Homeschool Learning Club
2025-12-17 14:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | Bellaire Public Library, 330 32nd Street, Bellaire, OH, 43906, United States
The library is excited to announce the launch of its new Homeschool Learning Club (HLC), designed specifically for homeschooled children ages 5-10. Building on the success of our popular Lil’ Bookworms Story Time & Craft program, this innovative learning club will engage young learners through a variety of literacy and STEAM-related activities each month. Participants will enjoy hands-on experiences that blend reading, science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics, fostering a comprehensive approach to learning in a supportive environment.
HLC takes place on the third Wednesday of every month at 2:00 PM.

2025 Schedule:

September 17: GAMES
Book: “Join in and Play”
Join us as we read a story about meeting friends and cooperation. Following, we will practice our skills by playing BIG games.
October 15: SPACE
Book: “The Spacesuit”
Off we go! After reading The Spacesuit, we will become engineers and build rocket ships to explore outer space.
November 19: AMERICA
Book: “America is…”
What does freedom mean to you? Come along as we journey through America and explore different parts of our great nation. We will then make a torch to light the way.
December 17: SNOW
Book: “Snowflake Bentley”
Do you live in a place where it snows every year? Or maybe you live somewhere so warm that it never snows! Wherever you live, you can have fun learning about snow!

Cardio Drumming
2025-12-22 18:00 - 19:00, 2025-12-29 18:00 - 19:00, 2026-01-05 18:00 - 19:00, 2026-01-12 18:00 - 19:00, 2026-01-19 18:00 - 19:00, 2026-01-26 18:00 - 19:00, 2026-02-02 18:00 - 19:00
Cardio drumming is a high-energy workout that combines rhythmic drumming with full-body movements to upbeat music. Using a stability ball, drumsticks, and a bucket, participants drum, dance, and sweat their way through a heart-pumping routine that’s as fun as it is effective. It’s a great way to burn calories, boost coordination, and relieve stress—all while feeling like a rockstar! No experience needed and great for all fitness levels!
Cardio Drumming classes will be led by Nicole Smolenak on MONDAY nights at 6 pm. Starting in December, the cardio drumming classes will be on Monday nights.
Note: The Library has six cardio drumming kits available for people new to cardio drumming to test out, but regular participants are encouraged to bring their own gear.
What do you need to get started cardio drumming?

A large inflated exercise ball
A large bucket or basket to hold the ball (the opening should be just slightly smaller than the circumference of the ball so that the ball is suspended in the basket/bucket).
Drumsticks
Enthusiasm!

That’s it! Cardio drumming takes minimal supplies and a kit can usually be assembled for around $25-30.
What it’s look like?
How much fun is this? You know you want to try it!

Closed Christmas Eve & Christmas Day
2025-12-24 09:00 - 19:00, 2025-12-25 09:00 - 18:00
The Library will be closed both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day to allow our team time to celebrate the season with loved ones.
Regular hours will resume on Friday, December 26.
Wishing you a joyful and peaceful holiday!

Library Closes Early on New Year's Eve
2025-12-31 14:30 - 19:00
We will be closing at 2:30 pm on New Year’s Eve (Wednesday, December 31) and closed all of New Year’s Day (Thursday, January 1) to ring in the new year and give our team a well-deserved break.
Regular hours will resume on Friday, January 2.
Wishing you a happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year!

Closed on New Year's Day
2026-01-01 09:00 - 18:00

Ohio Valley Promenaders
2026-01-06 16:45 - 21:00, 2026-01-13 16:45 - 21:00, 2026-01-20 16:45 - 21:00, 2026-02-03 16:45 - 21:00
The Ohio Valley Promenaders offer line dance and square dance lessons on Tuesdays in the Community Room on the lower level of the Bellaire Public Library. The lessons are open to all ages. While many of the Promenaders are seasoned pros, the group is always accepting new members and the first lesson is free! Newcomers can jump in quickly, as square dancing is based on walking to eight counts, and the caller leads dancers on what to do in a “learn as you go” fashion.
Promenaders Schedule:

Line Dance: Improvers — Tuesdays from 4:45 to 6:00 pm
Line Dance: Beginners — Tuesdays from 6:00 to 7:00 pm
Square Dancers — Tuesdays from 7:00 to 9:00 pm

The cost per program is $5 to help cover expenses.
The OV Promenaders have been dancing since 1970!
➤ For questions about square dancing, call Nancy Campbell at 740-676-2136.
➤ For questions about line dancing, call Jenny Roupe at 304-280-5211.
*NOTE: This is not a library-affiliated program. The Ohio Valley Promenaders group solely arranges the line dancing and square dancing lessons.

