PREBLE COUNTY — The Preble County District Library has many programs and activities slated for the month of May.
New: Spring Storytimes
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: Leaf Rubbing
Teens: MerMay Jewelry
Each kit includes instructions and materials to complete each craft.
New: Plant Swaps
Help our communities grow for our Plant Swaps! Drop off cuttings, rootings, seeds, and plants in exchange for others. Bring a plant, take a plant!
Entire month: Eaton Branch
May 6-13: New Paris Branch
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!
• May 23: Anime Club
• May 30: Teen Book Club – The Yearbook Committee by Sarah Ayoub
New: Family Crafts and Activities
The Preble County District Library offers various family craft and social programs in May at several of our locations throughout Preble County.
Saturday, May 20 at Eaton at 1:00 p.m.: Community Garden Storytime
Wednesday, May 24 at Camden at 5:30 p.m.: Teen Crafting
Wednesday, May 31 at West Alexandria: National Smile 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.
Wednesday, May 24 at West Manchester at 4:30 p.m.: LEGO Party
Thursday, May 25 at Eldorado at 4:30 p.m.: LEGO Party
Saturday, May 27 at West Alexandria at noon: LEGO Club
New: Meet Libby – Eaton Branch on Tuesday, May 23 at 6 p.m.
Overdrive is out and Libby is in! Join us to learn more about this new app for reading e-books from your library. There will be a demonstration of Libby followed by a question-and-answer session. Bring your device and any questions you may have!
New: May Adult YA Book Club – Minor Prophets by Jimmy Cajoleas – Wednesday, May 31 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 May Blue Box features The Yearbook Committee by Sarah Ayoub.
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: All Together Now Summer Reading Starts on June 1
All Together Now for our annual Summer Reading Challenge, running June 1-July 29. Read and complete Challenges to earn prizes. Summer Reading programs are open to kids, teens, and adults. Visit preblelibrary.org.beanstack.org for your one-stop place to register, log time, earn badges and turn in tickets for prizes. There will be free grab & go kits, prize drawings, family programming, weekly storytimes and more!
New: Comic Conners Assemble!
Comic Conners Assemble! We are once again kicking off our annual Summer Reading Challenge with this epic, free, fifth-annual event! Join us for a day full of family fun and pop culture excitement! Comic Con runs from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at The Star Theatre, located at 310 North Barron Street in Eaton (across from the Eaton Branch).
There will be artists & vendor tables, tabletop gaming with Darkhold Games, cosplay contest, community art display, games with prizes, and more!
For more information to sign up as a vendor, enter our cosplay contest, or submit artwork for our fan art display, visit www.preblelibrary.org/con
New: Coffee & Conversation with Preble County Mental Health & Recovery Board
Do you know someone struggling with their mental health, and do you need answers? Join Autumn with the Preble County Mental Health & Recovery Board for coffee and conversation. She will be available from 3-5 p.m. for an informal discussion on any questions regarding mental health and mental health services.
Tuesday, May 23 at 3 p.m.: Eldorado Branch
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:
• May – Dr. Seuss Hat
• June – Mickie, Minnie, Donald, and Daisy
• July – Lollipop
New: 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, Johnston Farm & Indian Agency, 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: Genealogy Fair Set for June 24 at the Preble County Room
The Genealogy Fair returns to the Preble County Room on Saturday, June 25 with a host of area resources for genealogy and local history research. We are inviting local history organizations throughout the area to give researchers a single event to get acquainted with research opportunities and to all ow networking between the organizations. To add another layer to the Genealogy Fair, we are also inviting local vendors who specialize in historical crafts and restoration of materials.
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 [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.
