Bellaire Public Library

Ohio Valley Promenaders
2026-06-30 16:45 - 21:00, 2026-06-23 16:45 - 21:00, 2026-06-16 16:45 - 21:00, 2026-06-09 16:45 - 21:00, 2026-06-02 16:45 - 21:00, 2026-05-26 16:45 - 21:00, 2026-05-19 16:45 - 21:00 (America/New_York) | Bellaire Public Library, 330 32nd Street, Bellaire, OH, 43906, United States
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.

Cardio Drumming
2026-06-29 18:00 - 19:00, 2026-06-22 18:00 - 19:00, 2026-06-15 18:00 - 19:00, 2026-06-08 18:00 - 19:00, 2026-06-01 18:00 - 19:00, 2026-05-18 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!

Lil' Bookworms Story Time and Dino-craft
2026-06-26 10:30 - 11:00, 2026-06-12 10:30 - 11:00
📚🦖 Bring your little ones for a cozy, joy‑filled time at the library—with a prehistoric twist! Lil’ Bookworms Story Time & Dino‑Craft is perfect for children ages 3 through Pre‑K, but all ages are welcome to join the fun. 🦖📚

Each 30‑minute session includes a delightful reptile or dinosaur‑themed story and craft, with plenty of giggles, imagination, and discovery. Spend time with Miss Bri as stories come to life and little hands create something special to take home—often inspired by dinosaurs, fossils, and the world long ago.
It’s a fun and gentle way to celebrate summer, spark curiosity, and build a love of books during our Summer Reading Program!

Programs: Fridays at 10:30 am

June 12: 🐍 Snakes
We’ll read “Snakes on the Job,” a story filled with sibilant sounds and wordplay. The snakes slide into trucks and roll out slowly, operating various construction vehicles like bulldozers and diggers, while building a surprise.
Craft: Spiral Snakes
June 19: 🚫 No program — Library closed for Juneteenth
June 26: 🐘 Mammoths
Does your wooly mammoth need a wash? It’s not very easy to do… Find out exactly how when we read, “How to Wash a Wooly Mammoth,” a hilarious instruction manual.
Craft: Woolly Mammoth Handprint
July 10: 🦕 Pet Dinosaur
What would you do it, instead of a cat or a goldfish, you had a dinosaur for a pet? Well, that’s exactly what happens to the little boy in, “How to Take Care of Your Dinosaur,” where an enormous egg appears one day.
Craft: “Hatch” your own pet dinosaur
July 17: 🦅 Pterodactyl
Teddy the T-Rex is jealous that his best friend Pete the Pterodactyl can fly. Pete can catch balls that fly high in the air, he can help the teacher with things she can reach, and basically, he just seems cooler than Teddy at “Dino School.”
Craft: Toilet Paper Roll Pterodactyl
July 24: ⚒️ Fossils
Rhythmical text and lively, well-researched illustrations follow a paleontologist and his crew as they find, clean, assemble, and exhibit dinosaur bones in, “Dig Those Dinosaurs.”
Craft: My Dinosaur Fossil

Summer Reading 2026

Family Program: Handmade Paper Making
2026-06-24 18:00 - 19:00
📄✨ Get creative as a family and discover the art of handmade paper making! In this hands‑on program, participants will learn how paper is made from start to finish and create their own unique sheets using recycled materials. ✨📄

This fun, interactive experience blends creativity, learning, and a little bit of messy fun—perfect for crafters of all ages. Each family will leave with their own handmade paper and a new appreciation for this everyday material.
Join us at the Bellaire Public Library for a memorable, make‑together experience that’s both educational and creative!

Summer Reading 2026

Summer Reading Club: Unearth a Story
2026-06-24 13:00 - 14:00, 2026-06-17 13:00 - 14:00, 2026-06-10 13:00 - 14:00
🦖 Summer Reading Club: Unearth a Story 🦕

Dig into summer fun at the Bellaire Public Library! Our Summer Reading Club programs take place Wednesdays at 1:00 p.m. and are designed for kids in grades 1–6.
Using the 2026 CSLP theme “Unearth a Story,” this exciting series runs from June 10 through July 22 and features a variety of hands‑on programs, with many focusing on dinosaurs, fossils, and prehistoric adventures. Participants can expect stories, activities, crafts, games, and special programs that spark curiosity and bring ancient worlds to life.
Whether your child is a dino expert or just loves to explore, our Summer Reading Club offers a fun and engaging way to learn, imagine, and read all summer long!
📚🦕 All programs are free, and everyone is welcome.

