Volume 171 | October 2025

Visit CCLD out in the community this month! We will have a table at the Horseheads Farmer's market on Friday, October 3, 4-8pm and the Horseheads Fall Food Fest on Saturday, October 11, 12-5pm. We will also be participating in the Trunk-or-Treat taking place at the Chemung County Fairgrounds on Saturday, October 18, 4-7pm.

Fall Call for Seeds: We hope you had a great growing season this summer! If you find that you had a surplus seeds, please share them with the Steele Memorial Library for our Seed Lending Library! Just bag them up and mark what type they are and their name, such as “beans, Kentucky”; we will get them ready for borrowing in the spring.

October 13 - Steele will be open 9-5pm; other CCLD libraries will be closed.

Enjoy the spookiest time of year all month long at Steele! On October 4, join us for Drag Queen Bingo: Halloween Edition. Trivia night returns October 8, with Horror Movie Trivia. Meet a psychic medium, to learn about cleansings, readings, and banishments, on October 17.

On October 9, 6pm, join us for FLX Improv's prom-themed Improv Comedy Show. Learn to safely forage for wild mushrooms and edible plants at Fall Foraging on October 11, 1:30pm. Learn how to keep bees at Beekeeping 101 on October 25, 2pm.

Also in October, Life-Size Clue at the Library is back on Saturday, October 18. The Poetry & Tea Book Club will meet on October 31 for a tasting and reading. Art classes, Live-Play D&D, and Tablet Talk continue this month (see full events list for details). There will also be a new Magic the Gathering group for adults starting on October 21, 5:30pm.

Check out our new virtual Elmira History Tour, Trolley Tales! Fourteen historic Elmira stops with historic images, freely available on the Otocast app! Read our blog article, for more information.

"Introduction to Genealogy," will be held at the Steele Memorial Library on Thursday, October 23 at 1:30pm.

Our zoom events continue with Genealogy Club on Saturday, October 18 at 10am. This is an open discussion group for people of all experience levels.

Monday, October 27 at 6pm, Genealogist Katherine Willson joins us for a virtual program, "I Seek Dead People: Cemetery Research Online and In-Person." Don't miss this opportunity to learn how to find your ancestors, using cemetery records.

Teens 7th-12th grade can hang out in the Teen Space at Steele Memorial Library! On October 2, 5pm, the Teen Craft Club will make Origami Bats; on October 16, 5pm, they will make Spooky Cemeterrariums. Make Monster Finger Cookies at the Creepy Cookie program, on October 6, 4:30pm. Create your perfect costume at the Halloween Costume workshop with designer Shanna Warwick on October 20, 5pm, just in time for the Epic Teen Halloween Dance on October 24, 7pm; tell your friends it’s gonna be golden! Some events may require registration, so view the full events list for times and to secure your spot.

Stop by for our regularly scheduled activities, including take-home crafts, Preschool Playtime, Storytime, LEGO Club (NEW days & time!), Tween Theater, Tween D&D, and lots of different crafts.

Special Performer: Checkers the Inventor’s Halloween Show – October 9, 6pm. Checkers has performed at The White House three times!

See us at Cohen Fall Festival on October 8, Trunk-or-Treat at the Fairgrounds on October 18, Howell’s Family Day on October 25, and Parley Coburn’s Fall-o-Ween on October 29.

Check out our Events Calendar for details and to register.

The Makerspace is open Monday through Thursday, 9:30-6pm and Friday and Saturday, 1-4:30pm.

If you haven’t been by yet, please pop in to see everything you can create! We have 3D printers, laser engravers, a heat press, Cricut Maker, and so many tools to learn how to use. Sewing classes are on Mondays, alternating between Open Sew and a Guided Project (view the full events list, for all of the sewing classes). If you love video games be sure to come in on Tuesdays at 3pm for “Hard Reads: A Video Game Group”!

Let’s get ready for Spooky Season!! For October, we’re making our own candy bags on the heat press, folding origami bats, and other Halloween crafts - see the full events list and reserve your spot soon – they fill up quickly!

On October 22, 4pm, Decorate "Mutant Pumpkin" Cookies and watch the movie "Monsters vs. Aliens: Mutant Pumpkins From Outer Space." All ages are welcome. Please call to register, 607-562-3300, or register online!

The Needle Felting Group will meet October 9 & 23, 2:30-4:30pm. Big Flats Library Book Club will meet October 24, 1pm (in person and via Zoom). Please contact library staff for zoom invite information. Join us for our Afternoon Movie, October 23, 2-4:15pm; we are watching "The Bookshop," a 2017 drama film, based on the 1978 novel by Penelope Fitzgerald. There will be a craft for adults on October 28 from 2-3:30pm; make a Fall Mason Jar Floral Arrangement. Registration is required: 607-562-3300.

TWEENS
On October 21, 6pm, make Scary Good Smoothies with the BFL Chef's Club. We will use 100% real fruit to whip up some delicious smoothies. This program is for kids 8 and up. Registration will be available on our website 30 days before the program, or by calling the Big Flats Library at (607)562-3300.

TEENS

On October 29, join us for a Five Nights At Freddy's after-hours Halloween Program from 6-7pm. Come party at the library...if you dare! Sample Fazbear Pizza, decorate Chica’s Cupcake, try some creepy crafts, or play the games with your friends on the projector screen. Call to register: (607)562-3300.

Teens are also welcome to stop by for Lego Club and crafts.

