For families looking for things to do near Gettysburg this October, the local library calendar offers considerably more than a quiet place to check out a book.

The Lone Star College-Tomball Community Library is filling October 2026 with story times for little ones, Halloween activities, teen programs, art and crafting groups, genealogy events, book clubs, tabletop games and opportunities to learn technology such as 3D printers, Cricut machines and laser cutters. Many programs are free, although some require advance registration or tickets because space and supplies are limited.

Located at 30555 Tomball Parkway in Tomball, the library serves both Lone Star College and the surrounding community as part of Harris County Public Library. It has grown into a broad community resource, with dedicated children's and teen spaces, study and meeting rooms, an Innovation Lab, digital media equipment and a Friends of the Library bookstore.

Halloween and Fall Fun Take Over the Library

October brings plenty of seasonal activities, beginning with Creepy Crafting: Make Your Own Halloween Decoration from 2 to 4 p.m. Oct. 5. Participants will paint and decorate haunted birdhouses, with registration required because spots and supplies are limited.

Teens can put their own spin on spooky season during Teen DIY Ghost Paintings & Cookies from 11 a.m. to noon Oct. 6, when participants can paint ghosts over old paintings while enjoying cookies. On Oct. 22 from 5 to 7 p.m., Teen 3D Ghost will give teens a chance to explore the library's 3D equipment while designing a ghost of their own.

Adults interested in learning a new skill can try Embroidery 101 from 2 to 4 p.m. Oct. 20. The fall-themed workshop is designed for beginners as well as those wanting to refresh their embroidery skills. Materials will be provided, but supplies are limited and registration is required.

Families get their turn Oct. 21 from 5 to 7 p.m. during Spooky Family Movie Night, an all-ages, drive-in-style library movie event with a spooky craft and snacks. Families are encouraged to bring a blanket and cushion. The film will be rated G, with the title available through the library or its website.

Star Wars, Pokémon and Gaming Offer Reasons to Gather

One of the month's bigger all-ages events arrives Oct. 3 with Star Wars Reads, scheduled from 1 to 4 p.m. The afternoon will include Force-themed activities, saber skills, a bounty hunt, pool noodle lightsaber making and door prizes.

Pokémon fans can meet from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Oct. 10 and 17 for the library's Pokémon League, sponsored by the Magnolia City Pokémon Gym. Players of all ages and skill levels can bring a favorite deck, play the Pokémon Trading Card Game and swap strategy with fellow fans.

For adults, Gaming with Friends runs from noon to 4 p.m. Oct. 24, with tabletop role-playing games, board games and snacks. Another tabletop opportunity, an Ironsworn Tabletop Role Playing Game Session, is scheduled from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Oct. 8 and requires registration.

Story Times Give Young Families a Regular Place to Connect

Parents and caregivers from Gettysburg with young children have several recurring programs to choose from throughout October.

Baby Bookworms, designed for newborns through babies who are just beginning to walk, meets at 9:30 a.m. Oct. 5, 19 and 26. Tiny Tots, for walkers through 18 months, follows at 10:30 a.m. on those dates. Both combine stories, songs, finger plays and playtime.

Toddler Time, geared toward ages 18 months through 3 years, is offered Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m. and Wednesdays at 9:30 a.m. during most of October. Tickets are required and are distributed at the Children's Desk beginning 30 minutes before the program while supplies last.

Preschool Story Time, for ages 3 to 5, combines stories, songs, finger plays and a take-home craft. Sessions are scheduled Wednesdays and Thursdays at 10:30 a.m. Tickets are also required.

Teens Get a Space of Their Own

The Tomball library has made a notable investment in giving teens somewhere to learn, socialize and create. Its Teen Space includes gaming and digital technology that gives young people another place to gather outside school and home.

Those resources come into play during Homeschool Hangout, held from 1 to 2 p.m. Wednesdays throughout October. Teens can meet friends, play games and use tablets, a large digital table, game consoles and other technology available in the Teen Space.

Art, Crafts and Creativity Fill the October Calendar

Adults looking for a creative outlet have several options.

Young at heART, a welcoming watercolor group for adults at any experience level, meets from 10 a.m. to noon every Tuesday in October. Sit and Stitch brings together people interested in cross stitch, needlepoint, knitting, crochet and other needle arts from 9 a.m. to noon Thursdays beginning Oct. 8.

The Tomball Needle Arts Guild meets from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 10, welcoming beginners and experienced crafters working on quilting, knitting, sewing, beading and other projects.

Other creative opportunities include the DIY Club, focused on collage, scrapbooking, junk journals and zines; Happily Ever Crafter from 1 to 3 p.m. Oct. 13, which requires registration; and Writer's Block Workshop from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Oct. 17 for writers interested in feedback, advice and conversation with other literary enthusiasts.

