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news from wcpl

April Newsletter
  
Take time to browse our Event Calendar to see what’s going on at your local library. Since not everything libraries do fits into a calendar format, make sure to look at our branches’ social media pages so you don’t miss out!

Library Levy Update
 
There is not currently a library levy
in effect, because the
November levy was voided
due to a procedural error.
 
There is a library levy on the ballot for the May 2026 election. 
 
 

On Your Radar
Are You on the List?
 
While we love people browsing the stacks, the best way to secure new releases is by placing a hold. Our patrons get the items we own first! You can usually place a hold even before the release date. So get your book list together and place some holds! Sign in to your account using your library card# without any spaces and your pin# (usually the last 4 digits of your ph#). To place a hold, use our catalog https://ohio.ent.sirsi.net/client/en_US/wcm/. You can also download the SEOLibraries App to your smartphone or tablet and start placing holds today!
 
Find out what books are coming out in the next few months here!

book clubs at the library
Don't miss these upcoming book discussions for adults at our branches!
Stop by the library to check out a
copy of the book or see if it's available
on Libby or Hoopla.
 
Barlow
Monday, May 11, at 1 pm
  “The Silent Patient”
by Alex Michaelides
 
Belpre
Friday, May 8, at 5 pm
Sugar & Spice
“Ana Maria and the Fox”
by Liana De la Rosa
 
Friday, May 15, at 5 pm
Evening 
 “Atmosphere"
by Taylor Jenkins Reid.
 
Saturday, May 23, at 11 am
Cook Book
   “Classic”
by Mary Berry
 
Beverly
Monday, May 18, at Noon
  “Secret Life of Bees”
by Sue Monk Kidd 
 
Lafayette
Wednesday, May 13, at 10 am
 “The Great Alone"
by Kristin Hannah
 
Marietta
Wednesday, April 22, at 6 pm
Books & Brews (Age 21+) 
@ Over the Moon
“The Stills”
by Jess Montgomery
 
Thursday, April 30, at 5:30 pm
Killer Reads
“All the Missing Girls”
by Megan Miranda
 
Wednesday, May 20, at 3 pm
Literary Ladies
“The Lost Apothecary"
by Sarah Penner

Barlow Summer Music Series: The Johnny Staats Project
Friday, April 24 at 7:30 pm
 
The Barlow Summer Music Series is back! On Friday, April 24, at 7:30 pm, join us for the Johnny Staats Project. Featuring music from all genres: country, rock, pop, bluegrass, jazz, gospel, and folk. This event is open to all ages, and no registration is required. Questions? Call 740-678-0103.

Friends of the Marietta Library
Used Book Sale
 
The Marietta Friends of the Library is pleased to announce that our annual Spring Sale will be on April 24-27. Friday, April 24, 5-7 pm is for FOL Members Only. Membership renewal time!!! Come and renew or join, and get first choice of books and a discount on your purchase! Saturday, April 25, 9 am-4 pm; Sunday, April 26, 1-4 pm, and Monday, April 27, 9 am-4 pm
are $3 for a bag of books. 
The sale is in the Library Annex
at 617 Fifth Street, Marietta.
New selection of slightly used hardcover and paperback books. Selection includes young adult, children, fiction, and non-fiction books for your reading pleasure. Vinyl records for sale, also. Scanners not permitted.
Mark your calendars and come and check us out!
Find out more about the FOL at https://www.wcplib.info/marietta-friends. 

Super Saturday: Petting Zoo
 Beverly Branch &
Waterford Elementary
Saturday, April 25, 10 am-2 pm
 
On April 25, our Super Saturday will be joined by Jungle Island Zoo (Thank you, Friends of the Beverly Library). Their newest attraction, the “CUDDLE SHUTTLE”, offers hands-on encounters with some of their most adorable critters—a heart-warming experience with a variety of cuddly babies, delightful miniatures, lovable small animals, and birds. Guests can stroll through the display, petting and feeding treats to an assortment of various species. Many may choose to take advantage of the Photo-Op area, taking pictures or selfies while snuggling with their choice of photogenic pets. THE CUDDLE SHUTTLE WILL BE AT WATERFORD ELEMENTARY 11 AM-2 PM. AT THE LIBRARY, THE STAFF WILL BE OFFERING MANY CRAFTS AND ACTIVITIES, 10 AM-1 PM. This event is open to all ages, and no registration is required.

Trees for the Future - Marietta
Saturday, April 25 at 11 am
Join guest crafter, Annie Warmke, on Saturday, April 25, at 11 am to learn how trees help each other and then help create one in the library. You will also be able to propagate an elderberry bush to take home. This program is open to ages 8 and up.
No registration is required.
Questions? 740-373-1057 x219.

