Library: Peoria Main Library
Date: Saturday, Oct. 18
Time: 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.

It is that time of the year again, time for the annual Peoria Main Library 'Library Fall Fest'! Join us for this fun, free family event and learn about all what the Peoria Libraries have to offer. There will be games, crafts, bounce houses, a scavenger hunt, free pumpkins, food trucks and community partner information!

Bonus! Ready to show off your pumpkin carving skills? Join our annual Fall Fest Pumpkin Carving Contest! Patrons of ages 0-12 and 13+ are invited to bring their creative, carved pumpkins to the Peoria Main Library for a chance to win a prize! Registration forms can be picked up at the Main Library Youth Desk or can be downloaded by Clicking Here. (.pdf)

The carved pumpkin and registration form are due at The Peoria Main Library by Friday, Oct. 17.

Library: Sunrise Mountain Library
Date: Saturday, Nov. 8
Time: 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.

The Sunrise Mountain Library will be celebrating all things fun and fantasy with annual Fantasy Fest! Join us on November 8 from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. for BINGO, crafts and all things fantasy! Dress in your finest family friendly cosplay costume and join us for a morning of fun. There will be something for everyone!

Extra: If you wish to trade any unwanted decorative enamel pins or buttons, fill your inventory with them, bring them to Fantasy Fest and seek the one who wields the Pincushion Shield, known as the Mysterious Pin-Trader!

Vendors, if you would like to participate in the Fantasy Fest event, please fill out the Vendor Form by Clicking Here.

Library: Peoria Main Library

Does your child need help reading? Book Buddies is a program where we pair your child with a teen volunteer to help gain confidence while reading aloud. This program is suited for students in grades K-5.

• 2nd quarter sessions will be held on Wednesdays, Oct. 22 - Dec. 3, from 4 p.m. - 5 p.m.
  Applications are due by Oct. 15. To apply, Click Here

Teens - for more information about becoming a Book Buddy mentor, Click Here.

Library: Peoria Main & Sunrise Mountain Libraries
Contest dates: Sept. 1 - Oct. 24
Showcase: Sunrise Mountain Library
Showcase date: Friday, Oct. 31
Showcase times: Adults @ 1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. | Teen @ 2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. | Youth @ 3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Get into the spirit of the spookiest season by writing your own short horror story to share with everyone for Sunrise Mountain Library's Super Scary Short Story Showcase! From September 1 through October 24, craft and submit a new nightmare of your own to be read around an inflatable campfire on Friday, October 31, while enjoying s'mores, cocoa, and the good company of your fellow scary story authors! For the showcase, stories will be shared for their specific age groups during hour blocks. All ages are welcome to submit an entry!

To ensure your submission is eligible to be shared at the showcase and included in our readable compilation, please review the rules and guidelines on our Submission Form.

• To download the Submission Form, Click Here (.pdf).

Library: Peoria Main & Sunrise Mountain Libraries
Date: See below

Kids, join us as Jill brings a variety of animals to visit the library! Jill teaches something new about each animal and there is never a dull moment with animals around! this fun-filled show is an interactive and educational treat for the whole family!

• Peoria Main Library* - Saturday, Oct. 18, @ 11 a.m.
  *Jungle Jill visits the Peoria Main Library for Fall Fest on Oct. 18!
   
• Sunrise Mountain Library - Saturday, Oct. 18, @ 3 p.m.

Library: Peoria Main Library
Date: Tuesday, Oct. 28 & Thursday, Oct. 30
Time: 10:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.

It is time for the Peoria Main Library’s yearly “Harvest Fest”!  Join us for snacks, crafts, and fun activities outside in the Prickly Pear Courtyard, located just outside of the Youth Services section. Costumes are encouraged. Please note, this program is happening instead of our regularly scheduled storytimes.

Library: Peoria Main & Sunrise Mountain Libraries
Date: See below

The West Valley Astronomical Club (WVAC) is partnering with the Peoria Public Library for two special after-hours stargazing programs, one at Centennial Plaza by the Peoria Main Library on Oct. 4 and one at Camino A Lago Park near Sunrise Mountain Library on Oct. 29. In celebration of Oct. 4 being 'International Observe the Moon Night', the WVAC is bringing professional grade telescopes to each event so everyone can observe the moon in style!

• Centennial Plaza - Saturday, Oct. 4, @ 6 p.m.
   
• Camino A Lago Park (21109 N. 98th Ave.) - Wednesday, Oct. 29, @ 5:30 p.m.
  Registration not required.

