Halloween always puts me in the mood for some seriously spooky movie watching. I personally favor zombie flicks, but some of you might go in for a slasher, ever-more-inventive-ways-to-kill-someone or Japanese-ghost-story type horror movie. No worries: there are a ton of titles to choose from in the Library catalog, so check one or several out this All Hallow’s Eve. Grab a bag of popcorn, curl up with your best hand-holder and get scared silly. If you’re at a loss, here are a few suggestions from my list of favorites: 

The Shining - All work and no play…makes you insane!

The Exorcist - Being a teenager is hell.

Dawn of the Dead - The George A. Romero version, of course. A hilarious, frightening and way-smart testimony to the evils of consumerism.

28 Days Later - Who can forget the role the raven plays? Plus, the humans are scarier than the zombies.

The Mist - I just need to pick up a few things at the supermarket. And die!

We always like to hear from you! Add your own favorite thriller or chiller in the comment section.

After you’ve hung up your Halloween costume and are through indulging in the horrific side of things, why not look into a celebration that takes a less scary view of death? Celebrated primarily in Mexico and by Mexican American communities in the United States, Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) occurs on November 1 and 2, in remembrance of those who have passed away. Altars dedicated to departed friends and family members with ofrendas (offerings) of sugar skulls, flowers, mementos and food are central to the celebration. My favorite aspect of the holiday is the small-scale models of skeletons in all types of daily activities, often dressed in old-fashioned costumes. These figures are a charming reminder that death is intertwined with life and doesn’t always have to be approached fearfully. 

If you live in or near Sunset Park, Sunset Park Library is hosting Day of the Dead events where you can make your own sugar skulls, bring ofrendas for an altar and more. Or learn how to make food and crafts for this great celebration by taking out books from your local library, like this one.  

As the seasons have changed so has the face of BPL. We’re at the same old place with a brand new face. Surf on over to the BPL website and take a look at our upgraded homepage. This new user-friendly site will afford our faithful readers a simplified navigation, clarified language and the ability to quickly access the information they need.

Here are some of the biggest changes you’ll see:
Our changing promotional display will show you the latest and the greatest in BPL news
A direct search into the catalog, databases, downloadable media, and the website itself
Our line-up of events keeps you in the know

You too can be in the know. Visit www.brooklynpubliclibrary.org for all things new and exciting.

Since Thursday is the new Friday, why not mix up your usual plans? Forget the bar you usually go to and head to the last place you’d expect drinks and dancing…Central Library.

Come to our party hosted by the Brooklyn Vanguard, Brooklyn Public Library’s young donor group. For $100, you can party with a four-hour open bar, hors d’oeuvres, great tunes and the satisfaction of knowing you’re donating to a great cause. Proceeds support our Bookmobiles, portable libraries that travel Brooklyn, bringing materials and programs to the areas that need them most.

The award-winning DJ Beverly Bond will provide the party’s soundtrack, spinning the very best of hip-hop, rock, soul, funk and pop. She has performed on MTV’s Total Request Live and BET’s Rap City, and has spun at events such as the VH1 Fashion Awards, ESPN X-Games and the U.S. Open. Her superstar client list includes Jay-Z, Britney Spears and Prince.

Purchase your tickets now! The party is on Thursday, November 13, at 9 PM.