Discovering History:
Photography During the Civil War
Friday, May 1 at Noon
at the Campus Martius Museum

The American Civil War prompted photographers to take their cameras out of their studios in an effort to capture images of the war. The results changed perceptions of war and was a catalyst for an explosion of technology that would continue for decades. Paramount to the story of Civil War photography is the story of Mathew Brady. His photographs of Abraham Lincoln and the Civil War have become icons of the early days of photography. Just as important were the technological advances Brady made to the art form. Hear the story of Brady’s rise from obscurity to become an international phenomenon and why his efforts impact photography to this day.
Mark Holbrook has been a member of the Ohio Humanities Speakers Bureau for sixteen years. He served as the marketing director at the Ohio History Connection for nine years where he also served as Civil War Historian. He has been a consultant for tourism and history-based organizations for 20 years. Mark is a native Ohioan, graduate of The Ohio State University and an avid student of history. He also is the owner of History is Personal, a consulting firm that specializes in tourism and heritage destination development.
This event is sponsored by the Washington County Public Library and is FREE and open to the public. The presentation will be available livestreamed and recorded on our YouTube Channel: @CampusMartiusMuseum

Plant Swap - Lafayette
Monday, May 4, 10 am-2 pm
 
Come rain or shine to the Lafayette Branch Library on Monday, May 4, from 10 am to 2 pm for a Plant Swap! Some tips for first-time plant swappers: plants should be in a container, label plants as well as possible (annual/perennial, sun/shade, bloom color, etc.), bring flats or trays to bring your new plants home in, plants should be well watered as well as pest and disease free, and finally, dig plants a few days in advance so they can recover, and water well. Questions? Call the Lafayette Branch at 740-236-4201.

Book Tasting - New Mat
Monday, May 4, 2-4 pm
 
On Monday, May 4, between 2 and 4 pm, adults ages 18+ can stop by and “taste” some new books! Come sample J's. Books are set out buffet style. Everyone is encouraged to take books home with them to sample. Snacks and conversation are provided.
No registration is required.
Questions? Call 740-865-3386.

Beaded Wind Chimes - Belpre
Saturday, May 9, 11 am-2 pm

On Saturday, May 9, between 11 am and 2 pm, work together as a family and make a colorful beaded windchime. Registration is not required, just drop in! Questions? Call 740-423-8381.

All Carry
by Gene Wojciechowski
 
"Joe is a golf reporter. He’s missed more Father’s Days than he cares to count because that’s when he has to cover the US Open. But his son Buddy has counted every single one.
Joe and Buddy’s relationship is fractured at best. Then one day at a garage sale Buddy finds a woefully obsolete set of golf clubs that supposedly belonged to Jack Nicklaus and decides to give them to his father as an olive branch. When Joe takes the clubs out on a whim, he discovers something he’s hitting 400 yards. No one hits the ball that far, not Tiger, not Nicklaus.
Max “Hard Way” Mitchell knows golf perhaps better than anyone. He used to be one of the best caddies on the PGA Tour. But he was run out of town after sleeping with a golf pro’s wife. Now he’s the owner of a run-down driving range, his glory days slipping away. 
When Joe’s golf channel has a round of layoffs and he is laid-off, and Hardway realizes that with this magical set of golf clubs Joe is better than anyone on the tour, he convinces Joe to do the seemingly impossible—win the Masters as an amateur. And to do this they'll need each other."

A Bad, Bad Place
by Frances Crawsford
 
Fear and gossip have spread through the tight-knit community of Possilpark, and while Janey swears she can’t remember the details of that morning, the cops think she’s hiding something—and indeed, there’s something she knows that she’s not quite ready to tell anyone, not even her nana, who won’t rest until this whole thing is behind them.
Shot through with remarkable humor, Frances Crawford’s stunning debut is a coming-of-age whodunit, an intimate portrait of a working-class neighborhood that weaves Janey’s innocent candor and her nana’s hard-earned wisdom into a sweeping tale of grief and survival that marks the arrival of a major new voice in crime fiction."

The Best Dog in the World
Edited by Alice Hoffman
 
"Anyone who has ever been fortunate enough to share their life with a dog knows the experience is both profound and transformative. Here, in this charming collection of essays, fourteen celebrated authors share unforgettable tales of the dogs who left their pawprints on their hearts.
With contributions from Isabel Allende, Chris Bohjalian, Bonnie Garmus, Roxane Gay, Emily Henry, Ann Leary, Tova Mirvis, Jodi Picoult, Elizabeth Strout, Amy Tan, Adriana Trigiani, Nick Trout, Paul Yoon, and Laura Zigman, The Best Dog in the World captures the full range of the canine-human connection, from the joy of welcoming a new puppy to the heartache of saying goodbye to a beloved friend.
A love letter to the loyal companions who enrich our lives and teach us about empathy, joy, and unconditional love, this anthology is the perfect gift for dog lovers everywhere, offering a blend of laughter, tears, and inspiration that will resonate with
anyone who has been fur-ever
touched by the love of a dog.

