OCTOBER 2025 As Library Director, October’s National Book Month is more than just a celebration on the calendar — it’s a reaffirmation of our mission of lifelong learning and a reminder of the value of books in our lives. Books have always been at the heart of libraries, but they represent far more than printed pages. They are bridges to understanding, tools for empowerment, and doorways to imagination. In a time where digital content is abundant and attention is fragmented, libraries remain one of the few spaces where the love of reading is not only preserved but actively cultivated. We offer a sanctuary for readers of all ages — from children using their My First Library Card to discover the magic of their first picture book, to adults sharing their thoughts during open book discussions on the featured book of the month. Libraries play a major role in making books accessible to everyone, regardless of background or income. Every reader’s journey begins with access. Let’s use this month not only to celebrate books but to recommit ourselves to the values they represent — curiosity, empathy, freedom of thought, and the shared pursuit of understanding. A perfect reminder of how powerful a single book can be — and how essential your library is in making books available to all. DIRECTOR’S NOTE Gary Branson FRIENDS GROUP TO HOST BOHJALIAN for Speaking Volumes fundraiser October 24 Author Chris Bohjalian will visit Marion on Friday, October 24 for the 9th Annual Speaking Volumes event held in Marion Public Library. Speaking Volumes is a fundraising event coordinated by the BookMarks, a separate nonprofit friends group devoted to supporting Marion Public Library. Tickets to this Speaking Volumes event are on sale, available at the Library, in the BookMarket and on the BookMarks’ website at MarionOHBookMarks.org. A $75 ticket includes heavy hors d’oeuvres during an exclusive mingle hour with Bohjalian starting at 6:00 pm, just before the program starting at 7:00 pm. A $30 ticket can be purchased for just the program and includes dessert. There will be a cash bar available. Copies of select Chris Bohjalian titles will be sold as well. Chris Bohjalian is the author of numerous novels. His newest, The Jackal’s Mistress, is a heart-stopping work of historical fiction based on a largely unknown piece of American Civil War history. Other recent novels include The Princess of Las Vegas, released in 2024, The Lioness, released in 2022, and Hour of the Witch, released in 2021. These are only a few from the long list of his writings and essays. Chris uses his gripping fiction to explore contemporary social issues and how they play out in the lives of ordinary people, as well as shedding light on some of the most important moments in history. His writing delves into such topics as domestic violence, global climate change, gender identity, genocide, adultery, animal rights, adoption, homelessness, mental illness, and human trafficking with equal facility. He is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of more than two dozen books, and his work has been translated into over 35 languages. The BookMarks and Marion Public Library wish to thank Stifel, OhioHealth, Buckeye Optometry, Barb & Jim Greetham, and Gary Branson as major sponsors of this event, with additional support from many others. MarionOHBookMarks.org Ticket info: MarionOHBookMarks.org or MarionLibrary.org
Oct 1 Family Fun Night: Build Your Own Monster! @ 5:30pm Oct 2 Story Time! @ 10 & 11am Teen Tabletop Time @ 3:15p Oct 4 Fall Shred Day @ 9:30am Oct 6 Lapsit Baby Time @ 11am Oct 7 Fiction Book Discussion @ 6pm Oct 9 Story Time! @ 10 & 11am Teen Tabletop Time @ 3:15pm Oct 11 Fire Safety Story Time @ 11am Oct 13 Birds in Native American Life and Folklore @ 10am* Lapsit Baby Time @ 11am Oct 14 Mathematical Diversions, Famous Conundrums, & Car Talk Puzzles @ 10am* Books in Focus @ 3pm Oct 15 Closed - For staff development - All day Oct 20 Lapsit Baby Time @ 11am Kids Fun Fitness Class @ 5:30pm Oct 21 Mathematical Diversions, Famous Conundrums, and Car Talk Puzzles @ 10am* Nonfiction Book Discussion @ 6pm Oct 22 Murder and Mayhem @ 11am* Major Pauline Cushman, Spy of the Cumberland @ 4pm* Oct 23 Story Time! @ 10 & 11am Teen Tabletop Time @ 3:15pm Oct 24 BookMarks’ Speaking Volumes with author Chris Bohjalian @ 6pm ticket with cocktails 7pm ticket for program *presale ticket required Oct 27 Lapsit Baby Time @ 11am Movies and the Power of Story @ 5pm* Oct 28 Book Show & Tell @ 3pm Werewolves and Wetlands: The Story of the Cajun Rougarou @ 5pm* Oct 29 Bourbon 101 @ 5pm* Oct 30 Story Time! @ 10 & 11am Teen Tabletop Time @ 3:15pm calendar of events https://www.marionlibrary.org/events *ALL - Registration and a fee required Adult Child/Teen ALL Digital Lit ALL BOOKS AVAILALBE First class October 13 MPL offers access to digital books, audiobooks, and magazines via the Libby app! Just like there are a limited number of copies of a physical book in the library, there are a limited number of licenses for a digital book. This means there may be times when readers need to get on the waiting list, or holds list, for a title. In September, the Libby app updated and simplified how you can manage the items on your holds lists. You are able to suspend your hold on a title if you are not ready to read it yet. Previously, users had to select an end date for their hold suspension. Now you will simply choose to suspend or unsuspend a hold. When a hold becomes available for checkout and you miss your hold on its first delivery, the title will be suspended until you unsuspend it. The title no longer automatically unsuspends after 7 days. If suspended holds have not been unsuspended after 365 consecutive days, the hold will be canceled. For assistance accessing the digital library and using the Libby app, stop by the library and ask a staff member. In-person classes for using Libby are offered throughout the year; check the library’s event calendar for the next class! LIBBY APP UPDATES changes with holds The Adult Lifelong Learning (ALL) programs begin on October 13 with fourteen classes scheduled through November 21. Registration and a nominal fee are required to secure your place in each class. The Fall selection includes classes on social matters, dance, history, mysteries, birds, bourbon, math, and more. Don’t miss your chance to explore new ideas and continue your journey of lifelong learning this fall. MarionLibrary.org/ALL. To view the flip-thru book online: https://www.marionlibrary.org/sites/default/files/ files/flippingbooks/all/
