Here is a list of what is happening at the McDowell County Public Library in October.
Saturday, Oct. 3
B.E.A.R. Closet Resource Fair (all ages): 337 Garden Creek Road, Marion at 10 a.m.Come visit the Bookmobile and celebrate eight years of Loving Hearts B.E.A.R. Closet serving children and families throughout western North Carolina.
Monday, Oct. 5
Craft at the YMCA: Mini Halloween Scenes (ages 18 and older) Corpening Memorial YMCA at 10 a.m. Join us and make your own customizable Halloween scene. We are offering a variety of figurines for everyone to create a unique and spooky decoration to take home.
Fire Safety Preschool Storytime (ages 3-5): Marion Fire Department, (60 W. Court St.) at 10:30 a.m. Join us at the Marion Fire Department to learn about fire safety and tour the firehouse.
Tuesday, Oct. 6
Tiny Tots Storytime (ages 0-2) Marion Library at 10:30 a.m. Books, songs, felt board stories, action rhymes, and fun for toddler-aged children.
Adult Craft & Create: Hocus Pocus (ages 18 and older) Marion library at 4 p.m. Get ready for some spooky crafting! We'll be making cute witches using yarn and wooden beads. You can make your own Sanderson Sisters or create witches of your own.Come get creative and make a fun Halloween decoration to take home. All supplies provided.
Teen Dungeons & Dragons (ages 12-18): Old Fort library at 5 p.m.Come join up for the next adventure at our weekly D&D club. Beginners are always welcome, and the group is level 6. All materials are provided, including dice, books and snacks.
Wednesday, Oct. 7
Old Fort Storytime (children of all ages): Old Fort library at 11 a.m.Come hear a story together in our cozy Old Fort branch. This program is oriented toward preschool-age children, but kids of all ages are welcome.
Winnie the Pooh and Honey Too! (ages 6-11): Marion library at 4 p.m. Join a beary special celebration, as we honor 100 years of Winnie-ThePooh! Hear an original tale about the lovable bear and his creator, A.A. Milne, and then take part in honey tasting from Sweet Betsy Farm. (This event celebrates the original, historic public domain work of A.A. Milne and is not affiliated with or sponsored by Disney.)
Thursday, Oct. 8
Mahjong Club (ages 18 and older): Marion library at 2 p.m.Come learn and play Mahjong at the library. Beginners are welcome, an instructor will be available to teach you how to play.Come join us for a game and enjoy some time playing with others. No experience necessary. If possible, please bring your own set.
Friday, Oct. 9
Book Club (ages 18 and older): Marion library at 1 p.m. Join us for October's Book Club as we discuss "The Sun Down Motel" by Simone St. James. This spooky mystery blends horror, suspense, and a haunted motel with a story that will keep you guessing.Come share your thoughts, theories and favorite moments with fellow readers. New members are always welcome.
Saturday, Oct. 10
Mountain Glory Festival (all ages): Bookmobile at 9 a.m. The bookmobile and library staff will be attending the 2026 Mountain Glory Festival. Each year, the Mountain Glory Festival brings the streets of Marion to life with live music, handcrafted artwork, delicious food and family fun. There's something for everyone to enjoy!
Monday, Oct. 12
Preschool Storytime (ages 3-5): Marion library at 10:30 a.m. Books, songs, felt board stories, action rhymes and fun for preschool-aged children.
Craft for Little Hands (ages 3-5): Marion library at 11 a.m. Preschool-aged children are invited to craft at the library. Dress for a mess because we will be using glue, scissors, paints, paper, markers, crayons and much more.
Tuesday, Oct. 13
Tiny Tots Storytime (ages 0-2): Marion library at 10:30 a.m. Books, songs, felt board stories, action rhymes and fun for toddler-aged children.
Craft for Tiny Tots (ages 0-2): Marion library at 11 a.m. Toddler-aged children are invited to craft at the library. Dress for a mess because we will be using glue, scissors, paints, paper, markers, crayons and much more.
