Bellaire Public Library

Spring Story Time and Craft
2025-04-04 10:30 - 11:00, 2025-04-03 17:00 - 17:30, 2025-03-28 10:30 - 11:00, 2025-03-27 17:00 - 17:30, 2025-03-21 10:30 - 11:00, 2025-03-20 17:00 - 17:30, 2025-03-14 10:30 - 11:00, 2025-03-13 17:00 - 17:30 (America/New_York) and 2 more dates | Bellaire Public Library, 330 32nd Street, Bellaire, OH, 43906, United States
Join us for our spring Story Times! 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 for about half an hour. Join Miss Bri for a story, a craft, and lots of fun this winter on Thursday evenings at 5:00 pm and Friday mornings at 10:30 am.
➤ Download a brochure for our March and April Story Times!
March and April Schedule

Thurs., Mar. 6 at 5:00 PM and Fri., Mar. 7 at 10:30 AM
PIGS: Farmer Greenstalk and his family are having troubles on the farm. Can the pigs come to the rescue? We’ll find out at this week’s Story Time, then we’ll make a “muddy” pig craft!
Thurs., Mar. 13 at 5:00 PM and Fri., Mar. 14 at 10:30 AM
St. Patrick’s Day: Shamrocks are a big part of St. Patrick’s Day, but what do they really look like? We’ll find out reading “Luck of the Irish,” then we’ll make an “If I Found The Leprechaun’s Gold…” craft. Wear green!
Thurs., Mar. 20 at 5:00 PM and Fri., Mar. 21 at 10:30 AM
SPRING: Bunny is excited to share the smelly springtime smells of spring with Bear. What do you think they’ll smell? We’ll find out reading “Spring Stinks,” then make a spring tulip craft.
Thurs., Mar. 27 at 5:00 PM and Fri., Mar. 28 at 10:30 AM
DUCKS: Duck infuriates Cat, meowing instead of quacking like he should. How long can Duck keep up the ruse? We’ll find out reading “You are NOT a Duck,” then make a “Duck in a pond” craft.
Thurs., Apr. 3 at 5:00 PM and Fri., Apr. 4 at 10:30 AM
FAMILY: What happens at a family reunion? Miss Bri’s mom will let us know when she reads us “One Big Family,” then we’ll make our own “Family Tree.”
Thurs., Apr. 10 at 5:00 PM and Fri., Apr. 11 at 10:30 AM
NATIONAL LIBRARY WEEK: We LOVE National Library Week! To celebrate our holiday, we’ll read “A Love Letter to My Library.” Then we’ll make our own reading glasses!
Thurs., Apr. 17 at 5:00 PM and Fri., Apr. 18 at 10:30 AM
EASTER: If the Easter Bunny isn’t delivering the eggs, who is? We’ll find out reading “Peter Easter Frog,” then we’ll make a sponge-painted Easter Bunny.
Thurs., Apr. 24 at 5:00 PM and Fri., Apr. 25 at 10:30 AM
BUGS: Butterflies, bumblebees, and beetles, oh my! We’ll get the buzz on these bugs and more this week when we read “Some Bugs,” then we’ll make a paper plate snail craft.

Ohio Valley Promenaders
2025-04-01 16:45 - 21:00, 2025-03-25 16:45 - 21:00, 2025-03-18 16:45 - 21:00, 2025-03-11 16:45 - 21:00, 2025-03-04 16:45 - 21:00, 2025-02-25 16:45 - 21:00, 2025-02-18 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.