Afterschool Teen Programs
2026-01-12 15:00 - 16:00
Our Afterschool Teen Library Program offers a fun, safe, and welcoming space where teens in grades 6–12 can explore new interests, build skills, and connect with friends. Together with OSU Extension & 4‑H, we’ve created a lineup of hands‑on, curiosity‑sparked activities that empower teens to learn, create, and discover—all while having a great time.

Whether they’re creating art, raising chicks, engineering indoor gardens, or launching rockets, teens can expect an exciting mix of learning and fun. We invite all teens to join us after school for engaging programs, new friendships, and a place to feel inspired!

Each month features a different themed program:

January 12th at 3:00 pm: ❄️ Snow Art – A creative winter workshop where teens experiment with artistic techniques to make unique snow‑inspired creations.
February 10th & 24th at 3:00 pm: 🐣 ChickQuest – A deep dive into biology and agriculture as teens explore the full lifecycle of chickens and learn the science behind avian development.
March 9th & 23rd at 3:00 pm: 🌿 Indoor Garden Creators – A blend of creativity, sustainability, and plant science as teens build and care for their own indoor gardens.
April 7th & 21st at 3:00 pm: 💧 Hydroponics for Teens – An introduction to soil‑less gardening that teaches sustainable agriculture and hands‑on growing techniques.
May 11th at 3:00 pm: 🦋 Butterfly Conservation – Teens learn about butterflies, their ecosystems, and how to support local conservation efforts.
☀️ 🚀 Summer Day Camps – Two exciting day-long summer experiences:

Solar Energy Day Camp (June 24)
Rocketry Day Camp (July 21)
Each camp offers interactive workshops that ignite a passion for science and technology.

Lil' Bookworms Story Time & Craft
2026-01-15 17:00 - 17:30, 2026-01-16 10:30 - 11:00, 2026-01-22 17:00 - 17:30, 2026-01-23 10:30 - 11:00, 2026-01-29 17:00 - 17:30, 2026-01-30 10:30 - 11:00
BPL’s Lil’ Bookworm Story Times and Craft are designed for children ages 3 through Pre-K, though all ages are welcome. These programs typically run about half an hour. Join Miss Bri for a story, a craft, and lots of fun on Thursday evenings at 5:00 pm and Friday mornings at 10:30 am.
Winter/Spring 2026 Schedule:
➤ Download a printable brochure schedule