Be Your Own Bestie
by Misha Brown
 
You deserve happiness.
You deserve hope.
And you deserve a sassy best friend who can help you learn not to settle for less.
Misha Brown—you may know him as @yourbestiemisha—is here to support you and your journey of self-discovery, accountability, and most importantly, self-love. With his no-nonsense (but always loving) approach, Misha shares stories from his own life, encounters with others, and the wisdom gleaned from them to help you reflect on the patterns, relationships, and beliefs that have kept you from stepping into the full fabulousness you deserve.
With equal parts hilarity and heart, Misha guides you through his S.A.S.S. Method to glowing up your
S – Turn your focus inward to push away what’s been holding you back
A – Reshape the way you speak to and about yourself
S – Standing your Set boundaries and stop apologizing
S – Sculpting the life you Take bold steps toward your own happily ever after
No matter where you are today, now is the time to begin showing up for yourself as your own best friend. Because you deserve it, bestie!

The Bookshop of 99 Doors
by Jaime Jo Wright
 
"In 1910, Minnie Tipton finds herself beset by the onslaught of superstitions that envelope the Pennsylvania mansion her father bought. Convinced the house is haunted by the vengeful spirit of a Civil War captain, and worried by her father's rapidly worsening illness, Minnie delves into the home's dark past in an effort to help bring him peace. Yet the lingering impact of the war and the gruesome tale of murder she uncovers only foster more fear and threaten to unravel Minnie's own sanity.
In the present day, Triss Bellamy eagerly steps into the role of bookshop manager in the mansion-turned-museum boasting ninety-nine doors. But Triss's dream job turns into a nightmare when havoc breaks loose with the arrival of her brother's team of self-proclaimed paranormal investigators. Their determination to find a rumored one-hundredth door--a dangerous portal to the madness long said to plague the mansion--results in calamity, leaving Triss no choice but to unravel the truth or watch her brother slip forever beyond her reach.
A shadowy tale of historical hauntings and present-day mysteries masterfully penned by acclaimed thriller author Jaime Jo Wright, who is "in a class by herself" (Library Journal)."

Grizzled
by Jason Bittel
 
"From fireflies and hummingbirds to alligators and sharks, this collection of 50 brief essays combines witty prose and vivid illustrations to reveal the secret lives and oddball behaviors of North American creatures both familiar and little known.
In Grizzled, science journalist Jason Bittel taps into current research about the behavior of key North American mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and invertebrates, from insects to urchins. Along the way, he answers questions you didn’t know to ask, such
- How do monarch butterflies emerge from sentient goo?
- Why did beavers have to parachute into their newest habitats?
- What’s inside a yellowjacket meatball?
- How many jellyfish can a sea turtle eat?
- Can deer really grow antlers on their legs?
Grizzled offers a surprising, endearing, and altogether eye-opening tour of the animal kingdom—one you won’t soon forget."

Gunner
by Alan Parks
 
"March 1941. Joseph Gunner is back on the streets of Glasgow after being wounded on the front lines in France.
Keeping the pain in his leg at bay with the help of morphine, Gunner, a former detective, is hoping to lie low as the Luftwaffe begins bombing Glasgow.
But when he runs into his old boss Drummond, he is persuaded to help examine a body found in the wreckage. When it turns out to be that of a German, mutilated to disguise his identity, Gunner reluctantly agrees to investigate.
As he begins to hunt for the truth Gunner runs into old flames and bitter enemies, before finding himself embroiled in a high-level conspiracy that reaches far beyond his hometown of Glasgow.
Partly inspired by the true story of Rudolph Hess's secret mission to broker appeasement with Britain during the Second World War, Gunner is an atmospheric and addictive new thriller from one of Britain's best-loved writers."

Start at the End
by Emma Grey
"This is a love story . . . but not the one you’re expecting.
Start at the End is a powerful, soul-stirring, sliding-doors novel from the bestselling author of The Last Love Note and Pictures of You that explores second chances and unwritten endings.
Audrey and Fraser tumble into a romance for the ages. After an unlikely start, they fall deeply in love and dream of the life they’ll build together—until one tragic moment upends everything. Facing the unimaginable and wrestling with guilt, they’re left haunted by “what ifs,” each asking where they would be if fate had spun a different story.
Start at the End is an unforgettable drama of two soulmates who have to find a way to start over when they had only just begun."

