MAY 2026 Vol. 10, Issue 5 The monthly newsletter of the Dr. Samuel L. Bossard Memorial Library THE BOSSARD BEACON kickoff confirmed for June 6 Bossard Library will host its 2026 Summer Reading Program kickoff event coupled with KIDFEST 26 beginning at 11 a.m. and continuing until 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 6 on the library grounds. This “In One Accord” event is being cosponsored by numerous Gallia County agencies, including the GalliaVinton Educational Service Center, Gallia County Board of DD, and the Gallia County Conservation Club, among many others. This year’s Summer Reading Program theme is “Unearth a Story,” and KIDFEST 26 will feature dinosaur-themed games, activities, and crafts for children. Among the many activities will be a scavenger hunt, “dino” bingo, a dinosaur bones digging station, carnival games, putt-putt golf, and an archery station. The Gallipolis Fire Department and Bridgeport Equipment will also be on hand for a “touch-a-truck” event, while Wolfe Mountain Entertainment will perform their short play “Danny the Dinosaur.” Free books and other prizes will also be available, while supplies last. Summer Reading Program sign-ups will begin on Monday, June 8 at the library. Children, tweens, and teens are encouraged to register to earn prizes for reading this summer. For the latest information on upcoming programs and events, please visit bossardlibrary.org. Library to host dulcimer classes beginning in May Bossard Library will begin offering beginner classes for those wishing to learn to play the dulcimer on Wednesdays starting in May. Dr. Linda Sigismondi, a retired professor of biology at the University of Rio Grande and an accomplished dulcimer player, will lead the classes. Sigismondi organizes the music and workshops for the Fort New Salem Dulcimer Festival in Salem, West Virginia, and has taught workshops in West Virginia, Ohio, Kentucky, and New York. She has also written several books of mountain dulcimer tab. Students registered for the class will use mountain dulcimers handcrafted by musician and craftsman Jerry Rockwell of Wooster, Ohio. The library can accept a total of 10 students during each class session. Registration for the first class is currently full, but patrons with an interest are encouraged to sign-up for future classes. Patrons must have a library card in good standing to participate. For more information or to register for the wait list, please contact Lynn at 740.446.7323 x 229. Students in the library’s beginning dulcimer class will be using mountain dulcimers, handcrafted in Ohio.
Youth Services Upcoming Programs Adult Programming Upcoming Programs Trivia Night Ages 13 and over Stop by the library for Bossard 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 held monthly at the library and is open to teens, adults, and families with children who are age 13 and over. Each team is limited to 10 people. Trivia questions are presented in a multiround competition and teams submit answers on paper. The competition begins promptly at 6 p.m. The winning individual or team will receive a nominal prize and bragging rights! Light refreshments will be served. Evening Storytime Ages 3-6 Bossard Library will host Evening Storytime on Thursdays, May 7 and May 21 at the library. On May 7, attendees will enjoy a reading of Lola Plants a Garden by Anna McQuinn, illustrated by Rosalind Beardshaw. On Thursday, May 21, Evening Storytime will feature a reading of Otto the Book Bear by Katie Cleminson. Evening Storytime is for children, ages 3-6, and their parents or caregivers. Each program features a story, rhymes, songs, and other fun and engaging activities. For more information, please contact Kim at kwilcoxon@bossardlibrary.org Tween Book Club Ages 8-12 The Tween Book Club will meet in May to discuss Knights vs. Dinosaurs written and illustrated by Matt Phelan during its “Dino-Mite” party. The tweens will enjoy creating a shield craft, among other activities. Snacks will also be provided. Copies of the book are available to borrow from the library. The digital audiobook and eBook are available instantly through the hoopla app. The eBook can also be found on the Libby app. The Tween Book Club meets every other month at the library and is for any interested reader, ages 8-12. For more information, please contact Rachael at 740.446.7323 x 226 or email rbarker@bossardlibrary.org. Permission form required. In-B-Tween Club Ages 7-9 The In-B-Tween Club will meet on May 19 and May 26 at the library. During their first meeting, the In-B -Tweens will be treated to a reading of Summer Is Here by Renée Watson, illustrated by Bea Jackson. Attendees will enjoy making ice cream in a bag, an ice-cream painting craft, and games. The May 27 In-B-Tween Club meeting will feature a reading of It’s Taco Knight! by Megan Maynor, illustrated by Estrela Lourenço. Attendees will enjoy a taco in a bag and will complete a taco craft. Each In-B-Tween event features games, crafts, and a book all centered around an exciting and interactive theme. For more information, please contact Rachael at 740.446.7323 x 226 or email rbarker@bossardlibrary.org.
