What's New at Boca Raton Public Library
You'll "Fall" for These Programs in October!

It has been a pleasure seeing familiar and friendly faces as we welcome our patrons back into the buildings. While we are open with limited services, our team nonetheless continues to work to provide new engaging virtual programs. Adults can choose from a variety of on-demand classes like learning Italian, memoir writing, or virtual book clubs. Children and teens have lots of virtual story times and some spooky fun. There's something for everyone!
 
~Oyuki De Santiago Poletz, Program Services Librarian III
 
What's New for Adults
Your Voice. Your Vote. Your Power.
Wednesday, October 7, 6:30-7:30pm
Virtual presentation
In 1776, only 10% of Americans had the right to vote. Learn the history of expanding voting rights and the important benefits to those who turn out and vote. Christene Campbell-Gabor, Chair of the League of Women Voters of Palm Beach County Civics Education Committee, walks you through the ways you can register and vote, including registering online, Vote-by-Mail, early voting and more. A link to the Zoom meeting will be emailed upon enrollment.
Early Voting
Monday, October 19-Sunday, November 1, 7:00am-7:00pm
Spanish River Library
The Spanish River Library is an early voting location for Palm Beach County residents. Vote any time from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 pm, Monday through Sunday. You can also drop your ballot off in person during early voting hours at early voting locations. Please do not drop off mail-in ballots through the book drops.


