Halloween is fast approaching and we’re planning fun activities for everyone.

For adults, check out our spooky book discussion on the creepy short stories of Edgar Allan Poe. We’ll also be commemorating Mr. Poe’s birthday and death with an intriguing look at his final days with this stellar program.

Teens can check out a special teen-only viewing of the eerie movie  Coraline!

For kids, we have special Halloween StoryTimes, plus special programs like the Monster Mash and Trick or Treat at the Library.

But what’s so cool about Halloween anyway?  Is it the costumes, spooky houses, scary movies or candy?  Well, in my opinion it has to be the candy.  Candy is center stage of the Halloween holiday.  My favorite is an Almond Joy bar – which, by the way, didn’t even make the list.

We did a little poll and the top ten candies according to our local library taste bud sources are:

1.    Snickers
2.    Nerds
3.    Tootsie Rolls
4.    Life Savers
5.    M & Ms
6.    Reese’s Pieces
7.    Twizzlers
8.    Butterfinger
9.    Skittles
10. Candy Corn

What’s your favorite Halloween candy?  What is the candy that you will sneak out of your child’s Trick-or-Treat bag? Post your comment!

Have you registered for the summer reading program yet?  If not, click here to sign up online.

Why should you sign up?  Research shows that kids and teens who read over the summer break retain the skills that they developed during the school year.  For adults, reading provides a free escape from the stresses of life.  Each summer CCPL provides a reading-based program for local kids, teens and adults – all with great prizes.  Here at CCPL we make summer reading FUN!

Join our many readers who are vying for one of the grand prizes this summer.  For kids, one lucky reader in each branch will win a digital camera.  Other awesome prizes include dance lessons, tickets to local attractions, coupons and more.  One lucky teen at each branch will win a $50 Visa gift card and many will win Orioles tickets, restaurant coupons, books and other great prizes.  Plus, when kids and teens turn in their first reading log, they get a free pass to the Cecil County Fair.  For adults, prizes include a $25 Visa gift card and gift certificates to local restaurants.

How can I win, you ask?  Simply register to read books and you could win.  Sign up at your local branch OR online by clicking this link.  Fill out the appropriate reading log (kid, teen or adult) and return it to any branch.

If you’re a reader, read to yourself or your family.  If you’re not a reader yet, have a family member read to you.  And keep reading!  The more books you finish, the more chances you have to win.  Each time kids turn in their reading log with 10 books, they’ll receive a toy prize and raffle ticket.  Teens turn in their log after 6 books.  Every 3 additional books give them another chance to win the grand prize.  Adults get a chance at winning each time they complete 5 books.

It’s not too late to sign up – summer reading runs until August 1.

In addition to our great summer reading programs, CCPL offers a wide assortment of entertaining and educational events.  This summer CCPL is offering many creative activities – check out our events calendar to find programs you’ll love!

In the meantime, keep reading – the more you read, the more raffle tickets you can accumulate.  What are you reading this summer?  How many books have you or your kids read?  We want to know – leave us a comment!