12-plus) and every Saturday (all ages), save for the second Saturday of the month, to embark on thrilling campaigns.

Teens buckle up for some spooky fun. On Thursday, Oct. 24, Teen Scene is crafting Halloween lanterns that’ll light up your fright night.

Get ready to unleash your inner ghoul. This Halloween night, join us for a “fang-tastic” time at Community Trick-or-Treat from 2-4:30pm, where spellbinding fun awaits in your spookiest attire.

— Millie Hopkins is the director of the Carnegie Library in Ritzville.