The Boyle County Public Library is expanding its long tradition of programming for youth and adults by adding consistent activities on the weekends. Many library programs occur during the weekdays, which may work for some but not all who might be interested in attending programs. The increase in weekend programs is a direct response to the numerous requests for events outside of normal work hours, and new staff additions have allowed for more programs to be planned and held at these times. 

“We strive to provide services and programs that are accessible to all. Schedules and free time are as varied as the members of our community. Weekend programs allow for folks to participate that are otherwise busy throughout the week,” said Caleb Conover, Public Libraries Librarian.

The library began hosting Dungeons and Dragons groups last fall for teens, and now offers groups for tweens, teens and adults. Adult D&D groups meet twice a month on Sunday afternoons. “Our Adult Dungeons & Dragons group has become one of our most popular, recurring weekend programs. We run three different campaigns, and consistently have over 20 attendees and growing. It’s really quite amazing to see all of the creativity, imagination and storytelling that comes out of this audience,” said Conover.

This month and next, both Adult and Youth Programming will introduce several more activities on the weekends for a variety of ages to come enjoy. Already this month, the library hosted a Cardboard Challenge program for families to build with cardboard boxes and Universal Music Day Celebration. 

The following are upcoming programs on weekends:

• Saturday Morning Cartoons will show nostalgic Halloween-themed cartoons featuring beloved characters including Scooby Doo, Casper the friendly ghost, and the Toy Story gang. Families are invited to watch the cartoons while enjoying cereal and fruit as morning snacks. The cartoons will play from 9:30-11:30 a.m. on Oct. 19.
• Classic Games Club is a monthly event where patrons of all ages can come hang out and play classic board games. The games available to play include chess, checkers, Scrabble and more. Newer players can learn from more experienced ones, and those who have played these games for years will get a chance to play with new opponents. The next Classic Games Club will be held 2-4 p.m. Oct. 19.
• Gallery Talk is a chance to meet with the artists whose work is featured in the current exhibit in the Mahan Gallery at the library. John Andrew Dixon and Connie Estes Beale will describe their creative process at this walk-around discussion of the “Collage Madness” exhibit,, answering questions from those who attend. The Gallery Talk will be held  2-3:30 p.m. Oct. 19. The exhibit will be on display through Oct. 31.
• Howl-O-Ween is a dog costume contest for humans and their canine best friends. Dogs and their owners are invited to dress up and strut their stuff in front of the audience. Those without dogs are also welcome to attend. All who come will be able to vote for prize winners in costume categories. Howl-O-Ween will be 1 p.m. Oct. 26.
• History of the Clemens Caldwell House is offered in partnership with the Scarlet Cup Theater. Rob Caldwell will discuss the history of the Caldwell Family and their house on Old Harrodsburg Road, the location of the next Scarlet Cup production, “Bad Dates.” This companion program will be 3-5 p.m. Oct. 27. 
• NaNoWriMo Kick Off Party will be a brainstorming and writing activity party to jumpstart young writers who want to participate in National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo). Patrons ages 9-13 are encouraged to come and workshop their ideas with other young writers and then play fun writing games to get their creative juices flowing. The Kick Off Party will be 2 p.m. Nov. 2.  The library will then offer Come Write In sessions 3:30-5 p.m. Wednesday afternoons in November as chances for writers to come write with others in a quiet, supportive space. 
• Life Size Board Games is held to celebrate International Board Games Week sponsored by the American Library Association. The library will have giant version of classic games to play including Connect Four, Battleship, Jenga, Scrabble, and Kerplunk. Patrons of all ages can come play these life size board games with one another to experience familiar games in a new way! Life Size Board Games will be 1-4 p.m. Nov. 9.  
• FASFA Workshop will help teens with filling out the form required for many post secondary education institutions. This workshop will allow students and their guardians an opportunity on the weekend to complete the FAFSA with the use of our Computer Lab. The workshop will be held 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Nov. 16 in the Computer Lab. Brittany Smith, the Young Adult Services Librarian, will host as part of her expanded programming opportunities for teens. “Planning for programs is one of the most enjoyable parts of my job. I am able to utilize my creativity to design programs that will pique the interest of youth in our community,” said Smith.
• Snow Sisters Party will celebrate characters and activities from a popular movie about two royal sisters before the anticipated sequel comes out next month. The movies are about a queen with mysterious winter powers and a loyal princess who tries to rescue both her sister and their kingdom. Come to meet and take pictures with the royal snow sisters in their gowns from the new movie and participate in fun activities. The party will be 2-4 p.m. Nov. 17 in the Reading Room.

Monthly events calendars are also available at the library. More information about teen programs and other upcoming events can be found at www.BoylePubLib.org or by calling the library at (859) 238-7323.