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. ‘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. Light refreshments will be provided. Adult Book Club Ages 18 and over The Adult Book Club will discuss The Death of Mrs. Westaway by Ruth Ware during its May meeting. This mystery novel appeared on the New York Times Best Sellers List along with the author’s many other thrillers, including The Woman in Cabin 10, which was recently adapted into a feature film. Copies of The Death of Mrs. Westaway can be borrowed from the library, while the eBook and audiobook are available through the Ohio Digital Library via the Libby app. The Adult Book Club is for any interested reader who is age 18 or over. Books are based on the interests of the group and can include bestsellers, genre fiction, and nonfiction. 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 Join us on Monday mornings for storytime. Each program features stories, songs, and crafts with an engaging theme for children, ages 3-6 and their parents/caregivers. Storytime will not be held on Monday, May 4. Needlework Circle Ages 12 and over Needlework Circle is held in the library’s Switzer Room beginning at 1 p.m. each Wednesday afternoon. Anyone age 12 and over who has an interest in or wishes to learn any of the fiber arts, including crocheting, knitting, weaving, and spinning, is encouraged to attend. Pat-a-Cake Lapsit Ages birth-3 The library presents stories, rhymes, and songs with fun and engaging themes each Wednesday morning for the youngest of readers. Lapsit will not be held on Wednesday, May 6. Yoga Ages 16 and over Yoga will be held each Monday evening at the library 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 May is Wonder Dogs! by Linda Ashman, illustrated by Karen Obuhanych. StoryWalk® is located on the grounds of the French Art Colony, 530 First Avenue, Gallipolis. It is a wonderful way to enjoy the great outdoors and great children’s books! The 4th Annual Steampunk Festival will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 2 at the Gallipolis Railroad Freight Station Museum, 918 Third Avenue, Gallipolis. Bossard Library is once again co-sponsoring this event that will feature a costume/cosplay contest, teapot racing, steampunk Nerf dueling, as well as live music and many other activities. Adults and children are encouraged to stop by the library’s table to create a free Steampunk craft. Free face painting will also be available at the library table. Attendees are encouraged to tour the museum and view the railroad cars and engines. Steampunk and other fandom items will be available for purchase from various vendors. Food vendors will also be on hand. For more information about the festival, including contest times, please visit bossardlibrary.org. Focus on America 250 In recognition of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776, Bossard Library’s Civil War Book Club will meet beginning at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 9 to discuss the book 1776 by Pulitzer Prize-winning author and historian David McCullough. This book begins on October 26, 1775, in London, England, as King George III, addresses parliament and declares America in open rebellion. The book continues with the tumultuous events of the “year of the Declaration of Independence.” According to McCullough, “the year 1776 … was for those who carried the fight for independence forward a year of all-too-few victories, [and] of sustained suffering … as they would never forget, but also of phenomenal courage and bedrock devotion to country, and that, too, they would never forget.” Copies of 1776 can be borrowed from the library. Digital copies of the eBook or digital audiobook can be found through the Ohio Digital Library on the Libby app. The audiobook is also instantly available through the hoopla app. The Civil War Book Club is moderated by Gene Huffman of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, CadotBlessing Camp No. 126. For more information, please contact Lynn at 740.446.7323 x 229. Olivia Picklesimer with the Cabell County Public Library will be on hand beginning at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, May 27 to discuss the practice of Swedish Death Cleaning. Popularized by the book The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning by Swedish author Margareta Magnusson, this practice showcases a thoughtful and compassionate approach to decluttering and downsizing your home. Picklesimer will discuss the best practices and steps to take to simplify your home, finances, and possessions. To borrow The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning by Margareta Magnusson, stop by the library!
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