March 2024 │ Vol. 8, Issue 3 THE BOSSARD BEACON The monthly newsletter of the Dr. Samuel L. Bossard Memorial Library Award-winning comic book author and artist to speak at the library Comic book author and artist Bentley Boyd will discuss his work and creative process during a program beginning at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 9 at the library. Boyd, who is a native of Ohio and returned to the state in 2015, is the creator of “Comix with Content” featuring a Chesapeake blue crab named Chester the Crab. This series of comics follows Chester as he learns about history and economics, including the history of the Civil War, World War II, and the Civil Rights Movement. During his presentation, Boyd will share the steps he uses to create “Comix with Content” − from rough draft to publication − while also drawing and showing examples of the illustrations used in his comics. He will also invite the audience to brainstorm a cartoon idea with him to demonstrate how comics can impart information on any subject in an entertaining way. Boyd graduated cum laude from Harvard University in 1990 with a degree in history and literature. He later moved to Virginia to report and draw for the Daily Press in Newport News. It was here that he created Chester the Crab, and this comic appeared in seven Virginia newspapers during its award-winning five-year newspaper run. He has also created commissioned comic book histories for the Mount Vernon Estate, the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, the Library of Virginia, and the cities of Norfolk, Va., Lexington, Mass., and Oberlin, Ohio. In 2003, Boyd began printing the Chester the Crab adventures he had created in book form, and, since that time, 38 “Comix with Content” books have been published, covering big topics in a relatable way for children. In his latest book, Ohio: Crossroad of the Nation, Boyd discusses his home state and includes himself as Chester’s companion in the story. A question and answer session will follow Boyd’s presentation at the library. All ages are welcome and encouraged to attend this program. For more information about “Comix with Content” and Chester the Crab, please visit chestercomix.com. LIBRARY CLOSURES Sunday, March 31 Easter Sunday 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, Ohio 45631
Youth Services Programs Adult Programs French City Writers’ Guild Ages 18 and over Both budding and experienced writers are encouraged to attend the monthly meeting of the French City Writers’ Guild. Writers can bring their written works of various genres for discussion. French City Writers’ Guild meetings are only for individuals age 18 and over as mature themes may be discussed. Ages 13 and over Come out for Trivia Night and compete as an individual or play with your family or friends to test your knowledge of current events, science, history, pop culture, and more! Trivia Night is free and open to teens, adults, and families with children who are age 13 and over. Trivia Night Ages 8-12 The Tween Book Club will discuss The Land of Stories: The Wishing Spell by Chris Colfer during its March meeting. Tweens will enjoy a scavenger hunt, fairy tale trivia, and will get to complete their own fairy tale book craft. Copies of the book can be borrowed from the library. The eBook and audiobook can be borrowed from the Ohio Digital Library via the Libby app and the eBook can be found on the hoopla app. For more information about Tween Book Club or how to sign up, contact Rachael at 740.446.7323 x 226 or email rbarker@bossardlibrary.org. Permission form required. Tween Book Club Ages 3-6 Stop by the library for evening storytime for children, ages 3-6, and their parents or caregivers. On March 7, children will enjoy a reading of Why Should I Eat Well? by Claire Llewellyn with illustrations by Mike Gordon. On March 21, evening storytime will feature a reading of In Like a Lion, Out Like a Lamb by Marion Dane Bauer with illustrations by Emily Arnold McCully. For more information about storytime, contact Kim at kwilcoxon@bossardlibrary.org. Evening Storytime Ages 7-9 Join Jody for the first In-B-Tween Club meeting in March featuring a reading of Back Roads, Country Toads by Devin Scillian with illustrations by Tim Bowers. Attendees will make a froggy fly catcher, a foldable coloring page, frog and toad thumbprint cartoon art, and will also enjoy a “toad toss” game and a “snackle” box snack. The second In-B-Tween Club in March will feature an indoor program with Barker Farm! This show will feature interactions with animals, including a hedgehog, parrot, rabbit, and giant cane toad. In-B-Tween Club
