"at your library" in the north island eagle: halloween is spooktacular at your library

Halloween Is Spooktacular at Your Library

Halloween is almost here, and with almost everyone in the North Island vaccinated, people will be exchanging their everyday masks for spooky ones, making costumes, and trick-or-treating again. Your library is part of the Halloween fun.

Haunted Vancouver Island for Kids (author reading)

Tweens, teens, and the “senior kids” will want to tune in on October 26 for a special virtual program: Haunted Vancouver Island for Kids. 

Award-winning author Shanon Sinn will host a special young people’s edition of “The Haunting of Vancouver Island”. Sinn will introduce some of VI’s favourite ghosts and supernatural beings – and reveal the truth behind their legends. Sinn is a celebrated local author who belongs to the British Columbia Ghosts & Hauntings Research Society and Paranormal Studies and Inquiries Canada, and researches hauntings and supernatural events. 

This special virtual event takes place 6:30-7:30 pm, and you can join on any device. To get the Zoom link, email kids@virl.bc.ca. If you need help getting started, ask at your favourite library branch. Sinn’s visit is intended for people 9 years old and up.

Spooky Scavenger Hunt

For the younger kids, we have a Spooky Scavenger Hunt in the children’s area of every library branch. Every child who participates is entered in a draw to win a book prize.

We know kids love scavenger hunts, but did you know they’re a fantastic literacy builder? Scavenger hunts teach kids to recognize shapes, colours, and word, and build memory and problem-solving skills. 

If you’re not a frequent library user, the Spooky Scavenger Hunt is a great excuse to stop by. Your little one can have some educational fun, and you can pick up a book and a DVD. It’s a free and easy way to add a little something special to your day.

Halloween Phone Holders with 3D printing

Did you know that VIRL offers 3D printing, available to everyone with a library card? 

If you’ve never heard of 3D printing, or you’re curious to try it, the Halloween Phone Holder challenge is a great time to start. You’ll need to sign up with TinkerCAD (www.tinkercad.com), a free website that teaches you how to design files for 3D printing. It’s not as difficult as it sounds! 

After you design your Halloween creation, submit it to VIRL’s Creativity Commons for printing. If you’re interested in this but don’t know where to start, contact Creativity Commons at cc@virl.bc.ca or 1-877-415-8475. 

Halloween Storytimes at Port Hardy Library

This month storytimes at Port Hardy will have a Halloween theme. Join us any morning – or every morning! – at 10:00, Tuesday through Saturday, for an in-person storytime. Storytimes build literacy skills in so many ways, and it’s a great way to get into the habit of making the library a part of your child’s life. 

Spooky books and movies for all ages

Reading spooky stories and watching slightly scary movies is a Halloween tradition at many homes. Your library is your go-to for a fun family event. 

Log in to our the VIRL website at home, or visit your branch in person, to order Halloween-themed books and DVDs. If you have internet at home, Kanopy Kids is chocked full of high-quality kids’ entertainment. Find Kanopy at virl.bc.ca > read watch listen > streaming movies TV & DVDs. You can watch on any device, and it’s free with your library card. For help getting started, visit or call your favourite VIRL branch.