Thurs., Jan. 15 at 5:00 PM and Fri., Jan. 16 at 10:30 AM
Let it snow! Through cleverly positioned die-cut windows, little readers can watch Flip the penguin build a snowman—then pull a tab to make it snow so he can start another. Following, we will build our own marshmallow snowmen.
Thurs., Jan. 22 at 5:00 PM and Fri., Jan. 23 at 10:30 AM
When you have a pair of warm mittens and a great imagination, a snowy day is an invitation to explore and have fun. So Zoey the daring chicken and Sam the loyal pig are headed to the North Pole! We will then make our own watercolor resist mittens.
Thurs., Jan. 29 at 5:00 PM and Fri., Jan. 30 at 10:30 AM
A little groundhog named Tess tries every trick to avoid going to sleep for the winter. . . and almost misses Groundhog Day! Afterwards, at our craft time will make a little groundhog to hibernate.
Thurs., Feb. 5 at 5:00 PM and Fri., Feb. 6 at 10:30 AM
After a variety of animals get stuck one by one in bubble gum melting in the road, they must survive encounters with a big blue truck and a burly black bear. Join in the fun by making a craft fingerprint bubble gum machine.
Thurs., Feb. 12 at 5:00 PM and Fri., Feb. 13 at 10:30 AM
From frilly hearts and silly hearts to growing hearts and glowing hearts, there’s plenty of love to go around. Will you join the peas in giving away some valentines? Any kind will do… Every hap-pea heart says, “I Love You!” Go home with a heart gnome.
Thurs., Feb. 19 at 5:00 PM and Fri., Feb. 20 at 10:30 AM
Eigen’s mom has come to talk to Mrs. Connor’s class about a special holiday called Lunar New Year. She tells them all the fun ways that the holiday is celebrated around the world. After reading the book, we will make Chinese paper lanterns.
Thurs., Feb. 26 at 5:00 PM and Fri., Feb. 27 at 10:30 AM
They say a leopard can’t change its spots—but Spot sure can! There will be a special treat at today’s story time: polka-dot cookies (allergy note: sugar cookies with yellow, blue, red, and green frosting).
Thurs., Mar. 5 at 5:00 PM and Fri., Mar. 6 at 10:30 AM
The Duckling asks for a cookie—and gets one! It isn’t fair! The Pigeon NEVER gets what he asks for. Do YOU think the Pigeon should get a cookie, too? C is for cookie will be the craft because everyone should get a cookie.
Thurs., Mar. 12 at 5:00 PM and Fri., Mar. 13 at 10:30 AM
We’ll be wearing green this week. Will you? Celebrate with us by reading Happy St. Patrick’s Day from the Crayons and making your own handprint rainbow.
Thurs., Mar. 19 at 5:00 PM and Fri., Mar. 20 at 10:30 AM
Illustrations of puddles, peeping birds, blooming boughs, sunshine, and kites are brought joyously to life in a lyrical and colorful celebration of spring. A rain-themed art project will round out today’s story time.
Thurs., Mar. 26 at 5:00 PM and Fri., Mar. 27 at 10:30 AM
Velvet tries to persuade Bamboo not to be afraid of dragonflies. Will it be a successful effort? After we read the story, we will make tissue paper dragonfly friends to take home.
Thurs., Apr. 2 at 5:00 PM and Fri., Apr. 3 at 10:30 AM
When Pete wakes up Easter morning, ready to check out his basket of goodies, he discovers the Easter Bunny needs a little extra help. Our favorite groovy blue cat puts on his bunny ears and finds a way to collect, paint, and hide the eggs all in time for Easter. Puffy paint marshmallow bunnies will then be created.
Thurs., Apr. 9 at 5:00 PM and Fri., Apr. 10 at 10:30 AM
We will read the hit book about a willful young frog with a serious identity crisis and his heard-it-all-before father. Frog wants to be anything but a frog, but learns that being himself isn’t bad. After we read, we’ll create frog headbands to complement the story.
Thurs., Apr. 16 at 5:00 PM and Fri., Apr. 17 at 10:30 AM
A charming ode to a toddler’s love of trains, whether sending toy animals on a journey around a model track or driving a cardboard-box locomotive, this little puppy really likes trains. All aboard! Go home with your own paper train.
Thurs., Apr. 23 at 5:00 PM and Fri., Apr. 24 at 10:30 AM
Celebrate National Library Week with Daniel Tiger and Prince Wednesday. They are so excited for story time at the library! But first they have to learn how to be calm and quiet. Can they calm down before story time starts? We’ll make paper bookworms to celebrate.

Library Closed on MLK Day
2026-01-19 09:00 - 19:00
Holiday Closure Notice:
The Bellaire Public Library will be closed on Monday, January 19 in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a federal holiday set aside to honor the legacy of Dr. King, his commitment to education, and his unwavering pursuit of justice. We wish everyone a restful and reflective holiday.
Regular hours will resume on Tuesday, January 20.

Online offerings always available:
Even though the library will be closed, our online offerings are always available. Download e-books, audiobooks, e-magazines, and more at The Ohio Digital Library online or through your smartphone with the Libby app. All you need is your library card to get started!

BPL Board of Trustees Meeting
2026-01-20 18:00 - 19:00
MONTHLY BOARD MEETINGS:
The Board of Trustees meet on the third Tuesday of each month at 6:00 p.m. in the library’s Table Room.
PLEASE NOTE: The June 2025 meeting will be held the fourth Tuesday of the month, June 24.
When a holiday falls on the 3rd Tuesday, the Board will then meet on either the second or fourth Tuesday of the month at 6:00 p.m.
All are welcome to attend.

