Council Bluffs Public Library

10/09/2026

Stop by and see the Library, we will have a spooky scavenger hunt for the family to participate in. 👻

Information on Library accounts, Cochran Kiosk, and Upcoming library events will also be available!

10/08/2026

Have you visited the displays on the second floor? 🍂

This October, take a little detour behind Youth Non-fiction to visit our Over the Garden Wall display! This year’s focuses on Chapter 2, “Hard Times at the Huskin’ Bee,” and the sleepy little town of Pottsfield - where the charming but peculiar residents aren’t quite what they seem. 🎃

Explore the history behind pumpkin carving, learn interesting facts about potter’s fields, and spot plenty of references to the show, including Wirt, Greg, and the curious citizens of Pottsfield.

You can even help us fill Pottsfield with more residents! Pick up a coloring sheet and some colored pencils at the Reference Desk, bring your resident to life, and return it to us to see it become part of the display. 🖍️

So, on your next visit to the library, wander behind Youth Non-fiction and pay a visit to Pottsfield. You’ll join us someday… 🍂🎃

10/07/2026

👻📚 Ready to get a little spooky at the library?

The Council Bluffs Public Library has some seriously interesting things happening this October — and we're talking ghosts, paranormal investigations, historic cemeteries, walking tours AND a ghost-hunting kit you can actually check out with your library card! 👻

Join Peggie Sweet and as Library Director Antonia Krupicka-Smith today at 7:50 AM AND again at 5:20 PM for , brought to our community by the Iowa West Foundation!

👻 First up — Paranormal in the Metro!

On October 12 at 6:30 PM, the library is hosting a presentation on Paranormal in the Metro and ghost hunting, where you can learn more about what it takes to become a paranormal investigator.

And if you'd rather experience some of Council Bluffs' history on foot, there are two upcoming walking tours!

🪦 October 19 at 6:00 PM — Fairview Cemetery
Explore some of the history surrounding one of Council Bluffs' historic cemeteries. Registration is required, so head to CouncilBluffsLibrary.org to reserve your spot.

👻 October 29 at 5:00 PM — Squirrel Cage Jail
Another chance to explore Council Bluffs history on foot — and perhaps wonder what stories might still be lingering around one of our city's most unusual historic landmarks! Registration is also required through CouncilBluffsLibrary.org.

And here's where things get REALLY fun…

🔎 The library has a ghost-hunting kit you can check out with your library card!

That's right — you can actually take the investigation home with you. The kit includes an EMF meter and even a GoPro camera, along with instructions, giving you some tools to explore the paranormal for yourself.

And Council Bluffs has plenty of history to investigate! The library has a long history of stories surrounding the old Carnegie Library, which is now the Union Pacific Railroad Museum, and there are certainly plenty of historic places around town that could make you curious about what you might discover — including the Squirrel Cage Jail. You can check the library's website to see if the ghost-hunting kit is currently available for checkout.

🧠 And, of course, we've got another Council Bluffs History Trivia Question for you, too! Because around here, learning our history can sometimes lead to some pretty unexpected discoveries. 😉

So whether you're interested in becoming a paranormal investigator, taking a historic walking tour, checking out a ghost-hunting kit or simply testing your Council Bluffs history knowledge, the library has plenty to explore this October!

10/06/2026

Want a personalized recommendation from a librarian on your next read?
The Library offers book recommendations to patrons of all ages based on their reading preferences!

Fill out the book recommendation form on the Library’s website with your favorite titles, a few disliked titles, favorite genres, and preferred reading formats.
Library staff will respond with at least five book recommendations. Choose which titles you would like to place on hold, or have a few automatically placed on hold for you!

Get a recommendation today! www.councilbluffslibrary.org/form/book-recommendations

10/05/2026

Get in the spooky spirit with the Library! Check out these upcoming October events:

👻Paranormal in the Metro
Monday, October 12 | 6:30 p.m. - 8 p.m. | Room B
Open to the Public

🚶‍♂️Guided Walking Tour: Fairview Cemetery
Monday, October 19 | 6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. | Fairview Cemetery
Registration is Required

🛀Spooky Self-Care
Saturday, October 31 | 2 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. | Room B
Registration is Required

You can view a full list of upcoming events on our website: www.councilbluffslibrary.org/events/upcoming

10/05/2026

Council Bluffs Reads October Author is David Heska Wanbli Weiden!

To prepare for his visit, the Library is hosting a book discussion of his 2026 title, Wisdom Corner.
Perfect for fans of thrillers, mysteries, and/or Indigenous fiction!

Copies of Wisdom Corner will be available in print at the reference desk as well as on our Libby app with no wait period! 📚

Council Bluffs Reads is a community reads initiative that runs from August to April, bringing four national authors to our library. Check out our website to learn more: www.councilbluffslibrary.org/councilbluffsreads

Based on community feedback gathered during the Elevate 2050 Comprehensive Plan downtown sessions, the Library parking lot will offer free parking for a three-month trial beginning October 1.

10/04/2026

📙Banned Books Week will take place October 4 – 10, 2026. 📙

Banned Books Week was launched in 1982 in response to a sudden surge in the number of challenges to books in libraries, bookstores, and schools. Held in the last week of September or first week of October, the annual event highlights the value of free and open access to information and brings together the entire book community — librarians, educators, authors, publishers, booksellers, and readers of all types — in shared support of the freedom to seek and to express ideas. This year’s Banned Books Week theme is “Let Books Be. Protect the Freedom to Read.”

📕Learn more about Banned Books Week and how to be involved here: https://bannedbooksweek.org/

All images © American Library Association. Banned Books Week is ® American Library Association. Let Books Be is ©2026 American Library Association.

10/04/2026

Parking is now FREE at the library!

Parking is now FREE at the Council Bluffs Public Library!

Based on community feedback gathered during the Elevate 2050 Comprehensive Plan downtown sessions, the Library parking lot will offer free parking for a three-month trial beginning October 1.

The goal is simple: make it easier to access this valuable community resource!

10/03/2026

October 20th is National Day of Writing, celebrate at the Library with these upcoming literature & writing events. 📅✏️

✍️Collaborative Writer's Group
Tuesday, October 13 | 6:30 p.m. - 8 p.m. | Room A

📚Local Author Fair
Saturday, October 17 | 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. | Atrium

Visit our website to see a full list of upcoming events: www.councilbluffslibrary.org/events/upcoming