ELLSWORTH – In celebration of National Book Month, we invite you to stop in and check out a book to read, listen to or share and to join our October Adventures in Reading challenge. Your library card also gets you access to thousands of digital titles, as well as digital and print magazines, puzzles, music CDs, and so much more.

Mental Illness Awareness Week is celebrated Oct. 6-12 this year, along with World Mental Health Day on Oct. 10. The library has a wide variety of resources related to mental health available for all ages and needs. Stop in for a giveaway during the week, while supplies last.

National Friends of Libraries Week is Oct. 20-26, which is the perfect time to learn more about our local Friends group and to consider becoming a member. The Friends of the Ellsworth Public Library can be found online at www.friendsofepl.org or on Facebook. Keep an eye out for details about a special event that is being planned for that week.

Art on Display: Wonders in Nature: Watercolors by Gayle Brunner Frandrup through Oct. 30

On Display in the Local History Vault: Pierce County Agriculture begins Oct. 7

In the Makerspace: We are celebrating Cookie Month with tree cookie art, cookie cutter art, and other delicious-looking cookie crafts. We'll create homesteads and mini farms as well as enjoy science-related activities during Wisconsin Science Festival Week (Oct. 14-20).

Stitchin' Time Crafters typically meet on Wednesdays at 10 a.m. Contact the library if you are interested in joining so we can add you to the group email list which members use to communicate with each other.

Young families visiting the library this month should note that the Storytime Playspace is closed on Wednesday mornings from 10 a.m. to noon for Play & Learn. Contact Family Resource Center St. Croix Valley for more information. www.frcsv.org

Morning Storytime - Fridays Oct. 4, 11, 18 and 25 - 10:10 a.m. - Stories, songs, rhymes, crafts and activities with time to socialize and play. Children 0+ and their caregiver(s) (Location: Storytime Playspace)

Oct. 8 at 11 a.m. - All aboard for a ride through history with Arlyn Colby, area railroad enthusiast, historian and author, at this month's Discover Together Tuesday at the Ellsworth Senior Center. Arlyn will share the history of the Ellsworth Line of the Omaha Rail from its creation in 1885 to its removal in the 1960s. A luncheon will follow the program sponsored by the Ellsworth Senior Center and the Friends of the Library. (Just a reminder that the Ellsworth Senior Center is now located at English Lutheran Church at 229 W. Main St)

Oct. 8 from 6-7 p.m. - Meet Therapy Dog Maggie Party - We're celebrating World Mental Health Day early and you're invited to a party! Enjoy relaxing music and activities and activities while getting to know Maggie. Listen to or read stories, color or create cards for Seniors at local care facilities and share special party treats with Maggie! Drop-in to the RCU Children's Area and Makerspace anytime between 6-7 p.m.

Oct. 10 at 10:30 a.m. - Morning Book Club: “A Gentleman in Moscow” (Location: Library Meeting Room)

Oct. 14 - 20 is Wisconsin Science Festival Week. This statewide week celebrating science features events and activities for all ages and interest levels throughout Wisconsin. EPL is excited to offer a variety of programs during this week, but you can also visit www.wiscifest.org for more information or to find other events near you.
Oct. 14 at 10:30 a.m. - Tech Time - One-on-one assistance from our tech expert, Barb. Call the library for an appointment time. Barb will be available for three half hour time slots every second Monday of each month. (Location: Study Room)

Oct. 21 from 2-5:30 p.m. - Well Water Nitrate Screening Event - Pierce County Public Health and Pierce County Land Conservation invite you to bring in a sample of your well water for free nitrate testing. Contact one of these county agencies for specific collection instructions. (Location: Library Meeting Room)

Oct. 17 from 6-7:45 p.m. - EPL's Science Festival Agriculture Night - This year’s Wisconsin Science Festival theme is Agriculture, and we are celebrating with a special evening for all ages. Come and learn about mushrooms, mushroom growing and the medical benefits of mushrooms from two regional mushroom growers, Steve Scholtz and Russel Bahr (starts at 6:30). Bring the kids for their own agriculture and mushroom related stories and activities (also at 6:30). Everyone is also invited to view a new agriculture-inspired photo wall presented in memory of Hank & Rita Bauer from their daughter, Karen Lea (Bauer) Myerchin and her husband, Gordon Myerchin and enjoy refreshments in the meeting room.

Oct. 19 at 10 a.m. - Robotics Exploration (ages 8+) - Explore coding and programing through inquiry, hands-on STEM and robotics challenges. (Location: Makerspace)

Oct. 22 at 10:10 a.m. - Tuesday Tales - A monthly version or our weekly Morning Storytime in partnership with Pierce County Early Headstart. (Location: Storytime Playspace)

Oct. 31 from 3-5 p.m. - Main Street Trick or Treat and Sixth Annual Scarecrow Contest

If you belong to a church or civic organization that would like to participate in either the Main Street Trick or Treat or Scarecrow contest, we have space below the old bank drive thru for groups without a storefront on Main Street and businesses looking to collaborate or offer a site for a scarecrow. For more information, please visit ellsworthlibrary.org/halloween/ or contact Caroline at the library at 715-273-3209 ext. 102.

Submitted by Youth Services/Program Coordinator Caroline Herfindahl