Programs: Wednesdays at 1:00 pm

June 10: 🦁 Zoo to You
A zoo educator introduces you to some of our favorite animal ambassadors, from birds and reptiles to amphibians and small mammals (sorry, the zebra just won’t fit in the van!)
June 17: 🦖 Dynamic Dinosaurs
T. Rex and other amazing dinosaurs will be explored in this interactive program with large fossil replicas and actual fossils. Find out how big these creatures were, what they ate, and other interesting information.
June 24: 🏺 Archeology
Dig into the past! Kids will excavate, paint, and engrave their own plaster “petroglyph” while discovering how archaeologists uncover prehistoric art.
July 8: 🚂 Toys & Trains
The Kruger Street Toy & Train Museum’s Educational Outreach Program offers interactive experiences with toys, dinosaurs, and everyday life.
July 15: 🦕 Dino Zipline
Dino Ziplines is a hands-on STEM program where students design an build a transporter to safely deliver a dinosaur egg to its nest using a zip line system. Participants will test and improve their designs while exploring basic engineering principles and problem-solving concepts.
July 22: ⚒️ Interactive Fossils
Witness the magic of learning through virtual activities. Students get up close and personal with genuine fossils, sparking their curiosity and fostering a love for science.

Summer Reading 2026

Teen Day Camp
2026-06-24 09:30 - 15:00
Teens! 😎 Join us this summer for fun, learning, and exploration at our two Teen Day Camps. Each day will feature interactive activities and will conclude with a hands-on science experiment. It’s a great opportunity to build new skills and expand your knowledge this summer.
Day Camp Schedule:

Wednesday, June 24: Solar Nachos 🌞🧀
Explore solar energy by constructing a solar oven and cooking nachos!
Tuesday, July 21: Rocket Launch 🚀✨
Harness the potential of creativity and engineering by mastering the construction of rockets to launch.

Both programs will run from 9:30 am to 3:00 pm and lunch will be provided for all participants.
Registration:
Registration is mandatory to participate in one or both sessions. To register, please call 740-676-9421 or visit the library to sign up in person.

Partnership:
The Teen Day Camp programs are offered through a partnership with the Belmont County OSU Extension Office and 4-H Program.

Summer Reading 2026

Library Closed on Juneteenth
2026-06-19 09:00 - 19:00
The Bellaire Public Library closes annually on June 19th in observance of Juneteenth, a federal holiday commemorating the end of slavery and recognizing freedom and emancipation in the United States.
Juneteenth, the oldest known celebration of the end of slavery in the United States, is observed every year on June 19, the day the news of the Emancipation Proclamation reached enslaved people in Galveston, Texas, in 1865. On June 19, 1865, Major General Gordon Granger and Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, bringing news that the American Civil War had ended and enslaved people were now free, 2½ years after President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation became official on Jan. 1, 1863. The 13th Amendment, ratified in 1865, abolished slavery throughout the United States.
Juneteenth became a federal holiday in 2021.

Books Anytime Online

While the Library will be closed for the holiday, access to our digital services is always available remotely. Check out e-books, streaming audio or video, digital magazines, and more through Ohio Digital Library. Get access on your tablet or smartphone through the Libby app.

Stories in Stones with Daniel Caron
2026-06-17 18:00 - 19:00
Join us for a fascinating journey into the past with photographer Daniel Caron as part of our “Unearth a Story” Summer Reading Program. During time spent in New Mexico, Daniel captured striking photographs of fossils and stone formations, revealing the incredible stories hidden within the earth. 📸

Through images and storytelling, this presentation explores how fossils connect us to ancient worlds and how photography can preserve and share these moments in time. Perfect for curious minds, nature lovers, and anyone interested in science, history, and discovery.
Come along as we uncover the stories written in stone—millions of years in the making!

