FEBRUARY 2026 Vol. 10, Issue 2 The monthly newsletter of the Dr. Samuel L. Bossard Memorial Library THE BOSSARD BEACON ‘Traveling Bricks’ open As of February 1, over 1,600 people have visited Bossard Library to view Traveling Bricks, an exhibition made entirely of more than 1 million LEGO® bricks, since opening at the library on January 17. Traveling Bricks has been seen in cities around the world, including in Slovakia, Germany, and Spain, before making its way to Gallipolis. This exhibit reimagines the history of human transportation and technological advancement through land, air, sea, and space travel. This story of transportation is told across 60 scenes with more than 120 LEGO® brick models. The exhibit also features a play area for children, including DUPLO® bricks for younger children. A highlight of the exhibit is the over 20-foot model of the Titanic. Built at 1:40 scale, this model took four people three months to complete and is comprised of 200,000 LEGO® bricks. Individuals and families with children of all ages are encouraged to visit this exhibit at no admission cost through April 19, 2026 at the library. Return visits are also encouraged. Groups of 10 or more individuals should call the library at 740.446.7323 to make a reservation. No reservation is required for groups consisting of nine or fewer individuals. For more information about Traveling Bricks or the latest information about upcoming programs, please visit bossardlibrary.org or call 740.446.7323. 740.446.7323 bossardlibrary.org 7 Spruce Street Gallipolis, Ohio 45631 Library Hours Monday - Friday 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Sunday 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. The Icarus Dream, an imagined version of a space ship that could travel to the far reaches of the galaxy, is one of the many models on display at Traveling Bricks. Viking warriors can be seen inside a longboat in one of the scenes on display in Traveling Bricks. The ships and seafaring vessel models are a popular portion of the exhibit.
Trivia Night Ages 13 and over Trivia Night in February will be held at the Colony, 418 Second Avenue, due to the library’s hosting of the Traveling Bricks exhibit. Teams and individuals are welcome and encouraged to attend to compete for nominal prizes and bragging rights! Light refreshments will be served. Trivia Night is open to adults, teens, and families with children who are age 13 and over. In-B-Tween Club Ages 7-9 The In-B-Tween Club will enjoy a reading of No Huddles for Heloise by Deborah Kerbel; illustrated by Udayana Lugo during their first meeting in February. Attendees will get to complete a penguin clay craft and will get to play penguin ring toss. Teen Book Club Ages 13-19 The Teen Book Club will meet in February to discuss I Must Betray You by Ruta Sepetys. Copies of the book are available to borrow from the library. The eBook or audiobook can be found on the Libby app. During the meeting, teens will get to complete a coaster craft. The Teen Book Club meets every other month at the library. Permission form required. Storytime at GAHS Ages 3-6 Storytime at the Gallia Academy High School library will be held the second Monday in February with the help of the GAHS Wrestling Team! Attendees will enjoy a reading of Snowy, Blowy Winter by Bob Raczka, illustrated by Judy Stead; I Want Snow! by Tony Ross; and Guess Who? I Love You! by Katie Woolley, illustrated by Grasya Oliyko. Evening Storytime Ages 3-6 Evening storytime in February will feature a reading of The Biggest Valentine Ever by Steven Knoll; illustrated by Jeni Bassett. Evening storytime is for children, ages 3-6, and their parents or caregivers. For more information, please contact Kim at kwilcoxon@bossardlibrary.org or call 740.446.7323. In-B-Tween Club Ages 7-9 The second In-B-Tween Club meeting in February will feature a reading of The Big Snowdown by Katy Hudson. The In-BTweens will get to complete a bird-themed snow painting with Jody! The In-B-Tween Club typically meets twice per month at the library. Youth Services Upcoming Programs Adult Programming Upcoming Programs
‘Color Me Happy’ Adult Coloring Ages 18 and over Stop by the library to enjoy a relaxing coloring session. Coloring sheets and coloring gel pens/pencils will be provided or you can bring your own. Bring a friend and enjoy creative coloring and genial conversation. “Color Me Happy” is only for adults ages 18 and over. No children are permitted. Due to the library’s hosting of the Traveling Bricks exhibit, adult coloring will be held in the library’s Switzer Room. 