OCTOBER 2026
LIBRARY INSIDER Official Newsletter of the Hall County Library System
This Issue: Dark and Stormy PAGE 01 - 02
DARK AND STORMY NIGHT
Tutor.com PAGE
03
Digital Resources PAGE
04 - 05
Georgia Reads for America250 PAGE
Get ready to embrace the eerie allure of the Gainesville Library as the Friends of the Hall County Library present 2026's annual ghost storytelling event! Enjoy refreshments while being captivated by Hall County's own storyteller, Debbie From, as she weaves tales that will send shivers down your spine. Tickets will be available on our website on Monday, October 5th Friday, October 23rd 7:00 - 9:00
HALL COUNTY LIBRARY INSIDER
06
Homeschool and Book Club Events PAGE 07 Adult Programs PAGE 08 - 09 Youth Programs PAGE
10 - 15
Staff Book Picks PAGE
16 - 17
Bibliophile Bulletin PAGE 18
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T H E F R I E N D S O F C O U N T Y L I B R A R Y
T H E H A L L P R E S E N T
DARK AND STORMY NIGHT
GHOST STORYTELLING
TALES TO CHILL AND THRILL
This year, the Friends of the Hall County Library proudly present "A Dark and Stormy Night"—an event guaranteed to chill you to the bone and satisfy all your ghost story cravings! Friends Members $20 non friends members $25. This program is not for kids! for more info call 770-532-3311 ext. 126
F r i d a y , O c t o b e r 7 : 0 0 - 9 : 0 0
2 3 r d
Free Education Help!
TUTOR.COM
As students head back to school, having the right support can make all the difference. Tutor.com is a valuable resource that eases the transition, offering personalized, tutoring in a wide range of subjects. Personalized, Anytime Support Tutor.com connects students with expert tutors for one-on-one help in subjects like math, science, English, and more. Available noon to midnight, students can get assistance whenever they need it, whether late at night or during a free period. Comprehensive Resources Beyond live tutoring, Tutor.com offers practice quizzes, worksheets, and instructional videos. It also provides college entrance exam prep, ensuring students are ready for SATs, ACTs, and other tests. Support for All Ages From elementary school through college, Tutor.com supports students at all educational stages, aligning with school curricula for relevant and effective help.
AVAILABLE WITH YOUR HALL COUNTY LIBRARY CARD HALL COUNTY LIBRARY INSIDER
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Digital Learning Hub Library Resources for Lifelong Learning
TUTOR.COM Tutor.com connects you with a network of highly qualified and vetted expert tutors across a vast array of subjects. Whether you're a K-12 student grappling with algebra, a college student perfecting an essay, or an adult learner preparing for a new career, Tutor.com offers live, one-on-one help whenever you need it.
LOTE4KIDS
Digital learning
Expand your child's world with LOTE4Kids, a digital library now offering over 1,000 picture books in more than 65 languages. This popular app allows kids to learn and explore new cultures through the magic of storytelling, with stories read in both English and their native language.
Access learning resources from anywhere, at any time. Learn at your own pace and on your own schedule. Enjoy free access to premium content with your library card. Use engaging formats like videos, tutorials, and interactive lessons.
HALL COUNTY LIBRARY INSIDER
FINANCIAL FIT Financial Fit from EBSCO is a comprehensive platform that empowers you with essential money management skills. Whether you're a young adult learning to budget or an adult planning for retirement, Financial Fit offers interactive modules to help you understand credit, manage debt, and make smart financial decisions.
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AUDIO & EBOOKS Your next great read, available 24/7
PALACE The Palace Project app is a one-stop-shop for ebooks and audiobooks. Perfect for all readers, it offers a broad range of titles from bestsellers and classics to content in 29 languages. Use your library card and PIN to access a streamlined interface where you'll always find something great to read or listen to.
LIBBY Libby is an award-winning app that gives you free access to the library's vast collection of ebooks, audiobooks, and magazines. With just your library card, you can browse, borrow, and read or listen to titles on your smartphone, tablet, or e-reader. Libby is perfect for finding your next popular bestseller, catching up on a magazine subscription, or enjoying a great audiobook on your commute.
HALL COUNTY LIBRARY INSIDER
Looking for a way to keep your kids engaged, entertained, and learning? Look no further than eREAD Kids, our library’s premier digital collection designed just for children from Pre-K through 4th grade! With eREAD Kids, your child gets instant access to a massive online library featuring over 45,000 electronic resources. Whether you are at home, on a road trip, or waiting at the doctor's office, great books are always at your fingertips. eREAD Kids!
