JANUARY 2026 Vol. 10, Issue 1 The monthly newsletter of the Dr. Samuel L. Bossard Memorial Library THE BOSSARD BEACON Bossard Library prepares for International traveling exhibition to be unveiled January 17 Staff at Bossard Library are excitedly awaiting the arrival of Traveling Bricks, an exhibition made entirely of more than 1 million LEGO® bricks, that will be on display at the library beginning on January 17, 2026. Traveling Bricks, which has been seen in cities around the world, reimagines the history of human transportation and technological advancement through 120 models across 60 scenes. 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. 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. As the library prepares for this large exhibition, patrons should note that some library programs may change locations and/or dates and times to accommodate the Traveling Bricks exhibit. Beginning on Monday, January 12, weekly Yoga sessions will be held each Monday evening at 6 p.m. in the library’s Switzer Room. Also, beginning the week of January 12, weekly lapsit programming will held at 10 a.m. each Thursday morning at the Gallipolis First Church of God, 1723 State Route 141, Gallipolis. Storytime on Monday, January 12 will be held at the Gallia Academy High School Library. Following this, weekly storytime programs will typically be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday mornings at the Gallipolis First Church of God. In February and March, Trivia Night will be held at the Colony, 418 Second Avenue, Gallipolis. Other library programs, including In-B-Tween Club, the library’s book clubs, French City Writers’ Guild, and adult coloring will be held in the library’s Switzer Room during the run of the exhibit. 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.
Trivia Night Ages 13 and over Stop by the library for monthly Trivia Night and compete as an individual or play with your friends to test your knowledge of current events, history, pop culture, and more! Trivia Night is open to teens, adults, and families with children who are age 13 and over. The winning individual or team will receive a nominal prize and bragging rights. Light refreshments will be served. Trivia Night will be held at the Colony, 418 Second Avenue, in February and March due to the upcoming hosting of the Traveling Bricks exhibit. In-B-Tween Club Ages 7-9 The In-B-Tween Club will enjoy a reading of LEGO® Man in Space: A True Story written and illustrated by Mara Shaughnessy in January. Attendees will get to build their own creation with LEGO® bricks and tour the Traveling Bricks exhibit! Tween Book Club Ages 8-12 The Tween Book Club will meet in January to discuss Pocket Bear by Katherine Applegate; illustrated by Charles Santoso. Copies of the book are available to borrow from the library. The eBook can be found on hoopla or Libby. The Tween Book Club meets every other month at the library. For more information, contact Rachael at rbarker@bossardlibrary.org or call 740.446.7323 x 226. Permission form required. Evening Storytime Ages 3-6 Evening storytime in January will feature a reading of Lost and Found written and illustrated by Oliver Jeffers. Evening storytime is for children, ages 3-6, and their parents or caregivers. For more information, contact Kim at kwilcoxon@bossardlibrary.org. French City Writers’ Guild Ages 18 and over Both new 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, and genre fiction. Guild meetings are only for those age 18 and over. No children are permitted. In-B-Tween Club Ages 7-9 The second In-B-Tween Club meeting in January will feature a reading of The Gingerbread Man Loose in the School by Laura Murray; illustrated by Mike Lowery. The InB-Tweens will get to create their own gingerbread magnet during the meeting. The In-B-Tween Club typically meets twice per month at the library. For more information, contact Rachael at rbarker@bossardlibrary.org. 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 classic novel A Room With a View by E.M. Forster during its January meeting. Set in Edwardian-era England, A Room With a View was first published in 1908. Copies of the book can be borrowed from the library, while the eBook and audiobook are available on the hoopla app or the Ohio Digital Library via the Libby app. Beginning in January and continuing through March, Adult Book Club meetings will be held in the library’s Switzer Room due to the Traveling Bricks exhibit. 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. Storytime Ages 3-6 On Monday, January 12, storytime will be held at the Gallia Academy High School Library. On Tuesdays, January 20 and 27, storytime will be held at the Gallipolis First Church of God, 1723 State Route 141, Gallipolis. Weekly Programs All Year Long 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 is encouraged to attend. Pat-a-Cake Lapsit Ages birth-3 Beginning on January 15, lapsit will be held at the Gallipolis First Church of God, 1723 State Route 141, Gallipolis, each Thursday morning. Yoga Ages 16 and over Beginning on January 12, Yoga will be held each Monday evening in the 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.
The StoryWalk® title for January is Cold Turkey by Corey Rosen Schwartz & Kirsti Call; illustrated by Chad Otis. StoryWalk® is located on the grounds of the French Art Colony, 530 First Avenue. It is a wonderful way to enjoy the great outdoors and great children’s books! ® Adult Book Club announces book selections for new year The library’s Adult Book Club recently announced its featured books for 2026. The book club will read a variety of nonfiction and fiction titles, including several bestselling novels. Book selections are chosen each year based upon the interests of the group. Below is the full list of the Adult Book Club’s book selections for 2026: January: A Room With A View by E.M. Forster February: The Nine: The True Story of a Band of Women Who Survived the Worst of Nazi Germany by Gwen Strauss March: The Queens of Crime by Marie Benedict April: Our First Civil War: Patriots and Loyalists in the American Revolution by H.W. Brands May: The Death of Mrs. Westaway by Ruth Ware June: Fuzz: When Nature Breaks the Law by Mary Roach July: Hill Women: Finding Family and a Way Forward in the Appalachian Mountains by Cassie Chambers August: The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon September: The Lion’s Den by Katherine St. John October: A Mystery of Mysteries: The Death and Life of Edgar Allan Poe by Mark Dawidziak November/December: The Oysterville Sewing Circle by Susan Wiggs The book club will hold its first meeting at 1 p.m. on Saturday, January 31 at the library. All interested readers who are age 18 and over are welcome and encouraged to attend. The group typically meets at 1 p.m. the last Saturday of each month. Copies of A Room With a View by E.M. Forster can be borrowed from the library. For more information, contact Lynn at 740.446.7323 or email lpauley@bossardlibrary.org. ‘Reading Is So Sweet’ Adult Winter Reading Begins January 5 The annual Adult Winter Reading program will begin on January 5 and will continue through April 6, 2026 at Bossard Library. This year’s theme is “Reading Is So Sweet” and features candy-themed artwork. Any patron, age 18 and over, with a Bossard Library card in good standing is encouraged to sign up for a chance to earn prizes for reading this winter. Participants who read or listen to 10 books will receive a reading-themed tote bag, while supplies last. In addition, with each book read, participants will earn a ticket for a chance to win one of five themed baskets. Tickets can be placed in each basket’s corresponding bag. A maximum of 25 tickets can be earned per person. Winners for each basket will be drawn at the conclusion of the program in April. Each basket winner will also receive a candy-themed greeting card designed and drawn by library staff. This year’s prize baskets include two separate reading-themed baskets containing Kindle Fire tablets, a “cozy night in” basket, and a picnic-themed basket. Only books and audiobooks borrowed from the library will count toward prizes in the program. Audiobooks and eBooks borrowed from either hoopla or the Ohio Digital Library (through the Libby app) are also eligible. Books read in conjunction with the Adult Book Club and Civil War Book Club also count toward the program. To sign up for the Adult Winter Reading program, please stop by the library’s circulation desk beginning on January 5!
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