A Busy Week at 3411 Barker Ave
If you have not visited the Melissa Public Library lately, the last week of October gives you several good reasons to change that. Between Thursday, October 23, and Wednesday, October 29, the library is running at least six distinct programs for ages zero through adult — plus hosting a blood drive on the premises. Every program is free, though some now require registration under the library’s updated Program Admittance Policy that took effect September 1.
What the New Policy Means for You
The change is straightforward: select programs use registration, waitlists, or ticketing to manage room capacity. No event charges a fee, and no ticket costs anything. If you see a program that interests you, register early rather than assuming you can walk in. The library’s calendar at cityofmelissa.com carries current registration links.
Thursday, October 23 — Preschool Storytime and Toilet Paper Roll Monsters
The week opens with the youngest crowd. Preschool Storytime runs from 10:30 to 11:00 a.m. in the Multi-Purpose Room and is designed for children ages three through five. The half-hour moves fast: songs, wiggles, bubbles, new books, and a hands-on craft — Toilet Paper Roll Monsters — that kids can take home. Parents looking for a low-key weekday activity that doubles as early literacy exposure will find this a practical stop.
Friday, October 24 — The Library’s Busiest Single Day
Friday the 24th is the week’s densest day, with three separate programs running across different rooms and time slots.
Blood Drive with Carter Blood Care, 10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
The library is hosting a Carter Blood Care blood drive at Park Plaza behind City Hall. Donors can give double red cells or whole blood. If you have been meaning to donate and keep putting it off, this is a convenient window — the site is walkable from the library itself, and the five-hour collection window accommodates most work and school schedules. Carter Blood Care handles scheduling through its own platform; check the city calendar for the direct appointment link.
Adult Craft Class: Geode Skulls
Also on October 24, the library runs an adult craft class built around creating geode skull art pieces. The timing leans into the Halloween season without being a children’s program — it is aimed at adults who want a structured creative outlet that produces something they can actually display. Specific time and registration details are on the city calendar; space in craft classes has filled quickly under the new admittance policy, so check early.
City-Hosted Strength Training and Yoga, 9:00–11:00 a.m.
The Saturday fitness class the city offers at 3411 Barker Ave actually runs on Friday this week as well, combining strength training and yoga in a two-hour session open to the community. If your schedule rules out weekend mornings, this weekday instance is worth noting.
Sunday, October 26 — Coloring Station and T(w)een Chess Club
Sunday brings two self-directed options at the library.
The all-ages Coloring Station is exactly what it sounds like: a self-led drop-in program where participants color, no instruction required. It is one of the library’s lower-stakes offerings — useful for families who want a quiet Sunday activity without committing to a scheduled class.
The T(w)een Chess Club meets the same day. The club is a recurring program for middle-grade youth, focused on strategy and peer play. No experience level is specified as a requirement; if your kid has been curious about chess and wants to try it in a low-pressure setting with peers, this is a reasonable first stop.
Wednesday, October 29 — Baby Playtime Station, 10:30–11:15 a.m.
The week closes with a program for the library’s youngest possible visitors. Baby Playtime Station runs 45 minutes in the Council Chambers Lobby and is designed for infants and toddlers ages zero through 18 months. The session uses sensory toys and learning tools calibrated for that developmental stage — not a typical storytime setup, but a purpose-built sensory environment. Caregivers with babies in that age window who want structured stimulation outside the house will find this a practical midweek option.
Halloween Morning Fitness, October 31
One program extends into the following week worth flagging now: the city’s Strength Training and Yoga class runs again on Halloween morning, October 31, from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. at 3411 Barker Ave. If your Halloween afternoon is already committed to costumes and candy, getting a workout in before the day starts is a reasonable trade.
Logistics at a Glance
All programs above are based at 3411 Barker Ave, Melissa, TX 75454, with the blood drive at Park Plaza directly behind City Hall on the same block. Parking is available on-site. Registration requirements vary by program — confirm current availability on the city’s official calendar at cityofmelissa.com before you head out.
