February 2025 │ Vol. 9, Issue 2 THE BOSSARD BEACON The monthly newsletter of the Dr. Samuel L. Bossard Memorial Library Bossard celebrates 10 years of Gale Courses Since March 2015, patrons of Bossard Library have had access to hundreds of free, online courses through Gale Courses for Public Libraries. These six-week, instructor-led classes start monthly and include college-level courses on various subjects in accounting and finance, technology and computer applications, writing and publishing, healthcare, and a myriad of other personal development topics. In the 10 years since the inception of the program at Bossard Library, there have been over 2,200 enrollments by the library’s patrons through Gale Courses. The most popular courses among the library’s patrons include “Discover Sign Language,” “Introduction to Microsoft Excel,” “Accounting Fundamentals,” and “Medical Terminology.” Not only does Gale Courses offer classes that can assist individuals in the workplace, but also personal development classes on drawing, musical pursuits, creative writing, and digital photography, among many others. In addition, patrons can enroll in courses to explore various career paths, such as medical coding, becoming a medical or veterinary assistant, or a pharmacy technician. To access Gale Courses, patrons only need a library card and an email address to create an online account and to sign up for a class. To navigate to the Gale Courses page, visit bossardlibrary.org and click on “Find Information” at the top of the page and then on “Research.” Look for the link to Gale Courses under databases beginning with the letter “G.” This page can also be reached at bossardlibrary.org/ databases. For additional information about Gale Courses, or to get help signing up, please contact the Reference Department at 740.446.7323 x 241 or 242 or email reference@bossardlibrary.org. Patrons can also stop by the library for assistance. LIBRARY HOURS Monday - Friday 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM Saturday 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM Sunday 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM BOSSARD LIBRARY 740.446.7323 bossardlibrary.org 7 Spruce Street Gallipolis, OH 45631 LIBRARY CLOSURES Monday, February 17 Presidents’ Day
Youth Services Programs Trivia Night Ages 13 and over Come out for Trivia Night at the library and compete as an individual or play with your friends to test your knowledge of current events, science, history, pop culture, and more! Trivia night is open to teens, adults, and families with children who are age 13 and over. Teams can consist of up to 10 individuals. The winning individual or team will receive a nominal prize and bragging rights! Light refreshments will be provided. Adult Programs Ages 3-6 Story time with the athletes will be held at Gallia Academy High School, 2855 Centenary Road, with the wrestling team! Featured books will include Hooray for Snowy Days! by Susan Kantor with illustrations by Katya Longhi, Out Cold by Ryan T. Higgins, and Sally’s Snow Day by Andrew Larsen with illustrations by Dawn Lo. Attendees will also get to enjoy snacks and learn wrestling skills! Storytime at GAHS Teen Book Club Ages 13-18 The Teen Book Club will meet in February to discuss 11 Paper Hearts by Kelsey Hartwell. Copies of the book can be borrowed from the library. The eBook can be found on the Ohio Digital Library or hoopla. For more information or to sign up, please contact Rachael by calling 740.446.7323. Permission Form Required Ages 7-9 February’s first In-B-Tween Club meeting will feature a reading of The Joy Troll by Laetitia Nneke with illustrations by Yogesh Mahajan. Attendees will get to make a tiny troll habitat and enjoy birthday cupcakes as a snack. The second In-B-Tween Club meeting of the month will feature a reading of Sloth and Squirrel in a Pickle by Cathy Ballou Mealey with illustrations by Kelly Collier. This meeting will serve as the second “Thinking Money” session with Rachael. The In-B-Tween Club is for any interested child, ages 7-9, and their parents or caregivers. Each meeting features the reading of a book, a craft, and games with a fun and engaging theme. For more information, please contact Rachael at 740.446.7323 or via email at rbarker@bossardlibrary.org. In-B-Tween Club Evening Storytime Ages 3-6 February’s first evening storytime will feature a reading of If You’ll Be My Valentine by Cynthia Rylant with illustrations by Fumi Kosaka. On February 27, attendees will enjoy a reading of Little Owl’s Snow by Divya Srinivasan.
