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Scranton Library Has Halloween and Fall Fun Planned for All Ages

With the changing of the leaves, and more important, the weather, Madison residents will be turning away from the beaches and looking for more autumnal ways to spend weekends and windy evenings. Though still in its temporary location, the E.C Scranton Library is offering a slate of seasonal activities for residents through the next couple months, covering Halloween spookiness through the beginnings of the winter holidays.

Scranton’s new Adult Services Librarian Rachel Taylor said she was happy to have put together some events geared toward adults.

“[Halloween] tends to be more of children’s event season,” she said.

When it comes to keeping adults engaged, Library Directory Sunnie Scarpa said one of the things she has learned since joining the library staff earlier this year is how popular local history and interest programs are in Madison. Exploring interesting little interesting corners of Connecticut geography or culture have resulted in some very well-attended and well-reviewed lectures and talks, Scarpa said, which led her and Taylor to reaching out to local author Zach Lamothe.

Lamothe will visit the library on Sunday, Oct. 27 to present his book Connecticut Lore: Strange, Off Kilter, and Full of Surprises, and expand on some of the eerie encounters and folk legends he has encountered researching all things creepy around the state.

Scarpa and Taylor said they don’t often get the chance to offer an educational program that appeals to adults that also brings a level of Halloween thrills.

“He’s local, he’s spooky,” said Taylor.

“What more could you ask for?” Scarpa added.

That talk will cover everything from the supposedly haunted Norwich State Hospital to the legends surrounding Plum Island.

Taylor, a self-described horror movie and book fan, said she is also putting together displays and recommendations for the best spooky entertainment this Halloween season; the information will be up before the holiday.

For the younger crowd, Scarpa said the library’s temporary location will actually be a boon, as the Crafts and Campfires program on Saturday, Nov. 9 offers a chance for young adventurers to dress warmly and take advantage of the gardens and outdoor space provided by Madison Earth Care, right next door to the library, as they make s’mores and manufacture fall crafts.

“Anytime we’ve done programs in conjunction with [Madison Earth Care], they’ve been really fun and really popular,” Scarpa said.

“Take advantage of the fact that we’re next to this gorgeous [location],” said Taylor.

Another series for kids called Cozy Campers Playgrounds will run every Friday through Nov. 22, offering kids a chance to enjoy some outdoor fun activities before the weather turns too cold.

A more focused, more serious talk for adults on Sunday, Nov. 17 will honor Native American Heritage Month. Dr. Lucianne Lavin, an expert on local indigenous communities, will explore the history and landscape of native cultures particularly in the shoreline area.

The library’s first big fall event—certainly geared toward children, but with a good amount of adult participation, Taylor said—was a pumpkin decorating party on Oct. 16.

The library had more than 100 attendees who came to decorate mini-pumpkins with glitter, pom-poms, and various other craft items. Due to its success, it will most likely become an annual event, according to Taylor and Scarpa.

“We still managed to completely make a mess [without carving],” said Taylor, laughing. “But it was so much fun.”

For a more complete list of library programs and events, visit www.scrantonlibrary.org.