EATON — The Preble County District Library and library branches across Preble County have announced the following programming and activities for the month of March.
New: Spring Storytimes
New Paris Storytime and Craft (all ages): Mondays at 5:30 p.m.
Camden Little Ones Storytime (all ages): Tuesdays at 5:30 p.m.
Eaton Storytimes Spring Session, runs through April 6. Registration is required. Call the Eaton Branch at 937-456-4331 to register.
Mother Goose Storytime (birth-age 3): Wednesdays or Thursdays at 10:30 a.m.
Eaton Library Mice Preschool Storytime (age 3 – Pre-K): Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. or Thursdays at 10:30 a.m. or 4:45 p.m.
After School Crew Storytime (age 6-12): Thursdays at 4:45 p.m.
New: Grab & Go Crafts are back – all branches
Grab & Go Kits have returned and are available at all branches while supplies last.
Kids: Popsicle Stick Puppets
Teens: Beaded Lizards
Each kit includes instructions and materials to complete each craft.
New: weekly teen programs at the Eaton branch
On Tuesdays at 3:30 p.m. , teens in grades 6-12 can come to the Eaton Branch to enjoy activities such as coloring and simple crafting, board games, video games, and more.
• March 21: Movie Night
• March 28: Teen Book Club – Cursed by Thomas Wheeler
New: Let’s Get Crafty!
The Preble County District Library offers various adult craft and social programs in March at several of our locations throughout Preble County.
Monday, March 20, at Eaton at 6 p.m.: Social Stitch
Tuesday, March 21, at PC Room at 6 p.m.: Family Woodburned Sign
Tuesday, March 21, at New Paris at 6 p.m.: Embroidery Hoop Bunny
Thursday, March 23, at Eldorado at 4:30 p.m.: Bring Your Own Craft Club
Thursday, March 30, at West Elkton at 2 p.m.: Still-Life Painting
New: Family Crafts and Activities
The Preble County District Library offers various family craft and social programs in March at several of our locations throughout Preble County.
Wednesday, March 15, at West Manchester at 4:30 p.m.: St. Patrick’s Word Search Challenge
Wednesday, March 15, at Camden at 6 p.m.: After School Fun
Thursday, March 16, at Eldorado at 4:30 p.m.: Perler Bead Magnets
Wednesday, March 22, at West Elkton at 3:30 p.m.: Picasso Self Portraits
Wednesday, March 22, at West Manchester at 4:30 p.m.: Homemade Play Dough
Wednesday, March 22, at Camden at 5:30 p.m.: Teen Crafting
Friday, March 31, atWest Alexandria: National Crayon Day
New: Build Something New with LEGO Programs
Let your imagination run wild as Preble County District Library hosts LEGO Club. LEGO Club is kids and teens to show off their Master Builder skills. If you bring LEGOs from home, please label them in a container with your child’s name.
West Alexandria LEGO Club: Saturday, March 25, at noon
Eaton LEGO Club: Monday, March 27, at 4:30 p.m.
New Paris After School LEGO Time: Wednesday, March 29, all day
New: Homeschool Hour: Theatre – Eaton Branch on Wednesday, March 15, at 3 p.m.
Channel your inner dramatic with this lesson on acting! Try some theatre games and warm-ups as we focus this month’s Homeschool Hour lesson on the performing arts. This program is open to home-educated students of all ages. Register at the Eaton Branch or call 937-456-4331.
New: Intro to Genealogy – Preble County Room on Saturday, March 18, at 10 a.m.
Learn how to start your family tree. The ‘Intro to Genealogy’ class will cover the basics of genealogy, including tips for searching, forms, available sources for records, and an introduction to the different databases and organizations available for research. Call 937-456-4970 to register for the class.
New: Intermediate Computer Class – Eaton Branch on Tuesday, March 21, at 6 p.m.
You know the basics of computers, and now we will take a more in-depth look. Topics covered include files, folders, uploading and downloading, and finding things on the computer. Some previous computer experience is required.
New: Dog Man Day – Eaton Branch on Tuesday, March 28, at 5:30 p.m.
It is almost time for the release of the new Dog Man book! To celebrate, we are holding a Dog Man Day event where we’ll have some fun activities and even raffle off a copy of the new book, “Dog Man: Twenty Thousand Fleas Under the Sea,” to give away once it arrives!
New: Ikebana Flower Arranging Class – Eaton Branch on Tuesday, March 28, at 6 p.m.
Join Lynne Hamilton, Region 3 Director of the Ohio Association of Garden Clubs, for a talk and demonstration of the Ikebana style of flower arranging. Ikebana is Japanese for “living flowers.” In Japan and elsewhere, it is considered an art form, much like painting and sculpture.
