Free Halloween Programs for All Ages
The Saline County library has a number of events that are open to the public beginning in October. Library card registration is not required to attend but is encouraged to take full advantage of library services and materials across the three library branches.
The Saline County Library’s annual Costume Closet is open for business starting at 9:00 AM on Tuesday, October 1st. Costumes are available on a first come, first served basis at all branches; the library does not place holds on costumes. The Costume Closet has a variety of sizes and styles for all ages; including adult and pet costumes.
Costumes are not expected to last long, and patrons are encouraged to visit the library early for a wider selection. There is no need to return costumes after Halloween. After a costume is “checked out”, please leave the hanger at the front desk, and the costume is yours to keep! There is a limit of one costume per person.
Family Craft Night: No Carve Decorating
On Wednesday, October 9th from 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM in the Bob Herzfeld Memorial Library Makerspace in Benton, decorate a pumpkin with our no-carve supplies. Pumpkins will be provided (limit 2 per family, while supplies last), but patrons are welcome to bring their own pumpkins. After working on your no-carve pumpkin creation, patrons are encouraged to enter or our pumpkin decorating contest for the chance to win a prize. Pumpkins can be entered from October 9th – October 19, and public voting runs from Monday, October 21-st –Saturday, November 2nd, with displays of pumpkins at each of the three Saline County library branches. Winners will be announced Monday, November 4th.
The Saline County Library will have a Trivia event at 7:00 PM on Tuesday, October 15 at US Pizza in Bryant (3600 HWY 5 N). The Trivia game is themed on Halloween, and questions will cover an assortment of areas from candy, movies, and Halloween traditions, to your favorite pop culture monsters. Patrons are encouraged to show up for the event in their Halloween costumes. Prizes will be awarded for: The Winning Trivia Team, Best Team Costume, and Best Individual Costume. Attendees are responsible for ordering and purchasing their food and drinks at US Pizza.
Movie Night in the Park: Nightmare Before Christmas
The library will have a movie night in the park at Mills Park (1003 Mills Park Road, Bryant, AR 72022) on Friday, October 18th. The movie will start at sundown, approximately 6:30 PM. Before the movie showing, there will be a number of yard games. Snacks and beverages will be provided. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs and blankets, as seating options are limited and are first come first served. The movie being screened at this showing is “Nightmare Before Christmas.”
No Carve Pumpkin Decorating Contest
Drop your decorated, uncarved pumpkin off at the library by Saturday, October 19th to be entered in our annual pumpkin decorating contest for the chance to win a prize! Patrons are encouraged to attend the Family Craft Night at the Bob Herzfeld Memorial Library in Benton on October 9th to decorate a pumpkin using the library’s supplies, with the guidance of our Makerspace specialists. Pumpkins will also be provided to families while supplies last. Pumpkins will be on display at each branch and voting will run Monday, October 21st – Saturday, November 2nd. Winners will be announced Monday, November 4th.
Throughout the day on October 19th starting at 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM, the Mabel Boswell Memorial Library in Bryant will be hosting a Halloween movie marathon, with films appropriate for all ages. During the movie screening, snacks will be provided as well as a themed Halloween arts and crafts project.
On October 25th at 10:30 AM at the Bob Herzfeld Memorial Library in Benton, there will be a Halloween-themed storytime targeted at children ages 5 and under. Youth Services Programmer Ms. Dana will read storybooks to attendees, lead songs and dances, and end with an age-appropriate arts and crafts project. Children and their caregivers are encouraged to dress in their Halloween costumes, and candy will be available for attendees at the Youth Services desk.
On October 26th from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM in the Saline County Library Bob Herzfeld Memorial Library parking lot in Benton, all patrons are welcome and encouraged to wear costumes, visit with librarians and library staff, and play yard games. The event will begin with a public storytime, followed by trick or treating in the parking lot. Free candy will be given to all patrons.
The East End Library Branch has been transformed into Candy Kingdom! For the week of October 28 – November 1, all ages are invited to drop in and play at the decorated library location. Staff will be dressed in costume for the event, and will award prizes to all patrons who participate in the games.
On Tuesdays throughout the month of October, The East End Branch Library will feature a program from 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM geared at writers of all ages. The writing group will explore and learn about different styles of flash fiction writing each week and participants will write their own short, short scary stories!
The Saline County Library has been serving the residents of Saline County since 1931 and has three locations: Benton, Bryant, and East End. Each location provides wireless access computing as well as desktop computers for guest use and several other non-traditional items such as video games, cake pans, small tools, and more. The Saline County Library also provides a variety of events and community outreach programs. For a full list of services and upcoming events, visit www.salinecountylibrary.org or call 501-778-4766. For more information about Summer Reading Challenge programs and the library, including our hours for each location, visit www.SalineCountyLibrary.org.