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COMPANY
GEORGIA READS FOR AMERICA250
Celebrating 250 Years: The Georgia Reads for America250 Challenge Get ready to turn the page on history! As we approach the 250th anniversary of the United States, our library is thrilled to announce the Georgia Reads for America250 program. This statewide initiative is designed to connect readers of all ages with the stories, people, and events that have shaped our nation over the last two and a half centuries. The program officially kicks off on March 3 and runs through the end of the year. Here is everything you need to know to get involved:
How to Complete the Georgia Reads for America250 Challenge The challenge runs from March 3 through December 31, 2026. Follow these steps to join the celebration and earn your prizes: Step 1: Join Your Age Group Sign up on the Beanstack app or visit the library to get started. There are four categories to ensure everyone can participate: Children: Preschool through Elementary Middle School High School Adult Step 2: Choose Your Book Read at least one book from the official America250 Booklist for your age group. This curated list of 31 titles features stories that explore 250 years of American history. Note: Many high school titles are also available in our adult collection, making them great shared reads for families! Step 3: Complete the Activities To finish the challenge, you must complete one activity from each of the six activity categories listed in Beanstack. These activities are designed to help you engage with our community and national heritage. Step 4: Collect Your Rewards Once you’ve logged your book and activities, stop by any branch to pick up your finisher’s kit: An official certificate of completion. A commemorative sticker. A patriotic silicone bracelet. Early Bird Bonus: The first 10 children to finish at each branch will receive a limited-edition Georgia Reads tshirt (Youth Large)!
Step 5: Enter the Grand Prize Raffle Every person who completes the program by December 31 will be automatically entered to win an America250 Gift Basket. We will draw one winner per age group in early January 2027. More information can be found on our website under Reading Challenges!
HALL COUNTY LIBRARY INSIDER
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HOMESCHOOL
HAPPENINGS HAPPENINGS Gainesville Oct 14th 1:30 p.m. Homeschool Crafternoon Oct 28th 1:30 p.m. Homeschool Libratory
Spout Springs Oct 19th 11:00 a.m. Homeschool Hangout
North Hall Tech Oct 5th 1:00 p.m. Think Tank
BOOK CLUBS BOOK CLUBS FOR EVERYONE FOR EVERYONE
Murrayville Oct 7th 4:00 p.m. Classic Lit - Adult Oct 9th 4:00 p.m. War Stories - Adult Reading: The Monk of Mokha
Blackshear Place Oct 26th 6:00 p.m. Monday Book Club - Adult Reading: The God of the Woods
East Hall Oct 26th 6:00 p.m. Romance Book Club - Adult
HALL COUNTY LIBRARY INSIDER
Spout Springs Oct 1st 2:30 p.m. Historically Speaking - Adult Reading: A Walk in the Park Oct 8th 10:30 a.m. Thursday Book Club - Adult Oct 26th 6:30 p.m. Sci-fi/Fantasy Book Club - Adult Reading: The Devils
North Hall Oct 13th 2:00 p.m. Coffee and Conversations - Adult
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October, 2026
Adult Programs programs galore! We have programs and events catered to adults at all 5 of our library locations on a weekly basis! Check our calendar HERE for a full list of events. Our vibrant program schedule offers something for everyone! Dive into crafting, painting, book clubs, fiber arts, and informative learning opportunities. We also host exciting partner events, thrilling Dungeons & Dragons sessions, and so much more!
Shop More. Save More. Love More.
Our Social Media @hallib
Our Website hallcountylibrary.org
OCTOBER 2026
PROGRAMS & EVENTS: ADULT SPOTLIGHT
Click on the titles underlined to learn more information!
*requires registration
*Pumpkins and Sunflowers! Paint Workshop Gainesville Library, Saturday, October 3, 1 p.m. - 3 p.m. Cottagecore Mushroom Wall Art North Hall Tech Center, Monday, October 5, 6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
*History and Heritage on the Comal Gainesville Library, Monday, October 12, 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
*Char”BOO”terie Class Gainesville Library, Monday, October 5, 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Walk. Listen. Repeat. East Hall Library, Wednesday, October 7, 4 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Find Your Balance: Tai Chi Chuan Spout Springs Library, Friday, October 16, 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Introduction to Family Search Gainesville Library, Tuesday, October 20, 10:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Dungeons and Dragons Club Murrayville Library, Thursday, October 22, 5 p.m. - 7 p.m.