Stop by the library craft table this month and make Lollipop Ghosts! On October 8, 4pm, create a Ghostly Family Portrait; use paper doilies to create a spooky scene on a black background. Join us for songs, stories, and puzzles at Wednesday storytimes, 10:30am (October 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29). Pick up a take-home preschool & school-aged Popsicle Stick Pumpkins craft! Learn And Grow Social Homeschool Enrichment Group meets each Tuesday at 3:30pm-4:30pm.

LEGO Club is on Thursdays at 4pm. Build with our bricks and join monthly challenge builds, for a chance to win Big Flats Master Builder of the Month! October Build Challenge: SKELETON (winner will be judged on 10/30).

Hotspots are now available for checkout! Call (607)739-4581 for more information or to get added to the reservation list. Also new this month, our Puzzle Exchange! Stop by and pick up a puzzle, and leave one in return if you’d like.

Join us for Tablet Talk every 3rd Tuesday of the month, bring your device and get troubleshooting help from staff and fellow users. One-on-one device assistance is also now available by appointment. Check out the full events list for more details and other adult programs.

Volunteer Opportunity- We're seeking dedicated adults who are eager to give back to the community by volunteering at the library. If you're interested in making a weekly commitment to support us, please feel free to call or stop by and speak with Michelle for more details.

This year, ditch the basic pumpkin carving and embrace the magic of decoupage! On October 8, 6pm, join us for a super fun, easy, and totally unique way to create personalized fall decor that'll wow your friends and family. Reserve your spot today.

Hey bookworms! We're excited to announce our new Teen and Tween Book Review Binder at the library! This binder will be packed with reviews written by other tweens and teens just like you! Find your next favorite book based on recommendations from people who get you. Ask us about contributing your own review!

Teens and tweens who are passionate about anime and manga, come join us on October 15 from 5:30-7pm at our Anime & Manga Club, where you can connect, share, and explore your favorite series with others who share your interests. 

Horseheads Storytime will be continuing through the month of October every Tuesday from 10:30-11am. This event is specially designed for toddlers, preschoolers, and their caregivers to foster a love of reading and learning through stories, songs, and playful activities.

This month’s take 'n make is a Spookley the Pumpkin craft. Cris Johnson is coming back to the Horseheads Library. He will be presenting his Spooky Magic show. Bingo is back! Check out the calendar for event information.

Join us for Gentle Movement Mondays with Tammy Wilcox on Monday, October 6, 20, 29 from 10:30am-11:15am and Yoga from 11:15am-12pm. These classes are suitable for all fitness levels, including those recovering from injuries or managing chronic conditions. Dress comfortably and bring bottled water and an exercise mat, if you have one. Classes are free and all are welcome!

Pumpkin Craftin' - Wednesdays will be dedicated to October's favorite fruit! We will be creating collages, pumpkin books, and stuffed pumpkins. All ages are welcome.

Tweens and Teens - Learn to Crochet, Wednesdays from 4:30pm-5:30pm, with Teen Volunteer Bean. Bean will show you the basics; crochet hooks and yarn will be provided, or bring in your own projects to work on.

Friday Family Storytime is at 10am; this storytime is intended for toddlers/preschoolers and their caregivers, but everyone is welcome!

Van Etten's Book Club will meet Friday, October 31, 12pm, to discuss "Catch Me If You Can" by Frank Abagnale. Newcomers are always welcome.

Save $$$ and borrow our museum pass for FREE Admission to explore, connect and create at Ithaca's Sciencenter!

By popular demand, Erica Unterwoman is doing her Stained-Glass Spiders class on October 6! Space is limited, so register today. Join the Calligraphy Club to share your skills on October 8. Cookbook Book Club will be meeting on October 20 to share "Breads and Baked Goods" this month. Never miss an opportunity to connect and grow in your community at the West Elmira Library!

October brings with it a cozy, yet spooky mood! Tweens and teens can embrace the vibe by making either a jack-o-lantern or a fall-themed embroidery hoop pumpkin at our Tween Maker time. Pick up this month’s Club 1231 book selection, "Bunnicula" by Deborah and James Howe, about a "vampire" rabbit, and then join us for a fun discussion with book-themed snacks. You can also relax, hang out, and chat with friends during our weekly Creative Coloring Club.

Celebrate Fall by stopping into the West Elmira Library to go on our monthly scavenger hunt! Find all of the pictures hidden around the library to win a prize. Take and Make crafts will be available on a first come-first serve basis with a new craft every two weeks (on Monday). Storytime with Mr. Jeff is back and it happens every Thursday morning at 10:30am. The "Library Learners" Home School Group meets Wednesdays at 10:30am. Let your imagination soar at Lego Club, the last Wednesday of the month. Don't miss our Halloween Party on October 27.

Bookmobile will be at Pumpkin Express on Old Ithaca Rd in Horseheads on October 25, 12-4pm, with a craft and prizes.

Our book club meets the 2nd Friday of the month at Bulkhead Hardware in Southport at 1:30pm.

For the month of September, we read "The Frozen River," by Ariel Lawhon, to discuss on October 17.

We will read, "College Girl, Missing," by Shawn Cohen, to discuss in November.

Can't make it to the library? Attend a virtual genealogy workshop via Zoom or join one of our virtual book clubs! The Big Flats Library's book club meets both in-person and online. The CCLD Virtual Evening Book Club meets online only.

Enjoy ebooks, audiobooks, magazines, streaming video, online classes, language learning, and more, from the convenience of your home! Check out the library's website for a list of digital services that can be accessed remotely with your Chemung County Library District card.