Library: Peoria Main & Sunrise Mountain Libraries
Date: See below

Kids, join us as Gary Alpert – AKA “The Fly Guy” – teaches about the wonders of flight in this hands-on workshop. We'll make catapult airplanes while we learn about the forces that affect flying: thrust, drag, lift and weight. The workshop is limited to 15 kids due to supply availability. For children 6 to 12 years of age.

• Peoria Main Library - Thursday, Oct. 30, @ 3:30 p.m.
   
• Sunrise Mountain Library - Thursday, Oct. 30, @ 5:30 p.m.
  *Tickets will be handed out the day of the program.

Library: Peoria Main & Sunrise Mountain Libraries
Date: See below

Get up close and personal with Scout the Pterosaur! Learn about Scout’s Dinosaur fossil collection! Scout not only entertains, but will leave you with a newfound knowledge of these magnificent prehistoric creatures that once ruled and roamed the earth!

• Sunrise Mountain Library - Saturday, Nov. 8, @ 11 a.m.
   
• Peoria Main Library - Saturday, Nov. 8, @ 3 p.m.

Location: Pioneer & Paloma Parks
Date/Time: See below

Join us in celebrating National Storywalk Week with a special 'Storytime at the Storywalk®'! The Peoria Public Libraries take storytime outside while visiting both Pioneer and Paloma Parks. We will walk to each storyboard and read the story, while singing and having fun! National Storywalk® Week is happening Nov. 9 - 15.

• Pioneer Park - 8755 N. 83rd Ave., Peoria, AZ 85345 - Thursday, Nov. 13, @ 10:30 a.m.
   
• Paloma Park - 29799 N. Lake Pleasant Pkwy, Peoria, AZ 85383 - Saturday, Nov. 15, @ 9:30 a.m.

Library: Peoria Main & Sunrise Mountain Libraries
Date: Wednesday, Dec. 3
Time: 10 a.m.

Celebrate the end of the year at your local Peoria Public Library by joining us to make a personalized book for your baby! Supplies will be provided, but everyone is encouraged to bring photos in order to personalize the book with their own memories.

Library: Peoria Main & Sunrise Mountain Libraries

Both libraries offer a number of different storytime opportunities for a variety of audiences, including Family Storytimes, Toddler Times, Baby Storytimes, Sensory-Sensitive Storytimes and much more! Each storytime emphasizes the importance of forming a strong basis of literacy and creating a life-long love of reading.

• Click here to learn all about the Peoria Public Libraries' Storytimes and their days/times.

Library: Peoria Main & Sunrise Mountain Libraries

Pip's 1,000 book challenge is a fun, independent, and self-paced reading initiative designed to promote a strong literacy foundation in children ages 0-5. Start reading now and read 1,000 books by the time they are school ready and entering kindergarten. Track your progress on our reading logs and earn prizes after 100, 300, 600, and 1,000 books!

• To learn more, Click Here.

Library: Peoria Main Library
Date: 3rd Saturday of the month: Nov. 15 & Dec. 20
Time: 1 p.m.

Announcement: 'Learn As We Grow' will be on hiatus during October due to the Fall Fest event occuring on Oct. 18. It will return for its normally scheduled day and time on Nov. 15.

Do you want to garden but don't know where to start? Join us at our 'Learn as We Grow' Program, where we will teach you all the basics, from planting, to water conservation and how to grow things in this Arizona climate! Don't have the materials, don't worry we will provide for you. Everyone of any age is welcome to join us, so come Learn as We Grow!

Library: Sunrise Mountain Library
Dates: See Below

Interested in robotics? Join us as Gabriela Gabaldon from Ecorobotik hosts different robotics workshop, where students will discover robotics and its applications. Learners will build a basic electronic circuit and be introduce to the usage of Tinkercad. For kids grades 4 - 8. Registration is required as is a parental consent form.

Registration and the consent form can be accessed via the EcoRobotik website at: https://ecorobotik.com/librarypartnerships/. See the 'Sunrise Mountain Library' section to register for the individual sessions.

Dates / Times:

• Monday, Oct. 20, from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
• Monday, Nov. 17, from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
• Monday, Dec. 15, from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Library: Peoria Main Library
Dates: See Below

Interested in robotics? Join us as Gabriela Gabaldon from Ecorobotik hosts different robotics workshop, where students will discover robotics and its applications. Learners will build a basic electronic circuit and be introduce to the usage of Tinkercad. For kids grades 4 - 8. Registration is required as is a parental consent form.

Registration and the consent form can be accessed via the EcoRobotik website at: https://ecorobotik.com/librarypartnerships/. See the 'Peoria Main Library' section to register for the individual sessions.