Wednesday, Oct. 14
Old Fort Storytime (children of all ages): Old Fort library at 11 a.m.Come hear a story together in our cozy Old Fort branch. This program is oriented towards preschool-age children, but kids of all ages are welcome.
Old Fort After-School Adventures: Halloween Squishies (ages 6-11): Old Fort library at 3:30 p.m.Come craft a stress-relieving squishable ghost or pumpkin pal.
Thursday, Oct. 15
Podcast Club (ages 18 and older): Marion library at 1 p.m. Join us for Podcast Club as we discuss "The Devil's Secretaries or Scapegoats?" from the Dark History podcast. We'll share our thoughts and dive into the fascinating history behind the episode. New members are always welcome.
Teen Time: Paint A Pumpkin (ages 12-18): Marion library at 4 p.m. Calling all middle and high school artists! Grab a brush and let your creativity run wild by painting a ceramic pumpkin.
Adult D&D (ages 18 and older): Old Fort library at 5 p.m.Come join our Dungeons & Dragons group for adults. Whether you're looking to get into tabletop games or just want to meet some new friends, it's sure to be a great time. New and experienced players alike are welcome.
Friday, Oct. 16
Local History Club McDowell Communities In The Central Part — Downtown Marion, Historic West Marion and Cross Mill (ages 18 and older) Marion library at 3:30 p.m. Patrons will learn about the history of the Cross Mill, Historic West Marion and downtown Marion histories.
Pooh Day Party (children of all ages): Old Fort library at 5:30 p.m. Celebrate 100 years of Winnie the Pooh! We'll be watching a movie and sharing snacks. Wear your pajamas, bring a blanket and grabbed your best stuffed animal friend and attend.
Saturday, Oct. 17
Shiflet Fly In Festival (all ages): Bookmobile at 11 a.m. We hope to see everyone at the 2026 Shiflet Fly In Festival! Come connect with local pilots and car enthusiasts at one of the region's hidden gems. The autumn colors should be stunning from any perspective. Enjoy local food vendors and live entertainment. Whether you're arriving by runway or roadway, come discover what makes Shiflet Airfield so special.
Monday, Oct. 19
Preschool Storytime (ages 3-5): Marion library at 10:30 a.m. Books, songs, felt board stories, action rhymes and fun for preschool-aged children.
MATCH: Open Enrollment (ages 18 and older): Marion library at 2 p.m. The MATCH team is holding free assistance with Marketplace Open Enrollment. If you would like to learn more about what health care plans are available to you or would like help signing up for a plan, call MATCH at 828659-5289 to schedule an appointment.
Tuesday, Oct. 20
Tiny Tots Storytime (ages 0-2): Marion library at 10:30 a.m. Books, songs, felt board stories, action rhymes and fun for toddler-aged children.
Free Laptop Opportunity (ages 5 and older): Marion library at 4 p.m. Need a laptop for school, work, job searching, or just to help you get ahead? Here's your chance! The Digital Bridge Collaborative is offering two upcoming opportunities to Pass to Earn a Laptop! (Oct. 20 from 4-6 p.m. at the Marion library and Nov. 9 from 3-5 p.m. at Old Fort First Baptist Church) Participants will complete four online quizzes to show they have the basic digital skills needed to use a laptop — then it's yours! Space may be limited, so register today by contacting the N.C. Extension Service at 828-652-8104, or find their page on Facebook and click the link in the post.
Teen Time: Spirit Photography (ages 12-18): Old Fort library at 5:30 p.m. Capture some ghostly images using the same techniques as people used in the 1800s! We'll learn about double-exposures, and then some more modern digital compositing options, including Photoshop and some free alternatives.
Wednesday, Oct. 21
Old Fort Storytime (children of all ages): Old Fort library at 11 a.m.Come hear a story together in our cozy Old Fort branch! This program is oriented towards preschool-age children, but kids of all ages are welcome.
Family Halloween movie (all ages): Marion library at 4 p.m. Join us for a family Halloween movie. We will provide popcorn and drink, but feel free to bring your own snack. Also, you many want to bring a blanket or towel to sit on.
