OCTOBER 2026 NEWS & EVENTS
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MPL’S 120th ANNIVERSARY Mesa Public Library is celebrating 120 years! Celebrate with us at all locations this month: Wed, Oct. 7, 10am, Gateway Library 120 Years of Wonder Storytime Wed, Oct 7, 10am, Red Mountain Library Happy Birthday MPL Storytime Plus a Take & Make kit available starting Mon, Oct. 5 Thurs, Oct. 8, 4pm, Dobson Ranch Library 120th Birthday Games for kids Fri, Oct. 9, 1pm, Dobson Ranch Library MPL Birthday Craft for adults Sat, Oct. 10, 11am, Main Library MPL 120th Celebration for all ages
JIMMY EAT WORLD LIMITED EDITION LIBRARY CARD We’ve paired up with legendary Mesa band Jimmy Eat World on a special edition library card, which will be available starting Oct. 10! If you already have an MPL card you can swap your design for free!
WRITER IN RESIDENCE KARA MCDOWELL September through December | Gateway Library Aspiring writers can sharpen their craft through our Writer in Residence program. Author Kara McDowell will offer one-on-one consultations and workshops for emerging and experienced writers. Learn more at: mesalibrary.org/writerinresidence This program is supported by the Arizona State Library, a division of the Secretary of State, with federal funds from the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
ALL MESA PUBLIC LIBRARIES WILL BE CLOSED MONDAY, OCT. 12 FOR STAFF DEVELOPMENT
The library makes every effort to ensure our programs can be enjoyed by all. If you have any concerns about accessibility or need to request specific accommodations, please contact us. Some library events require registration or tickets. Check the online calendar for event details.
HALLOWEEN BOO! Kids can come dressed in costume and enjoy trick-or-treat stations and other activities outside the library! Thurs, Oct. 22, 6:30pm, Mesa Express Library Tues, Oct. 27, 10am, Gateway Library Wed, Oct. 28, 10am, Red Mountain Library Thurs, Oct. 29, 10am, Dobson Ranch Library Thurs, Oct. 29, 10am, Main Library
480-644-3100 mesalibrary.org/events
2026
Main Library 64 E. First St. Mesa, AZ 85201
Sun
Mon Teens (T)
Kids (K)
Adults (A)
Tweens (Tw)
Family (F)
4
11
1
2
3
10a Toddlertime (EC) 10:30a Toddlertime (EC) 2p Learn to Crochet: Pumpkin Amigurumi (A) 4p Teen Chef: Chips & Guac* (T) 4p DIY Stress Balls (Tw)
10a Craft Storytime: It’s Spooky (EC)
10:30a Saturday Stretch (F) 1p ESL Conversation Class (A) 3p Building Blocks Club (F)
5
6
7
8
9
10
10a Preschool Storytime (EC) 10:30a Preschool Storytime (EC) 1p Puzzle Party (K) 4:30p App Artist (Tw)
9:30a Baby Lapsit (EC) 1:30p Walk-In Wednesdays: Monster Lanterns (K) 3:34p RPG at the Library (Tw) 5:30p Puzzle Mixer (A)
10a Toddlertime (EC) 10:30a Toddlertime (EC) 4p Collage Club (T) 6p Southwest Shakespeare: Edgar Allen Poe (A)
.
11a Mesa Public Library’s 120th Birthday Celebration (F) 1p ESL Conversation Class (A) 3p Analog Hour (A)
13
14
15
16
20
21
27
28
12
CLOSED
25
Sat
Fri
10:30a Fire Safety Storytime w/ Mesa Fire (EC) 4p Tie Dye Socks (Tw)
for Staff Development
18
View events at all our branches
480-644-3100 mesalibrary.org/events
*Requires registration or tickets
Thu
Wed
10:00am – 8:00pm 10:00am – 5:00pm Closed
All locations are also open 9–10am, Mon-Sat, for self-service.