Great Stone Viaduct Winter Lecture Series
2025-03-26 18:00 - 19:00, 2025-03-19 18:00 - 19:00, 2025-03-12 18:00 - 19:00, 2025-03-05 18:00 - 19:00, 2025-02-26 18:00 - 19:00, 2025-02-19 18:00 - 19:00
These programs, featuring presentations of local historical and community topics, are held on Wednesday nights at 6 pm in the Community Room on the lower level of the Library throughout the months of February and March. All Winter Lecture Series programs are free for the public to attend. For those who cannot attend in person, these programs are generally livestreamed and and recordings are available to view following the broadcast on the Library’s website, Facebook Page, and YouTube channel.
2025 Schedule:
➤ Download the 2025 Great Stone Viaduct Winter Lecture Series brochure and schedule

Wed., Feb. 5 at 6 pm
Mapping the First Landowners in Belmont County
Based upon the Bureau of Land Management’s General Land Office records, this trio has created a digital record of Belmont County’s first landowners, overlaying creeks and towns help us learn more about Belmont County’s history.
Presented by: Jason Garczyk, Belmont County recorder; Crystal Lorimor, Community Improvement Corporation; & Anthony Atkins, Belmont County GIS Director
Wed., Feb. 12 at 6 pm
I’ve Never Been to Heaven: But I’ve Been to Oklahoma
Bellaire native Kurt Turner will talk about his book which chronicles his journey from his service on a medical ship in Vietnam to how it shaped his work in Critical Incident Stress Management and PTSD recovery.
Presented by: author Kurt Turner
Wed., Feb. 19 at 6 pm
Why the West Went to War in 1812
This talk answers the question: What was the link between western states and territories and the War of 1812? Investigating backcountry culture and its influence on shaping the Northwest Territory’s organization is central to understanding why settlers living in trans-Appalachia adamantly supported war against Great Britain and their Indian allies.
Presented by: Brandon Downing, Associate Professor of History, Marietta College
Wed., Feb. 26 at 6 pm
A Historic District for Downtown Bellaire
Betsy Sweeny and Jon Smith will talk about the historic property survey that is currently being conducted of Bellaire’s downtown buildings and what it will mean for Bellaire to be part of a National Register Historic District.
Presented by: Betsy Sweeny, Building Preservation Instructor at Belmont College, with Jon Smith, Bellaire Historic District Committee Member
Wed., Mar. 5 at 6 pm
The Peopling of North America: Ohio and Beyond
This talk will discuss the first colonization of North America, which occurred more than 14,000 years ago. The first part of the presentation will discuss key questions and debates surrounding this event, as well as the evidence of North America’s first people. The second part of this talk will focus on this time-period in Ohio.
Presented by: Joseph Gingerich, Associate Professor of Anthropology in Archaeology, Ohio University
Wed., Mar. 12 at 6 pm
“Pulling the Thread: Untangling Wheeling History”
Dr. Christina Fisanick’s passion for historical storytelling has taken her on a journey through local, state, and national archives where she has unfolded a tapestry of Wheeling’s rich past. Her essays pull a thread, leading to unexpected connections and revelations that weave narratives that transcend time, bringing to light forgotten stories and hidden ties. From Mark Twain to the tragic wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald to the 1878 World Expo in Paris, unexpected links to the Ohio Valley are blended with the rigor of historical research and the flair of a novelist.
Presented by: Christina Fisanick, Professor of English, PennWest California
Wed., Mar. 19 at 6 pm*
Backyard Flora and Fauna of Belmont County
Award-winning photographer, Daniel Caron, carries at least one camera with him at all times, whether on outings to new locations or just when exploring his backyard. In this presentation, he will connect us to the flora and fauna that reside outside our own doors here in Belmont County.
Presented by: Photographer Daniel Caron.
(NOTE: This program will not be livestreamed. In-person attendance only)
Wed., Mar. 26 at 6 pm
West Virginia Mining History
Brandi Hurley uses social media to talk about coal country’s hidden histories. Her popular TikTok channel has over 17,00 subscribers. She’ll share with us disasters, dastardly deeds, and other delectable stories about West Virginia’s coal mining history.
Presented by: Brandi Hurley, attorney and digital content creator

About the Winter Lecture Series:
In 2013, a partnership was forged between the Bellaire Public Library and the Great Stone Viaduct Historical Education Society to sponsor public lectures featuring noted speakers presenting topics relating to the local heritage of the Tri-State areas. These free lectures continue to be offered annually during the months of February & March.

