School’s out on November 11 for Veteran’s Day! Celebrate with open gaming.

When: Wednesday, Nov. 11 2:00-4:00pm

Where: Large Meeting Room, 6960 Oakton

Challenge your friends to Guitar Hero 5, Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2, and other games on our wii and xbox systems.

November is National Novel Writing Month!  Last year, more than people 119,000 people registered at www.nanowrimo.org/  and attempted to write a 50,000 word novel between Nov. 1-30.  More than 21,000 people completed their novel!  NaNoWriMo is all about writing as much as you can, for fun.  No editing (you can edit in December)!

Celebrate at the library with our kick-off party on Tuesday, November 3.  Meet other writers, get writing tips, and try out some fun writing exercises.

When: 6:30-8:30pm, Tues. Nov. 3
Where: Board Room, 6960 W. Oakton, Niles

Anyone 13 and older can register and participate.  There’s also a Young Writers Program that has made some really cool writing resources available, for free!  Check out the 100% non-lame writers’ workbooks for middle and high school students.

Ready to hear some spooky stories?  Come in costume and share a scary tale of your own … if you dare!

When: 7:00pm Thursday, Oct. 29
Where: large meeting room, 6960 W. Oakton St. Niles, IL

Repulsive refreshments and putrefying prizes, too.

There’s still time to sign up for our Halo 3 Tournament!  Show off your shooting skills in our bracketed contest.  Single players will compete in groups of four, with the top scorers advancing to the next round.  Prizes include Gamestop giftcards and Halo novels.

When: 1:30pm on Sat. Oct 24
Where: Large Meeting Room, 6960 W. Oakton St. Niles, IL

If you’re under 18, we need to you turn in a signed parental consent form.  Download it from our website.

Author Susan Beth Pfeffer will visit us here in Niles on Sunday, Oct. 18!  She’s flying in from New York to be here, and we’re super excited to meet her and hear her speak.  Maybe you’re more familiar with her books than her name.  Her most recent books are Life As We Knew It and the dead & the gone.  If you haven’t read Life As We Knew It (LAWKI) yet, then what are you waiting for?  It is a great survival story that’s hard to put down once it’s picked up.

Imagine that a meteor is on a collision course with the moon.  It’s going to be clearly visible in the sky when it happens, and you think, “I have to see this!”  After the collision, there are unexpected results.  The moon is knocked from it’s usual orbit.  It’s suddenly MUCH closer to the earth than it used to be.  The tides are messed up and it gets very cold.  Satellites crash.  Cell phones and Internet don’t work.  Life changes for everyone. What would you do to survive?

the dead & the gone explores this scenario from the perspective of different people living in a different part of the country.  It’s fast-paced and asks new questions.  What if your parents were gone when the meteor hit, and you couldn’t get in touch with them?  You’re now in charge of your younger siblings; how do you keep them alive?

When: Sunday, Oct. 18 2:00-3:30pm
Where: Large Meeting Room, 6960 W. Oakton St., Niles, IL

Come and meet her, even if you haven’t read any of her books.  You may be inspired to pick up a copy before you leave!

School’s Out next Monday, October 12 (Columbus Day).  Celebrate by sleeping in, then come by the library at 3:00 for open Xbox and Wii gaming!

When: Monday, Oct. 12, 3:00-5:00pm
Where: Large Meeting Room, 6960 W. Oakton St.

Challenge your friends to Guitar Hero & other games!