French City Writers’ Guild Ages 18 and over Both budding and experienced writers are encouraged to stop by the library to attend the monthly meeting of the French City Writers’ Guild. Writers are encouraged to discuss their original works of various genres, including nonfiction, poetry, genre fiction, and drama. Guild meetings are only for those 18 and over. For more information, contact Randall at rfulks@bossardlibrary.org. ‘Color Me Happy’ Adult Coloring Ages 18 and over Stop by the library to enjoy an adults-only coloring session. Coloring sheets and coloring gel pens/pencils will be provided or you can bring your own. Bring a friend and enjoy a relaxing coloring session and genial conversation. “Color Me Happy” is only for adults ages 18 and over. No children are permitted. Weekly Programs Storytime Ages 3-6 Join us each Monday morning for storytime. Each program features stories, songs, and crafts with engaging and educational themes for children. Yoga Ages 16 and over An hour-long Yoga session is held each Monday evening in the Riverside Room with a certified Yoga instructor. Please bring your own Yoga mat or beach towel (a few mats are available on site) and wear comfortable clothing. Waiver form required. Pat-a-Cake Lapsit Ages birth-3 The library presents stories, rhymes, and songs with fun and engaging themes for the youngest of readers and their parents/caregivers each Wednesday morning. Needlework Circle Ages 12 and over Anyone with an interest in fiber art is welcome and encouraged to attend Needlework Circle each Wednesday afternoon at the library. Share your love of fiber art with like-minded community members. Anyone with an interest in learning to knit, crochet, or complete other fiber art is also encouraged to attend. ‘Game on!’ Game Day Saturday Ages 12 and over (under 12 with an adult) Bring a friend and stop by the library for Game Day. All ages and skill levels are welcome. Children ages 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Bring your own games or select a game from the library’s board game collection. Attendees are welcome to stay for the entire event or play games as time allows. Adult Book Club Bossard Library’s Adult Book Club will discuss Winesburg, Ohio by Sherwood Anderson during its February meeting. Copies of the book can be borrowed from the library. Digital copies are available on hoopla and the Ohio Digital Library (Libby app).
Books for Black History Month February is Black History Month, and in honor of the contributions of black writers throughout history, stop by Bossard Library to check out a title by a celebrated black author. Below are just a few titles by award -winning authors available at Bossard Library: Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler Butler, the first science fiction writer to receive the MacArthur Foundation “Genius” Grant, was one of the few African-American women writing science fiction during her career. She won nearly every award for science fiction writing, including the Hugo, Locus, and Nebula awards. Parable of the Sower is one of her bestknown novels and is set in a post-apocalyptic world. It was first published in 1993. Between The World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates Coates, who also received a MacArthur “Genius” Grant, is an American journalist, writer, and activist. Between The World and Me is written as a letter to his son in an attempt to answer profound questions about race in America. It won the National Book Award for Nonfiction in 2015 and was a nominee for a Pulitzer Prize. While he is best known for his works of non-fiction, Coates has also written a Black Panther series and a Captain America series for Marvel Comics. Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston Hurston, born in 1891, was at the center of the Harlem Renaissance in 1920s New York City, along with writers Langston Hughes and Wallace Thurman. Their Eyes were Watching God was first published in 1937 and is considered one of the best novels of the 20th century as both a work of African-American literature and women’s literature. The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead Whitehead is an American award-winning novelist. His book The Underground Railroad won both the National Book Award and the Pulitzer Prize. The Nickel Boys, published in 2019, became his second Pulitzer Prize-winning work. He is one of only four writers in history to win the prize twice. The Nickel Boys was inspired by a Jim Crow-era reform school. Sign up for Pickleball 101 Bossard Library is once again offering Pickleball 101 classes with instructor Randy Christian in February. These free, two-hour sessions will teach beginners how to play Pickleball. The first class will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, February 1 for eight participants. If more than eight individuals wish to register for the February 1 class, a second class will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, February 8. Registration is required for Pickleball 101 and classes will be held at the First Church of God, 1723 State Route 141, Gallipolis. To register, please call 740.446.7323 x 229 or email lpauley@bossardlibrary.org. Only those who register are permitted to attend the class. Participants will be required to sign a waiver form for Bossard Library. Unable to attend our Pickleball 101 class? Please check out one of these books at the library to learn more about the growing sport of Pickleball: Pickleball for All: Everything But the “Kitchen” Sink by Rachel Simon Pickleball is Life: The Complete Guide to Feeding Your Obsession by Erin McHugh The Complete Book of Pickleball: The Ultimate Training Guide for Passionate Players of All Levels by Kurt Brungardt Pickleball for Beginners by Dennis Hall
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