Dates / Times:

• Monday, Oct. 27, from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
• Monday, Nov. 24, from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
• Monday, Dec. 8* - 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
  *Special date.

Library: Sunrise Mountain Library
Date: 1st & 3rd Saturday of the month
Time: 2:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Brain Powers partners with libraries and community organizations to provide introduction to fun after-school social activities for students that develop/reinforce critical thinking, problem solving, depth of thought, situational awareness, & a range of other concepts, in order to achieve the best results when problem solving using applied tactics & techniques. Using in-person strategy/puzzle games, students learn through play. Our experienced & entertaining Instructors guide student learning through challenges for lifelong intellectual benefits! For kids aged 6-14. Registration is free, but required.

• To register, Click Here.

Library: Peoria Main Library
Date: Mondays and Thursdays
Time: 3:30 p.m. - 5 p.m.

Parents/guardians, looking for something for the kids to do after school in a nonjudgmental space? Families are invited to join us for various fun and interactive activities every Monday and Thursday starting at 3:30 p.m. All kinds of crafts, STEAM challenges, games, and activities will foster these students' creativity, exploration, and team working skills. All are welcome to these programs, including families with children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and other sensory needs. Activities will vary from session to session. Please call the library at (623) 773-7578 to find out which activity we will be doing that day.
The Peoria Public Libraries are IBCCES Certified Autism Centers.

Upcoming Schedule:

• Oct. 16 - Paper Caramel Apples.
• Oct. 20 & 23 - Watercolor Trees.
• Oct. 27 - Fluttering Frame.
• Oct. 30 - Paper Airplane Workshop.

Library: Peoria Main Library
Day: Fridays
Time: 3:30 p.m. - 4:45 p.m.

Kick off the weekend with Legos! Let your imagination run wild, or complete one of our challenge prompts. Legos will be provided by the library.

Since not everyone thrives in loud, high-energy environments, an adapted room will be available in tandem to provide an inviting space for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and other sensory needs.

Library: Sunrise Mountain Library
Date: The 1st Saturday of the month: Nov. 1 & Dec. 6
Time: 1 p.m. - 2 p.m.

Join Luke and Brandy Daukas to build some incredible Lego projects. Each month features a new theme to inspire the imagination! Registration is required. For kids ages 6 - 12.

• To register, Click Here.

PAWS 2 Read is an on-going program which allows children to read aloud to therapy dogs in order to improve reading skills. When children practice reading individually to trained therapy dogs (and their handlers) they become more confident readers, while having fun! After all, a dog will not correct them or make them feel awkward if they stumble.

• Peoria Main Library
  Day: The 3rd Saturday of the Month
  Time: 1 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
   
• Sunrise Mountain Library
  Day: The 2nd Saturday of the Month
  Time: 1 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Library: Peoria Main & Sunrise Mountain Libraries

ABCmouse.com: The award-winning ABCmouse.com curriculum is designed to help young children (ages 2–7+) build a strong foundation for academic success. ABCmouse.com is 100% educational, with more than 4,000 learning activities across all major subject areas-reading, math, science, social studies, art, and music. Best of all, kids love it. And it’s free to use in this library! From Age of Learning, Inc.

• Click here to access ABCmouse *Only available within the Library.

Library: Peoria Main Library
Date: 3rd Thursday of the month: Oct. 16, Nov. 20 & Dec. 18
Time: 4:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

Join us for an unforgettable evening of laughter, competition, and bonding with your loved ones. Whether you’re a seasoned gamer or a complete newbie, there’s something for everyone! Come check out a range of fun video games from Spiderman 2, Lego Brawls, and Princess Peach Showtime! No need to sign up, just show up and have some fun!

Library: Peoria Main Library
Date: See below

A movie theatre experience for all families, including children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and other sensory needs. Sensory Friendly Screenings include brightened light levels, reduced sound volume and room for guest interaction.

Dates/Titles:

• Wednesday, Nov. 12, @ 2 p.m. - 'The Wild Robot'.
• Wednesday, Dec. 3, @ 2 p.m. - 'Elf'.

Check out a Culture Pass and get free admission for 2 people at one of fourteen popular venues around the valley. Enjoy the arts, museums, performances and more for free! They are available at both The Peoria Main Library and Sunrise Mountain Library, cannot be placed on hold and are subject to availability.

Available at your library's Circulation Desk

• Click here to see a list of Culture Passes Available @ Your Peoria Public Libraries.
• Visit the Culture Passes at the Act One webpage.
• See a list of Culture Pass performances and venues in the Metro Phoenix area.
• Fill out a Act One Culture Pass Survey - In English or In Spanish.