‘Game on!’ Game Day Saturday Ages 12 and over (under 12 with an adult) Bring your friends and stop by the library for Game Day. Bring your own games or choose a game from the library’s large board game collection. All ages and skill levels are welcome, but children who are age 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Attendees can stay for the entire event or just for a few hours. Light refreshments will be provided. ‘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 are 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. For more information, contact Lynn at lpauley@ bossardlibrary.org or call 740.446.7323. Weekly Programs Storytime Ages 3-6 Join us each Monday morning for storytime. This month, attendees will enjoy a healthy eating storytime on Monday, March 4, and, on Monday, March 25, storytime will feature an Easter egg hunt in the library! Yoga Ages 16 and over Join us for an hour-long Yoga session each Monday evening in the library’s Riverside Room. Please bring your own yoga mat or beach towel and wear comfortable clothing. Waiver form required. Pat-a-Cake Lapsit Ages birth-3 Needlework Circle Ages 12 and over Ages 18 and over The Adult Book Club will discuss The Sun Does Shine: How I Found Life and Freedom on Death Row by Anthony Hinton during its March meeting. Copies of the physical book can be borrowed from the library. The audiobook and eBook can be borrowed from either hoopla or the Ohio Digital Library via the Libby app. Adult Book Club meetings are typically held at 1 p.m. the last Saturday of each month at the library. For more information or to sign up, please contact Lynn at lpauley@bossardlibrary.org. Adult Book Club
Are you ready for the solar eclipse? On Monday, April 8, the 48 contiguous United States will experience a total solar eclipse. Beginning on March 4, library card holders who are age 18 and over can stop by Bossard Library to obtain up to two pairs of eclipse glasses, while supplies last. No library card? You can register for a library card quickly and easily at the library’s circulation desk. According to NASA, the total solar eclipse will cross North America from Mexico through the United States and into Canada. The eclipse will begin over the South Pacific Ocean with Mexico’s Pacific coast experiencing totality around 11:07 a.m. According to a map provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), southern Ohio will experience max obscuration of the sun at approximately 3:11 p.m. on April 8. The next real opportunity for many of the U.S. to see a total solar eclipse, according to NOAA, will not be until August 2045. At this time, the eclipse will traverse the United States from Florida to California. To safely view the solar eclipse, specialpurpose solar filters, such as eclipse glasses, are required. These viewers must comply with transmittance requirements and standards. Ordinary sunglasses are not safe for viewing the eclipse. For more information on safely viewing the solar eclipse, please visit the American Astronomical Society’s website at eclipse.aas.org/eye-safety. For more information on obtaining a library card, visit bossardlibrary.org/cards. Visit StoryWalk at the French Art Colony The featured StoryWalk title for March is My Lucky Day by Keiko Kasza. StoryWalk is located on the grounds of the French Art Colony, 530 First Avenue. StoryWalk is a great way for both children and adults to enjoy the great outdoors and great children’s books! Trustee honored for years of service During a recent board of trustees meeting at Bossard Memorial Library, Larry Shong was honored for his 30 years of dedicated service as a trustee of the Gallia County District Library. Shong, who will not seek reappointment to the library board, was first sworn in as a library trustee in 1994. He served in various capacities during his tenure as a board member, including as president of the board in the early 2000s, and, most recently, as the board secretary from 2009 through 2023. Shong is a local farmer and a retired educator who taught at Southwestern High School and Vinton Elementary School. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from the University of Rio Grande and a Master of Education from the University of Dayton. As a library board member, Shong participated in several library levy campaigns, including two successful continuing levies, and has overseen the evolution of library service in the community. Most recently, this included the construction and dedication of the library’s Riverside Room in 2015, which has allowed for the expansion of library programs, including the “Bodies Revealed” exhibit, which drew nearly 20,000 people to the library in 2016, as well as the library’s subsequent exhibits: “Space: A Journey to Our Future” and “Savage Ancient Seas.” The Board of Trustees of the Gallia County District Library is a sevenmember board comprised of a diverse group of community members who volunteer their time and energy in service to the public library. Larry Shong was recently presented with a plaque honoring his service as a trustee.
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