Horror movie screening (ages 18 and older): Old Fort library at 5:30 p.m.Come join for a nighttime screening of a horror classic! Snacks and beverages will be available. (Licensing prevents us from advertising the name of the movie here, but stop by or give us a call and we'll tell you what it is!)
Thursday, Oct. 22
Adult Craft: Mini Beehives (ages 18 and older): Marion library at 5 p.m. Join us to make your own miniature bee hive using plastic eggs and a few creative touches.Come craft, chat, and make your own little hive to take home. All supplies are provided.
Friday, Oct. 23
Halloween Dance Party (all ages): Marion Train Depot at 5 p.m. Barefoot Baby is hosting a Halloween Dance Party at the Marion Train Depot! Come to the party and enjoy pizza, candy and festive music! Guests are encouraged to dress up in costume.
Saturday, Oct. 24
Old Fort Harvest Festival (all ages): Bookmobile at 11 a.m.Come visit the Bookmobile at Old Fort's first annual Harvest Festival. This festival will include a market of vendors celebrating Appalachian makers, artists, crafters, food artisans and the beauty of fall in the mountains.
Adult Game Social (ages 18 and older): Marion library at 11 a.m. Looking for someone to play with? Join us for an afternoon of board games, cards and Mahjong. There's no instructor or formal instruction, just a relaxed time to play and socialize with other adults. Bring a favorite game or choose from the library's selection. One Mahjong set will be available.
Monday, Oct. 26
Preschool Storytime (ages 3-5): Marion library at 10:30 a.m. Books, songs, felt board stories, action rhymes and fun for preschool-aged children.
MATCH: Open Enrollment (ages 18 and older): Marion library at 2 p.m. The MATCH team is holding free assistance with Marketplace Open Enrollment. If you would like to learn more about what health care plans are available to you or would like help signing up for a plan, call MATCH at 828659-5289 to schedule an appointment.
Tuesday, Oct. 27
Tiny Tots Storytime (ages 0-2): Marion library at 10:30 a.m. Books, songs, felt board stories, action rhymes and fun for toddler-aged children. Craft at the Historic
Carson House (ages 18 and older): Historic Carson House (1805 U.S. 70 West, Marion) at 1 p.m. Join us and make your own customizable Halloween scene! We are offering a variety of figurines for everyone to create a unique and spooky decoration to take home.
Adult Craft & Create: Macrame Ghosts (ages 18 and older): Marion library at 4 p.m. Get into the Halloween spirit with us as we make macrame ghosts.Come spend some time crafting, chatting, and making a spooky decoration to take home. All supplies provided.
After Hours Book Club (ages 18 and older): Marion library at 5:30 p.m. Many patrons have asked, so we are offering a new evening book club. At our first meeting, we'll get together to choose the books we'll read in the months ahead and talk about what everyone would like from the club.
Wednesday, Oct. 28
Old Fort Storytime (children of all ages): Old Fort library at 11 a.m.Come hear a story together in our cozy Old Fort branch. This program is oriented towards preschool-age children, but kids of all ages are welcome.
Old Fort After School Adventures: Flappy Bat Puppets (ages 6-11): Old Fort library at 3:30 p.m. Learn about levers and elastic deformation with this happy flappy puppet!
Thursday, Oct. 29
Open-Play Mahjong (ages 18 and older): Marion library at 5:30 p.m. Love Mahjong or want a chance to practice? Join us for open play! The library will provide the space for adults to gather, play Mahjong and socialize. There will be no instructor or formal instruction provided and one Mahjong set will be available, but participants are welcome to bring their own set.
Saturday, Oct. 31
Old Fort Boo Bash (all ages): 75 E. Main St. in Old Fort, from *4-8:30 p.m.
*Trick-or-treating will begin at 4-5 p.m. for our very youngest or sensitive trick or treaters (adults are welcome). Stroll the streets of Old Fort with the community, collecting treats and meeting new people. Be sure to stop by the Bookmobile while you're enjoying the festivities — we'd love to see you and wish you a Happy Halloween!
