[ccfic caption-text format="plaintext"]
By Robby McKittrick
Hometown Weekly Reporter
On Saturday, October 13, the Needham Library hosted “Walking Dead Day.” The event was sponsored by the Walking Dead publishing company to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the Walking Dead book series.
The library had a variety of activities and games for the children, such as coloring books, a zombie shooter, masks, and a video game playing area.
Erin Bassett, the young adult librarian, typically runs the events at the library. However, because she was at the Boston Book Festival, the library reference supervisor, Stefanie Clayton, ran the event instead.
Clayton explained that the first 25 children who showed up to the event would receive a “Walker kit,” which included a variety of items.
“[The Walking Dead publisher’s] sent us 25 kits,” Bassett explained. “They have a walker mask, and some stickers. We have coloring pages and zombie target practice with ping pong ball shooters … The first 25 people that show up get those Walker kits.”
In addition to celebrating its 15th year, The Walking Dead publishers are releasing another book soon.
Walking Dead Day is just one of many activities held at the library. Typically, its events are well-attended affairs. For example, last weekend, the library hosted a two-day zombie escape room event, and 57 kids showed up to participate.
The library will be hosting more events in the future for any kids interested in participating in the programs. The age range for children who attend the events is typically nine to 13 years old.
Clayton described the planned activities at the library in the upcoming weeks.
“There is going to be a Halloween trick-or-treat in the library and a costume parade for Halloween,” she said. “We [also] have an interactive movie next week for ‘Fantastic Beasts.’”
Clayton explained that the young adult program is still generally new and that they are gradually increasing the amount of activities held for that age range.
“The young adult position [in the library] is just over a year old now, so we are still building that base of people to come into the library,” she said. “We are still building the group [of kids] that will regularly come.”
Clayton said to be on the lookout for future programs.
“Our teen librarian is doing lots of teen and tween programming,” she said. “Erin Bassett has a lot of programs scheduled for the fall … so check in to our calendar or come in and meet with Erin.”