EVENTS CALENDAR
Tue
Early Childhood (EC)
Monday – Thursday Friday – Saturday Sunday
19
3:30p Young Gardeners (K)
26
4p Kid’s Drawing Club (F)
10a Preschool Storytime (EC) 9:30a Baby Lapsit (EC) 1:30p Walk-In Wednesdays: 10:30a Preschool Storytime Scarecrow (K) (EC) 6p Laser-Cut Trinket Box 4:30p Gather for Trading Decorating* (A) Card Games (Tw) 6p Busy Hands Book Group (A)
10a Preschool Storytime (EC) 9:30a Baby Lapsit (EC) 1:30p Walk-In Wednesdays: 10:30a Preschool Storytime National Apple Day (K) (EC) 6p Sewing* (A)
10a Preschool Storytime (EC) 9:30a Baby Lapsit (EC) 10:30a Preschool Storytime 1:30p Walk-In Wednesdays: (EC) Room on a Broom (K) 1:30p AARP Experience Corps Information Session (A) 2p Computer Basics (A)
10a Toddlertime (EC) 10:30a Toddlertime (EC) 4p Teen Movie Classics: The Goonies (T)
22
10a Toddlertime (EC) 10:30a Toddlertime (EC) 4p Rate My Playlist (T)
29
10a Toddlertime Presents: Halloween Boo! (EC) 4p Miniature Haunted Houses (T)
10a Mini Makers: Planting (EC)
23
.
30
3p Between the Panels Book Group (A)
17
1p ESL Conversation Class (A)
24
11a Strange Arizona (A) 1p ESL Conversation Class (A) 1p Family Matinee: Coco (F) 2:30 America on Screen: Ocean of Obstacles (A) 3p HOTspot (A) 3:30p RPG at the Library (A)
31
11a Halloween Candy and Craft (F) 1p ESL Conversation Class (A) 2p Hallow-Teen Party (T)
635 N. Power Rd. Mesa, AZ 85205
Sun
Mon Teens (T)
Kids (K)
Adults (A)
Tweens (Tw)
Family (F)
11
5
10a Laser Engraved Spooky Earrings or Keychain* (A) 10a Arizona Big Train Operators (F)
12
CLOSED
25
View events at all our branches
6
7
10a Arizona Big Train Operators (F) 3p Math Tutoring (T)
10a Happy Birthday MPL Storytime (F) 10a Arizona Big Train Operators (F) 10a Learn to Crochet (A)
13
for Staff Development
18
1
19
10a Toddlertime* (EC) 10a Learn to Quilt* (A) 11a Toddlertime* (EC) 3p Math Tutoring (T) 4p Junk Journaling Club (T) 6p Medicare 101 (A) 6p Paperback Paradise Book Group (A; OFFSITE)
20
2p Baby Stay and Play (EC)
10a Toddlertime* (EC) 11a Toddlertime* (EC) 12:30p Toddler Honky-tonk Hoedown (EC) 3p Math Tutoring (T) 4p No Sew PIllow Monsters (F)
26
27
10a Ghost Family Portrait on the Paper Cutter* (A) 2p Baby Stay and Play (EC)
10a Toddlertime* (EC) 11a Toddlertime* (EC) 3p Math Tutoring (T)
14
10:00am – 8:00pm 10:00am – 5:00pm Closed
All locations are open 9–10am, Mon-Sat, for self-service. Red Mountain Library has additional self-service hours, which requires Expanded Access to be added your library account. Please see staff for details.
Thu
Wed
480-644-3100 mesalibrary.org/events
*Requires registration or tickets
4
EVENTS CALENDAR
Tue
Early Childhood (EC)
Monday – Thursday Friday – Saturday Sunday
2026
Red Mountain Library
Sat
Fri 2
10a/11a Baby Lapsit (EC) 11a Art Journaling* (A) 2p HOTspot Digital Help Desk (A) 4p Chess for Kids (K) 6p Coloring Club (A)
8
9
10a Medicare 101 10a Learn to Sew* (A) 10a Arizona Big Train 10a Arizona Big Train Operators (F) Operators (F) 2p HOTspot Digital Help Desk 1p Artificial Intelligence in 2026 and Beyond (A) (A) 6p Horror Novel Book Group (A)
10a Family Storytime* (EC) 10a Learn to Crochet (A) 11a Family Storytime* (EC) 3:30p Trading Card Game Club (K) 6p Classic Album Discussion Group (A)