Story Central Virtual Storytelling Slam
Sunday, October 11, 5:00-6:30pm
Virtual program
Join us for this opportunity for adults to enter a friendly competition to share true, first-person stories -- not poems or essays -- of approximately 5-7 minutes in length. Judges in the audience select the winner, who is awarded a prize. Stories are not to be read or memorized. Hosted by Caren Neile, PhD, who has taught storytelling studies at FAU for nearly two decades. The first 10 people to sign up are eligible to participate. Enrollment required. Zoom information will be emailed upon enrollment.
Book and Film Discussions
Great Directors Documentary Discussion: Hitchcock/Truffaut
Tuesday, October 6, 4:00-5:00pm
Virtual discussion
Stream and watch Hitchcock/Truffaut (PG-13, 80min) on Kanopy and then join Neil Schulhoff for a virtual discussion. In this documentary, filmmakers discuss how Francois Truffaut's 1966 book, Cinema According to Hitchcock, influenced their work. Enrollment required. A link to the Zoom meeting will be emailed upon enrollment.
Unbound World Book Club: Ninth House, by Leigh Bardugo
Thursday, October 8, 7:00-8:00pm
Virtual discussion
This mesmerizing adult debut from Leigh Bardugo is a tale of power, privilege, dark magic, and murder set among the Ivy League elite. Enrollment required. A link to the Zoom meeting will be emailed upon enrollment. Click here to reserve or access your copy of the book.
Great Directors Documentary Discussion: Friedkin Uncut
Tuesday, October 20, 4:00-5:00pm
Virtual discussion
Stream and watch Friedkin Uncut on Kanopy and then join Neil Schulhoff for a virtual discussion of this documentary. The hotshot director of The Exorcist and The French Connection, now 83 years old, is interviewed about his career, and a number of his colleagues and admirers weigh in with reminiscences and tributes. Enrollment required. A link to the Zoom meeting will be emailed upon enrollment.
The Classic Sci-fi Book Club: The Left Hand of Darkness, by Ursula K. Le Guin
Wednesday, October 21, 10:30-11:30am
Virtual discussion
A groundbreaking work of science fiction, The Left Hand of Darkness tells the story of a lone human emissary to Winter, an alien world whose inhabitants can choose -- and change -- their gender. Enrollment required. A link to the Zoom meeting will be emailed upon enrollment. Click here to reserve a copy of this book with your library card.
Friends Speaker Series: Victoria Phillips, "Martha Graham's Cold War: The Dance of American Diplomacy"
Sunday, October 25, 3:00-4:30pm
Virtual program
Although modern dancer Martha Graham claimed, “I am not political,” she and her company performed at the behest of the State Department on five continents during the administrations of eight U.S. presidents. From a White House performance for the Roosevelts in 1937, to a planned tour under George H.W. Bush to Eastern Europe in November 1989, noted scholar Dr. Victoria Phillips, Ph.D., connects readers to the depths to which Graham and her company infiltrated the American propaganda machine. Register for this free Zoom discussion here.
An Hour to Kill Mystery Book Club: So Much Blue, by Percival Everett
Friday, October 30, 10:30-11:30am
Virtual discussion
Kevin Pace is working on a painting that he won’t allow anyone to see. It may be his masterpiece or it may not; he doesn’t know or, more accurately, doesn’t care. What Kevin does care about are the events of the past. As they intersect with the present, Kevin struggles to justify the sacrifices he’s made for his art and the secrets he’s kept from his wife. Enrollment required. A link to the Zoom meeting will be emailed upon enrollment. Click here to reserve or access your copy of the book.
Read Together Palm Beach County Book Club
Thursday, November 12, 6:30-7:30pm
Virtual discussion
The Boca Raton Public Library joins The Literacy Coalition of Palm Beach County for the 12th Read Together Palm Beach County campaign in which adults throughout the County read the same book at the same time. The Nickel Boys, by Colson Whitehead, is this year's pick. Colson won the 2020 Pulitzer Prize for this book of fiction -- his second Pulitzer Prize in four years. Click here to reserve a copy of this book with your library card. Enrollment required. A link to the Zoom meeting will be emailed upon enrollment.
Classes for Adults
Medicare Educational Virtual Presentation
Wednesday, October 14, 10:30-11:30am and 2:30-3:30pm
Virtual presentation
Don't miss the enrollment dates for Medicare coverage! Learn about the Medicare Options and eligibility requirements. Explore how to choose the right option for you. Medicare Advantage, Supplemental (Medi-Gap), Part D Drugs, deductibles and the coverage gap will be explained by a licensed and certified insurance agent. No marketing or selling will be conducted during the presentation. Registration required; choose one session only. A Zoom link will be emailed prior to the presentation. Click on a time below to register:
Wednesday, October 14, 10:30-11:30am
Wednesday, October 14, 2:30-3:30pm
On-Demand Virtual Classes for Adults
Available now, on demand
Virtual programs
Our Instructional Services team has been busy creating more free on-demand virtual classes for adults. Visit On-Demand Classes for Adults to watch Where Do I Vote?, Spanish and Italian Language Quick Series, Crafting on a Budget, Prime Yourself, 5 Simple Steps for Practical Internet Privacy, Civic Engagement: A Bucket List for Engaged Citizens, and more.
What's New for Children, Tweens and Teens
Bilingual Story Times
October 1-31, Facebook
Virtual Story Times
In celebration of Bilingual Child Month, we'll be featuring bilingual story times every week on our Facebook page. Look for story times in Russian, Spanish, Japanese, and Portuguese.
Teen Catch Up Book Club
Thursday, October 15, 5:30-6:30pm
Virtual discussion
Let's get together online and discuss the books we read over the summer and during quarantine. Enrollment required. A Zoom link will be emailed upon enrollment.
Teen Activity: Design a Button
Thursday, October 1-31, Youth Services
Downtown Library
Design your own button to wear! Send an email to ysstaff@myboca.us with the subject line: TEEN BUTTON. Attach a picture of your favorite book, anime character or meme, and we'll make it into a button for you! We'll send an email when it's ready for you to pick up at the Downtown Library Youth Services desk.
Read for the Record: Evelyn Del Rey Is Moving Away, by Meg Medina
Thursday, October 29, Virtual Story Time
on Facebook
Jumpstart’s Read for the Record brings together millions of adults and children around the world each year to read the same book on the same day to raise awareness about early literacy. Watch our Facebook page on October 29 as some special guests from the City of Boca Raton read this year's selection: Evelyn Del Rey Is Moving Away by Meg Medina. Click here to place a hold on this book with your library card!
Halloween Fun
Monday-Saturday, October 26-31,
Downtown & Spanish River Libraries
Watch our Facebook page for spooky story times and a puppet show! We'll also be handing out Halloween grab bags at the Youth Services desks and through our curbside holds pick-up service. If children come into the library that week, we encourage them to wear costumes and take a picture in front of our fun Halloween backdrop near the entrance. You might even spot a library team member in a costume or wearing a themed face mask!
More to Enjoy
Puzzles Are Coming!
Soon, we will be offering jigsaw puzzles for checkout, but we need your help in building our collection! If you have any "like-new" puzzles around the house, please bring them to the checkout desk at the Downtown Library, the Friends bookstore, or the Spanish River Library. You can also give them to us at curbside holds pick-up. All puzzles should be for adults (300 or more pieces); no children's puzzles. In order to maintain quality control, we cannot guarantee that all puzzles will be added to the collection, but any we can't use will be donated to the Friends bookstore.
 
National Friends of Libraries Week
Please join us in celebrating National Friends of Libraries Week from October 18-24! The Friends of the Boca Raton Public Library has donated thousands of dollars to our libraries over the past 30 years. In the past year alone, they've supported our new Pondhawk StoryWalk, bought books for Read for the Record, donated t-shirts and tote bags for Summer Reading, and are funding our soon-to-be-delivered library van! Please show your support by becoming a member of this wonderful organization, purchasing items from their bookstore, and attending their programs. Learn more about the Friends here.
 

 
New Library Hours
Monday - Saturday: 9:00am-3:00pm
Sunday: Closed
Curbside Holds Pick-up Hours
Monday - Saturday: 9:00am-5:00pm
Sunday: Closed
 


Boca Raton Public Library
400 NW 2nd Avenue, Boca Raton, FL 33432
1501 NW Spanish River Blvd.,Boca Raton, FL 33431
561-393-7852 | www.bocalibrary.org
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