ICfL staff members have had their eyes out for relevant stories, tools, and tricks so you don’t have to. We hope you find these resources useful and inspiring. Enjoy!

Calendar

October

• LGBTQ History Month
• Filipino American History Month
• Cybersecurity Awareness Month
• International Day of Older Persons is October 1
• Indigenous Peoples’ Day is October 9
• National Friends of the Library Week is October 15-21
• Halloween is October 31

November

• NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month)
• International Games Month
• National Native American Heritage Month
• Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month
• Dia de los Muertos is November 1
• Thanksgiving Day is November 24

December

• Write to a Friend Month consider writing notes to service members and first responders as part of Operation Gratitude
  
• First Day of Hanukkah is December 19
• Winter Solstice is December 21
• Christmas Day is December 25
• First Day of Kwanzaa is December 26

Programming

• IdaPost Pen Pal Project – The Idaho Commission on the Arts is currently accepting registrations for IdaPost: Lit Loops, a creative writing pen pal project in collaboration with Idaho’s Writer in Residence Kerri Webster. Register before the end of October.  
• A Good Yarn Club – Twin Falls Public Library has a knit/ crochet introductory hour right before their club meets.
• Digital Inclusion Programs – Ideas from the National Digital Inclusion Alliance.

Resources

• Free COVID tests – Every U.S. household may place an order to receive four free COVID-⁠19 rapid tests delivered directly to their home.
• Article – “Care Companions: A Watchful Eye and a Willing Ear for an Older Adult” from AARP
• This is Preretirement – Retirement looks different for all of us. Use this new tool from AARP to create a personalized plan.

Professional Development

• How to Talk Politics…and remain friends – an online tutorial from Allyson Briner with communication tips and role playing. Also, some helpful phrases on this PDF from The News Literacy Project.
• Videos – on the same pAGE with PBS12 – a campaign to encourage intergenerational conversations on ageism