FICTION: October 7 @ 6pm The Jackal’s Mistress by Chris Bohjalian NONFICTION: October 21 @ 6pm The Demon of Unrest by Erik Larson Find the 2025 Book Discussions List: www.MarionLibrary.org/bookdiscussions Full video on our Library YouTube channel at: https://youtu.be/nX138gyWpUk book discussion Stop by, pick up a book, read and join the discussion. books in focus Check out the new titles hitting our shelves within the month of October Did you know Marion County Council on Aging helps supplemented the Large Print and Audio collections with a grant? These collections are typically used by older patrons through library Outreach services. This is where materials are delivered to residences once per month. Marion Public Library provides this service free of charge to adults living in Marion County who have difficulty visiting the library or who live in a retirement or nursing home. Call the library at (740) 387-0992 to request Outreach Services Home Delivery. We will help you get registered for the service. At registration, we will discuss the types of materials you’d like to borrow from the library, what kind of things you like to read, your favorite authors, etc. Library staff will select items to be delivered on your next delivery date. All items are expected to be returned in the same condition as they were delivered. Marion County Council on Aging continues to be a great supporter of our programs and services! COUNCIL ON AGING AND OUTREACH Ohio has become the first state to offer registration into Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library for newborns before they leave the hospital. Now, caregivers are asked if they would like to sign their newborn up for a free monthly book while completing their child’s birth certificate paperwork. By signing up at birth, a child will receive the full collection of books the Imagination Library offers – 60 books in total before starting kindergarten! Newborns have always been eligible to sign up, but through this new initiative, all newborns can be signed up before heading home from the hospital, making it much easier. If you have a child aged 0-5 not in the program, go to MarionLibrary.org/ImaginationLibrary to get them registered to start receiving books. Marion County Imagination Library succeeds because of financial donations to the Library’s Imagination Library fund at Marion Community Foundation. All books are FREE to children registered. The State of Ohio generously pays 50% of the monthly invoice, and as a community partner with the State of Ohio, Marion Public Library is responsible for raising funds to pay the other 50% of the invoice. Your donations matter to the longevity of the program in Marion County. We celebrated five fantastic years this past Spring, and look forward to the next five. Thank you for your generous support of local literacy. MarionLibrary.org/ImaginationLibrary.org Marion’s Imagination Library is part of Let’s Read 20’s Literacy Success Plan, where reading 20 minutes daily to a child sets them on the path to success in school and in life. Building a literacy foundation starts at birth. LetsRead20.org MARION REGISTRATIONS ARE AT 70% for Dolly Parton Imagination Library author visiting Oct 24
Jaymi: Suspenseful debut novel written in verse, very lyrical. 3 days of a pregnant mom with 9-year-old twins fighting eviction when she goes into labor. Urgent pace, alternates perspectives, American SW, dialect-filled facebook.com/mplohio instagram: @MarionPublicLib twitter: @MarionPublicLib youtube: @MarionPublicLibraryOhio linkedin: @MarionPublicLibraryOhio Marion Public Library 445 East Church Street Marion, Ohio 43302 740-387-0992 MarionLibrary.org Board of Directors Malcolm Goodman, President Phyllis Butterworth Patrick Carey Jennifer Donelson Blake Gates Dana Martin Leslie Schneider Gary Branson Executive Director Gary: LIT-RPG. Role playing and computer game elements, likeable characters. Carl and his ex-girlfriend’s sentient car, Princess Doughnut, fight to escape a dungeon “leveling-up” style makes you want to keep reading #staffRA Miranda: Intensifying psychological thriller, immersive story with Italian culture. Julia’s husband is murdered, then she receives a mysterious inheritance and moves to Italy. Plot-driven, linear, 3rd person perspective, menacing tone Kristinne: A scientist with a mobile lab on a mission to save snail species becomes part of the romance trade in Ukraine. All on an adventure, kidnapping 13 Western men, and some Russians - Humorous https://youtu.be/nahY-wsTHto Watch more extensive reviews on our YouTube channel. Coming soon! Check out a full list of books at MarionLibrary.org. Please remember you can always place a hold if the book has not arrived yet or is currently checked out. new for young readers Danielle T: Halley ends up on a deadly spaceship fleeing from the government. Slow-building horror suspense. Very detailed but aims to confuse, the story comes together nicely BOOKMARKET VOLUNTEERS NEEDED Make a difference by giving a few hours a month Looking to give a few volunteer hours? Applications are being accepted for volunteer workers for the BookMarket. The BookMarket is a used book store inside Marion Public Library that is run by the BookMarks Friends of Marion Public Library volunteer group. Shoppers can find all varieties of gently used books where purchases make a difference. Volunteer with a friend and spend some time in a slower pace, low-stress environment. Pick up an application at the Marion Public Library main desk, by stopping into the BookMarket, or download online from MarionOHBookmarks.org/bookmarket
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