It’s been a spooktacular month at the Aurora Public Library (APL) and the spookiness will continue. Do you wonder what chilling programs and exhibits the APL will have this month?
How about a walk through our Dearly Departed: Tombstone Portraiture Photo exhibit? This will be on display at all Library locations through October 31. The tombstone portraiture evolved and became popular in the late 19th Century and early 20th Century. The exhibit will feature Aurora history librarian Robb Winder’s photographs of these memorials from St. Cyril and Methodius Cemetery in Joliet, Waldheim Jewish Cemetery in Forest Park, and Bohemian National Cemetery in Chicago.
According to Oak & Laurel Cemetery Preservation, visitors can have the experience of the way these tombstones are shaped by tradition, family resources, fashion, and cemetery rules. The portraits, which are made of solid porcelain or porcelain over metal, come in various shapes and may be seen as a scroll, cross, or book-design.
Does the APL exhibit have you craving more information about cemeteries, gravesites, or headstones?
Jim and Paula Hantak will have a slideshow tour of Chicagoland and Illinois cemeteries, gravesites, and headstones that have supernatural overtones from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 22 at the APL West Branch.
There’s nothing more frightening than a tale of possessed loved one, or a disfigured midnight mangler who preys on teenagers in their dreams! The Halloween Film Festival will be at West Branch and will feature “The Last Man on Earth” at 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19, “The Babadook” at 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19, and our Halloween special, “A Nightmare on Elm Street” at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 31. All movies are free to attend, if you dare.
Those looking for the not-too-spooky activities to do with the family can stop by the DIY (do it yourself) Costume Creating or Halloween storytimes! The DIY Costume Creating event will be held at the Santori Library from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 29. We will provide supplies to create a costume from superheroes to princess and even a witch! Do you already have your costume? Well, don’t forget to dress up for our storytimes!
• Monday, Oct. 28 Not-Too-Spooky Stories from 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the Santori Library;
• Monday, Oct. 28 Halloween STEAM Storytime, ages six to 10, from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. at West Branch;
• Monday, Oct. 28, Not-Too-Spooky Stories from 7 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Eola Road Branch;
• Wednesday, Oct. 30, Halloween Storytime from 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at West Branch;
• Wednesday, Oct. 30, Halloween Bedtime Stories from 7 p.m. to 7:30p.m. at West Branch;
• Thursday, Oct. 31, Not-Too-Spooky Stories from 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Eola Road Branch.
There will be a book haunt! Stop at any APL location prior to October 31 to pick up a book haunt sheet. Read in different rooms in your home to earn a prize! Happy Halloween!
Miriam Meza-Gotto is communications manager for Aurora Public Library.