Good afternoon,

I learned something new this week – March 1 is the first day of “meteorological spring.” I’ve always thought that spring started on the vernal equinox, sometime around March 20. And it does, if you’re talking about astronomical spring. However, if the seasons each start on the equinoxes and solstices, they aren’t always the same length, making it hard for meteorologists to compare year to year. So meteorologists define the seasons as starting the first of March, June, September, and December. Whatever day spring starts though, we’re definitely feeling it approach this week!

Our programming staff members were definitely dreaming of spring when they planned this month’s events. From spring paint nights to beekeeping, spring is in the air all around the county.

March is also Women’s History Month. Stop by the Main Library Annex this month to see a poster exhibit from the Smithsonian Institute celebrating the women’s suffrage movement. We’ll also be screening a documentary on Tuesday March 15, talking about the fight for women’s suffrage in Ohio (in partnership with WOUB Public Media).

As always, if you have suggestions for library events, I love to hear them. See you at the library!

Liz

Adult Services Manager

Chillicothe & Ross County Public Library

Let Ohio Women Vote - Special Screening

Tuesday March 15, 6pm (Main Library Annex)

Let Ohio Women Vote tells the story of the long fight for women’s suffrage in our state – a fight which created unpredictable alliances as well as surprising connections to national events.

We are excited to be able to show this film during Women's History Month, through a partnership with WOUB Public Media.

Special thanks to League of Women Voters of Greater Dayton Area, Cincinnati Area, and the US, and the National Afro-American Museum and Cultural Center for helping us bring these local stories to light.

If you plan to join us in person, there is no need to register. If you would like to view the documentary virtually, please register so we can send you a Zoom invitation.

At Main Library and Northside Branch

Tai Chi: Wednesday March 2, 9, and 30 at 9am (Main Library Annex)

Join us at the Main Library Annex and try this gentle form of exercise. Participants should wear comfortable clothing and flat shoes. Our guest presenter is Pam Nichols, a certified Tai Chi instructor through the Tao Academy of Kansas City.

Please register if you would like to receive an e-mail reminder.

Crafty Afternoons: Tuesday March 8 at 2pm (Main Library Meeting Room)

Join us at the Main library for an afternoon of crafting as we learn a new hobby or skill! All supplies provided.

March - We will be designing and carving our own stamps.

April - We will be testing our abilities with needle felting.

Paint Night: Wednesday March 9 at 6pm (Northside Branch)

Adults, please join us for a relaxing night of painting. Beginners welcome, and all materials provided! Registration required.

Parent Playdate: Tuesday March 29 at 6pm (Northside Branch)

Looking to meet other parents? Bring your little ones for us to entertain and we'll give you time to relax, socialize, and connect while doing simple crafts.

March - Diamond painting (Adult and kid-friendly versions provided)

April - Gnome/fairy house making (Adult and kid-friendly versions provided)

Save the Bees! Wednesday March 30 at 6pm (Northside Branch)

How does a hive work? Do they make honey year round? Would humans really go extinct without them? The Scioto Valley Beekeeper Association is here to help you re-evaluate everything you thought you knew about bees.

Cooking Class: Thursdays starting March 10 at 4pm (Virtual and Northside Branch)

This month, Johnna will be joining us for a new cooking series. The first 3 classes will be presented virtually, streaming live on our Facebook page and YouTube channel. The final class will be held in person on March 31st at 4pm at our Northside Branch.

If you watch all 3 virtual classes, and come to the March 31st in person class, you'll receive a free cooking tool!

Thank you to the OSU Ross County Extension Office for presenting this class.

Book Clubs

Friends of Dorothy Book Club: Monday March 7 at 7pm (First Capital PRIDE Coalition – 551 E Main St)

Join us on the first Monday of the month to discuss a variety of LGBTQ+ literature, everything from fantasy to memoirs. We'll meet at 551 E Main St in partnership with the First Capital PRIDE Coalition. All are welcome!

Here are the next few months’ picks! You can check them out at the Main Library or Northside Branch or access them digitally.

March - Alex Cooper's Saving Alex: When I Was Fifteen I Told My Mormon Parents I Was Gay, and That's When My Nightmare Began ( ebook , audiobook )

April - Madeline Miller's The Song of Achilles ( ebook , audiobook )

May - Zeyn Joukhadar's The Thirty Names of Night ( ebook , audiobook )

Novels at Night: Thursday February 10 at 7pm (Northside Branch)

Our evening book club meets the 2nd Thursday of every month! Here's what we'll be reading in the next few months, and how you can access the books digitally:

March 10: Mira T. Lee’s Everything Here Is Beautiful ( eBook , eAudiobook )

April 14: Robin Sloan’s Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore ( eBook , eAudiobook )

May 12: Anissa Gray’s The Care and Feeding of Ravenously Hungry Girls ( eBook , eAudiobook )

Brown Bag Book Club at Paper City: Wednesday October 20, at noon (Paper City Coffee - 47 S. Paint St.)

Our Brown Bag Book Club meets at Paper City Coffee (47 S. Paint St) the 3rd Wednesday of each month! Here are the books we'll be discussing in the next few months, and how to get digital copies:

March 16: Alka Joshi’s The Henna Artist ( eBook , eAudiobook )

April 20: Janet Skeslien Charles’ The Paris Library ( eBook , eAudiobook )

May 18: Kelly Mustian’s The Girls in the Stilt House ( eBook , eAudiobook )

There will be copies of all book club books available to pick up at the Northside Branch and Main Library ahead of time. As always, please feel free to attend even if you have not read the book.

Around the county this month:

Registration required. Please click on any event title for more information.**

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