After that September heat wave, we're so excited to usher in the cool, crisp October days! We have lots of fun things planned for the month.
Visit for a Story Time, play Mario Kart on our Switch, make a leaf dinosaur or your own pair of wings, create something creepy on Friday the 13th, or just stock up on books like a squirrel preparing for hibernation. Don't forget to say hello when you stop in!
A New Face in the Library
Welcome, Izzy!
Izzy is incredibly excited to join the Agawam Public Library team as a Youth Services Associate! She is entering the library career field after working with first year students in a myriad of roles at Westfield State University. Outside of the library, Izzy loves to cook, read, diamond paint, and paint her nails while watching wrestling with her two snuggly cats. Her favorite genres are Fantasy, Horror, and Cozy Stories. Stop by and say hi!
Subscribe to the Teen Services newsletter!
Teen Services is getting its own newsletter starting in October! The newsletter will contain information about upcoming programs for teens and tweens, library news updates, content from teen contributors, and sometimes Young Adult book suggestions. The newsletter is intended for teens and tweens in grades 5-12 and/or their caregivers. Click the link below and enter your name and email to subscribe.
Visit the library on All Hallow's Eve-Eve (Monday, October 30th) at 4:00PM to participate in this year's Great Halloween Parade! This event is open to kids of all ages and their families, and everyone (including grown-ups) is encouraged to wear a costume. We will parade around the library, trick-or-treating at each service desk, and then head outside for stories, songs, and cider donuts on the library lawn. (If it rains, we will be in the Children's Activity Room.) Registration requested.
Teen/tween volunteers are needed to help with setup, cleanup, parade directing, and Halloween prize/treat distribution! Those interested in volunteering at the Great Halloween Parade should email Evan at edelano@agawamlibrary.org or call 413-789-1550 ext. 3.
Joke Days: Now Twice a Week!
In the beginning, Joke Days were every Wednesday during the Summer Reading Program. Then, Joke Days were every Wednesday of the year. Starting in October, Joke Days will be every Wednesday AND Friday!
Why? Because we love your jokes so much, we don't want to wait a whole week for the next Joke Day.
How does Joke Day Work? Every Wednesday and Friday, you can earn a small prize by telling a joke to a librarian in the Children's Room.
All joke formats are welcome. You do not have to make us laugh (but we probably will laugh, because we love jokes).
Pathways for Parents Programs
Pathways for Parents recently expanded its services to include Agawam! Check out their programs on our September calendar.
Pathways for Parents is a nonprofit organization funded in part by a grant through the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care. This grant, called the Coordinated Family and Community Engagement program (CFCE), supports Pathways for Parents in providing locally based programs that serve families with children birth through school age. Pathways for Parents now serves Agawam in addition to Ludlow, Hampden, Wilbraham, East Longmeadow, Longmeadow, Southwick, Granville, and Tolland. For more information, visit their website and Facebook page (linked below) or give them a call.
This month's Teen Take & Make craft is Moon Phase Magnets! Pick up your craft kit in the Teen Space. They will be available until we run out of supplies. No registration necessary.
Family Take & Make Crafts
New crafts available at the start of each week: October 2nd, 10th, 16th, 23rd, and 30th.
While supplies last
All Ages
A new Family Take & Make Craft is available each Monday morning until we run out of supplies. Our October crafts will be...
October 2nd: Smiley Face Leaf Wreath
October 10th: Fall Leaf Glitter Mosaic
October 16th: Fall Leaf Hedgehog Magnet
October 23rd: Monster Paper Cone Craft
October 30th: 3D Halloween Pumpkin Craft
Apple-Themed Scavenger Hunts
Monday, October 2nd-Saturday, October 7th
All Ages
Drop-in
Kids of all ages can stop by the Children's Room to complete this week's scavenger hunt and riddle! Everyone who completes a hunt or a riddle will be entered into a raffle. Raffle winners will be announced Tuesday, October 10th.
Toddler Time
Mondays, October 2nd, 16th, and 30th
10:00AM
Ages 19m-36m
Drop-in
Join us as we read stories, do fun activities, and play together.
Story Time
Tuesdays, October 3rd, 17th, and 31st
10:00AM
Ages 3-5
Drop-in
Join us as we read stories, do activities, play together, & do a simple craft.