Summer Reading 2026

BPL Board of Trustees Meeting
2026-06-16 18:00 - 19:00, 2026-05-19 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

Dino Academy: A Dinosaur Puppet Discover Show
2026-06-05 13:00 - 14:00
🦖 Step into the prehistoric world with Dino Academy! 🌋

Led by the quirky and curious Dr. Sarah Tops 🧑‍🔬, this action‑packed adventure uncovers fascinating dino facts 📚 that will wow even the biggest dinosaur fans.
Featuring life‑like, colorful dinosaur puppets 🦕🦖 that stomp, roar, and charm 🎭 their way into every heart, this show blends science 🔬, storytelling 📖, and imagination ✨ in the style of your favorite nature programs.
It’s an unforgettable field trip through time ⏳—without ever leaving your seat! 🎉

Family friendly. Kids of all ages welcome.
Summer Reading 2026

Summer Fair Night Market - Summer Reading Kick-Off
2026-06-04 17:00 - 20:00
🌞 Summer Fair & Summer Reading Kickoff 🌞

Join the Bellaire Public Library for our Summer Fair, a free, family‑friendly celebration to kick off our Summer Reading Program! Stop by for an evening full of fun, food, music, and community.
🎈 Activities & Entertainment include:
• Inflatable bounce houses
• Balloon artist
• Music by Mr. K DJ
• Kirke’s Ice Cream Truck
• The Gringo Taco Truck
• Night Farmers Market featuring more than a dozen local vendors, offering handmade items, goodies, food, and more—perfect for browsing while you enjoy the fair atmosphere.
📚 Learn about our Summer Reading Program, sign up for challenges, and celebrate the start of summer with friends, family, and neighbors.
📅 Date: Thursday, June 4, 2026
⏰ Time: 5:00–8:00 p.m.
📍 Location: Bellaire Public Library, 330 32nd Street, Bellaire, OH
✨ Everyone is welcome!

Thank you to our sponsor:
The Summer Fair is sponsored in part by the Sinclair Foundation.

Friends of the Ohio River and Western Railway Historical Society 2026 Annual Meeting
2026-05-30 10:00 - 17:00
Join the “Friends” at their 2026 Annual Meeting this year in Bellaire, Ohio. Enjoy engaging presentations and a guided walking and driving tour that brings to life the sights and sounds of Ohio’s last narrow-gauge railway – the Ohio River and Western Railway.

Learn about the railroad’s origins, explore historical and modern images of Bellaire. Discover the story of the last run and learn about our ongoing preservation efforts of the remaining equipment. The walking and driving tours include stops in the Bellaire and Shadyside areas.

The Library’s Local History Room will be open during the meeting and BPL’s Frank Curtis Narrow-Gauge Railroad collection will be available to view, along with other railroad related collections.

Agenda:
Registration: 9:45 am-10:00 am

Morning: 10:00 am – 10:15 am

Annual Business Meeting
Will Lawson, Friends Director

PowerPoint Presentations: 10:15 am – 12:30 pm

John Sullivan and the Great Stone Viaduct, presented by Daniel Frizzi, author & historian
Bellaire to Shadyside narrow-gauge origins, presented by Bill Logan, rail historian
OR&W Preservation Efforts, presented by Bo DeCoy, modeler, Friends Director

Lunch: 12:30 – 1:00 pm
Afternoon Tour: 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm

Great Stone Viaduct
OR&W/B&O Station locations
John Sullivan Memorial and Park
OR&W turntable location
Avondale Station
Shadyside Station
Coach #15
Webb Mine location
Lashley Station
Mapleton Station

End of Tour: Dinner Shadyside on your own.

Library Closes at 4 PM on the Last Friday of the Month
2026-05-29 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

Closed Over Memorial Day Weekend
2026-05-24 09:00 - 19:00, 2026-05-23 09:00 - 14:00
The Library will be closed over the Memorial Day weekend, Saturday, May 23, through Monday, May 25. As we head into the holiday weekend, we extend our gratitude to all the men and women who sacrificed their lives while serving in the country’s armed forces and wish our patrons a peaceful and safe holiday. Normal Library hours will resume on Tuesday, May 26.