*Halloween Themed Book Bag Gainesville Library, Monday, October 26, 5:30 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Appalachian Ghost Stories Blackshear Place Library, Thursday, October 29, 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
HALL COUNTY LIBRARY INSIDER
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YOUTH SERVICES Hall County Library has programs for all ages of children, from babies to teens, at each of the six library branches!
CHECK OUT OUR CALENDAR! CLICK HERE to visit the calendar for a full listing of all our programs or call (770) 532-3311 for more information!
HALL COUNTY LIBRARY INSIDER
OCTOBER IS FULL OF FUN! We offer a wide range of youth programs from storytimes, bookclubs, crafts, trivia, STEM... and more! PAGE 10
October 15 - November 28
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Join the Hall County Library’s fall reading challenge for ages 0 - 18 years! Earn cool trading cards featuring the PINES Kids Characters by reading books & completing fun activities on Beanstack!
HALL COUNTY LIBRARY INSIDER
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Fantastic
Fall Break at the library
October 12 - 14
Monday
Tuesday
October 13
October 12 11:00 am
10:15 am
12:00 pm
11:00 am
North Hall Tech: Rise ‘n Shine Storytime Spout Springs: Touch a Truck & Fire Safety with Hall County Fire Rescue Blackshear Place: Little Brushes, Big Ideas
1:30 pm
Gainesville: Hispanic Heritage Month & Day of the Dead Crafts
Gainesville & Spout Springs: Baby Steps Storytime Blackshear Place: Tiny Discoveries Storytime East Hall: Tuesday Tales Storytime Gainesville & Spout Springs: Toddler Storytime North Hall Tech: Touch a Truck & Fire Safety with Hall County Fire Rescue
4:00 pm
2:00 pm
6:00 pm
4:00 pm
Blackshear Place: Button Making (Teen)
Spout Springs: Lego Club Murrayville: Rock Painting (Teen)
10:15 am
Spout Springs: Anime Club (Teen)
Wednesday
October 14
Blackshear Place: Let’s Play Storytime Gainesville: Baby Steps Storytime Murrayville: Growing Readers Storytime
11:00 am
Blackshear Place: Touch a Truck & Fire Safety with Hall County Fire Rescue East Hall: Elachee Presents Nocturnal Animals
HALL COUNTY LIBRARY INSIDER
1:30 pm
Gainesville: Crafternoon North Hall Tech: Halloween Jamboree
3:30 pm Murrayville: Read Rover
4:30 pm
Spout Springs: Fall Fest
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Hall County Library System Teen Short Story Contest It’s back! Middle and High School students in Hall County are invited to participate in our annual Short Story Contest, starting on Nov. 2nd! Please see a librarian for details.
Sensitive Santa
For children with special needs who need a more gentle Santa experience.
Gainesville
Saturday, December 5th, Morning & Afternoon Thursday, December 10th, Afternoon & Evening
Spout Springs
Saturday, December 12th, Morning & Afternoon
Registration opens at THIS LINK 8:00 a.m. on November 2nd, 2026. HALL COUNTY LIBRARY INSIDER
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WEEKLY STORYTIMES FALL SESSION SEPTEMBER 5 - NOVEMBER 21 GAINESVILLE LIBRARY
BLACKSHEAR PLACE LIBRARY
Baby Steps
Tiny Discoveries Storytime
Ages 0-18 months Tuesdays & Wednesdays 10:15 AM
Ages 0-36 months | Tuesdays 10:15 AM
Toddler Storytime
Ages 18 months-5 years Wednesdays 10:15 AM
Ages 18-36 months Tuesdays & Wednesdays 11:00 AM
Little Sprouts Storytime
Ages 3-5 | Thursdays 11:00 AM
Saturday Storytime
All Ages | Saturdays 11:00 AM
Let's Play Storytime
Pajama Storytime
All Ages | Select Thursdays 6:30 PM Sept 24, Oct 22, Nov 12
MURRAYVILLE LIBRARY Growing Readers Storytime
EAST HALL LIBRARY Tuesday Tales Storytime All Ages | Tuesdays 11:00 AM
Ages 18 months-5 years Wednesdays 10:15 AM
Baby Steps
Ages 0-18 months | Fridays 10:15 AM
Saturday Storytime
All Ages | Select Saturdays 10:15 AM Sept 12, Oct 10, Nov 14
SPOUT SPRINGS LIBRARY Baby Steps
Ages 0-18 months | Tuesdays 10:15 AM
Toddler Storytime
Ages 18-36 months | Tuesdays 11:00 AM
NORTH HALL TECH CENTER Rise and Shine Storytime All Ages | Mondays 11:00 AM
Pajama Storytime
Preschool Storytime
Ages 3 and up | Fridays 10:15 AM