BPL Board of Trustees Meeting
2025-03-18 18:00 - 19:00, 2025-02-18 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

Library Closes at 4 PM on the First Friday of the Month
2025-03-07 16:00 - 17:00
The Library closes one hour early once a month, generally on the first Friday of each month, for a staff meeting/training.
NOTE: The June meeting will be held on Friday, May 31, to allow staff to prepare for the opening week of Summer Reading.
2025 – 4:00 PM Friday Closings:

Jan. 3
Feb. 7
Mar. 7
Apr. 4
May 2
May 30 (June meeting happens last week in May to prepare for Summer Reading launch)
July – no meeting (July 4 is the first Friday of the month and the Library will be closed)
Aug. 1
Sept. 5
Oct. 3
Nov. 7
Dec. 5

Lil' Bookworms Story Time and Craft
2025-02-28 10:30 - 11:00, 2025-02-27 17:00, 2025-02-21 10:30 - 11:00, 2025-02-20 17:00
Story Time returns in 2025 for our winter programs on January 16 & 17th! 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 for about half an hour. Join Miss Bri for a story, a craft, and lots of fun this winter on Thursday evenings at 5:00 pm and Friday mornings at 10:30 am.
➤ Download a brochure for our January and February winter Story Times!

WINTER 2025 SCHEDULE:

Thurs., Jan. 16 at 5:00 PM and Fri., Jan. 17 at 10:30 AM
SNOW:
Where will the snow fall and how long will it last? We’ll learn about the life cycle of our fluffy winter friend reading “Best in Snow”, then make cotton ball snowflakes!
Thurs., Jan. 23 at 5:00 PM and Fri., Jan. 24 at 10:30 AM
POLAR BEAR:
What happens when a problem is just too big to tackle? We’ll find out reading “There’s a Bear on My Chair”, then we’ll make a polar bear suncatcher!
Thurs., Jan. 30 at 5:00 PM and Fri., Jan. 31 at 10:30 AM
GROUNDHOG DAY:
What do you do when you don’t have a real groundhog to watch? Maybe the class hamster will see its shadow instead?… We’ll read “Groundhog Day” and see if our craft will see its shadow or not!
Thurs., Feb. 6 at 5:00 PM and Fri., Feb. 7 at 10:30 AM
NAT’L PIZZA DAY:
How do you like your pizza? Find out how the animals like theirs when we read “Pizza Pig.” After the story, we’ll make our own mini pizzas! (Food allergy note: English muffins, pizza sauce, cheese and pepperoni will be used).
Thurs., Feb. 13 at 5:00 PM and Fri., Feb. 14 at 10:30 AM
VALENTINE’S DAY:
When Katy Duck receives a valentine filled with sparkly stars, she wonders who it could be from! We’ll figure out the mystery reading this week’s story, then make a “Love You Berry Much” handprint valentine.
Thurs., Feb. 20 at 5:00 PM and Fri., Feb. 21 at 10:30 AM
NATIONAL LOVE YOUR PET DAY:
Come one, come all, to the pet show. Who will get the Best in Show ribbon? Find out when we read “Some Pets”! Then we’ll make a pet dot painting of a cat or
a dog! Bring a picture of your pet or a stuffed animal pet to Story Time!
Thurs., Feb. 27 at 5:00 PM and Fri., Feb. 28 at 10:30 AM
DR. SEUSS:
Fast to slow, front to back, big and small—we’ll learn about opposites by exploring all the different kinds of feet reading Dr. Seuss’ “Foot Book”, then make a
Cat in the Hat mask. We will also celebrate Dr. Seuss’ birthday (March 2nd) with a special treat: One Fish, Two Fish cupcakes!
(Food allergy note: Cupcakes contain vanilla cake mix dyed blue, vanilla frosting dyed yellow, and gummy fish of various colors.)