New: March Adult YA Book Club – We Were Liars by E Lockhart – Wednesday, March 28 at 6 p.m.
YA books aren’t just for teens! Join us for a new book club celebrating Young Adult reads… for adults! Before each meeting, a few free copies of our selected title will be available to registered members. Please pick up a copy, read the book, then join us for a relaxed discussion on the program date. That’s it! We’ll provide the snacks and the meeting space; you bring your conversation.
New: Teen Book Club Blue Box Exclusive
Blue Box is a free Subscription Box alternative for PCDL patrons in grades 6-12. Every month, an exclusive number of boxes will be assembled with a selected teen title and themed freebies. Our March Blue Box features Cursed by Thomas Wheeler.
Stop by the Eaton Branch to request a box. Read the book and join us at the Eaton Branch for a discussion! Snacks are provided.
Your Blue Box opens opportunities for both virtual and in-person programs. Each month will have a dedicated hang-out at the Eaton Library for that month’s Blue Box members– where you can discuss the monthly selection and other books you are reading or have enjoyed. Blue Box members also gain access to our private Goodreads group so you can share your thoughts online.
Other Library Program Offerings
New: Bookmark Decorating Contest – All branches
Preble County District Library is looking for your help! We need some talented kids and teens to design bookmarks that will be given out during our annual Summer Reading Challenge beginning June 1. This year’s challenge theme is “All Together Now,” and it will be focused on friendship and teamwork. This theme should be included in the design. Entries can be submitted to any PCDL Branch, or a scan of the completed form can be emailed to [email protected].
Compete in the following age categories: Ages 5-12 and Ages 13- 18. All designs must be submitted by March 31, 2023. **All designs must be your own. Any designs using licensed characters cannot be accepted.
New: Disney March Madness Challenge – West Alexandria Branch
Visit the West Alexandria Branch each week to vote on your favorite Disney movie.
New: Magnet of the Month Club (West Alexandria Branch only)
Visit the West Alexandria Library each month to pick up a magnet kit. Each kit will include the materials you need to complete that month’s magnet. Please let us know if you need a paintbrush. Colors may vary. If you are missing a previous month, contact the front desk for extras.
To participate:
1. Pick up your Magnet of the Month punch card at the West Alexandria Branch or download it here: https://bit.ly/pcdlmagnets
2. After you complete your magnet, bring it or a picture of it to show us to get your card stamped.
3. Collect all 12 punches to be entered into our grand prize drawing.
Magnet schedule:
• March – March Madness Disney Style
• April – Books
• May – Dr. Seuss Hat
• June – Mickie, Minnie, Donald, and Daisy
• July – Lollipop
Explore & More Adventure Pass Program
Explore & More NOW with your PCDL Library Card! We are excited to introduce our newest service, the Explore & More Adventure Pass Program, enabling PCDL patrons to borrow passes using their library card. This one-time pass, which must be checked out in person at the Eaton Branch, grants patrons limited free access to attractions that would otherwise charge admission fees.
Participating organizations include The Dayton Art Institute, Boonshoft Museum of Discovery, SunWatch Indian Village/Archaeological Park, and Carillon Historical Park.
*Each organization sets its own rules for how many individuals are covered under its passes and which days the passes will be honored. Patrons are advised to call the organization ahead of their visit for hours and rules.
Genealogy Room Highlights
New Hours at the Preble County Room
Genealogists and history lovers will soon have more time to research. The Preble County Room now has extended hours:
• Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Tuesday: 9 a.m.-8 p.m.
• Friday: 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
• Saturday: By appointment only, in three-hour increments. Appointments must be requested by Wednesday. Patrons interested in a Saturday appointment may call 937-456-4970.
Along with extended hours, the Preble County Room will offer more learning opportunities for the community, including a History Hunters Group, monthly crafts, and monthly general history or genealogy programs.
Don’t Throw Away Local History – Contact the Preble Co. Genealogy Room, Instead!
The Preble Co. Genealogy Room is interested in archiving any local and family historical items you might come across as you clean. This includes (but is not limited to): old paperwork/documents/records, family bibles with family information, pictures of Preble Co. residents, landmarks, and properties, old maps and land records and any items having to do with the history of Preble County, its families and the surrounding areas.
If you come across an item as you clean and wish to donate it to the PC Room, please contact us at 937-456-4970, Monday-Thursday 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Friday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. or by email at [email protected].
Preble Co. Records Online – Families, Obituaries, Marriages, Historic Landmarks, and more
Search the library’s in-house Genealogical & Historical Records collections. Visit https://preblelibrary.org/genealogy to get started on your search! Family files can also be researched in person at the PC Room. To view a list of all PC Room resources, visit https://preblelibrary.org/genealogy/holdings.
