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Rutherford Public Library October Newsletter
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“I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.”
― L. M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables
Happy Fall, y'all. Join us for painting pumpkins and pumpkin spice, Banned Books and Friends of the Library Week, Halloween programs, college planning, and dystopian authors. Scroll through to sign up for crafts, cinema studies, food programs, book clubs, and more!
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Please note: The library will be closed on Monday, October 13, for Columbus Day or Indigenous Peoples Day.
As always, our digital collections and online resources will be available.
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Banned Books Week
October 4-10, 2026
We encourage everybody to read all the books, all the time–but there's something about Banned Books that hits us in the feels, especially with national efforts to stifle the freedom to read. This year's ALA Banned Books Week theme is: Let Books Be: Protect the Freedom to Read; and that's all we want. We want readers of all levels to find the books that speak to them, that help them learn something about themselves or the world around them, or find community and not feel alone. Find your next Banned Book here at the library, or on Libby, or Hoopla.
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Best of Bergen Is Back, Baby
Please Nominate Us
Not one to rest on our (2024) laurels, we want to be the Best Library in Bergen County again. If you enjoy any of the programs, book clubs, resources, streaming services, and puppy* visits we offer, please nominate us! The nomination window is from October 1 -21.
Here's how:
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Go to this link.
- Choose "Places to Go, Things to Do" category.
- Choose "Best Library" and write in "Rutherford Public Library."
And please share the love! So many of Rutherford's businesses should be nominated for the best in their categories. If you nominate more than 50 places, you are eligible to win a $250 gift card.
*Disclaimer: Minnie is a Bright & Beautiful certified therapy dog and not just some random puppy.
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Libby Alert
Please note: Starting on Thursday, October 8, all patrons who use shared BCCLS eContent will need to enter their library password in OverDrive/Libby.
- New patrons will need to enter it along with their library card number to begin borrowing.
- Existing patrons will need to enter it to continue borrowing.
Patrons who don't know their password can reset it by using the "forgot password" option in the BCCLS catalog or they can contact their library.
| | | Friends of the Library News | | |
Friends Fall Fundraisers
The Friends of the Library of Rutherford are having a moment this October. October 18-24, 2026 marks National Friends of the Library week and libraries will publicly declare their gratitude for their Friends groups. We're going to get a jump on that because the Friends of the Library of Rutherford have a lot going on right now! Please support their fundraisers, which, in turn, support programs at the library.
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The Fall Book Sale will take place:
- Friday, October 2, 10am-5:30pm
- Saturday, October 3, 10am-3:30pm
- Monday, October 5, 10am-5:30pm
Thanks to all the generous donations all summer long, we have a huge selection of all genres of books–children's books and childhood classics, biographies, bestsellers, cookbooks, history, and more! Don't miss our deals - Adult Hardcovers $2, Adult Paperbacks $1, Children's Books $1
Friends Cookie Decorating Fundraiser
Wednesday, October 14, 6-7:30pm
A night out with friends and a creative way to support the library. This event is now sold out–thank you for your support. Looking for ways to support the library? Purchase our merch below!
Library Finery
Now that it's cozy weather, get your library sweatshirts, long-sleeve t-shirts, and other wearables at the library merchandise store! All proceeds go to support our free library programs!
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Important Reminder for Parents & Caregivers
We love to see families taking advantage of all the library has to offer, and we strive to make our environment as safe as possible for visitors of all ages.
For more information, please review our Unattended Child Policy.
Please note: If you are more than 15 minutes late for a program that you have registered for, you risk losing your spot, unless we are notified ahead of time that you will be delayed.
| | There's magic in the library, literally, with Brian Richards teaching a Beginner Magic Workshop and Magician Myron the Magnificent performing. However, there's always magic in the library! Visit us for Little Bookworms Yoga Storytime or Family Yoga with Miss Bhavna, Music & Movement with Miss Kally or Miss Fran, Story Time with Miss Jane, and Spanish Story Time with Miss Tati. Our annual Pumpkin Painting will take place on Friday, October 9. | | |
Little Bookworms Yoga Storytime
Monday, October 5 at 11am | ages 18 months to 5 years
No registration necessary.
Family Yoga with Miss Bhavna
Tuesday, October 6, 13, 20, & 27 at 4pm | ages 6-12 and their family
Registration requested, but drop-ins welcome.
Story Time with Miss Jane
Wednesday, October 7, 14, 21, & 28 at 10:30am | ages 0-5
No registration necessary.
Children's Virtual Spanish Class
Wednesday, October 7, 14, 21, & 28 at 4pm | ages 6-11 | Virtual
Contact Miss Tati to register.
Spanish Story Time with Miss Tati
Friday, October 9 at 10:30am | ages 0-5
Viernes, 9 de octobre a los 10 y 30 | años 0-5
Music & Movement for Preschoolers with Miss Kally
Friday, October 9 & 16 at 11:15am | ages 0-5
No registration necessary.
