Marvin Memorial Library Logo
 
Children's Activities 
 
October 2026
Open Book with Potions and Smoke
Letter from Your Librarian
Icons - Halloween - Witches legs Black Cat Broom    Thank you for helping us kick off our new programming year! We had a fantastic September with all of you and are really excited for everything else we have planned this year.     
    Who else is ready for Halloween? It's my favorite time of the year! We're prepping for our annual Trick-or-Treat at the Library event. We'll see you here in your costumes on Friday October 30.
    While you're waiting to Trick-or-Treat, stop by for other fun activities: Slime Saturday, Exploring Bats, Science Club, Story Time, Early Literacy Night, and more! We're always happy to see you and hope you'll join us for something fun this month. 
 
Happy Reading! 
 
  ~Miss Jami 
 
Elevator Notice 
 
The MML Elevator is currently out of service. We are doing everything we can to have it working again as soon as possible, but it will be out of service until at least Thanksgiving. 
 
In the meantime, we have moved all activities that can be moved to new locations, either outside or upstairs. Some things were not movable, either because of the activity or because of the availability/suitability of other spaces.
 
If a program listed below still lists the Multipurpose Room as its location, please be aware that this means you will have to take the stairs to get to and from the activity. We apologize for the difficulty and hope you will be patient with us as we work to repair the broken elevator. 
 
As always, thank you for choosing to spend you time with us, we appreciate your support, and look forward to seeing you this month. 
 
 
Upcoming Closures
  
~MML will be closed on the following days in October:
  • Monday October 12 
 
Reminder: 
Most Age Groups are not set in stone. What works for you and your family works for us, just know that these are the ages we prep for when planning for our events. 
 
 
Ages 0-5 Programming
Early Literacy Night 
Thursday, October 1, 6:00
Kerr Garden Room

Join us as we celebrate early literacy and Farm Animal stories. We'll enjoy a few stories, a craft, and games focusing on early literacy skills. 

Activities include a focus on fine/gross motor skills, Kindergarten Readiness, and the Science of Reading.

This month we're partnering with the Richland County Farm Bureau.  
Icon - Chick - Yellow
Icons - Pig Hand Puppet
Lap Sit Story Time with Miss Annie
Monday, 10:30
Story Time Room

Ages 0-2

We'll meet in the Story Time Room to read books, sing songs, and practice early literacy skills to develop a love of reading from a young age. Program content usually lasts about half an hour, then participants are encouraged to stay, play, and connect.

October's Themes:
*Farm Animals: Chickens, Sheep, Cows, and Horses

 
Story Time with Miss Jami  
Tuesdays, 10:30 am 
Thursdays, 10:30 am

Story Time Room 

Ages 2-5

Story Times include stories, games, music, crafts, and fun. Story Times generally last 45 minutes to an hour, depending on our activity.

October's
Themes:
*Farm Animals: Chickens, Sheep, Cows, and Horses

 
Silhouette of a Pony Profile Black
Music & Movement
Fridays, 10:30
Kerr GardenRoom

Ages 0-5

Join us for musical fun! We'll dance, sing, and connect through music.

October's Themes: Farm Animals
Wednesday Play Group
Wednesdays, 10:30
Children's Department

Ages 0-5

Join us every Wednesday for a Playgroup! We'll have separated play spaces, sensory activities, crafts, stories, snacks, and a chance for social connections.

 
Icons - Storytime Illustrations - Girl Playing 4
Kindergarten-6th Grade Programming 
Icons - Paint Slime Splatter - Green
Slime Saturday
Saturday, October 10, 11:00
Multipurpose Room

Drop by for some slimy fun! We'll try different slime recipes and have fun getting messy.
Science Club 
Kindergarten-6th Graders, Wednesday October 21 at 4:00
Multipurpose Room 

Join us for some science. Expect books, hands-on experiments, and fun!

Theme: Slushie Science 
Icons - Ice Cream Header
Icons - Cooking - Black
Kids Cook!
Thursday, October 15, 6:00
Multipurpose Room

Grades K-6

Join us once a month to develop your kitchen skills! We'll practice the basics, try new things, and work together to create edible masterpieces.

October Theme: Cutting and Measuring 

Registration Required:
Opens September 21 and Closes October 13 for the October Meeting   
 
Reading Buddies
Tuesdays, 4:00
Children's Department

Register at the front desk or in the Children's Department as a Buddy to meet with the same person every week to practice, or come as needed to meet with various/available buddies without registering.

We are still looking for Helper Buddies! Middle School/High School Helpers preferred. Earn volunteer hours while helping others practice reading skills!
Illustration of two mice one sitting and reading and one drinking tea
Agriculture Farming Cows Pasture
Kindergarten - Third Grade Story Time
Tuesdays, 4:00
Story Time Room

Story Times include stories, games, music, crafts, and fun. Story Times generally last 45 minutes to an hour, depending on our activity.