10a Quilting Demonstration 10a Sewing with Your (A) Machine: Patterns* (A) 2p HOTspot Digital Help Desk 2p Film Screening: The AI Doc: Or How I Became an (A) Apocaloptimist (A)
15
16
21
22
23
28
29
30
10a/11a Family Storytime* (EC) 10a/11a Baby Lapsit (EC) 1p Understanding 10a Learn to Crochet (A) 10a Digital Skills Builder* (A) Superintelligent Artifical 1p 3D-Printed Sugar Skull 2p HOTspot Digital Help Desk Intelligence (A) Painting* (A) (A) 1p 3D-Printed Sugar Skull 4p Chess for Kids (K) Painting* (Tw) 1p Day of the Dead Celebration (F) 3:30p Trading Card Game Club (K)
10a Preschool Storytime 10a/11a Baby Lapsit (EC) . Presents: Halloween Boo! (EC) 2p HOTspot Digital Help Desk 10a Learn to Crochet (A) (A) 3:30p Trading Card Game Club 4p Chess for Kids (K) (K) 6p Horror Novel Book Group (A) 5:30p Sewing Social* (A) 6p Interactive Movie: Nightmare 6p Family Movie: Monsters Inc. Before Christmas (F) (F)
3 1p Paint Along at the Library* (T) 2p ESL Conversation CLass (A)
10
9a Plant Exchange & Propagation Demo (A) 2p ESL Conversation Class (A)
17
11:30a Sound Healing Meditation* (A) 12:15 Sound Healing Meditation* (A) 1p There’s a Dragon in the Library!* (T) 2p ESL Conversation Class (A)
24
11a Art Cart (F) 1p Try It, You’ll Like It: A Cookbook Club* (A) 2p ESL Conversation Class (A) 3p Building Blocks Club (K)
31
10a Authentic Aging: Reimagining Retirement (A) 2p ESL Conversation Class (A)
2425 S Dobson Rd Mesa, AZ 85202
Sun
Mon Teens (T)
Kids (K)
Adults (A)
Tweens (Tw)
Family (F)
11
5
4p Embroidery Hoop Spider Webs (T)
12
View events at all our branches
6
7
10a Preschool Storytime (EC) 9:30a Baby Lapsit (EC) 1p Intro to Microsoft Excel* 1p Intermediate/Advanced (A) Microsoft Excel* (A)
13
CLOSED
10a Preschool Storytime (EC) 6p Junk Journaling (A)
14
9:30a Baby Lapsit (EC) 4p Story Creators (Tw)
for Staff Development
18
25
19
1p Beginning Hand Embroidery (A)
26
4p Simple Macrame Ghosts (T) 6p Intro to the Bambu 3D Printer* (A)
All locations are open 9–10am, Mon-Sat, for self-service. Dobson Ranch Library has additional self-service hours, which requires Expanded Access to be added to your library account. Please see staff for details.
Thu
Wed
10:00am – 8:00pm 10:00am – 5:00pm Closed
Sat
Fri
1
2
3
9a Toddlertime (EC) 10a Toddlertime (EC) 4p Fall STEAM (Tw)
.
10a Saturday at the Ranch: Puzzles (F) 4p Tween Gaming (Tw)
480-644-3100 mesalibrary.org/events
*Requires registration or tickets
4
EVENTS CALENDAR
Tue
Early Childhood (EC)
Monday – Thursday Friday – Saturday Sunday
2026
Dobson Ranch Library
20
10a Preschool Storytime (EC)
27
10a Preschool Storytime (EC) 2p Artificial Intelligence Safety and Privacy (A)
21
9:30a Baby Lapsit (EC) 6p Craft Night: Spooky Garland (A)
28
9:30a Baby Lapsit (EC) 4p Create Like a Famous Artist: Spooky Crayons (K)
8
9a Toddlertime (EC) 10a Toddlertime (EC) 2p Fiction Folks Book Group (A) 4p MPL Birthday Games (K) 6p Learn to Crochet* (A)
15
9a Toddlertime (EC) 10a Toddlertime (EC) 4p Read and Write Scary Stories (Tw) 6p Intro to Crochet Patterns* (A)
22
9a Toddlertime (EC) 10a Toddlertime (EC) 4p Book Folding (Tw)
29
10a Toddlertime Presents: Halloween Boo! (EC) 4p Halloween Crafts (K)
9
1p Mesa Public Library 120th Birthday Craft (A)
16
10a Tinkering for Toddlers (EC)
23
.
