By now, many of you may have noticed our new book return. We are so pleased to be able to offer this service to the community. Although the library is open 69 hours a week, we understand that people's schedules create conflicts with returning books during those hours. I just want to clarify our procedure for retrieving books from the book return. Each day, the books will be picked up when we open and one hour before closing. This allows us enough time to check in the books and get them back on the shelves. Books that are placed in the book return at times that the library is closed or less than one hour before closing, will be retrieved the following morning. Regular overdue fines will apply.

The Friends of the Marshall Libraries is hosting a Halloween contest at the Marshall Public Library. Children and adults are invited to come and guess how many candies are in the jar. Those who guess the closest number will win a prize. There are three categories: preschool, elementary, and teen/adult. The contest starts October 1st. Winners will be announced on Halloween.

Pumpkin Carving

Mark Monday, Oct. 30, 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. on your calendar: Cathie is sharpening up her carving tools, getting ready for the library's annual Pumpkin Carving for sixth graders! This event is limited to sixth graders only with a limit of 10 participants. Pre-registration is required by no later than Oct 25. So call the library, 886-3391, lickedy-split to reserve your pumpkin. Pumpkins and carving tools are furnished by the library. Its a good idea to wear something washable ... those pumpkin innards can get messy, you know!

New books

Fiction:

"The Night Gardener" -- George Pelecanos

"Dead Wrong" -- J.A. Jance

"TripTych" -- Karin Slaugher

"The Power Broker" -- Stephen Frey

"Two Days After the Wedding" -- Joan Medlicott

Non-Fiction:

"Voyage of the Turtle" -- Carl Safina

"Me and a Guy Named Elvis" -- Jerry Schilling

"American Bee: National Bee and the Culture of the Word Nerds" -- James McGuire

Library events

Preschool Story Time -- each Tuesday morning at 10 a.m. Games, stories, crafts. Appropriate for children approximately 3 to 7 years old.

Pajama Story Time -- each Monday at 7 p.m. Everyone is welcome. Wear your jammies or come as you are. Games, crafts, stories.

Wee Ones Lap Time Story Time -- for babies up to 24 months old, each Wednesday at 10 a.m. Interactive finger play and song time for mothers and babies.

Travel With Lewis & Clark Series -- every other Tuesday of the month, 6 to 7:30 p.m. Moderated by Marvin Wilhite.

How can I support the Marshall Public Library?

Bring your receipts from Patricia's into the library when you're returning or checking out books. Each month, Patricia's Foods will donate a portion of the collected receipts to the library.

When purchasing items from Amazon.com, use the link to Amazon that appears on the Marshall Public Library's website: www.marshallpubliclibrary.com. A portion of your purchase will go to support the library.

Consider joining Friends of the Marshall Libraries. Membership forms are available at the library.

Honor a mentor. Celebrate a friend. Commemorate an event. A gift to the Marshall Public Library is a unique and enduring way to pay tribute to friends and family. Your generosity will be a lasting source of joy and enrichment for the community.

For additional information, please call (660) 886-3391 with any questions.