All Ages | Select Thursdays 6:30 PM Sept 3, Oct 1, Nov 5
Saturday Storytime
Saturday Storytime
All Ages | Select Saturdays 11:00 AM Sept 12, Oct 10, Nov 14
HALL COUNTY LIBRARY INSIDER
All Ages | Select Saturdays 2:30 PM Sept 26, Oct 24
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SEPTEMBER 2026
PROGRAMS & EVENTS: YOUTH SPOTLIGHT
n the o k c i l C titles d e n i l under re for mo tion! a m r o f in
*requires registration Hispanic Heritage Month & Day of the Dead Crafts! Gainesville Library, Monday, Oct. 12, 1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. HalloSTEAM Blackshear Place, Thursday, Oct. 15, 3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Teen Scooby-Doo Party Spout Springs Library, Thursday, October 22, 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Indie Web Revival North Hall Tech Center, Monday, October 26, 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
YAC:
Youth Advisory Council Volunteer at the Library! Ages 14-18 All meetings at 6:30 HALL COUNTY LIBRARY INSIDER
Elachee Nature Center: Nocturnal Animals East Hall Library, Wednesday, Oct. 14, 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Pumpkin STEM Murrayville Library, Monday, October 19, 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Sugar Skull Decorating Blackshear Place Library, Saturday, October 24, 1:30 - 2:30 p.m.
North Hall Zine Press! North Hall Tech Center, Friday, October 30, 2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. October 5: Murrayville October 15: Blackshear Place, East Hall & North Hall Tech October 22: Gainesville October 26: Spout Springs PAGE 15
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OCTOBER 2026
STAFF BOOK PICKS Witches, Ghosts and Goblins OH MY Katherine
Brian H.
George S.
Sarah M.
Heartless Hunter by Kristen Ciccarelli
The Witching Hour by Anne Rice
The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson
The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna
Lisa M.
Ansley M.
Janine C.
Emily B.
The Sun Down Motel by Simone St. James
Deep and Dark and Dangerous by Mary Downing Hahn
Ghostland... by Colin Dickey
IT by Stephen King
HALL COUNTY LIBRARY INSIDER
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OCTOBER 2026
STAFF BOOK PICKS Witches, Ghosts and Goblins OH MY Demi M.
YA
Katie G. JUV
LindaRose K. JUV
Katie G. EASY
Witch Hat Atelier Ghosts of Greenglass Scary Stories to Tell in A Spoonful of Frogs by Kamome Shirahama House the Dark by Casey Lyall by Kate Milford by Alvin Schwartx Leticia M. EASY
Candyce P. EASY
Spooky, Scary Skeletons by Andrew Gold
Stellaluna by Janell Cannon
HALL COUNTY LIBRARY INSIDER
Lisa E.
EASY
Ghosts in the House! by Kazuno Kahara
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Bibliophile Bulletin Navigating the Stacks and Unveiling Library Wonders The Palace The Palace Project Project
Make reading and listening to books on the go a breeze! With your Hall County Library card you instantly gain access to The Palace Project app! With this app, you instantly gain free access to thousands of ebooks and audiobooks right at your fingertips! Enjoy a vast collection of high-quality content anytime, anywhere. In The In The Gallery: Gallery: Melanie Melanie Vaughn Vaughn Art is like breathing for me. That first brushstroke of color on a blank canvas is exhilarating thinking of how the portrait will evolve. When I am painting or creating some form of art, there is nothing else going on in the world or my restive mind. It cannot be explained, only experienced, and is what I intend to do for the rest of my life. I am a painter and experimental artist. While my work is vibrant and colorful, the people, families or pets are recognizable, but they are also my interpretation of the subject. Their personalities and spirit radiate from the canvas. I would love to talk to you about painting a portrait for you! Abstracts are great fun, and lately, I have also been working with mixed media. Always moving my art forward with innovation.
HALL COUNTY LIBRARY INSIDER
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