➤ Learn more about BPL’s Board of Trustees

Homeschool Learning Club
2026-01-21 14:00 - 15:00
Our Homeschool Learning Club is a welcoming, hands‑on learning program designed for homeschooled children ages 5–10. Each month, young learners dive into engaging literacy and STEAM activities—exploring reading, science, technology, engineering, arts, and math in fun and creative ways.
Through interactive projects, experiments, stories, and problem‑solving challenges, kids build skills, confidence, and curiosity in a supportive environment. Whether they’re crafting, investigating, building, or imagining, participants get a chance to learn by doing—and to connect with other homeschool families along the way.
Join us each month for a blend of discovery, creativity, and community!
Winter/Spring 2026 Schedule:
❄️Wednesday, January 21: Eskimos
The Inuit are a unique indigenous group in Canada, mainly residing in the Arctic regions. They possess a rich cultural heritage and a distinct lifestyle. Engage with a Canadian who has lived in the Arctic to experience authentic clothing, traditions, and daily life.
🐔 Wednesday, February 18 and Tuesday, February 24: Chickens
ChickQuest: We’ll be incubating chickens! From monitoring living eggs to observing fluffy chicks, students will learn about animal agriculture and egg production with help from the Ohio State University Extension Office. Ohio is the second-highest state in national egg production, and Ohio’s soybean crop provides food for chickens.
💧 Wednesday, March 18: Capillary Action
The walking water science experiment highlights how liquids can move through materials illustrating fundamental concepts in chemistry and biology.
🎨 Wednesday, April 15: Art
Dive into the world of splatter art and create unique masterpieces reminiscent of famed artists like Jackson Pollock and Shozo Shimamoto.

Library Closed Due to County-Wide Snow Emergency
2026-01-26 08:00 - 17:00
As of this morning, Belmont County is still under a Level 3 snow emergency. For everyone’s safety, the Library will be closed today (Monday, January 26). We apologize for the inconvenience. We hope everyone stays safe and warm throughout this wintery day.
Even though we are closed, the Library’s digital resources are always available and accessible from the safety of your home, with no hazardous driving to the Library in bad weather necessary. Check out e-books, magazines, audio, and more on your mobile device. Just grab your library card and head to https://ohdbks.overdrive.com/ or use the Libby app on your smartphone or tablet to download a cozy read.

Bright Minds Book Club
2026-01-27 16:00 - 17:00
The Bright Minds Book Club is a little different than your standard book club. Instead of picking a single book that everyone reads together, we will announce a theme, and students in grades 1-8 can select a book related to that theme to read. On the last Tuesday of each month, we will meet for a discussion about that topic and how the books everyone chose relate to it. Each month, we will also engage in a craft or activity at the book club that reflects the theme. Miss Bri will lead the monthly discussion for the younger kids and Mr. Chad will lead the conversation with the older students.
Bright Minds Book Club Winter Schedule:
January 2026:

Theme: Winter
Book Club Date: Tuesday, January 27 at 4:00 pm
Book Club Activity: Blizzard in a jar

February 2026:

Theme: Red
Book Club Date: Tuesday, February 24 at 4:00 pm
Book Club Activity: Candy Hearts

March 2026:

Theme: Green
Book Club Date: Tuesday, March 31 at 4:00 pm
Book Club Activity: Grow a Rainbow

April 2026:

Theme: Spring
Book Club Date: Tuesday, April 28 at 4:00 pm
Book Club Activity: Save Fred the Worm

Ohio Valley Promenaders on Jan 27 Due to Cold
2026-01-27 16:45 - 21:00
TONIGHT’S JAN. 27 EVENT CANCELLED DUE TO COLD WEATHER!
The Ohio Valley Promenaders offer line dance and square dance lessons on Tuesdays in the Community Room on the lower level of the Bellaire Public Library. The lessons are open to all ages. While many of the Promenaders are seasoned pros, the group is always accepting new members and the first lesson is free! Newcomers can jump in quickly, as square dancing is based on walking to eight counts, and the caller leads dancers on what to do in a “learn as you go” fashion.
Promenaders Schedule:

Line Dance: Improvers — Tuesdays from 4:45 to 6:00 pm
Line Dance: Beginners — Tuesdays from 6:00 to 7:00 pm
Square Dancers — Tuesdays from 7:00 to 9:00 pm

The cost per program is $5 to help cover expenses.
The OV Promenaders have been dancing since 1970!
➤ For questions about square dancing, call Nancy Campbell at 740-676-2136.
➤ For questions about line dancing, call Jenny Roupe at 304-280-5211.
*NOTE: This is not a library-affiliated program. The Ohio Valley Promenaders group solely arranges the line dancing and square dancing lessons.

Library Closes at 4 PM on the Last Friday of the Month
2026-01-30 16:00 - 17:00
The Library closes one hour early once a month, generally on the last Friday of each month, for a staff meeting/training.
2025 – 4:00 PM Friday Closings:

Jan. 3
Feb. 7
Mar. 7
Apr. 4
May 30
June – no meeting, library will remain open until 5:00 on June 27
July 25
Aug. 29
Sept. 26
Oct. 31
Nov. 28
Dec. 26