30
10
10a Saturday at the Ranch: Games (F) 10a Survival Guide to Buying or Selling a Home (A)
17
10a Saturday at the Ranch: Building Blocks (F) 11a Intro to the Bambu 3D Printer* (A) 4p Roll a Monster (K)
24
10a Saturday at the Ranch: Recycled Creations (F)
31
2026
Gateway Library 5036 S. Eastmark Pkwy Mesa, AZ 85212
Sun
Mon Teens (T)
Kids (K)
Adults (A)
Tweens (Tw)
Family (F)
4
11
5
9:15a Neurodivergent Storytime (EC) 10a Baby Lapsit (EC)* 10:30a Baby and Me Social Time (EC) 1p Bookmark Origami (K) 3p Artificial Intelligence in 2026 and Beyond (A)
12
CLOSED
25
19
9:15a Neurodivergent Storytime (EC) 10a Baby Lapsit (EC)* 10:30a Baby and Me Social Time (EC) 3:30p Pass the Plate: Pumpkin Rolls (K)
26
6
9:30/10:30a Toddlertime* (EC) 1p Watercolor Wonders (K) 4p Let’s Eat!: Caramel Apples (T) 6p Sound Bath* (A)
13
for Staff Development
18
View events at all our branches
480-644-3100 mesalibrary.org/events
*Requires registration or tickets
9:15a Neurodivergent Storytime (EC) 10a Baby Lapsit (EC)* 10:30a Baby and Me Social Time (EC) 1p Understanding Artificial Intelligence (A) 4p STEAMers (K)
7
10a 120 Years of Wonder Birthday Celebration (EC) 1p Friendship Bracelets (K) 4p Creepy Laser Cut Charms (T) 6p Creepy Laser Cut Charms * (A)
14
9:30/10:30a Toddlertime* (EC) 3:30p Homework Club (K) 6p Craft Night: Embroidered Cards* (A)
9:30/10:30a Preschool Storytime* (EC) 3:30p Story Quest: Dinosaurs Before Dark (K) 6p THINKspot Equipment Q&A (A)
20
21
9:30/10:30a Toddlertime* (EC) 9:30/10:30a Preschool Storytime* (EC) 12p Kith and Kin Caregiver 1p Medicare 101* (A) Workshop* (A) 3:30p Game on Gateway! (F) 3:30p Homework Club (K) 6p Worth the Hype Book Group: Verity (A)
27
Thu
Wed
10a Toddlertime Presents: Halloween Boo! (EC) 10a WIR Consultations* (A) 12p Kith and Kin Caregiver Workshop* (A) 2p Artificial Inspiration: Hoppy Halloween!* (A) 3:30p Homework Club (K)
28
9:30/10:30a Preschool Storytime* (EC) 12p Teen Mural Art (T) 1p Watercolor Made Simple* (A) 3:30p Building Blocks Club (F) 6p Graphic Design Studio* (A)
10:00am – 8:00pm 10:00am – 5:00pm Closed
All locations are also open 9–10am, Mon-Sat, for self-service.
EVENTS CALENDAR
Tue
Early Childhood (EC)
Monday – Thursday Friday – Saturday Sunday
Sat
Fri
1
2
3
10a Stay and Play (EC) 1p Inverted Sun Prints (T) 2p Artificial Inspiration* (A) 5p Trading Card Game Club (K) 5:30p Strength, Cardio & Dance Fitness (A) 6p Writing Workshop: From First to Last Draft (A)
10a Writing Workshop: The Role of Music in Our Families (A) 11:30a Genealogy Consultations* (A) 1p Perler Beads (T)
9a Yoga 2.0 (A) 10a Coffee Tasting (A) 11a Reading with Teddy* (F) 1p xTool Demonstration (A)
8
9
15
16
10a Slow Stitching (A) 9:15a Family Storytime w/ 10a Stay and Play (EC) Mesa Arts Center (EC) 2p Wall-E Watch Party (K) 9:45a Family Storytime w/ 5:30p Strength, Cardio & Dance Mesa Arts Center (EC) Fitness (A) 6p Medicare 101* (A)
10a Stay and Play (EC) 9:15a Family Storytime w/ 3:30p Homework Club (K) Mesa Arts Center (EC) 5p Teen Lifeline: Stress and 9:45a Family Storytime w/ Coping (T) Mesa Arts Center (EC) 5:30p Strength, Cardio & Dance Fitness (A)
22