This Land is Your Land
by Beverly Gage
"Two and a half centuries out from the US founding, the question of what it means to be an American is as fraught as ever. Pulitzer Prize–winning historian Beverly Gage brings the highs and lows of our past alive on a road trip through the American past.
This Land is Your Land visits thirteen places and thirteen key moments in American history to explore how we commemorate our national past and consider the future of our union. In this book, Gage hits the road to explore the museums, historic sites, roadside attractions, monuments, living-history pageants, battlefield reenactments, and souvenir shops where Americans so often go to learn—and fight—about our past. This Land is Your Land is for everyone who wants to find US history—to experience it and confront it, to celebrate it and condemn it—in the places where it happened.
From the birth of the nation in Philadelphia and on the Virginia plantations to the rise of the Cold War Southwest and the advent of Disneyland, here is the story of America’s successes and failures, along with the endless controversies over how we remember ourselves. The year 2026 marks the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, a document that proclaimed the liberty and equality of all human beings, but yielded a country often riddled with conflict and injustice. This Land is Your Land is an invitation to explore and reflect on our deep national tensions—to understand where we are as a country by traveling through our inspiring, disturbing, and maddening past rather than turning away from it."

Upward Bound
by Woody Brown
 
"Upward Bound is not a place anyone dreams of spending their days. The dreary adult daycare center for Los Angeles's disabled community is, for many of its clients and staff, a place of last resort. This includes Carlos, a young aide who lost his mother as a boy and now works there alongside his beloved sister Mariana; Jorge, the gentle nonspeaking giant whom Carlos seeks to befriend (and prevent from escaping); Tom, a beautiful young man with cerebral palsy, who pines for Ann, the summer lifeguard at the center's pool who feels out of her depth; then there's Dave, Upward Bound’s director who came to L.A. to pursue an acting career but now channels his passion into staging an overly ambitious holiday show starring the center's irrepressible clients. Framing these intertwined narratives—and connecting them in surprising, shattering ways—is the riveting and sometimes ironic testimony of Walter, a recent community college graduate who, after a family tragedy, must return to the company of his disabled peers.
In Upward Bound, Woody Brown has created an indelible, authentic, and profoundly moving group portrait of autism and other disabilities, all illuminated by his empathy, sly sense of humor, and enormous gifts as a novelist. With remarkable sophistication, insight, and creativity, Brown depicts a community too-often invisible in literature and society. Filled with characters you won't soon forget, Upward Bound will inspire and touch you, teaching you as much about yourself as the tender, miraculous world behind the center's doors."

What Ever Happened to Eddy Crane?
by Kate Crane
 
"One September night in 1987, Eddy Crane called to say he was on his way home from his trucking business in industrial Baltimore. He never showed up. Initially, detectives figured he must have taken off. But Kate, 12 years old and a new eighth grader, felt certain he was dead. She and her family were shocked and adrift, with no explanation or resolution on the horizon.
Twenty years later, now a journalist in New York City, Kate is determined to seek out answers. She reopens the investigation with Baltimore’s Cold Case Unit, tracks down the retired detectives who’d worked Eddy’s case, and chases leads with old friends through her hometown’s dark alleys.
Part memoir, part true crime, part psychological suspense, What Ever Happened to Eddy Crane? A Memoir and a Murder Investigation is a brilliantly written, deeply felt account of unfathomable loss and blazing resilience, of Baltimore, of family ghosts, and the bravery required to confront the past."

What is Left of the Night
by Mark Buchanan
"In the city of Dividium, the law is simple: commit a crime, and your punishment is a life sentence in Endlock.
Raven Thorne is Dividium’s most notorious bounty hunter, living on the edge of society. But when her younger brother, Jed, is sentenced to Endlock, Raven will do anything to save him—even if it means getting herself arrested.
Now trapped in a prison where danger lurks around every corner, Raven must use all her cunning and strength to protect Jed—and herself if she is to complete her perilous mission. But there’s one obstacle she never expected: the prison guard who stirs something deep inside her. The man she should hate. The man whose true motives seem impossible to pin down.
In a world where trust is a weapon and love is a liability, Raven must decide if she will risk everything to tear down a vicious system."

Local Events
 
One of the best places to find out what's going on locally is through the Marietta-Washington County Convention &  Visitors Bureau.
 
On Saturday, April 25, 10 am-4 pm, take time to stop by the reopening of the Anderson Hancock Planetarium at Marietta College. 
 
 

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  Washington County Public Library
  615 Fifth St.

  Marietta, OH 45750
Phone: 740-373-1057

www.wcplib.info
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