Library Offers Spook-tacular Events

By MADDY VITALE The Ocean City Free Public Library (OCFPL) hosts a Halloween Fest each year. It features games, stories, crafts and, of course, a costume contest. But unlike prior years, this one, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 27, with a rain date of Friday, Oct. 29, will be particularly exciting, explained OCFPL Director Karen Mahar. That is because the event will be held under a recent addition to the library, a spacious tent at the north end of the building at the 17th Street entrance.  “We've been doing the Halloween Fest pre-COVID for several years,” Mahar said Friday. “But this will be the first one outside under the tent.” The tent was approved by the city and put up in June. It is for use by the library staff for events and for patrons to be able to just go outside and read, for library programming and other entities such as the Aquatic and Fitness Center for outside programming for all ages, classes and concerts. Since the installation of the tent, there has been a host of activities there, including concerts as well as other programming to entertain the community. “The tent has been awesome,” Mahar said. “We've done adult concerts and programming and young adult programming, as well as children's story hours, puppet times and baby story hour. It’s been great.” Mahar emphasized that there is something going on at the library daily and there are many virtual events for people to enjoy. On Monday, at 7 p.m., author Kim Michelle Richardson is the OC reads author. She will discuss her book, "The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek." “We will have a virtual zoom program highlighting this author and her book,” Mahar said. The Fall Virtual Lecture series is also a popular attraction, Mahar added. The lecture series is offered on Thursdays at 7 p.m. with an array of events for people to stay engaged while keeping in the comfort of their own homes. Jennifer Shirk, president of the OCFPL Board of Trustees, spoke of the new ways the library has offered patrons to continue to enjoy life, despite the pandemic. “I'm so proud of the many choices of safe live and virtual programming our library staff has put together, while dealing with COVID,” Shirk said. “They are entertaining and educational and have been a great way to keep our community connected.” For more information about the Ocean City Free Public Library, located at 1735 Simpson Ave. inside the Community Center, visit www.oceancitylibrary.org An audience listens to a concert under the library tent. (Photo courtesy of the OCFPL)