Local art also gets the spotlight during the Tomball Art League Fall Show & Sale, open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 9 and 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Oct. 10 in the Community Engagement Area. Visitors can browse work created by local artists and potentially find a piece to take home.

Genealogy Takes Center Stage With a Daylong Heritage Event

For residents interested in family history, October includes several opportunities to dig into the past.

Leaving A Legacy, scheduled from 10 a.m. to noon Oct. 7, is an interactive genealogy series focused on preserving research, heirlooms and family stories for future generations. Lunch and Learn Genealogy follows from noon to 1:30 p.m. Oct. 9, when participants can bring lunch, watch a genealogy research video and discuss the topic afterward.

The centerpiece is the 4th Annual Genealogy Marathon & Heritage Expo from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 16.

The daylong event will feature speakers, research opportunities, tours, heritage organizations, museums, genealogy and historical groups, exhibits and artifact displays. Visitors can explore the library's genealogy materials, seek research assistance from volunteers, tour the Chaparral Collection and DigStation, watch digitization demonstrations or bring a few personal items to scan. Virtual participation will also be available.

For families working to preserve old photographs, documents and stories, the event offers something particularly practical: a chance to turn pieces of family history into records that can be passed to the next generation.

Learn to Use 3D Printers, Cricut Machines and Laser Cutters

For residents curious about maker technology but unsure where to begin, the library's Innovation Lab orientations provide an entry point.

A 3D Printer Orientation is scheduled from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Oct. 7, with another session from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Oct. 30. The class is required before patrons can schedule time with the library's 3D printers. It is open to ages 10 and older, with children under 12 accompanied by an adult. Registration is required.

A Laser Cutter Orientation is also planned during October, introducing patrons to laser cutter services available through the Harris County Public Library system. Registration is required.

Maker Monday returns from 2 to 4 p.m. Oct. 19 with a monthly project using Innovation Lab tools and techniques, while a Cricut Orientation from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Oct. 21 introduces participants to Cricut operation and capabilities. The Cricut class is for ages 8 and older, with registration required and additional adult-accompaniment rules for younger users.

Groups of four or more interested in 3D printing, Cricut or laser cutting can also contact the library about small-group Innovation Lab workshops.

Book Clubs, English Practice and More Ways to Meet Neighbors

October's schedule includes three book clubs. The Inspirational Book Club meets from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Oct. 8, the Afternoon Book Club meets from 1 to 3 p.m. Oct. 13, and the Mystery Book Club gathers from 1 to 3 p.m. Oct. 22.

Adults can also join American Mah-Jongg open play from 1 to 3 p.m. Oct. 2, 23 and 30. Beginners and experienced players are welcome, although the gathering is open play rather than an instructional class.

For English learners, the Virtual ESL Conversational Club for intermediate and advanced participants meets online from noon to 1 p.m. Oct. 5, 19 and 26. A Virtual ESL Reading Club for beginner and intermediate participants meets online from 10 a.m. to noon Oct. 10, 24 and 31. Online registration is required for both.

The library is also hosting an adults-only Mystery Monday program focused on unsolved crimes and unexplained phenomena. Residents should check the HCPL event calendar for the confirmed October date, as the provided October program release lists conflicting weekday and date information.

Nonpartisan Voter Education Ahead of the November Election

On Oct. 26 from 1 to 3 p.m., the library will host Pizza & Politics: What's on Your Ballot? with Houston Voting Initiative.

The workshop is described by organizers as a nonpartisan voter education and Get Out The Vote program ahead of the Nov. 3, 2026 general election. Participants will identify issues they care about and research candidates and ballot issues.

Library Collection Drive Supports Deployed Troops

Visitors can also contribute to a community service effort throughout the month. A donation box near the first-floor elevators is collecting supplies for Boots for Troops, a local nonprofit that sends care packages to deployed service members around the world. The library directs residents to the Boots for Troops package-drive information for a list of recommended donations.

What Gettysburg Residents Should Know Before Going

The Lone Star College-Tomball Community Library is located at 30555 Tomball Parkway in Tomball.

Because several October programs require advance registration, tickets or have limited supplies, residents should check HCPL.net before making the trip. General questions can be directed to 832-559-4200 or tb@hcpl.net. Questions about children's programming can be directed to 832-559-4235. 

For nearby families, the October lineup is a reminder of just how much can happen inside a community library. A parent can bring a toddler for a story, a teen can experiment with technology, an adult can learn embroidery or research a family tree, and neighbors can gather around art, books and games, all in the same building.

Stay tuned to My Neighborhood News for more local events, family activities and community updates happening near home.

By Tiffany Krenek, My Neighborhood News 

Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.

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