APRIL 2026 Vol. 10, Issue 4 The monthly newsletter of the Dr. Samuel L. Bossard Memorial Library THE BOSSARD BEACON concludes April 19 Visit the exhibit to view LEGO® build challenge entries As of April 1, over 10,000 visits have been recorded to the Traveling Bricks exhibit! This unique exhibit, which opened at the library on January 17, features the history of human travel and transportation through LEGO® brick models. Divided into sections on land, sea, air, and space travel, Traveling Bricks features 120 models, including world-renowned vehicles such as the Titanic, the HMS Victory, and the Saturn V rocket, among many others. The exhibit also features a play area where children can create their own creations using LEGO® bricks or DUPLO® bricks. The exhibit will be open at the library through April 19. Admission is free and no reservations are required for parties of 10 or fewer individuals. For parties of 10 or more, please contact the library at 740.446.7323 In conjunction with the Traveling Bricks exhibit, the library has also partnered with the Gallia County Local School District, Gallipolis City School District, and the Ohio Valley Christian School for a LEGO® build challenge contest for all third, fourth, and fifth grade classrooms. Each classroom was provided with a classic LEGO® brick box to create their own travel- or transportation-themed model using their creative ingenuity and imaginations. These models will be on display in the library’s atrium. Third grade classroom models will be on display March 30 through April 3. fourth grade models will be on display April 6-10, and fifth grade models will be on display April 13-17. Library staff will vote on their favorite model from each grade level. The winning classrooms from each grade level will receive an ice cream party provided by the library! In addition, each classroom will get to keep their LEGO® brick boxes. Be sure to stop by the library to visit the Traveling Bricks exhibit and to view the classroom models. 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. The model of the Titanic is a focal point in the Traveling Bricks exhibit. Stop by the library to see this international exhibit by April 19!
Trivia Night Ages 13 and over Trivia Night in April will return to the library’s Riverside Room at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, April 30! Teams and individuals are welcome and encouraged to attend to compete for nominal prizes and bragging rights! Trivia Night is open to adults, teens, and families with children who are age 13 and over. Light refreshments will be provided. In-B-Tween Club Ages 7-9 The In-B-Tween Club will enjoy a reading of I’m So Happy You’re Here: A Celebration of Library Joy by Mychal Threets, illustrated by Lorraine Nam, during their first meeting in April. Attendees will enjoy decorating their own tote bag during this reading themed event! The second In-BTween Club meeting will feature a reading of Rachel the Radiographer by Chaundria Singleton. During this special radiology-themed event, the In-B-Tweens will enjoy an x-ray game, among other activities. Storytime at the Library Ages 3-6 After being held offsite during the run of the Traveling Bricks exhibit, weekly storytime will return to the library beginning at 10 a.m. on Monday, April 27. Children ages 36, along with their parents or caregivers, are encouraged to attend and enjoy a reading of Fran’s Flower by Lisa Bruce, illustrated by Rosalind Bruce. Storytime at GAHS Ages 3-6 Storytime at the Gallia Academy High School library will be held on April 13 with the GAHS baseball and softball athletes! Attendees will enjoy a reading of Pete the Cat, Play Ball! by Kimberly and James Dean and The Berenstain Bears Go Out for the Team by Stan and Jan Berenstain. Teen & Tween Book Club Ages 8-18 The Teen and Tween Book Clubs will meet at Final Boss Con at the University of Rio Grande Lyne Center on Saturday, April 25. Admission is free for members of the book clubs attending the event with the library. Final Boss Con features special guests, fandom quizzes, video game tournaments, cosplay contests, vendors, and more! For more information and to register, parents or guardians should contact Rachael at 740.446.7323 x 226 or email rbarker@bossardlibrary.org. Registration and liability from required. Evening Storytime Ages 3-6 Bossard Library will host an Easterthemed Evening Storytime in April featuring a reading of Stop That Bunny! by Alastair Heim, illustrated by Migy Blanco. Evening storytime is for children, ages 3-6, and their parents or caregivers. 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. Following the conclusion of the Traveling Bricks exhibit, adult coloring will return to the library’s Riverside 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 Our First Civil War: Patriots and Loyalists in the American Revolution by American historian and Pulitzer Prize finalist H.W. Brands during its April meeting. This nonfiction historical account presents a narrative of the American Revolution as neighbors were forced to choose sides in the fight against the British. Copies of Our First Civil War can be borrowed from the library, while the eBook and digital 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. 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 On Tuesdays, April 7 and 21, storytime will be held at the Gallipolis First Church of God, 1723 State Route 141, Gallipolis. On Monday, April 13, storytime will be held at the Gallia Academy High School library. Storytime will return to the library on Monday, April 27. Needlework Circle Ages 12 and over Needlework Circle will be 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 In April, Lapsit will be held at 10 a.m. each Thursday morning at the Gallipolis First Church of God, 1723 State Route 141, Gallipolis. 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 April is Raindrops to Rainbow by John Micklos, Jr., illustrated by Charlene Chua. 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! ‘Brick Daze’ with Paul Wellington, season four finalist from the television show LEGO® Masters and the founder and executive director of the American Construction Toy Museum of Norwood, Ohio, will return on Saturday, April 18 for a second “Brick Daze” event. Following a successful “Brick Daze” event on March 21, this second event will again be held at the Ohio Valley Christian School Gymnasium, 1100 Fourth Avenue, Gallipolis. Beginning at 10 a.m. and continuing until 4:30 p.m., Wellington will host various events throughout the day to challenge those in attendance with their building skills. The following is the schedule for April 18: • 10 a.m.-12 p.m.: LEGO Build Challenge and Derby Race For ages 3-9 • 12:30-1:30 p.m.: Build America 250 Challenges For all ages • 1:30-2:30 p.m.: Build Trivia For all ages • 2:30-3:30 p.m.: Build Bingo For all ages • 3:30-4:30 p.m.: Derby Race and Robot Builds For ages 10-18 Families are encouraged to attend one or multiple events. Admission is free and no prior registration is required. Paul Wellington Opportunity Bus returns on May 2 Bossard Library will once again charter a passenger bus on Saturday, May 2 to provide patrons with a unique opportunity for a full-day trip to a regional museum, cultural, or educational center! Details, including the location where the Opportunity Bus will travel, will be announced on Monday, April 6! The library hosted its first Opportunity Bus trip in April 2024 when a charter bus and over 50 library patrons traveled to Columbus, Ohio, to visit the Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition on display at the Center of Science and Industry (COSI). A second Opportunity Bus trip was hosted in 2025 when a charter bus traveled to the Ohio History Center in Columbus, Ohio, on Saturday, August 9. This trip was made possible by an America 250-Ohio Commission Grant. Those interested in traveling with the library on Saturday, May 2 should call 740.446.7323 or email programs@bossardlibrary.org starting on April 6. Pre-registration is required for the Opportunity Bus. The Opportunity Bus is for any patron age five and over. Minors under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a responsible adult. Patrons can enjoy the Opportunity Bus trip free of charge. A light breakfast, lunch, and a snack will be provided. The charter bus will depart from the library early in the morning on Saturday, May 2 and will return to the library the evening of Saturday, May 2. Patrons are responsible for their own transportation to and from the library. For additional details, please visit bossardlibrary.org on April 6!
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