HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Hutchinson Public Library is inviting young artists and writers to showcase their talents through its 2026 Teen Creativity Contest while offering a full slate of programs for children, teens and adults this fall.
The creativity contest is open to students in grades six through 12, with submissions accepted through Nov. 30. Students can enter original work in art, photography, poetry, short stories and performance categories.
Winners will receive Hutchbucks, and selected entries will be showcased at the library.
The library is also encouraging residents of all ages to participate in its October Reading Challenge through Beanstack. Participants can track their reading throughout the month and earn prizes. Patrons can also sign up for weekly Wowbrary emails highlighting new books, movies and music added to the library's collection.
Several Halloween-themed programs are planned during October.
Adult programming includes Pocket Paintings: Mini Halloween Haunts on Oct. 14 and a 1990s-themed Halloween Open Mic Night and "Reader Beware" party Oct. 22. The library is also offering virtual author programming, including a talk with Smithsonian curator Carolyn Russo.
Children's activities include Sensory Storytime on Oct. 24, which has limited registration, and Halloween Storytimes on Oct. 30.
Teen programming includes the Dungeons & Dragons Tabletop Adventurers Society and a Halloween Craft & Watch event featuring "The Nightmare Before Christmas."
The library's Friendshop is getting into the Halloween spirit with its monthly sale. Proceeds from Friendshop sales help support library programs and materials. October's Spice of the Month is ground cloves, with free spice kits available while supplies last.
Meanwhile, work continues following the library's renovation project. Major construction has been completed, and employees are moving back into renovated areas. Staff members are also preparing the new Makerspace for public use.
The Kansas Room and library meeting rooms are expected to return to regular use near the end of the year.
The Makerspace is highlighting sewing and serger-machine workshops as programming continues. The space is expected to temporarily close later in the year as final remodeling work is completed.