10a Slow Stitching (A) 10a Stay and Play (EC) 3:30p Homework Club (K) 5p Taking it Back to Classics: Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde* (T) 5:30p Strength, Cardio & Dance Fitness (A)
29 4p App Artist (Tw) 6p Watercolor Made Simple* (A)
23
10
9a Yoga 2.0 (A) 10a Crochet Away (A) 10:30a Puzzle Swap (A)
17
9a Yoga 2.0 (A) 10:30a THINKspot Comic Club (F) 11a Reading with Teddy* (F) 2p Space Adventures (F) 2p Clue: A Whodunit Watch Party (A)
24
10a Storytime with Amigos* (EC)
9a Yoga 2.0 (A) 10:30a Writing Workshop: Preserving Joy on Your Writing Journey (A) 12p Writer in Residence (WIR) Consultations* (A)
30
31
9:15a Family Storytime w/ Mesa Arts Center (EC) 9:45a Family Storytime w/ Mesa Arts Center (EC)
1p Día de los Muertos Craft and Treat (T)
2026
EVENTS CALENDAR
Sun
Mon
Tue
MEL Program (MEL) Read Runner Bookmobile Stop (RR) Offsite Program (O) *Requires registration or tickets
4
11
5
4:30p Bookmobile Stop: Trails at Harris (RR) 5:30p Craft and Chill: Autumn Wreaths (MEL)
12
CLOSED
18
25
19
4:30p Bookmobile Stop: Trails at Harris (RR) 5:30p After-Hours Gardening (MEL)
26
4:30p Bookmobile Stop: Granite Crossing (RR) 4:30p Tech Tools (RR)
Mesa Express Library (MEL)
Various Stops Around Mesa
7045 E. Monterey Ave. Mesa, AZ 85209
Thu
Wed
View events at all our branches
Mon – Sat Sun
7:00am – 8:00pm 1:00pm – 5:00pm
The Mesa Express Library is a self-service facility, which requires Expanded Access to be added to your library account. Please see staff for details.
Sat
Fri
1
2
10:30a Toddlertime at Toddler Town (O) 4p EVIT and Beyond (MEL)
10:30a Toddlertime (MEL)
8
9
3
480-644-3100 mesalibrary.org/events
6
10a Bookmobile Stop: Aster Downtown (RR) 10a Who Picked This Book? Book Group (O) 2:30p Bookmobile Stop: Mountain View Park (RR)
13
for Staff Development
Read Runner Bookmobile
2p Bookmobile Stop: Countryside Park (RR) 3:30p STEAM: Bats (MEL) 4p Bookmobile Stop: Hermosa Vista (RR) 6p Paperback Paradise Book Group (O)
20
10a Bookmobile Stop: Aster Downtown (RR) 10:30a HOTspot Digital Help Desk (RR) 2:30p Bookmobile Stop: Mountain View Park (RR)
27
2p Bookmobile Stop: Countryside Park (RR) 4p Bookmobile Stop: Hermonsa Vista Park (RR) 6p Cheer Readers Book Group (O)
7
10a Bookmobile Stop: Mesa Royale (RR) 12:30p Bookmobile Stop: Webster Recreation Center (RR) 1p Toddler Coding (RR) 3:30p Bookmobile Stop: Gene Autry Park (RR)
9:30a Baby Lapsit (MEL)
14
15
10a Bookmobile Stop: Solstice Apartments (RR) 12:30p Bookmobile Stop: Skyline Park (RR) 2p HOTspot Digital Help Desk (MEL) 3p Bookmobile Stop: Greenfield Park (RR)
21
10a Bookmobile Stop: Mesa Royale (RR) 12:30p Bookmobile Stop Webster Recreation Center (RR) 3:30p Bookmobile Stop: Gene Autry Park (RR)
28
10a Bookmobile Stop: Solstice Apartments (RR) 12:30p Bookmobile Stop: Skyline Park (RR) 2p HOTspot Digital Help Desk (MEL) 3p Bookmobile Stop: Greenfield Park (RR)
22
9:30a Baby Lapsit (MEL) 6:30p Halloween Boo! (MEL)
29
3:30p Slime Time!* (MEL)
10 5p Bookmobile Stop: Celebrate Mesa - Red Mountain Soccer Fields (RR)
16
17
23
24
30
31
10:30a Toddlertime (MEL)
10:30a Toddlertime (MEL) 5p Bookmobile Stop:Haunted Library at Bookmaze (RR)