More treats for Round Lake Area Public Library visitors

The Round Lake Area Public Library Sunday held its first drive-through trick-or-treat event.

For more than two hours, under blue skies and in windy 37-degree weather, volunteers and staff members in costume or festive gear greeted patrons who arrived by vehicle to drive through the library parking lot at 906 Hart Road.

"It's important to come together at this time. The library is one of the staples of our community," said Sean Gilmartin of Hainesville, the library's director of youth services.

"We have about 500 bags that we're giving," Gilmartin said.

The midday event included Halloween music and " ... An assortment of kids' bags with candy, we have non-candy bags for any allergies that may come up, stuff for teens and adults, we have candy, crafts, some books, and then children's (PPE) masks," Gilmartin said.

"We made them (children's PPE masks)," said library assistant Julie Bachinger, who was dressed as a creepy carrot from the "Creepy Carrots!" children's book.

"We've been doing it (PPE mask making) since March," said Bachinger, of Lindenhurst.

More than 3,500 PPE masks for children and adults have been handmade by staff members since the pandemic began, Gilmartin said.