We stress in this column often how the Library is not just a place to check out books, but a vital community center that supports the cultural life of our community. Neuse Regional Libraries are committed to offering a wide array of programs to local residents. With the support of our Friends of the Library organization, the Library has offered these types of programs for many years, and in our recent Strategic Planning process, we reaffirmed our commitment to offering programming that serves the needs of all residents. This October, we have a busy slate of programming that demonstrates the surprisingly varied types of events you can find at your local library.

October means Halloween season, and the Library is celebrating the month with a Fright-Fest Film Series. Dr. Amanda Klein, Head of Film Studies at East Carolina University, will lead an in-depth discussion of the films Psycho (1960) and Poltergeist (1982) on Tuesday, October 8 at 7:00 p.m. at the Kinston-Lenoir County Public Library. The Library will then show each of these films on Thursday, October 10 at 6 p.m. and Tuesday, October 15 at 6 p.m. respectively. Join us for an exploration of what makes these scary classics an enduring part of American pop culture.

The La Grange Public Library is also getting into the spooky spirit with an exploration of the paranormal on Monday, October 14 at 6:30 p.m. Premier Paranormal Investigators, a local organization, will be presenting their own experiences with investigating unexplained phenomena and will be allowing participants to share their own stories of mysterious happenings. The Comfort Public Library will also be hosting a recorded reading of Edgar Allan Poe’s The Raven and Annabel Lee on Thursday, October 3 at 5 p.m.

The Kinston-Lenoir County Public Library is also offering, with the support of the National Science Foundation, a special reading, viewing, and discussion program series in October and November called Pushing the Limits. This series explores the ways in which science interacts with culture in literature and in our everyday experiences. October’s topic will be The Wright Brothers by David McCullough. Join us on Thursday, October 17 at 6:00 p.m. as we discuss this account of the famous inventors and relate it to our own interactions with science and how it continuously transforms our lives.

Two other events being held this month will give you opportunities to move to some classic tunes. The Donald Thompson Band will be performing at the Kinston-Lenoir County Public Library on October 13 at 3:00 p.m. Their rousing brand of blues, vintage rhythm & blues, and classic rock delights audiences across the age spectrum. This program is sponsored by the Friends of the Library. At the Greene County Public Library, Mrs. Diane Hargett will be giving line dancing lessons on October 3, 17, 24, and 31 at 7 p.m. Mrs. Hargett is a highly-qualified line dancer who has attended line dancing events across the country and performed in numerous local festivals. This program is sponsored by the Greene County Friends of the Library.

The Library will also be holding one of its regular book sales on October 25, 26, and 27. Please note that this sale will be starting on a Friday at 9 a.m. Hardbacks, paperbacks, children’s books, magazines, DVDs, video games, and more will be for sale.

As you can see, the Library truly offers something for everyone. For a full listing of events please visit our website at www.neuselibrary.org or stop by one of our locations to pick up a calendar of events. All of these events are free admission and open to everyone. Don’t let these wonderful opportunities pass you by; for more information call 252-527-7066, Ext. 134.