October is when we celebrate fear. We dress up as what we fear, laugh at what we fear, and gleefully keep our fear at bay with tiny candies. Whatever your fears, Elsie Quirk Library can help you with the celebrating, exploring, or conquering of them.
Want to plunge into the shadowy corners of the psyche? Check out our display of thrillers and horror stories, or peruse the movie section for something to watch while peeking nervously through your hands. Want to face your fear of technology? Come to the reference desk and ask our brave and bold librarians about upcoming programs, or throw your most chilling library digital resource question at them. Do you have Deweyphobia—fear of the Dewey Decimal System? Stop by my office in the back corner and let me talk you through it. Sometimes knowledge is all you need to overcome fear.
I myself used to harbor a palpable fear of black holes. On occasions that I unavoidably found myself in a planetarium, I had to close my eyes and think grounding thoughts. But one day, a wise and very knowledgeable cosmetologist (yes, ironically, a cosmetologist not a cosmologist) pointed out that, first of all, I was under no credible threat from black holes since I am not a space traveler as of yet; and secondly, if I was sucked into a black hole, maybe it would be a portal to another dimension, and wouldn’t that be an amazing opportunity! Fear dissolved, new perspective gained.
The library can offer you new perspective, valuable information, qualitative evidence, and treats for your imagination. The library is a wealth of how-to guidance to prepare for what you fear, whether it’s the zombie apocalypse, doing your taxes, hurricanes, job interviews, or hidden mildew build-up. Are your fears, like mine, more abstract? (I no longer fear black holes, in fact I now find them exciting and intriguing and full of potential, but I do harbor an abiding fear of Crater Lake.) Knowledge is the tool for defeating fear of the unknown. We invite you to come into the Elsie Quirk Library during October, and all-year-round, to celebrate fear by learning! You will find me doing just that—in the 917 section looking up facts about Crater Lake, or in the 797 section compiling information on water safety.
Friday
- Spanish Study Group meets at 10:15 a.m.
Saturday
- Florida Medicare 101 Educational Workshop 1:30 p.m. – 3:00
Monday
- Forty Carrots Partners in Play 10:15 a.m. OR 11:45 a.m. For children, up to age 5 with a parent or caregiver. A free class for you and your child to enjoy together. Experience new educational activities, join in circle-time fun, meet other families and receive valuable parenting and child development information. Attendance is limited to 12 families per session.
- Monday Night Movies at 5 p.m. This week’s movie is an historic drama featuring Winona Ryder, Michelle Pfeiffer and Daniel Day Lewis.
Tuesday
- Master Gardener Plant Clinic 10 a.m. – Noon. Get free answers to your Florida gardening and landscaping questions. This is made possible through a partnership with UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County.
- Fabric Jewelry Making for Adults 2 – 4 p.m. In this class, artist, Ellen Goldberg will teach participants techniques for creating jewelry from fabric. All materials will be provided. Registration is required and limited to 12 adults.
Thursday
- Family Storytime at 10:30 a.m. For ages 0-5. Interact and participate with your child in a variety of early literacy and school readiness activities that feature stories, music and movement, and crafts.
- Halloween Safewalk 5 – 7 p.m. Trick or treat at the local businesses on Dearborn Street. Friends of the Elsie Quirk Library will be providing treats.
- Quirky Knitters 1 – 3 p.m. All are welcome to knit and chat.
