Escape Room, Open Mic, Paranormal and More Now at HPL
BY JOSEPH ZAPPACOSTA, DIRECTOR, HACKLEY PUBLIC LIBRARY
Live music, family history workshop, Sherlock Holmes Escape Room, and open mic are at Hackley Public Library in October. Plus story times for kids, computer classes, crafts, book club, writing group, and much more. Also: Paranormal Muskegon! Explore exciting events at HPL.
Attention community members! In efforts to Bundle Up Muskegon during the cold, Michigan months, Hackley Public Library is asking to have hats, scarves, and gloves available for those who need them. We would love to make this possible with help from our community! Please bring donations to the circulation desk. Donations will be available to take November through February, as supplies last. Call (231) 722-8000 with questions.
Enjoy music from Serita’s Black Rose at Hackley Public Library! Serita Crowley, from the Grand Rapids band Serita’s Black Rose, is a self-professed “Funkateer.” Her mix of funk, rock, blues, neo-soul, and Americana creates “feel good music” that everyone can enjoy. Mark your calendar for 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 1, where we’ll enjoy Serita’s Black Rose. This HPL Fall Music Series performance is free to the public.
Join us for Fall Storytime at Hackley Public Library! We’ll enjoy themed stories, songs, movement activities, interactive apps, and a craft! This free program will happen on Thursday mornings at 10:30 a.m., and is best for ages zero to five with a caregiver.
Are you interested in computers, but don't know where to begin? Hackley Public Library is a great place to start, where De'ondra Pentecost will teach free computer classes this fall on certain Saturdays from 10:30 a.m. to noon. October 5, discover how to do several general computer tasks during How Do I Do That?, and learn the ins-and-outs of Excel on October 19 during Intro to Excel. Registration is required. Call HPL at (231) 722-8011 or visit hackleylibrary.org to register. Registration opens one month before each class date.
It’s a building party at Hackley Public Library! Explore all the LEGOs the library has to offer and put your projects on display. This free program will be on Saturday, October 5 at 2:00 p.m. All ages are welcome for this fun program!
Are you interested in earning money and helping your community? Census Takers are needed! Meet with a 2020 Census recruiter at Hackley Public Library, where you can learn about flexible jobs starting at $14.00 per hour. Be a Census-Taker, and make a difference in your community! The Census Recruiter will be at Hackley Public Library from noon to 3:00 p.m. on October 7, 14, 21, and 28, where you can hear more. Feel free to visit 2020census.gov/jobs for more information.
Create your own Lollipop Ghosts during this month’s Hackley Craft! These adorable spooks can be used as Halloween décor, or are great as gifts. This class will take place on Monday, October 7 from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m., and registration is required. Call HPL at (231) 722-8011 or visit hackleylibrary.org to register. Registration opens one month before the class date.
Do you enjoy creative writing? Are you inspired by innovative thoughts and ideas? Become a part of Left to Write, HPL's own Creative Writing Group! Here you participate in exercises, share your own stories and meet other creative writers. This group will provide a low key atmosphere for writers of all experiences. Everyone is welcome, so feel free to tell your friends! Remember to bring paper and your favorite pen. Left to Write will meet on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month, from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m., and is free to the public.
For anyone who is excited about researching their family history, participate in HPL’s Genealogy/Family History Workshop! Whether you’re just getting started or an expert looking for help breaking down a “brick wall,” the veteran genealogists of the MCGS can show you the way. This workshop is presented by the Muskegon County Genealogy Society. Pre-registration is required, as each workshop is limited to six individuals to allow for one-on-one assistance. This workshop will be held on Saturday, October 12 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in HPL’s Local History and Genealogy Department at the Torrent House. Please call (231) 722-8016 to register.
Watson and Holmes are working against the clock and they need your help. Grab your deer-stalker caps and magnifying glasses, and participate in Hackley Public Library’s Sherlock Holmes Escape Room! Clues abound in this escape room, but do you have the wits to solve the mystery in time? These Escape Rooms will take place on October 10, 11, and 12. Registration is required and groups can be no larger than eight participants. To register and claim a time slot, please call (231) 722-8014. Slots are first-come, first-served. At least one adult must be present in a group. This Escape Room is free to the public!
Explore LEGOs and coding with special kits during WeDo Mondays at Hackley Public Library! Instructors will be on hand to teach the group and guide individual learning. WeDo Mondays will happen from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. on October 14 and 28. This free program is best for ages seven through 14.
Young Adult books aren’t just for teens! Join librarians Analiese and Lydia this fall during our Fall into YA Book Club, where we’ll discuss Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds. Copies will be available behind the reference desk on a first-come first-served basis, or feel free to use your own copy. Please bring copies back to the discussion. This book discussion will occur on Monday, October 14 from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m., and will take place in the Julia Hackley Room in HPL. Free to the public.
Dive into history and learn details about Hackley Public Library during an After-Hours Tour! Tours will be held on Thursday, October 17, and visitors are asked to arrive at 4:45 p.m. to gather in HPL's lower level meeting rooms. Tours are free and open to the public, and will begin at 5:00 p.m. Please park in the rear parking lot as the front doors will be locked. These guided tours will be approximately one hour. Call (231) 722-8000 with any questions!
Children’s book illustrator Lori McElrath-Eslick is back at HPL for Spook-tacular Watercolors! She’ll help us learn how to paint with watercolors and create a spooky design. Visit with us on Saturday, October 19 at 2:00 p.m. for this free and fun program. Adult supervision is required for younger participants. Best for ages five-plus.
It’s your night to be a star during Open Mic Night at Hackley Public Library! All types of performances are welcome; poetry reading, music, comedy. If you are interested in showcasing your art, please register at hackleylibrary.org or call (231) 722-8011. Walk-ins are also welcome to share their talents. Not interested in the spotlight? Come just to listen! Visit with us for Open Mic Night, from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 22. Winners from the Write for Fright contest will be awarded during Open Mic Night.
Enjoy a fun afternoon with Mini-Pumpkin Painting at Hackley Public Library! From 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 26, participants will be able to paint a mini-pumpkin to take home for decoration this season. All supplies will be provided, however participants are welcome to bring their own pumpkins and paints if they desire! This program is free to the public.
With Halloween just around the corner, hear some spooky stories about paranormal investigations in your own backyard! Kent County Paranormal will present on Paranormal Muskegon, discussing what being a paranormal investigator means, as well as sharing their findings from some of their Muskegon investigations. Don’t miss this intriguing program on Tuesday, October 29, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. This presentation is free to the public.
We’re getting into the spirit of the season with not-so-scary stories and activities during Halloween Story Time! Costumes are encouraged for this special storytime, from 10:30 to 11:15 a.m. on Thursday, October 31. This free program is great for ages zero through five with a caregiver.
Founded in 1890, the Hackley Public Library is located in downtown Muskegon. Hackley Public Library's Main Building is located at 316 W. Webster Ave, and is open noon to 8:00 p.m. Monday and Tuesday, and 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. Hackley Public Library's Local History and Genealogy in the Torrent House is located at 315 W. Webster Ave, and is open 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.
The Hackley Public Library is dedicated to promoting knowledge, understanding, and wisdom, combating ignorance, intolerance, and indifference, promoting the free exchange of ideas, and conserving our national and local cultural heritage. The mission of the Hackley Public Library is to inform, inspire, and delight our diverse community by providing information, knowledge, literature, new technologies, and traditional and innovative programs. Visit them online at HackleyLibrary.org and on Facebook at HackleyPL.
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