Guernsey County District Public Library It is hard to believe we are wrapping up 2025! I would like to thank the staff for all its hard work this year that has allowed the library to delivery fantastic services and programs. I am also deeply appreciative of all the community partners we have had the pleasure of working with this past year. These relationships really allow the library to reach and serve more of our neighbors throughout Guernsey County. I hope this issue of our newsletter shows that we are committed to finishing this year strong and are looking forward to hitting the ground running in the new year. We aim to build from this year’s successes and established partnerships to continue to improve the library for all of our community. We want 2026 to be the best year yet and pledge to work hard to deliver that for everyone. We are your public library and want to make all of Guernsey County proud! Families are invited to visit with Santa and live alpacas on the lawn! There will be a free book for each child and activities to enjoy. Feel free to wear your pajamas as we celebrate like Llama Llama. Saturday, December 13th Crossroads Branch 11AM-2PM Winter Newsletter Adult Winter Reading Jingle Bell Bash Don’t Miss Events Michael Limer Guernsey County Library Director Snow better time to read! For every book you read or activity you participate in, you will receive a ticket to enter into a drawing for one of our really cool prizes! That’s a Wrap! Issue 14 December 2025-February 2026
HOMESCHOOL HUB Join other homeschooling families for library-led, education-based programs! For families with kids of all ages. Thursday, December 11 Holiday Traditions th Learn about Hanukkah, Christmas, Rohatsu, and other December holidays. Share your traditions, decorate cupcakes, and play games. Crossroads Branch 1-2PM Thursday, January 8 Hibernators th Activities, games, and more about animals that hibernate Crossroads Branch 1-2PM Thursday, January 22 STEM & nd Scavenger Hunt Build with STEM toys & complete a scavenger hunt for a prize. Crossroads Branch 1-2PM Monday, February 12 Valentine’s Day Experiments & Activities th Explore science through candy heart experiments & art. Crossroads Branch 1-2PM Thursday, February 26 Winter Art th Create snowflakes & snowman crafts. Crossroads Branch 1-2PM YOUTH SERVICES PROGRAMS FAMILIES WITH KIDS OF ALL AGES The 12 Days of Christmas: Children aged 3-8, sign up to receive a stack of 12 library books to unwrap each day leading up to Christmas. Spots are limited to the first 20 families. Call (740)432-7536 to register beginning Monday, November 17 . th Mollusks Program: Join library staff for a program with books and activities about snails and other shelled creatures! Tuesday, December 2 nd Old Washington Presbyterian Church 4-5PM Little Dickens Day Storytimes: Enjoy a Victorian Christmas storytime with books, songs, and more! Saturday, December 6th Downtown Branch 12 & 1PM
Jingle Bell Bash: Join us for a visit with Santa and live alpacas on the lawn! There will be a free book for each child and activities to enjoy. Feel free to wear your pajamas as we celebrate like Llama Llama. Saturday, December 13th Crossroads Branch 11AM-2PM Doritos Taste-Off: Come taste different chip flavors & help us decide which is best! Monday, December 15 th Crossroads Branch 5:30-7PM Artic Animals Program: Join library staff for a program with books and activities about arctic animals and their local relatives. Thursday, December 18th Eco Discovery Center, Salt Fork State Park 5-6PM Christmas Song Scavenger Hunt: Stop by any library branch during open hours, find all of the answers to complete the lyrics of popular holiday songs, and win a special wintery prize while supplies last! Monday, December 22nd YOUTH SERVICES PROGRAMS FAMILIES WITH KIDS OF ALL AGES FAMILIES WITH KIDS OF ALL AGES Nearly New Years’ Eve Party: Celebrate 2026 with games, cupcakes, and a glow dance party! Tuesday, December 30th Crossroads Branch 6:30-7:30PM Imagination Program: Join library staff for a book and activities to stretch your imagination. Tuesday, January 6 th Old Washington Presbyterian Church 4-5PM Valentine Box Decorating: Bring your own box and use our craft supplies to decorate it! Monday, February 2nd Crossroads Branch 5-7:30PM Music Program: Join library staff for a program with books and activities all about music! Tuesday, February 3rd Old Washington Presbyterian Church 4-5PM Family Storytime: Listen to a story and do related activities & crafts. Geared toward ages 3-8. Monday, February 23rd Crossroads Branch 6:30-7:30PM Mufasa Movie: Come enjoy a hot dog lunch while you watch the live-action prequel to The Lion King. While supplies last. Saturday, February 28 th Downtown Branch 11:30AM-1:30PM
