I just returned from West Virginia Library Association’s annual fall conference and am so excited to get started on all of the new programs I learned about while there. I can’t wait to tell you all about them! Of course, if you have ideas for a program or something you’d like to see the library offer, please contact me and we’ll try to make it happen!

       First off, we are revamping our story hour program. We will now offer story hour to children from birth through second grade. The older kids will still enjoy the stories we read and can do the crafts on their own, improving their motor skills. This will also allow parents with a few years between siblings to have one program for both ages. Story hour is held every Wednesday at 5 p.m. and has a one-time fee of $5 per child to help buy new books and craft supplies. This fall we are learning the alphabet and how to sign each letter of the alphabet in American Sign Language. We’ve had a few sessions already, but it’s not too late to join in the fun. This week is the letter “P” and will be all about penguins. Please call 304-564-3471 to register your child.

            Next month, we will be starting a “Choose Your Own Adventure” book club for children in grades 3^rd through 8^th. We will meet the second Tuesday of every month from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. There will also be a one-time $5 fee for this program to help buy books and craft supplies. We hope to see a lot of kids sign up for this. It’s going to be such an adventure!

Swaney Memorial Library was so excited to announce that Carol Hall is coming to do a book signing event from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, October 23^rd. Well, Carol just finished her latest book, A King’s Ransom, and we will have it for sale as well as all of her books at the signing. So stop in and chat with Carol, buy books, get them signed, and enjoy light refreshments, while supporting a local artist.

Our Read With Rover program at 11 a.m. Saturday, October 30^th, will be Halloween-themed so feel free to come dressed in your Halloween costume. I heard the dogs will be dressed in theirs. We’ll be giving out treats but you can read any type of book you like to the dogs. So come have a fang-tastic afternoon with us, ghoul-friend!

Swaney Memorial Library will be closed for Veteran’s Day, Thursday, November 11^th, and for Thanksgiving, Thursday, November 25^th and Friday, November 26^th. We will reopen at 10 a.m. Monday, November 29^th. We thank all veterans for their service and wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving!

This just in:  James Patterson’s newest, 2 Sisters Detective Agency, a thrilling new standalone novel where a detective duo of sisters finds themselves in the crosshairs of a dangerous and lawless group; The Butler, two different worlds and two very different lives collide in Paris in this captivating novel by Danielle Steel; and find out what Stone Barrington’s up to in Foul Play, Stuart Woods latest book.