Every October we celebrate Teen Read Month with our annual Book Ballots program. Our expert teen librarians have put together a list with 10 of their best books of the year. All month, teens who vote for their favorites will win a prize, and be entered into a grand prize drawing. Learn more on our website!

This month, we also have some exciting new programs for teens (in addition to our full slate of weekly hangouts and activities):

VR and Retro Gaming – October 16 @ 2:30 p.m. (Oakdale Library)
Robot Repair Club – October 17 @ 2 p.m. (Park Grove Library)
Super Mario Kart 8 Tournament – October 19 @ 2:30 p.m. (Oakdale Library)
Lights on Afterschool – October 24 @ 2:30 p.m. (Hardwood Creek Library)
Teen Takeover! After-Hours Party – October 25 @ 5:30 p.m. (Oakdale Library)
Library Teen Space Gaming – October 29 @ 5:30 p.m. (R.H. Stafford Library)

Keep reading to check out some other highlights this month at Washington County Library!

Club Book with J.A. Jance

We're thrilled (no pun intended) to welcome mystery and thriller writer extraordinaire J.A. Jance to R.H. Stafford Library on October 8! Jance has published four blockbuster series that encompass nearly 70 novels, including her latest, Sins of the Fathers. The book, out September 24, features retired Seattle police detective J.P. Beaumont. In his most personal and suspenseful case to date, the detective is coaxed out of retirement by an old acquaintance to solve a missing person case. Learn more and save the date!

Thrillers not your thing? We're partnering with Friends of Lake Elmo Library to host comedian and author Lorna Landvik at Christ Lutheran Church in Lake Elmo on October 15. Learn more in our calendar!

Most popular books of the summer

The leaves are turning and the air feels a little crisp, which can only mean one thing: fall is here! But before we dive into cozy reads and pumpkin spiced everything, we thought it would be fun to take a peek back at our most popular books of the summer. Visit our blog to see the top checkouts in five categories – kids, juvenile fiction, teen fiction, adult fiction, and adult nonfiction – and compare your summer reading with the rest of WashCoLib.

3D printing and video editing

This month, we're offering some new technology classes for adults. Drop by Valley Library on October 2 to learn the basics of how to work with 3D printers and see a 3D printer in action. Learn about video editing on the cheap at Oakdale Library on October 5 and Park Grove Library on October 26. This class will also explore cheap or free apps that will help you edit and deliver good video on a low budget. Please bring a device with a video camera.

Fix-it Clinic October 12 in Woodbury

This month we'll be hosting our final Fix-it Clinic of the year at R.H. Stafford Library in Woodbury. Stop by on October 12 between 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. to work alongside a volunteer fixer to disassemble, troubleshoot, and repair basic household items. You can bring up to three items – think toasters, lamps, small electronics or clothing – and get help saving them from the trash. Learn more on our website!

Libraries closed October 23 for staff training

All Washington County Library branches will be closed Wednesday, October 23 for an all staff training day. Associate libraries in Stillwater and Bayport will still be open that day. 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 library apps.