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 favorite tabletop RPG, board, or card game or select a game from the library’s board game collection. Light refreshments will be provided. Adult Book Club Ages 18 and over The Adult Book Club will discuss The Nine: The True Story of a Band of Women Who Survived the Worst of Nazi Germany by Gwen Strauss during its February meeting. This nonfiction work follows the true story of the author’s great aunt who led a band of female resistance fighters who escaped a WWII labor camp. Copies of the book can be borrowed from the library, while the eBook and digital audiobook are available on hoopla or the Ohio Digital Library via the Libby app. The Adult Book Club is for any interested reader who is age 18 or over. For more information about Adult Book Club or to sign up, contact Lynn by emailing lpauley@bossardlibrary.org or call 740.446.7323 x 229. Weekly Programs All Year Long Storytime Ages 3-6 On Tuesdays, February 3, 17, and 24, storytime will be held at the Gallipolis First Church of God, 1723 State Route 141, Gallipolis. On Monday, February 9, storytime will be held at the Gallia Academy High School library. Needlework Circle Ages 12 and over Needlework Circle will continue to be held in the library’s Switzer Room beginning at 1 p.m. each Wednesday afternoon during the run of the Traveling Bricks exhibit. Anyone age 12 and over with an interest in any of the fiber arts, including crocheting, knitting, weaving, and spinning, is encouraged to attend. Pat-a-Cake Lapsit Ages birth-3 Lapsit will be held each Thursday morning at the Gallipolis First Church of God, 1723 State Route 141, Gallipolis, in February. Yoga Ages 16 and over Yoga will be held each Monday evening in February in the library’s Switzer Room with a certified Yoga instructor. Attendees should wear comfortable clothing and bring a Yoga mat or beach towel. A limited number of Yoga mats are available on site. Waiver form required.
Civil War Book Club to discuss Douglass and Reconstruction The library’s Civil War Book Club will meet beginning at 10 a.m. on Saturday, February 7, to discuss The Failed Promise: Reconstruction, Frederick Douglass, and the Impeachment of Andrew Johnson by Robert S. Levine. In this book, Levine discusses the strained relationship between President Andrew Johnson, who took office after the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln, and Frederick Douglass, one of the most influential leaders of the 19th Century Black community. Reconstruction — the period of time immediately following the Civil War — was an era of significate change, and, as Levine writes, was a period of “lost promise and dire failure” as the country addressed the rights of newlyfreed African Americans. Douglass, who was an abolitionist, statesman, minister, and champion of Civil Rights, was born into slavery in Maryland in 1818. Having escaped to New York as a young adult, he became a talented writer, orator, and central voice of the Black community during Reconstruction, meeting with President Johnson along with a Black delegation in 1866. Douglass continued to fight for the equal rights of all people until his death in 1895. Copies of The Failed Promise can be borrowed from the library. The eBook can be found on the Ohio Digital Library through the Libby app. For more information about Frederick Douglass, read his autobiography entitled Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave. First published in 1845, this title can be borrowed from the library. The Civil War Book Club typically meets once per quarter at the library. The book club is moderated by Gene Huffman of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, Cadot Blessing Camp, No. 126. Anyone with an interest in the history of the Civil War era is welcome and encouraged to attend. Cookbook Club returns Bossard Library’s “Food for Thought” Cookbook Club returns on Saturday, February 7 and will discuss Italian cuisine during their meeting at 1 p.m. at the library. Attendees are encouraged to check out the book Cooking with Nonna: Celebrate Food and Family with Over 100 Classic Recipes From Italian Grandmothers by Rossella Rago. Copies of the book can be borrowed from the library. This in-depth cookbook features Italian soups and salads, appetizers, desserts, breads, and, of course, pasta dishes. The author, Rossella Rago, is best known for her popular web TV series “Cooking with Nonna.” Cookbook Club attendees are encouraged to make a dish or two using the recipes from the featured book. Attendees are also welcome to bring one of the prepared recipes or a favorite Italian dish to share, but this is not required. Library staff will prepare one or two recipes from the book in advance and samples will be available for attendees to enjoy during the meeting. This meeting of the Cookbook Club is being held in memory of Eunice Pinto (1934-2025). Pinto, who was originally from the Bronx, New York, later lived in White Plains, New York, and Flower Mound, Texas, and was a family friend of the Morrison family of Gallipolis. According to her obituary, Pinto’s home was a “haven” and “her Italian cooking a love language.” The Cookbook Club is open to anyone age 18 and over who enjoys cooking! Meetings are held quarterly at the library.
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