Teen Drop-In
Every Tuesday during the school year
2:00PM-3:30PM
Grades 7-12
Drop-in
Stop by the library after school and visit the Children's Activity Room. Play board games, use our art supplies, or just hang out! No registration necessary.
Grow, Play, Learn
Wednesdays, October 4th, 11th, 18th, 25th
10:00AM
Ages Birth-5
Registration required (register once for the entire month).
This Pathways for Parents group will include a storytime curriculum & fun play activities. Caregivers are to complete the Ages and Stages Questionnaire. This program is geared toward children ages Birth-5 with a caregiver. Click below to register for all four October sessions.
Pathways for Parents is administered by Ludlow Public Schools & is funded by the Coordinated Family Community Engagement Grant through the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care. Serving the communities of Ludlow, Hampden, Wilbraham, East Longmeadow, Longmeadow, Southwick, Granville, Tolland and Agawam.
Baby Story Time
Thursdays, October 5th and 19th
10:00AM
Birth-18mo.
Drop-in
Join us as we read stories, do fun activities, and play together.
Terrific Twos
Fridays, October 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th
10:00AM
Ages 2-3
Registration required (register once for the entire month).
This is a unique Pathways for Parents program developed for the younger preschool child. This program enhances socialization and hands-on learning of two- and three-year-olds in a small group setting. Music, movement, stories, projects, and free play are incorporated into a fun-filled morning. The Ages and Stages Questionnaire will be integrated into each week's curriculum. Click below to register for all four October sessions.
Pathways for Parents is administered by Ludlow Public Schools & is funded by the Coordinated Family Community Engagement Grant through the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care. Serving the communities of Ludlow, Hampden, Wilbraham, East Longmeadow, Longmeadow, Southwick, Granville, Tolland and Agawam.
Monday, October 9th:
Library Closed.
Pumpkin-Themed Scavenger Hunts
Tuesday, October 10th-Saturday, October 14th
All Ages
Drop-in
Kids of all ages can stop by the Children's Room to complete this week's scavenger hunt and riddle! Everyone who completes a hunt or a riddle will be entered into a raffle. Raffle winners will be announced Monday, October 16th.
Grandparent Storytime
Tuesdays, October 10th and 24th
4:00PM
Ages Birth-6
Registration required (register once for both October sessions).
This group will support grandparents in engaging in play activities that foster development, specific for their grandchild. We will enjoy stories and songs, which ignite all areas of child development, and skills for school readiness, including intellectual, social-emotional, motor, language, and overall literacy. Click below to register for both October sessions.
Pathways for Parents is administered by Ludlow Public Schools & is funded by the Coordinated Family Community Engagement Grant through the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care. Serving the communities of Ludlow, Hampden, Wilbraham, East Longmeadow, Longmeadow, Southwick, Granville, Tolland and Agawam.
Wearable Wings
Wednesday, October 11th
6:00PM
Grades K-2
Registration required.
Decorate your own wearable wings! Will you be a butterfly? A fairy? A moth? A bee? You decide! All materials will be provided.
Lean into the vibe of Friday the 13th by creating something creepy! Registration is suggested; if we run out of materials, priority will be given to registered participants.
Join us as we read a story about our prehistoric friends, then make a leaf dinosaur of your very own! You can bring your own leaves or use library provided ones.
Drop in and play games on the library's Nintendo Switch! Bring a controller if you have one, or use ours. Board games will also be available.
Read With Pride Book Club
Wednesday, October 25th
2:00PM-3:00PM
Grades 9-12
Drop-in
Registration required for Zoom participants
This group meets on the 4th Wednesday of every month to discuss books by LGBTQ+ authors and/or books that feature LGBTQ+ characters. For September, we'll be discussing Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas. Copies are available to check out a month ahead of time at the library's circulation desk. Join in-person at the library or on Zoom. Registration is required only for Zoom participants.
Bring your ideas for library programs and services for teens! We will discuss the teen space, upcoming programs, and more. There will be snacks! Earn community service hours for participating.
The Great Halloween Parade
Monday, October 30th
4:00PM
All Ages
Drop-in
Kids of all ages and their families are invited to parade around the library in costume. Cider donuts, stories, and songs on the library lawn will follow. (Rain location: Children's Activity Room.) Registration requested.