YOUTH SERVICES PROGRAMS EARLY LITERACY (0-5 YEARS) Little Sprouts Storytime: Sing, talk, read, write, and play while we explore different nursery rhymes each week! *Mondays Downtown Branch 10-11 AM December 1 & 8 February 2, 9, & 23 *Tuesdays Byesville Branch 10-11 AM December 2 & 9 February 3, 10, 17, & 24 Watch. Play. Create. : A month full of fun activities ranging from crafts to STEM building to dance parties! *Mondays Downtown Branch 10-11 AM January 5, 12, & 26 *Tuesdays Byesville Branch 10-11 AM January 6, 13, 20, & 27 *Thursdays Crossroads Branch 10-11 AM January 8, 15, 22, & 29 Tots Time: staff-led activities such as books, games, songs, and crafts *Wednesdays Crossroads Branch 10-11 AM February 4 & 18 Tots Play: Come enjoy age-appropriate toys and activities and get to know other families with little ones. *Wednesdays Crossroads Branch 10-11 AM February 11 & 25 TOTS (0-36 MONTHS) TODDLERS (18-36 MONTHS) Toddler Play: Learn social skills and enjoy developmental activities Wednesday, December 3 rd Crossroads Branch 10-11 AM Toddler Time: staff-led activities such as books, games, songs, and crafts Wednesday, December 10 th Crossroads Branch 10-11 AM PRESCHOOL (3-5 YEARS) Storytime: Sing, talk, read, write, and play while we discover a new animal and learn about its habitat each week! *Thursdays Crossroads Branch 10-11AM December 4 & 11 February 5, 12, 19, & 26
YOUTH SERVICES PROGRAMS KIDS (5-10 YEARS) Reading Dragons “Where’s Waldo” Scavenger Hunt: Stop by any library branch the entire month of January during open hours and participate to receive a Where’s Waldo card! Kids’ Bead Program: Make crafts out of beads! Friday, January 16th Byesville Branch 4-5PM TEENS (11-17 YEARS) Teen Auction: We’ve been keeping track. The more programs you came to this year, the more “library cash” you’ve earned. Now’s the time to redeem that cash for real prizes in an auction against your peers! Teens will receive $20 library cash at the door the night of the auction. Tuesday, December 9 th Crossroads Branch 6-7:30PM Book Baubles Games: Use your collection to play games against other card collectors or come and learn about this fun cardcollecting program. Saturday, January 10 th Downtown Branch 11AM-12PM Anti-Valentine’s Day Party: This Friday the 13 , fight back against all of the th lovey-dovey feels with a party distinctly unromantic. Friday, February 13 th Crossroads Branch 4-5PM Christmas Lock-In: Eat sandwiches, create a gingerbread scene, sing karaoke, and play games. Permission slips are required and are available at any of our 3 branches from November 17 - December 1 . Limited to the first 25 teens registered. th st Friday, December 5th Crossroads Branch 6-11PM TEENS (11-17 YEARS)
The Underground Railroad Museum will have a powerful presentation that honors the extraordinary courage and unwavering spirit of black women throughout history. This program moves beyond the well-known stories of the Underground Railroad to illuminate the full scope of black women's activism, leadership, and resilience. Discover the triumphs of unsung heroines, from the 19th-century abolitionists who risked everything for freedom, to the suffragists who fought for the rights of all women, and to the activists who continue to drive movements for justice and equality today. February 12 th Crossroads Branch 5:30pm ADULT PROGRAMS 12 Days of Christmas Cookies OSU Extension Guernsey County Educator, Caitlin Smith, will be at the Byesville Branch to celebrate the 12 Days of Christmas Cookies! Learn about the origins of different types of traditional Christmas cookies. Taste delicious cookie recipes and participate in a hands-on cookie activity! Registration is limited to 20 participants. Call 740-432-5946 to register. December 1 , 8 , & 15 st th th Byesville Branch 5:30-6:30pm Chair Yoga In partnership with Hope from Iron Zen Yoga, Chair Yoga will be offered at the Crossroads Branch at 11am. To register call 740-432-7536. January 16 & 30 th th February 13 & 27 th th Crossroads Branch 11am Tai Chi Join OSU Extension Guernsey County Educator, Caitlin Smith, for Tai Chi at the Crossroads Branch on Wednesdays at 10am. January 7 , 14 , 21 , & 28 th th st th February 4 , 11 , 18 , & 25 th th th th Crossroads Branch 10am Book Tasting This is a chance to sample different genres and try out something new to satisfy your appetite for reading. Light refreshments will be provided. January 24 th Crossroads Branch 12pm Black Women in History
