EATON — The public is invited to take part in the following activities and programs offered by the Preble County District Library in April.
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.
New: Grab & Go Crafts Are Back – All branches.
Grab & Go Kits have returned and are available at all branches. while supplies last.
Kids: Silly Snail Crafts
Teens: Bookworm Bookmark
Each kit includes instructions and materials to complete each craft.
New: National Library Week
There’s More to the Story at your local library. In addition to the books in our collections, Preble County District Library offers so much more. We lend items like museum passes, games, musical instruments, and tools. Library programming brings communities together for entertainment, education, and connection through book clubs, storytimes, movie nights, crafting classes, and more. And library infrastructure advances communities, providing internet and technology access, literacy skills, and support for businesses, job seekers, and entrepreneurs. Help us celebrate National Library Week!
Monday, April 24, at New Paris at All Day: National Library Week Open House
April 23-29 at West Alexandria: National Library Week Spirit Week
Sunday: Shelfie Sunday
Monday: Favorite Clothing with Words
Tuesday: Hats Off to Librarians Day
Wednesday: Wacky Sock Day
Thursday: Take Action for Libraries Day
Friday: National Superhero Day
Saturday: Pajama Day
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!
• April 18: Fish Fest
• April 25: Teen Book Club – All the Things We Do in the Dark by Saundra Mitchell
New: Let’s Get Crafty!
The Preble County District Library offers various adult craft and social programs in April at several of our locations throughout Preble County.
Thursday, April 13, at Camden at 6 p.m.: Adult Craft Club
Monday, April 17, at Eaton at 6 p.m.: Social Stitch
Tuesday, April 18, at PC Room at 6 p.m.: Yarn Basket Weaving
Tuesday, April 18, at New Paris at 6 p.m.: Salt Shaker Button Bouquet
Tuesday, April 25, at Eaton at 6 p.m.: Bob Ross Paint & Sip
New: Family Crafts and Activities
The Preble County District Library offers various family craft and social programs in April at several of our locations throughout Preble County.
Wednesday, April 12, at New Paris at All Day: Craft with Cris (Teens)
Wednesday, April 12, at West Manchester at 4:30 p.m.: Scrabble Keychain
Thursday, April 13, at Eldorado at 4:30 p.m.: Scrabble Keychain
Thursday, April 13, at Eaton at 5:30 p.m.: Family Fun Night: Super Mario Edition
Saturday, April 15, at West Alexandria at 11 a.m.: Origami Day (Teens)
Saturday, April 15, at Eaton at 1 p.m.: Community Garden Storytime
April 17, 19, and 20 at West Elkton: Discover America
Wednesday, April 19, at Camden at 6 p.m. : After School Fun
Wednesday, April 19, at West Manchester at 4 p.m.: Movie Night
Thursday, April 20, at Eldorado at 4 p.m.: Movie Night
Saturday, April 22, at West Alexandria at 11 a.m.: Creative & Innovation Day
Wednesday, April 26, at West Manchester at 4 p.m.: Paper Tube Bird Feeder
Thursday, April 27, at Eldorado at 4 p.m.: Paper Tube Bird Feeder
Friday, April 28, at West Alexandria, all day: National Superhero 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.
Eaton LEGO Club: Monday, April 24, at 4:30 p.m.
New Paris After School LEGO Time: Wednesday, April 26, all day
West Alexandria LEGO Club: Saturday, April 29, at noon
New: Upcoming Book Sales
Need to get a jump on gathering your summer reads? Join us for our upcoming book sales. See our variety of books for all ages, DVDs, music, audiobooks and more. All sales are donations only and help provide funds for library programming.
West Elkton: April 17-27, during open hours
West Alexandria: April 24-29, during open hours
New: Internet Safety and Privacy Class – Eaton Branch on Tuesday, April 18, at 6 p.m.
The Internet has many benefits to our everyday lives but also carries some risks. In this class, you will learn about some of the more common safety and privacy issues you may encounter on the Internet and what you can do to minimize any risk to yourself. Basic computer skills are required. Registration is required; contact the Eaton Branch at 937-456-4331.
New: Homeschool Hour: Artwork – Eaton Branch on Wednesday, April 19, at 3 p.m.
Use the provided supplies and techniques to create your own artwork! Whether you prefer painting, sketching, sculpting or something else, put your unique creative skills to work at this Homeschool Hour program! This program is open to home-educated students of all ages. Register at the Eaton Branch or call 937-456-4331.
New: Free Book Day – Eaton Branch on Monday, April 24
Stop by the Eaton Branch and grab a few free children’s books! We’ll have a table of gently used children’s books to pick from while supplies last.
New: April Adult YA Book Club – In the Shadow of the Sun by EM Castellan – Wednesday, April 26, 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 April Blue Box features All the Things We Do in the Dark by Saundra Mitchell.
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: Chia Challenge – West Elkton Branch
Bob Ross or Richard Simmons? Who wore it best? Both had great hair. We are having a chia hair competition at the West Elkton Branch! We will have a Bob Ross chia head and a Richard Simmons chia head displayed in our big picture window. Watch their hairdos grow, and vote for your favorite throughout April!
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.
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:
• 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 is extending hours starting in February.
The new hours for the Preble County Room are as follows:
• 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 pcroom at preblelibrary.org.
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.
