A new year at the Hillsboro library means only one thing: The opportunity to add new fun to its monthly programming roster.
“We love the start of a new year,” said circulation manager Sarah Davidson. “With 2024, we’re adding two new youth clubs.”
The Youth Writing Club’s first meeting will be Monday, Jan. 8, from 4:30-6:30 p.m.
“We know a lot of young people have very busy schedules, and so do their parents,” Davidson said. “So we thought we’d try out a more flexible schedule with this club. Kids ages 9-15 are invited to stop by any time in the club’s window. We’ll dive into the different elements of writing, practicing various skills, and working towards a big project. The kids will decide on the project, but some ideas we’ve had is perhaps writing a book that we’ll have professionally bound, writing a one-act play that they can perform, or hosting a poetry reading.”
Another first for the Hillsboro Library is its new Pokemon Club. It will meet on Monday, Jan. 22 at 5:30 p.m. The club is designed for patrons ages 8-14.
“Each month, we’ll do some sort of Pokemon-related activity,” Davidson said. “For our first club, we’ll be making card boxes. And, of course, having some sort of Poké-snack.”
Additionally, the Hillsboro library is hosting a contest for National Hobby Month.
“We have tons of books on hobbies,” Davidson said. “Each time a patron checks out a book from our hobby display, they will get a slip to be entered in a drawing.”
Slips can also be earned by attending one of the library’s several activities, including Youth Writing Club and Pokémon Club, as well as: Craft-ernoons (tweens – adults, twice monthly), BYO-Book Club (adults), Travel Club (all ages), Trivia Tuesdays (tweens-adults, twice monthly), Write-Away Club (adults) and Comic Book Club (adults).
At the end of the month, the library will draw a name to win a $25 Hobby Lobby gift card.
January is also a busy month for the Hillsboro Children’s Library. According to manager Gabrielle Pitzer, “It is a new year and we have lots of new things planned. Each month will be jam-packed with activities for everyone.”
Two special programs with themed activities are planned:
· Winnie the Pooh Day – Thursday, Jan. 18, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
· National Puzzle Day – Monday, Jan. 29, 3-6 p.m.
Young patrons can also check out winter book bundles (Jan. 2 – March 2) to be entered in a drawing for a prize. Then, Jan. 16-20, they can check out a movie and be entered in a drawing for a movie night bucket.
The fun continues with a Heart Coloring Contest, Jan. 3 to Feb. 8, with the winner announced on Valentine’s Day. And starting on Jan. 29, kids are invited to make Valentine’s cards for the nursing homes, which will be delivered on Monday, Feb. 12.
Additionally, patrons grades K-6 can ask for an application to be a “Kid Librarian” to create their own book displays throughout the year.
“We are really excited about our Kid Librarian program. One of our favorite things to do is make interesting book displays and we can’t wait to see what the kids come up with for their own,” Pitzer said.
The children’s library will also continue its popular story times and Lego clubs. Story times are every Wednesday, at 11 a.m. for ages 0-2, and 11:30 a.m. for ages 3-5. Lego Clubs are every other Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. The meetings for this month are Jan. 9 and Jan. 23.
For more information on these or other programs at the Hillsboro Library, call 937-393-3114, visit www.highlandco.org, or search “Highland County District Library of Ohio” on Facebook.
Submitted by Sarah Davidson, circulation manager, Highland County District Library.
