OKEHAMPTON Library is set to be a hive of activity through October with an action packed programme of events on offer.
Kicking the programme off, as part of the Family Learning Festival, will be the Reptobug Travelling Zoo and their wonderful world of bugs.
Spiders, scorpions, giant bugs and snakes will all make their way to the library, where people will be given the chance to hold the animals while learning more about their fascinating lives.
This free drop-in event takes place on Saturday, October 4 from 9.30am to 12.30pm. Children attending must be accompanied by an adult.
The magical myths of Dartmoor are set to be celebrated the following week in a 'Hairy Hands, Devils and Black Dogs' event as part of the National Year of Reading.
October's theme is 'Word of Mouth' and storyteller Paul Rendell will be regaling people with folklore, legends and tales from Dartmoor.
The event, supported by the Friends of Okehampton Library, will take place on Wednesday, October 8 at 7pm. Tickets are available from the library in advance at a cost of £2 with refreshments included.
The adventures will then move from the moor to the high seas with 'Pirates Ahoy!'
To celebrate National Bookstart Day on October 10 the library will be hosting a pirate fun activity session for under fives and their parents and carers from 10.30am to 11.30am.
Visitors will be able to make a pirate, be scared by the ship's rats, colour in the pirate bookstart bears and listen to pirate stories. There will also be lots of pirate prizes to give away and the chance to enter a draw to win a blue Bookstart Bear.
On the same day there will be a fairy tale puppet making workshop to celebrate Children's Book Week.
This will be a free workshop in partnership with Family Learning co-ordinators being held at the library from 3.30pm to 5.30pm.
It will be a chance for children, parents and carers to make puppets from their favourite fairy tales. Refreshments will be provided and the session will end with some storytelling.
Running alongside all these events, from October 1 to October 18, all young library visitors can test their knowledge with a book character quiz.
By identifying ten characters children under the age of ten can enter the competition to win a book token as part of Children's Book Week.
Sheila Hobden, Devon County Council's executive member for culture said: 'These are excellent events at a lively library which is at the very heart of its community.
'The county's libraries have been working hard to pull out the stops to celebrate reading and books and I'm sure book lovers from Okehampton and the surrounding area will enjoy the fantastic activities and events on offer.'
Okehampton county councillor Christine Marsh added: 'I welcome this exciting chance for children and parents in this area to come and visit our library.
'What better way to bring books to life. I hope local people will come and enjoy all that we have to offer.'