October is when libraries fill with stories, costumes, and excitement. It’s the perfect time to turn quiet shelves into lively spaces full of imagination and community spirit. For many librarians, planning library Halloween programs is one of the best parts of the year. It’s a chance to inspire readers of all ages and mix traditional fun with digital experiences.
Magic through reading: Halloween stories that spark imagination
Halloween reading activities are a great way to bring people into the library. Create cosy reading corners with books for every age: fun ghost stories for children and spooky classics for adults. Families can discover new favourites together, and you can even set up a digital board where visitors share what they’re reading.
To make it interactive, create a “Mysterious Book Trail”. Hide short clues inside books across different shelves, leading readers to the next “haunted” title. These Halloween reading activities spark curiosity and motivate visitors to explore the wider collection in a fun, low-pressure way.
Hands-on fun: Crafting, creating, and learning together
Craft sessions remain at the heart of many library Halloween events. Set up stations where children can:
- Design their own spooky bookmarks.
- Build mini monster masks from recycled materials.
- Write short Halloween poems or riddles to display on the walls.
Combine traditional crafts with digital Halloween experiences. Tablets can guide children through virtual craft tutorials, helping them design decorations or animated greeting cards.
Include a sensory-friendly session, with quieter spaces, soft lighting, and flexible materials for neurodiverse visitors. These small adjustments make the celebration truly inclusive.
Digital Halloween: tech meets tradition
Shared tablets or community devices can open up a world of interactive Halloween fun:
- Interactive storytelling apps like Toontastic 3D where children record or illustrate their own ghost stories.
- Augmented reality games that make characters pop off the page.
- Digital Halloween escape rooms or puzzles for teens, e.g., Puzzle Punks, Monster Mash
These digital experiences complement the physical ones, giving young visitors a sense of ownership and older ones a way to engage through new technology.
Community spirit: inclusive library Halloween events
Nothing draws a crowd like well-planned library Halloween events. Try these inclusive ideas that mix creativity, learning, and laughter:
- Invite guests to dress as their favourite book characters rather than traditional monsters as a clever way to promote reading.
- Put a safe stage for young and old to read aloud their favourite ghost stories or personal creations.
- Host a display of carved or digitally designed pumpkins and let visitors vote via tablets or QR codes.
Pair each event with themed reading lists or digital scavenger hunts to encourage further exploration after the celebrations.
Keeping it safe, simple, and accessible
Library Halloween programs can get busy, so plan those that are easy to manage and suitable for all ages. Offer digital access to craft templates, story recordings, or event information through tablets or QR codes. This reduces the need for printed materials and helps every visitor participate, regardless of reading level or language.
A little digital magic goes a long way
Libraries are becoming lively spaces where stories, learning, and technology come together. Shared tablet systems like Hublet Solution make running digital Halloween sessions and library Halloween programs easy and safe. They take care of data wiping, content control, and setup, so you can focus on the fun parts: creativity and connection.
With the right mix of reading, storytelling, and digital play, your library can be the most magical place in town this October. Every visitor, young or old, will leave with a smile, a story, and a little bit of Halloween magic.
