The Waltham Public Library this week: Spooky Science

Curated by Amber Harvey, reference librarian

Drop in for some super fun, super cool and super spooky hands-on STEM activities. Recommended for ages 5 and up. (MakerSpace)

Happening this week

Kids
Spooky Science, Wednesday, Oct. 21, 4-5:30 p.m. Recommended for ages 5 and up. (MakerSpace)

Teens
All events take place in the Teen Room unless otherwise noted.

Real Talk: Personality, Monday, Oct. 19, 6-8 p.m. Real Talk is a for-youth-by-youth forum for discussing issues of importance to today’s teens. Dinner is provided. For teens and tweens in grades six through 12.

Crafternoons: Nail Art, Tuesday, Oct. 20, 4-5 p.m. Join us for hands-on creative fun this month. All supplies provided — just show up ready to create. For teens and tweens in grades 6-12.

Board Game Night, Tuesday, Oct. 20, 6-8 p.m. We’ll play classics like Clue, chess and Settlers of Catan while learning new Teen Room favorites like Squirmish and We Didn’t Playtest This at All. For teens and tweens in grades 6-12.

Wordy Wednesdays: Build Conflict, Wednesday, Oct. 21, 4-5 p.m. Let’s challenge ourselves to write a whole novel (or as much as we can) in just one month. We’ll brainstorm ideas, outline our plots and share tips and tricks. For teens and tweens in grades 6-12.

Movie Night, Thursday, Oct. 22, 6-8 p.m. Watch a movie and enjoy snacks. For teens and tweens in grades 6-12.

Teen Library Representatives, Friday, Oct. 23, 3:30-4:30 p.m. Teens help design programs, volunteer at the library and serve as role models for kid and teen library patrons.

Adults
Queer Lit Book Group, Tuesday, Oct. 20, 7-8 p.m. This month, we’ll be discussing “Her Body and Other Parties” by Carmen Maria Machado. (Trustees Room)

Bookmobile

• Graverson Playground, Monday, Oct. 19, 2-4 p.m. The bookmobile visits Waltham parks every Monday through October. Come sign up for a library card, return or check out items, and learn about library services. (16 Pine Vale Road, Waltham)
• Waltham Fields Community Farm, Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2:30-4:30 p.m. (240 Beaver St., Waltham)
• Mighty Squirrel Biergarten at Gore Place, Thursday, Oct. 22, 5-8 p.m. (411 Waverly Oaks Road, Waltham)
• Waltham Lions Club Halloween Parade, Saturday, Oct. 24, 3-4:30 p.m.

Planning ahead

Our annual Halloween party is Sunday, Oct. 25, from 1- 4 p.m., with two special performances by the Toe Jam Puppet Band at 2 and 3 p.m. We’ll also  trick-or-treat around the library. Plus, bookmobile, crafts and more fun. Costumes  welcome but not required. This program is recommended for all ages.

Learn about “Outsiders in Horror” in fiction and film with Brandeis University assistant professor Brandon Callendar on Thursday, Oct. 29, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. (Lecture Hall)

Did you know?

We’ve been traveling through past decades with our yearlong Book to the Future library challenge. Each month, participants watch, read or listen to something related to the decade for a chance to win a Starbucks gift card. During October, we’re visiting the 2000s. There’s still a chance to time travel with us — please visit our website for more information.

Full schedule of events, Oct. 18-24

Access our full program calendar.

Monday, Oct. 19
Teens: 6-8 p.m. Real Talk: Personality
Adults: 9 a.m.- noon MassHire Career Help; 1-4 p.m. Youth Connections (ages 18-24)
Bookmobile: 2-4 p.m. Graverson Playground

Tuesday, Oct. 20
Kids: 10:30-11 a.m. Te Cuento un Cuento; 6-6:30 p.m. Family Storytime
Teens: 4-5 p.m. Teen Crafternoons: Nail Art; 6-8 p.m. Board Game Night
Adults: 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Agencia Alpha MA Health Help; 7-8 p.m. Queer Lit Book Group: “Her Body and Other Parties” by Carmen Maria Machado

Wednesday, Oct. 21
Kids: 10:30-11 a.m. Toddler Time; 4-5:30 p.m. Spooky Science
Teens: 4-5 p.m. Wordy Wednesdays; 6-8 p.m. Teen Anime Club
Adults: 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Youth Connections (ages 18-24)
Bookmobile: 2:30-4:30 p.m. Waltham Fields Community Farm

Thursday, Oct. 22
Teens: 6-8 p.m. Movie Night
Bookmobile: 5-8 p.m. Mighty Squirrel Biergarten at Gore Place

Friday, Oct. 23
Teens: 3:30-4:30 p.m. Teen Library Representatives
Kids: 10-10:30 a.m. Baby Story Time
Adults: noon-2 p.m. Waltham Room Open Hours

Saturday, Oct. 24
Bookmobile: 3-4:30 p.m. Halloween Parade; 4:30-5:30 p.m. Trick-or-Treat on Moody Street

About the library
The Waltham Public Library is located at 735 Main St. Reach us at 781-314-3425 or waltham@minlib.net. Find us online at walthampubliclibrary.org.

Library hours: Sunday, 1-5 p.m.; Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-9 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

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