This Week at The Dalles Public Library: Oct. 19, 2026
The Dalles, Ore., Oct. 15, 2026 — From a fairy tale-themed murder mystery and Halloween crafts to ukulele lessons, job assistance, and a seasonal book sale, The Dalles Public Library has a full schedule of activities for children, teens, and adults Oct. 19-24.
The week's events include free phonics tutoring, a family movie matinee featuring Disney's "Tangled," a workshop on safe home pickling, and a presentation about Pacific lampreys.
All events take place at The Dalles Public Library unless otherwise noted.
Monday, Oct. 19
Nintendo Switch Gaming: 3-5 p.m. Teens can spend the afternoon playing Nintendo Switch games at the library. Availability is limited and offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
Mele Kalikimaka: Christmas Ukulele Class: 6-7 p.m., meeting room. Teens and adults ages 11 and older with basic ukulele skills can learn four holiday songs during a series of lessons for advanced beginners and intermediate players. The course covers new chords and playing techniques. Ten ukuleles are available to borrow on a first-come, first-served basis. Classes are scheduled for Oct. 19 and 26; Nov. 9, 16, 23 and 30; and Dec. 7. Registration is required by 6 p.m. Oct. 19 and covers the series.
Tuesday, Oct. 20
Phonics Tutoring: 2-6 p.m. Free, individual 30-minute tutoring sessions are available for students in second through eighth grades who are reading significantly below grade level because of difficulties with phonics and decoding. Sessions focus on reading, writing and spelling skills. Registration is required for each appointment. Families should register for either Tuesday or Friday sessions, not both. Friday appointments begin in November.
Crazy Craft Club: Marbled Pumpkin Painting: 4-5:30 p.m. Children ages 8-12 can participate in a colorful, hands-on pumpkin painting activity. Crazy Craft Club encourages creativity through arts and crafts projects. Parents or accompanying adults must remain with their children and participate. Drop-offs are not permitted.
Wednesday, Oct. 21
The Ghost Who Couldn't Scare Me Wall Hanging Take & Make: All day. Teens and adults can pick up a craft activity associated with the library's October Grimm's Fairy Tales Community Read.
Hot Chocolate Wednesdays: 2-4 p.m., teen room. Teens can stop by the library to prepare a cup of hot chocolate. The activity is part of an ongoing Wednesday afternoon program.
Movie Matinee: "Tangled": 3-5 p.m., meeting room. The library will screen Disney's animated film "Tangled" as part of its Grimm's Fairy Tales Community Read. The family-friendly movie is open to all ages, and snacks will be provided.
Thursday, Oct. 22
Meet an Employment Specialist: 2-4 p.m., main library. Adults seeking employment can meet individually with a specialist from Goodwill's JobConnection program. The free service provides help with resumes, job leads, interview preparation, hiring events and employment referrals.
Murder Mystery Party — Once Upon a Murder: 5:30-7:30 p.m., meeting room. Teens and adults can participate in a fairy tale-themed murder mystery set in the fictional Enchanted Realm. Players will navigate a story involving Queen Black, a proposed peace treaty and hidden agendas among the kingdom's inhabitants. The interactive event is part of the Grimm's Fairy Tales Community Read. Registration is required by 6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 18.
Friday, Oct. 23
Fun Friday for Teens: Guess That Scary Movie: 3:30-4:30 p.m., teen room. Teens can test their knowledge of scary movies through games and trivia, with prizes available.
Fun Friday: Caramel Apple Bar: 3:30-4:30 p.m., children's wing. Children can participate in a seasonal caramel apple-themed activity. The weekly Fun Friday program is designed primarily for ages 5-10, although all ages are welcome.
Saturday, Oct. 24
Rock Collection Take & Make Kit: All day. Children, teens and adults can pick up a rock sample accompanied by a label and fact sheet. The program takes place on the fourth Saturday of each month. Supplies are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Friends of The Dalles Library Book Sale: 9 a.m. to noon, upper parking lot. The Friends of The Dalles Library will hold a seasonal sale featuring gently used books, including classics and more recent publications. The sale takes place in the book barn and is open to all ages.
Lesser-Loved Critter Plushies — Saturday Edition: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., main library. Teens and adults can learn to sew stuffed animals inspired by creatures that are not typically considered cuddly. Participants can choose from patterns featuring snakes, bats, spiders, sharks and wasps. Projects range from beginner to advanced levels, and fabric and supplies will be provided. Participants may take unfinished projects home.
The Library Scouts: Pacific Lamprey with Kaitlynn Spino: 1:30-3 p.m., children's wing. Children ages 8-12 can learn about Pacific lampreys, an ancient group of jawless fish with ecological and cultural importance to Columbia River tribes. Guest speaker Kaitlynn Spino, a fisheries technician with the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission, will discuss lamprey conservation and their role in the Columbia River ecosystem. The Library Scouts program combines outdoor education, community exploration and hands-on science activities.
The Wicked Queen's Pickling 101: 2:30-4:30 p.m., meeting room. Ashleigh Wajtyna will lead a beginner-friendly workshop on safe home pickling techniques. Participants will learn about food safety, equipment, preservation methods and simple recipes for pickling vegetables and other foods. The workshop is part of the library's Grimm's Fairy Tales Community Read. Registration is required by 2:15 p.m. Oct. 24.
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