Fall Festivities for all Ages

The Margaret Reed Crosby Library aims to foster community engagement for all age groups this fall through a variety of activities. Some of the free events offered include storytime for young children, craft and game programs for teens and cooking and plant swap events for adults. Through these events, the library hopes to promote interaction, friendship and joy across Pearl River County.

The impact of COVID-19 has led to a decline in public engagement. The library emphasizes the importance of providing spaces for people to gather without having to spend money while creating connections to help rebuild the community. One recent event was an adult plant swap, which attracted 24 attendees and highlights the growing interest in such community events.

“We’ve just started full-time adult programs this year and it has been amazing to see. We have a lot of older people that are like widows or shut- ins that don’t get out a lot, that just don’t have places that to go that don’t cost money,” Victoria Kingrey, youth service coordinator stated, “If they are low on funds they are still able to come here and socialize with other, like-minded people.”

Additionally, the library offers a Random Readers’ Book Club that promotes reading through engaging discussions. With five active members, joining the book club is both easy and free. If interested, simply visit the front desk and ask to participate. The next meeting will be on Nov. 20 from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and is titled “Anxious People!”

The remainder of the fall schedule includes an “Air-Dry Clay Fun” on Nov. 14, from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m., and “Fall Storytime” every Friday morning from 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. for children. “Mario Games” on Nov. 7 from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m., and “Intro to Drawing: Chibis” on Nov. 21 from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. for teens. A “Crow Party” on Nov. 3 from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. and “Tote Bag Painting” on Nov. 24 from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. for adults.

“I enjoy all of our programs that we do in the fall, and I get really excited for all of that,” Megan Miller, children’s librarian, stated. “I absolutely adore my story time group. That one runs year-round.”

The library aims to keep strengthening with the community through its program. For more information or to learn about upcoming events, visit https://pearlriver.lib.ms.us/margaret-reed/ to check the Margaret Reed Crosby Memorial Library calendar.