WEST PITTSTON — Flowers are abloom throughout Greater Pittston, but the staff at the West Pittston Library is already thinking about jack-o’-lanterns.

The library will hold an event called “MAY We Scare You?” at 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 24 for children aged 12 and under.

Youth Services Coordinator Summer Belles calls it a “perfect excuse to celebrate (Halloween) twice in one year.”

“Halloween is my favorite holiday, so I don’t care what time of the year it is,” she said. “I would be more than happy to celebrate it.”

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The library holds an annual Halloween party for children in October with various games, crafts, a story, and participants dress in their favorite costumes.

Belles said children don’t have to dress in costume at the spring event, but they can bring their spooky duds to trade with other youngsters in preparation for trick-or-treating in the fall.

“(Participants can) bring costumes of all sizes to see if there is someone else with a costume that they want, and they can take it,” she said.

Belles said the May event will be a bit simpler than the annual celebration in October, but fun is still guaranteed.

“Usually at the Halloween party I have six stations and everyone rotates between them, but we’re not going to do that,” she said. “We’re just going to play some games as a group, do a craft and read a book.”

Games may include Pass the Pumpkin, where participants will pass a pumpkin around until music stops and whoever is holding the pumpkin is eliminated; zombie mini golf, bingo, monster bowling, and more.

“I’ve got a whole host of games to pull from,” said Belles.

Belles said the registration deadline for “MAY We Scare You?” is Wednesday, May 18 and she hopes to have anywhere from 18 to 24 participants. She currently has nine signed up.

The idea for the event came from West Pittston Library’s Adult Programming Coordinator Jen Moran, who said she was looking for more spring-related activities.

“I had seen an issue of Library Journal trying to promote different programs and they were discussing ‘MAY We Scare You?’” she said. “I just love that title and being the adult programmer there was nothing I could do with that, so I thought why not give Summer work to do? Children are always checking out Christmas movies and Halloween movies — they don’t care what time of the year it is, they just like to celebrate it.”

With the inaugural event a short time away, Belles is eager to celebrate Halloween early and hopes to have a good turnout, especially so she can read the children a scary story.

“I wouldn’t be a proper librarian if I didn’t say I was looking forward to reading a book,” she said.

West Pittston Library Youth Services Coordinator Summer Belles reads ‘I’m Not Afraid of This Haunted House’ during the library’s Halloween party last October.
http://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/web1_PSD102515Halloween_3.jpg.optimal.jpgWest Pittston Library Youth Services Coordinator Summer Belles reads ‘I’m Not Afraid of This Haunted House’ during the library’s Halloween party last October. Bill Tarutis File Photo | For Sunday Dispatch
West Pittston Library holding ‘MAY We Scare You?’ event on May 24

By Jimmy Fisher

jfisher@timesleader.com

Want to go?

‘MAY We Scare You?’ will begin at 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 24 at the West Pittston Library, 200 Exeter Ave., West Pittston. This program is for children aged 12 and under and spots can be served by calling the library at 570-654-9847. Activities include games, a craft, a story and a costume swap.