EATON — The Preble County District Library will host the first ever Preble County Comic Con on Saturday, July 22 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dress up as your favorite fictional character and join us for a day of comic-themed fun at the Eaton Library.

Cosplay Contest:

One of the most popular activities associated with Comic Cons around the world is cosplay: dressing up as your favorite character from a movie, book, or video game. During Preble County Comic Con, we’ll be deciding on the best costumes for four different age groups: 0-3 years, 4-12 years, 13-18 years, and 19 and older. You must register prior to the contest. Forms are available at the Eaton Library. Costumes from all genres are acceptable, and original characters are welcome, too.

Contestants are encouraged, though not required, to bring a reference photo or drawing of their character for the judges. Actual weapons and other items considered dangerous by the library are prohibited, and all costumes should follow the library’s code of conduct, as this is an event for all ages. No nudity or offensive language.

Community Fan Art

Have your fan art displayed during the library Comic Con. Drop off your fan art to the Eaton Library by Wednesday, July 19 to have it displayed. Fan from all genres are acceptable. Each piece of art must be library-appropriate and will need to be approved to display. All ages are welcome to submit, and art must be picked up by July 29.

Panel discussions and more

There will also be panel talks. Adam Fields, a local artist, will discuss his work in comic book illustration. Kelly Turner will have her own panel on cosplay, so you’ll be able to pick up some tips and tricks for Halloween or next year’s Preble County Comic Con!

Have your photo placed in a movie or comic book scene with green screen photo opportunities. We’ll also watch some anime (with free popcorn, of course), and have crafts for all ages.

Make sure to get to the Preble County Comic Con early, because the first 100 in attendance will receive a light-up Preble County District Library lightsaber!

Kids and families

One month left of Summer Reading

You can still take advantage of Summer Reading in July! The more you read, the better your chances for prizes during the library’s Summer Reading program! With programs for kids, teens, and adults, there’s something for everyone. Sign up at your local Preble County District Library branch in Camden, Eaton, Eldorado, New Paris, West Alexandria, West Elkton, or West Manchester.

Weekly Crafts

Through July, stop into the West Alexandria Library every Monday from 12-7 p.m. for a new weekly craft!

The Camden Library will have crafts for children on Tuesday, July 11 and Tuesday, July 18 at 5:30 p.m. Stop in for a chance to build edible trucks, make yummy putty, paint your own masterpiece, and more! Check the full schedule at www.preblelibrary.org under “Events.”

Movie showings

Watch the newest entry into the Harry Potter universe at the Eldorado (July 11 at 3 p.m.) and West Manchester (July 12 at 3 p.m.) libraries. Starring Eddie Redmayne as Newt Scamander, follow the adventure of New York’s secret community of witches and wizards set seventy years before Harry Potter.

Fantastic Bugs and Where to Find Them

Come to the West Elkton Library on Monday, July 17 at 4 p.m. and learn about the bugs that crawl all over the world! Scott Trochelman will teach us all about these fantastic creatures!

Story Times

Summer Reading is filled with story times. Bring your kids and keep them reading through the summer months:

Every Wednesday through July 26, we’ll have story time and activities at the West Alexandria Library.

The Eaton Library has weekly plays, story times, and crafts every Wednesday at 10 a.m. and every Thursday at 2 p.m.

The New Paris Library has story times and crafts on July 17, and July 24 at 5 p.m. each day.

On July 3 at 4 p.m., we’re reading ‘You Don’t Want a Unicorn,’ followed by unicorn crafts at 4 p.m. The following week, we’ll read ‘Dragons Love Tacos 2’ and have crafts on July 10 at 4 p.m.

Fantasy Filmmaker (ages 8-12)

Summer is a great time for epic fantasy blockbusters. Kids can work to make their own fantastic short film using stop-motion in July. Reservations are required for this program. Sign up in person at your library or call ahead of the program date:

Camden Library on Monday, July 3 at 4 p.m.

West Elkton Library on Wednesday, July 5 at 3:30 p.m.

New Paris Library on Monday, July 10 at 4:30 p.m.

West Alexandria Library on Wednesday, July 12 at 2 p.m.

West Manchester Library on Monday, July 24 at 4 p.m.

Eaton Library on Thursday, July 27 at 12:30 p.m.

Teens

Jewel Soap (teens in grades 6-12)

Choose a scent and color combination to make your own jewel-shaped bar of soap! Sign up for this program in advance at your library or call your branch ahead of the program date:

Monday, July 3 at 5 p.m. at the Camden Library

Wednesday, July 5 at 4:30 p.m. at the West Elkton Library

Monday, July 10 at 5:30 p.m. at the New Paris Library

Tuesday, July 11 at 3:30 p.m. at the Eaton Library

Wednesday, July 12 at 3 p.m. at the West Alexandria Library

Monday, July 24 at 5 p.m. at the West Manchester Library.

Action Origami

Bring your favorite virtual world, like Hogwarts and Hyrule, to life with origami at the West Alexandria Library on Wednesday, July 5 at 3 p.m.

Action Origami will also be at the Eaton Library on Tuesday, July 25 at 3:30 p.m. Make fantasy-world origami, a chocolate frog, a Legend of Zelda bookmark and a dragon!

Chocolate Frog Origami

Have you ever wanted to be on a chocolate frog Famous Wizard Card? Create the frog (and its box) out of paper, and decorate a Wizard Card to complete the package at the West Alexandria Library on Wednesday, July 19 at 3 p.m.

Adults

Eaton Library Creative Writers Group

Do you like to write? Join your fellow writers at the Eaton Library once a month for our Creative Writers Group. You don’t have to share, but you are certainly welcome to. We’ll provide writing activities and prompts for those who need a little extra inspiration. The next meeting of the Eaton Library Creative Writers Group is Thursday, July 27 at 6:30 p.m.

Make a Bird Feeder

Recycle a two-liter bottle and make a cute bird feeder and the Eldorado and West Manchester library branches. All supplies will be provided. This program is intended for adults, and will be at the West Manchester Library on July 5 at 4 p.m. and at the Eldorado Library on July 6 at 4 p.m.

Internet classes

If you or someone you know is just getting started using the internet, come to the Eaton Library at 6 p.m. on Thursday, July 6. This class will provide an introduction to using the internet. We’ll cover terminology, the components of a web page, searching techniques, and what to watch for when you’re online.

A week later, on July 13 at 6 p.m., the Eaton Library will have an Intermediate Internet Skills class. We’ll go further into internet security and privacy, website navigation, and search engines.

Tea Painting

Use your favorite tea blends to make some fantastic artwork at the West Elkton Library on Thursday, July 13 at 4 p.m. All supplies will be provided.

Wine Bottle Crafting

Make something cool with recycled wine bottles at the Camden Library on Thursday, July 13 at 6:30 p.m. All supplies are provided, but reservations are required. Reserve your spot by July 3 by signing up at the library or calling (937) 452-3142.

Scan Day

Bring your old documents and photos to the library’s genealogy department, the Preble County Room, on Saturday, July 15 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Staff will scan them, keep a digital copy for the genealogy archives, and send you home with the originals and a digital copy on a flash drive. The service is free. It helps you get your historical documents digitized and expands the Preble County Room’s collection. Bring your own USB flash drive, or purchase one the day of the event. Call (937) 456-4970 for more information.

Canvas String Art

Make your own epic artwork using string and spray paint at the West Alexandria Library on Tuesday, July 18 at 5:30 p.m.

The Eaton Library is located at 301 N. Barron St. For more information on other library programs, visit www.preblelibrary.org.