Pumpkin Painting
Friday, October 9 at 4pm | ages 3-11
Kindergarten Readiness Class
Wednesday, October 14 at 4pm | ages 4 & 5
Beginner Magic Workshop with Brian Richards
Friday, October 16 at 4pm | ages 6-11
PAWS to Read: Minnie the Basset Hound
Monday, October 19, from 4-5pm | able to read
Contact Miss Jane to sign up for a 15-minute reading session.
Craft: Clay Keychain
Wednesday, October 21 at 4pm | ages 7-11
Music & Movement for Preschoolers with Miss Fran
Friday, October 23 at 11:15am | ages 0-5
No registration necessary.
Magician Myron the Magnificent
Friday, October 23 at 4pm | ages 5-11
Turtle Dance Music: Unearth Your Story
Thursday, October 29 at 4pm | ages 5-10
No registration required.
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All events meet in person unless noted. We ask that caregivers accompany young children to programs. Please click the highlighted text to register for or learn more about an event.
**Please note: For all programs that require registration, priority is given to Rutherford residents.** And if you are unable to attend, please let the library know so we may offer it to the next person on the waiting list. Please note our new Attendance Policy here.
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Welcome to TEENtober, where we and the ALA encourage teens to discover more at the library, whether it's their next reading obsession or resources for a project! This month, we have our popular Loops & Laughs, D&D, and Community Service Club. We also have a special webinar, Escaping the College Maze, recommended for high school students and their parents. Author of the Divergent series, Veronica Roth will hold a virtual author talk Thursday, October 1 at 7pm. Missed it? You can watch it after!
Need service hours? We have opportunities to volunteer at the library. Join us for the Community Service Club on Thursdays at 3pm or write book reviews.
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Courage, Choice, and What Comes Next with Dystopian Icon Veronica Roth
Thursday, October 1 at 7pm | Virtual
Community Service Club
Thursday, October 1, 8, 15, 22, & 29 at 3pm | ages 11-18
Sign up or drop in.
Dungeons & Dragons
Wednesday, October 7 & 21 from 3:30 - 5pm | ages 11-15
Teen Club: Loops & Laughs
Friday, October 9 & 23 at 3:30pm | ages 11-18
Escaping the College Maze
Thursday, October 15 at 7pm | Virtual
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Come for the pumpkin spice, stay for the programs, including some of our favorite presenters. Bracco Farms, Clover Folk Studios, The Spotted Canvas, and cinema nerd Jeff Hughes are all back... Whisper in the Pines will delve into the legends of all 21 New Jersey counties. The Friends are holding a cookie fundraiser and the Fall Book Sale; and The Rutherford Green Team will be hosting The Repair Cafe. Fix your stuff and save the environment.
Rutherford residents receive priority for our programs. Out-of-towners will be placed on a waiting list and contacted if space is available. Can't make it? Let us know, so we can include attendees from the waiting list. Please note our Attendance Policy.
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Courage, Choice, and What Comes Next with Dystopian Icon Veronica Roth
Thursday, October 1 at 7pm | Virtual
Adult Spanish Class
Thursday, October 1, 8, 15, 22, & 29 at 2pm
Sign up at the main desk.
Fall Book Sale
- Friday, October 2, 10am-5:30pm
- Saturday, October 3, 10am-3:30pm
- Monday, October 5, 10am-5:30pm
Find That Pause: October's theme is Radical Acceptance
Saturday, October 3, 10, 24, & 31 at 9:15am | Virtual
Cinema Studies: Wilder Noir
Tuesday, October 6 at 6pm
Halloween Ceramics Painting
Wednesday, October 7 at 6pm
Art in Flight: Reinventing Postmodernism with Smithsonian Curator Carolyn Russo
Thursday, October 8 at 2pm | Virtual
Craft: Pumpkin Jar
Friday, October 9 at 1pm
The Power of Limits: How Constraints Drive Genius with David Epstein
Tuesday, October 13 at 2pm | Virtual
Whispers in the Pines
Tuesday, October 13 at 6pm
Cook-a-Book Club
Tuesday, October 13 at 6:30pm
We will be sharing recipes from Today Loves Food.
Rutherford Green Team: Repair Cafe
Saturday, October 17, 11:30am - 3:30pm
Nostalgic Needle Felted Halloween Cookies
Monday, October 19 at 6pm
Monday Night Book Group
Monday, October 19 at 6:30pm
Behind the Scenes at the Museum by Kate Atkinson
Spice Club
Tuesday, October 20 at 6:30pm | Virtual
This month's spice is pumpkin spice.
Craft: Leaf Keychain
Friday, October 23 at 1pm | Virtual
Milling Fresh Flour & Making Sourdough
Monday, October 26 at 6pm
Movie Screening: Hocus Pocus 2
Tuesday, October 27 at 6pm
Read 'Em & Eat Book Club
Wednesday, October 28 at 5:30pm
This Spells Love by Katie Robb
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