From HPL,
The Hornell Public Library has prepared a variety of programs as we enter the cozy autumn season. People of all ages have the chance to explore new cultures, celebrate the spooky season, and nurture a love of reading. Check out all of the events library staff have planned for you! Registration is required for all programs, so please call the library at 607-324-1210 or contact them via email at hornellpubliclibrary@gmail.com to reserve your spot.
Sign Up for the October Reading Challenge
Fall in love with reading this October with the Hornell Public Library’s October Reading Challenge. Register now and pick up your reading log! The challenge will take place October 1st through October 31st and readers are encouraged to turn in their tracking each week to add autumn leaves to the library’s tree mural located downstairs in the Children’s Department. For every ten minutes kids and teens read and for every book an adult reads they get a paper leaf to add to the tree. The final day to turn in your tracking is Friday, November 8th. The participants that read the most for each age category will get to pick a book to add to the library’s collection (as well as bragging rights).
Alma de Mexico’s Crafts & Performance at the 5th Annual Maple City Fall Festival*
The library was a grant recipient of the 2024 Community Arts Grant (Round 2) awarded by the ARTS Council of the Southern Finger Lakes. The library’s project, Cultural Explorations with the Hornell Public Library, will put $3,865 toward art workshops and performances that introduce the community to the cultures of Central America, Native America, Asia, and the Middle East.
The first installment Intro to Central to America is taking place on Saturday, October 12th at the Hornell Community Arts Center during the 5th Annual Maple City Fall Festival:
Central American Crafts for Kids – 1 PM. Registration required due to limited supplies.
Quetzalcoatl: The Feathered Serpent Performance – 3 PM. Come meet the 10-foot long serpent, Quetzalcoatl, from ancient Mexican belief systems with an interactive performance by Alma de Mexico. Warriors will battle the serpent while audience members can learn dance moves to help protect the community from danger.
Celebrate the Halloween Season with the Library
Wayland Paranormal Investigation Results – Tuesday, October 29th at 6:30 PM. The Wayland Paranormal Group visited the library back in June to search for spirits and will now share their results with the community!
Spooky Stories with Dan “Milhouse” Hausman – Thursday, October 31st at 5 PM. Looking for a fun and silly time before the trick or treating commences? Then come hear some spooky stories with Dan.
Craft Beverage Memory Project Exhibit on Display
The library will have the Craft Beverage Memory Project Exhibit on display for the month of October. Come learn about the craft beverage industries between Cayuga and Seneca lakes!
October Programs at the Library
Programs for Kids
Toddler Tuesdays – Tuesday, October 15th at 12 PM. Toddlers will get to listen to a story, participate in a fun activity, and make new friends. Registration is required at least three days prior to the program.
Multilingual Story-Time: Season 3 Blast-Off – Thursday, October 17th at 4 PM. The Multilingual Story-Times are back! Come learn, read, sing, and play in different languages including Spanish, Japanese, and Portuguese.
STEAM Story-Time: Saturdays October 5th and October 26th at 11 AM. Discover new themes and skills through stories and hands-on STEAM activities.
Programs for Teens
Pokémon Party – Wednesday, October 16th at 3 PM. Teens are invited for an IRL Pokémon Party where you will be able to create your own Poké Balls to catch the wild Pokémon around the library. Come catch them all!
Programs for Adults
Alzheimer’s Association Caregiver Support Group – Thursday, October 3rd at 12:30 PM. Every first Thursday of the month, the Alzheimer’s Association runs a support group for caregivers of people who have dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. Respite is available through Faith in Action but you must pre-register by calling 607-324-1138.
Introduction to Bird Watching for Adults – Saturday, October 5th at 10 AM. Craig Braack from the Allegany County Bird Club will introduce adults to the basics of bird watching. For more information about the Allegany County Bird Club and birdwatching, check out the “Bird Club to Offer Bird Watching Programs at the Hornell Public Library” article here.
Homebound Books Delivery Day – Saturday, October 5th at 11 AM. The library offers a free outreach service of delivering books to the homebound residents of Hornell. Deliveries take place on the first Saturday of the month. You can sign up for this service here or call the library at 607-324-1210.
Adult Book Club: The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffer – Tuesday, October 8th at 6 PM. Join the discussion for the October Book of the Month. To reserve a copy, call the library at 607-324-1210 or place a hold on STARCat.
Tech Help by Appointment – The library offers free one-on-one tech assistance to help answer your questions about your device or how to use the Internet for things like email, social media, and more. Call 607-324-1210 to schedule an appointment that fits your schedule!
Programs for All
Writers Group with Lee Marcus – Saturday, October 5th at 10 AM. Have you been wanting to strengthen your creative writing skills? Then join the library’s Writers Group led by author Lee Marcus. Bring something you’ve been working on and get the support you need to strengthen your storytelling.
Classical Guitar Concert with Benjamin Ellis – Friday, October 11th at 6:30 PM. Join Benjamin Ellis, classical guitarist, community arts organizer, and educator, for an exceptional evening of music.
Benjamin Berry’s Circus Act – Saturday, October 19th at 11 AM at the Hornell Community Arts Center. Ben Berry is back in Hornell with an exciting circus performance for all ages.
Chess Lessons & Open Chess – Thursdays, 6 to 7 PM and 7 to 9 PM.
Crochet for Beginners – Mondays, 5 to 7 PM. Come learn how to crochet or work on your existing crochet projects at the library! Don’t have your own crochet needles or yarn? Borrow a crochet kit and donated yarn from the library’s Tool Lending Shed.
*This project is made possible with funds from the Statewide Community Regrant program, a regrant program of the New York State Council on the Arts with support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature and administered by The ARTS Council of the Southern Finger Lakes.
The Hornell Public Library is located at 64 Genesee Street, Hornell, NY. The library’s open hours are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday 12:00 PM – 7:00 PM, Wednesday 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM, Friday 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM, and Saturday 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM. The library will be closed Monday, October 14th in observance of Indigenous Peoples’ Day.
