Happy Halloween! The staff is competing for bragging rights through a pumpkin decorating contest. The pumpkins are in the windows facing Blair Street. Vote for your favorite by phone, while you are in the library or on Facebook. We will announce the winner in our next column.

We are continuing to offer Grab and Go activities for children. When weather permits, they are on the bench under the tree. If the weather is not cooperative, they are on the bench on the porch. Supplies are limited and they go out on Wednesday mornings. We also have some puzzles available.

American Girls Historical Reading Club will meet on Saturday, Nov. 14 at 10 a.m. This month Caroline will be introduced. She lived around 1812 during the War of 1812. Girls and their mother (or other adult relative) may sign up by calling the library (903-569-2767) or stopping by the library. You must sign up in order to attend as space is very limited due to social distancing. If you are not on the list you will not be admitted. If you have an unexpected guest they must be on the list in order to attend. Parents will be expected to participate with their child.

East Texas Library Friends is going to discuss “The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell” by Robert Dugoni. Follow this group at goodreads.com. The next selection is “Long Bright River” by Liz Moore, and the discussion will be at the Mineola Memorial Library on Dec. 12. This story is set in a Philadelphia neighborhood rocked by the opioid crisis and is about two sisters at odds with each other.

Mocha Girls Read book club selection for October was “Zora and Me” by Victoria Bond. November’s selection is “Hearts Unbroken” by Cynthia Leitich Smith. It won the 2020 American Indian Library Association award and is about a young woman and her senior year of high school in which the drama teacher casts the “Wizard of Oz” causing controversy.

Please, continue to do your part when visiting the library by wearing a mask, washing your hands or using hand sanitizer, keeping your distance and staying home when you are not feeling well. Remember, we now offer curbside service during library business hours. The library continues its part by constantly cleaning and quarantining items after their return and cleaning them before they return to the shelves.

The Mineola Memorial Library is a 501(c)3, non-profit and your donations are not only appreciated, they are tax-deductible. The library has received donations from Mineola Rotary Club for the bookmobile and Pro Path.