Washington County Library
October Highlights

Can You #HackIt?

Washington County Library invites teens to test and tinker with wearable technology at its first-ever Teen Hackathon on Saturday, Nov. 3 at Central Park in Woodbury. The Hackathon is a free, all-day event for techies of all ability levels in grades 7 through 12. Participants will work in groups to design and code projects in wearable technology. Interested in encouraging innovation and witnessing invention up close? We’re also looking for mentor volunteers to help guide our teens through their projects! Find out how to join as an inventor or volunteer on our website.

three people pointing to a computer screen

Spotlight On… Genealogy

Perhaps the most interesting story you’ll ever encounter branches from your own family tree. Genealogy, or the study of exploring your family history, opens up a world of information specific to you as the researcher. From programs that help you crack into Genealogy 101 with confidence, to using the Ancestry.com Library Edition, to materials that help you in your search or fill in the historical gaps, you can find what you need to learn more about the family who came before you with Washington County Library. (And there’s no DNA testing necessary!)

October is Teen Read Month

Every October Washington County Library celebrates Teen Read Month with our annual Book Ballots program for teens. During the month of October teens can vote for their favorite books in five different categories, all selected and loved by our librarians. Check out the full list of 2018 Book Ballot Nominees, or get a sneak peek – complete with micro-summaries – in this video preview.

Travel Smarter with the Library

Start thinking about your winter warm weather escape by attending one of our Smart Travel programs in October. Learn about traveling with Road Scholar at Lake Elmo Library (Oct. 16), understand securing your home while you’re away with the Washington County Sheriff’s Office at Valley Library (Oct. 18) or Park Grove Library (Oct. 29), and more. Find all our upcoming travel programs at https://washcolib.link/SmartTravel.

child's sketch of frankenstein's monster

Stranger Things and Frankenstein

Something strange is happening in Washington County… someone has been trapped in the Upside Down and you only have 30 minutes to help them escape! Teens can test their smarts and puzzle-solving abilities in our new Stranger Things-themed escape rooms at Wildwood Library (Oct. 18), Hardwood Creek Library (Oct. 20), Oakdale Library (Oct. 26), and R.H. Stafford Library (Oct. 27 and 29).

October is also a great month to celebrate the original scary story, Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein! On Saturday, Oct. 13, families can visit Hardwood Creek Library or Wildwood Library for a drop-in program of STEM activities centered around the central questions of Frankenstein – Why do we create? What does it mean to be human? Who is responsible? Stop by Hardwood Creek that afternoon for a 12-and-up viewing of another monstrous classic, Mel Brooks’ Young Frankenstein, complete with trivia, bingo, and themed refreshments.

Library Closed for All Staff Training

All Washington County Library branches will be closed on Wednesday, Oct. 10 for an All Staff Training day (Stillwater and Bayport libraries, as well as the Washington County Law Library, will be open). Even though our buildings are closed, you can still access your library account on our website, WashCoLib.org, and check out ebooks, audiobooks, and magazines through our digital branch.