October's
Themes:
*Farm Animals: Chickens, Sheep, Cows, and Horses
All Ages Family Programming 
Night Under the Lights
Tuesday, October 6, 6:30
Shelby Schools Football Field

Drop by for a night of reading under the lights with the Shelby Fall Athletes!

Registration is required: please use this link.
Artists' Club
All Ages, Wednesday October 7 at 4:00
Children's Department 

Join us to create fun, hands-on, art projects. We’ll try new techniques, get messy, and have a creatively good time.

Theme: Moon Paintings   
 
Sensory Story Time
Saturday, October 3, 10:30
Story Time Room

Designed for children of all ages, Sensory Story Time focuses on stories, interaction, and play. We’ll include stories, games, sensory activities, and crafts with tailored environmental adjustments.

Theme: Farm Animals-Sheep 
Graphic Novel Book Club
Wednesday, October 14, 4:00
Story Time Room

Join us once a month to talk about our favorite Graphic Novels. We'll alternate each month between a series and a stand alone book.

This Month's Theme: Bailey School Kids -- Pick up a book in the Children's Department 
Vampires Don't Wear Polka Dots by Marcia Thornton Jones
Icons - Bats - Black
Exploring Bats
Saturday, October 17, 11:00
Kerr Garden Room

Join Deb Nofzinger from the Sandusky County Park District for a fascinating look at the world of bats! Discover what makes these amazing nighttime creatures so unique, learn about their habits and habitats, and find out why bats are an important part of our environment. This fun and educational program is sure to change the way you think about these often misunderstood animals!
Builders' Club
Wednesday October 28, 4:00 pm
Children's Department 

Join us to build, meet challenges, and connect with other builders! We'll use Legos, Keva Blocks, Magnatiles, K'Nex, and more. 

This Month's Theme: Marble Runs/Mazes
icons - lego bricks 2
icons - halloween trick or treat words text bats - orange black
Trick-or-Treat at the Library
Friday, October 30, 3:30-4:45
 
Stop by to trick-or-treat your way around the library. See your favorite librarians, pick up some treats, and have fun without having to wear your snowsuit!

This is Miss Jami's favorite program all year! I can't wait to see what you wear! 
 
Homeschool Programming 
Apples to Oregon: Being the (Slightly) True Narrative of How a Brave Pioneer Father Brought Apples, Peaches, Pears, Plums, Grapes, and C by Deborah Hopkinson
Homeschool Book Club
Thursday, October 1, 1:00
Kerr Garden Room

Homeschool Families are invited to join us once a month to talk about our favorite books. Each month we'll have a theme, just bring something that matches to share with the group. 

This Month's Theme: Favorite Fall Book 
Homeschool Science Club
Thursday, October 8, 1:00
Multipurpose Room

Homeschool Families are invited to join us for scientific fun and discovery. Each month we'll focus on a different topic with books, experiments, observations, and more.

This Month's Theme: Slushie Science  
Icons - Ice Cream Popsicles
Homeschool Art Club
Thursday, October 15, 1:00
Multipurpose Room

Homeschool Families are invited to join us to get creative once a month. We'll focus on the elements of art with new techniques and fun projects.

This Month's Theme: Moon Paintings 
Homeschool Builders' Club
Thursday, October 22, 1:00
Multipurpose Room

Homeschool Families are invited to join us once a month to build and meet challenges. We'll use Legos, Keva Blocks, Magnatiles, K'nex, and more.

This Month's Theme: Marble Runs/Mazes
icons - lego bricks 2
Icons - Pair of Dice - Light Gray
Homeschool Gamers' Club
Thursday, October 29, 1:00
Children's Department

Drop by for fun and games! We have video games, board games, card games, and trivia games.
Passive Program 
Icons - Halloween - Cauldron Witches Brew Hat EyeballWitch's Cauldron Scavenger Hunt 
 
Try our October Activity! We hid 15 Cauldrons around the department. See if you can find them all for a prize!  
 
 
Things to Watch For
Icons - Pumpkins and Pie - OrangeUpcoming Events
 
November Plans:
 
*LEGO Contest on November 21
*Saturday Playdate on November 14
*A Christmas Story Movie Night after Hours on November 13 
 
 
 
 
 
Curbside Pickup 
Don't forget-you can still pick up items through our curbside service! Place items on hold through our catalog. Then just call from the Mobile Pickup spots closest to the staff entrance and we'll bring them out to you. 
 

Marvin Memorial Library
29 W. Whitney Avenue, Shelby, Ohio 44875
419-347-5576

https://marvinlibrary.org/