Celebrate Banned Books Week at TCFL! Upcoming Programs, Books Clubs, and More!

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Library News

Shelf Life - History Edition

Did you know that October 5 - 11, 2025 is Banned Books Week? In honor of the freedom to read, we'd like to share a fun fact of our own regarding the 1927 satirical novel, Elmer Gantry, by Sinclair Lewis.

The novel was met with challenges and controversy shortly after being published, with groups across the country seeking to ban it due to its satirical portrayal of a morally ambiguous evangelist. The American Library Association (ALA) opposed this ban, and the Talbot County Free Library decided to add the book to the collection.

Today, Elmer Gantry can still be found in the collection - along with other banned and challenged books. Join us this coming week and explore our new display on censorship and the freedom to read for all.

Have a memory or library story you'd like to share? Submit it to librarymemories@tcfl.org - anonymous submissions accepted also!

Featured Adult Programming

What we collect, What we tell

Our history, our family, our stories

Tuesday, October 7th

6:00 p.m.

Chesapeake College

Carole Boston Weatherford and Jeffery Weatherford -- the author and illustrator of this year's One Maryland One Book selection, KIN: Rooted in Hope -- will appear at Chesapeake College's Todd Performing Arts Center. It will feature an author/illustrator talk, followed by a reception and book

signing.

Attendees will also have an opportunity to view an exhibit of Jeffery Weatherford's artwork from the book.

This event is free and open to the public. No reservations required. Bus transportation is available via the link below. Seats are limited.

Click here for more information

Talbot Master Gardeners Present: Sample Garden Design

Friday, October 10th

10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

Easton Branch

Interested in using more native plants in your landscape, but just don't know where to start?

Join the Talbot County Master Gardeners for a simple session on planning and designing some basic gardens with native plants in mind.

Free native plants will be available for participants (while supplies last).

This event is free and open to the public, and is sponsored by the Talbot County Free Library, University of Maryland Extension Office and the Talbot County Master Gardeners.

Click here for more information

Chesapeake Film Festival Offerings at TCFL

Saturday, October 11th - Easton Branch

Live Podcast with Actors and Filmmakers:

10:30 - 11:45 a.m.

Join producer/director Kimberly Skyrme as she moderates a dynamic live podcast featuring festival celebrities and special guests. Among them is John O’Hurley—award-winning actor, host, Broadway star, best-selling author, and Billboard-charting composer—best known for his iconic role as “J. Peterman” on Seinfeld. O’Hurley will discuss his upcoming adventure film Ring of Kibo, directed and produced by Vincent De Paul and Kimberly Skyrme, who will also be on hand for this sneak preview and conversation.

Short Documentary Screenings:

12:00 - 4:30 p.m.

Beauty through Art -- Dignity Honored, featuring the short films Jacob Kainen: The Last Expression and Building Hope: Ending Homelessness

Water, Wildlife, and the Will to Act, featuring three US films: One Bad Crab; Upstream, Downriver and Chesapeake Rhythms.

For the full list of screening times and film descriptions, please visit tcfl.org, or click the button below.

All programs are free and open to the public, and hosted in partnership with the Chesapeake Film Festival.

For more events, visit our online events calendar!

Events Calendar

Featured Youth Programming

Story Time

Tuesday, October 7th

10:00 a.m. - 10:45 a.m.

Easton Branch

For children ages birth - 5 accompanied by an adult. Join us for stories, songs, and rhymes!

No registration required.

Click here for more information

Story Time & Craft

Wednesday, October 8th

10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

St. Michaels Branch

For children ages birth - 5 accompanied by an adult. Listen to stories, sing to live music, and create a craft!

Registration in required - register at the link below.

Click here for more information

Afternoon Chess

Wednesday, October 8th

4:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Easton Branch

For ages 8 -16 years old. Join us to learn and play chess. Snacks will be provided.

Registration is required - register at the link below.

Click here for more information

STEAM Story Time

Saturday, October 11th

10:00 a.m. - 10:45 a.m.

Easton Branch

Join us for a Saturday STEAM story time! For children ages 2 - 6, accompanied by an adult, this engaging and interactive story time has a science focus.

No registration required.

Click here for more information

For more youth events, visit our online events calendar!

Events Calendar

Book Clubs at The Library

Talbot Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Book Group

Thursday, October 9th

6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Easton Branch

This month's selection is Foolproof: Why Misinformation Infects our Minds and How to Build Immunity by Sander van der Linden.

Please join us in the Frederick Douglass Room for this discussion.

No registration required.

More Information

Hummingbird Book Club

Thursday, October 23rd

4:30 p.m. - 5:15 p.m.

Easton Branch

This month's selection is Frindle by Andrew Clements.

The Hummingbird Book Club meets in the Frederick Douglass room and is for readers ages 7 - 11 years old. Snacks will be provided.

Registration is required.

More Information

Easton Book Discussion Group

Monday, October 20th

6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Easton Branch

This month's selection is American Ramble: A Walk of Memory and Renewal

by Neil King Jr.

The Easton Book Discussion Group meets in the Easton Branch's Main Meeting Room.

No registration required.

More Information

Butterfly Book Club

Thursday, October 23rd

4:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Easton Branch

This month's selection is The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han.

The Butterfly Book Club meets in the Main Meeting room and is for readers ages 12 - 18 years old. Snacks will be provided.

Registration is required.

More Information

Resources at the Library

Digital Literacy Classes

Monday, October 6th

6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Easton Branch

Do you want to learn more about computers and tablets? Do you want to hone your computer skills? Learn the basics of using a computer and mouse, creating an email, and other programs through hands-on activities each week. Walk-ins now welcome!

Brainfuse

It's Back to School Season!

Whether it’s your first day of middle school or your final semester before graduation, Brainfuse HelpNow gives you access to real tutors, live help, and study tools anytime, anywhere. It's a FREE resource with your library card at tcfl.org 😎

More E-Resources

Community Resources

Local Talbot County Food Pantries

Click here for English | Haga clic aquí para español

Support Talbot County Free Library

Hours of Operation:

Monday and Thursday: 9 a.m. - 8 p.m.

Tuesday and Wednesday: 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Friday and Saturday: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Easton: 410-822-1626 | St. Michaels: 410-745-5877