LIBRARY INFORMATION HOURS & LOCATIONS Byesville Branch 100 Glass Ave Byesville, OH 740-685-2236 Hours: Mon-Fri 9:00-5:30 Sat 10:00-2:00 Sun CLOSED Downtown Branch 800 Steubenville Ave Cambridge, OH 740-432-5946 Hours: Mon-Fri 9:00-5:30 Sat 10:00-2:00 Sun CLOSED Crossroads Branch 63500 Byesville Rd Cambridge, OH 740-432-7536 Hours: Mon-Wed 9:00-8:00 Thurs-Fri 9:00-5:30 Sat 10:00-2:00 Sun CLOSED BOOK CLUBS Downtown Book Club December 18 - The Christmas Appeal th By Janice Hallett January 15 - The Impossible Fortune th By Richard Osman February 19 - The Pioneers th By David McCullough. Meets the Third Thursday each month 3pm at the Downtown Branch Crossroads Book Club December 16 - Time of the Child th By Niall Williams January 20 - The House in the Cerulean Sea th By T. J. Klune. February 17 - The Last Devil to Die th By Richard Osman Meets the Third Tuesday each month 6pm at the Crossroads Branch Off the Shelf Book Club This Book Club meet online Join our Facebook group for the Off the Shelf Book Club December 13 -Downtown & Byesville closed th for the Jingle Bell Bash December 24 - Christmas Eve th December 25 - Christmas th December 31 - All branches close at 5:30pm st January 1 - New Years Day st January 19 - Martin Luther King Jr. Day th February 16 - Presidents’ Day th LIBRARY CLOSURES
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday December 1 2 3 4 5 6 13 20 27 3 2 1 31 30 29 22 15 8 9 10 11 12 19 26 25 24 23 16 17 18 WINTER CALENDAR FAMILIES WITH KIDS OF ALL AGES EARLY LITERACY (0-5 YEARS) TOTS (0-36 MONTHS) TODDLERS (18-36 MONTHS) PRESCHOOL (3-5 YEARS) KIDS (5-10 YEARS) TEENS (11-17 YEARS) ADULT (18+) ADULT BOOK CLUB Bookmobile Schedule Sign for our emails Facebook www.guernseycountylibrary.org Storytime Downtown 10am Storytime Downtown 10am Storytime Byesville 10am Storytime Byesville 10am Jingle Bell Bash Crossroads 11-2pm Closed Christmas Eve Closed Christmas Closed New Year’s Day Doritos Taste-Off Crossroads 5:30pm Artic Animals Program Eco Discovery Center 5pm Christmas Song Scavenger Hunt All branches All day Nearly New Year’s Eve Party Crossroads 6:30pm Mollusks Program Old Washington UPC 4pm Little Dickens Day Storytimes Downtown 12 & 1pm Homeschool Hub Holiday Traditions Crossroads 1pm Toddler Play Crossroads 10am Toddler Time Crossroads 10am Preschool Storytime Crossroads 10am Preschool Storytime Crossroads 10am Teen Lock-In Crossroads 6pm Teen Auction Crossroads 6pm 12 Days of Christmas Cookies Byesville 5:30pm 12 Days of Christmas Cookies Byesville 5:30pm 12 Days of Christmas Cookies Byesville 5:30pm Crossroads Book Club 6pm Downtown Book Club 3pm Reading Dragons Where’s Waldo Scavenger Hunt All Branches All January
January February Saturday Friday Thursday Wednesday Tuesday Monday 12 13 14 15 16 17 19 20 21 22 23 24 26 27 28 29 30 31 2 3 4 5 6 7 9 10 11 12 13 14 16 17 18 19 20 21 23 24 25 26 27 28 5 6 7 8 9 10 Storytime Byesville 10am Closed Presidents’ Day Storytime Downtown 10am Storytime Downtown 10am Storytime Downtown 10am Storytime Byesville 10am Storytime Byesville 10am Storytime Byesville 10am Closed MLK Day Imagination Program Old Washington UPC 4pm Valentine Box Decorating Crossroads 5pm Music Program Old Washington UPC 4pm Mufasa Movie Downtown 11:30am Family Storytime Crossroads 6:30pm Homeschool Hub Hibernators Crossroads 1pm Homeschool Hub STEM & Scavenger Hunt Crossroads 1pm Homeschool Hub Valentine’s Day Experiments Crossroads 1pm Homeschool Hub Winter Art Crossroads 1pm Watch. Play. Create Byesville 10am Watch. Play. Create Byesville 10am Watch. Play. Create Byesville 10am Watch. Play. Create Byesville 10am Watch. Play. Create Downtown 10am Watch. Play. Create Downtown 10am Watch. Play. Create Downtown 10am Watch. Play. Create Downtown 10am Watch. Play. Create Downtown 10am Watch. Play. Create Downtown 10am Watch. Play. Create Downtown 10am Tots Time Crossroads 10am Tots Time Crossroads 10am Tots Play Crossroads 10am Tots Play Crossroads 10am Preschool Storytime Crossroads 10am Preschool Storytime Crossroads 10am Preschool Storytime Crossroads 10am Preschool Storytime Crossroads 10am Kid’s Bead Program Byesville 4pm Book Baubles Games Downtown 11am Anti-Valentine’s Day Party Crossroads 4pm Tai Chi Crossroads 10am Tai Chi Crossroads 10am Tai Chi Crossroads 10am Tai Chi Crossroads 10am Tai Chi Crossroads 10am Tai Chi Crossroads 10am Tai Chi Crossroads 10am Tai Chi Crossroads 10am Chair Yoga Crossroads 11am Chair Yoga Crossroads 11am Chair Yoga Crossroads 11am Chair Yoga Crossroads 11am Book Tasting Crossroads 12pm Black Women in History Crossroads 5:30pm Crossroads Book Club 6pm Crossroads Book Club 6pm Downtown Book Club 3pm Downtown Book Club 3pm
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