March 2022

Despite the piles of snow sticking around, spring is definitely in the air. And really, could anything say “spring in Wisconsin” more than a March snowstorm? We’re feeling optimistic and refreshed at the Library this month, and we hope you’ll join us in trying out some new, revitalizing activities this month.

Closings

The library will be closed Friday, March 11 for staff in-service.

COVID updates

In accordance with the City of Platteville, the Library is now mask optional. Room capacity limits are back to normal, and food and drink are allowed. Individuals may choose to continue to wear a mask at any time, and people with symptoms, a positive test, or exposure to someone with COVID-19 should wear a mask.

March events

Nothing says spring like marshmallow chicks

Our thirteenth annual all-ages Peeps diorama contest is taking place at your home this year. Pick up a kit from the front desk during the month of March (including a box, craft supplies, and Peeps) or use your own supplies to create a book-themed diorama. Bring in your finished artwork or send us a photo and we’ll put it on display at the library!

Find out more

Let’s talk books…

Join one of our book clubs this month:

Kid’s Book Club is reading The Unicorn Rescue Society series by Adam Gidwitz
Teen Book Club is reading Nimona by Noelle Stevenson
Adult Book Club is trying a classic this month and reading Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë

Spring into storytime

Virtual storytime is back! New episodes drop each Friday at 10 am on our Facebook page. This past month we’ve featured Anansi and the Moss-Covered Rock, school buses, and an appearance from Eugene the Ukulele.

Call our Dial-a-Story at 877-907-8081 to enjoy a short tale before bed, while you’re brushing your teeth, on the drive to school, or whenever you’re in the mood. New stories are added regularly, and a new story in Spanish is added each week. ¡Un cuento nuevo en español cada semana!

If you like being creative at home…

Children’s grab & go kits are back! Pick up a kit at the library.

If you like being creative at the library…

Crafternoon week is here for you! Stop by the second floor on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday of spring break for a variety of craft projects.

Find out more about Crafternoon Week

If you like pie…

…and you’re a teen, celebrate Pi day (3/14) by taste-testing pies! Sign up here.
…and you’re an adult, check out some of our pie-related books (and other great reads!) here

If you like big birds…

Our Library neighbor, Maloo the parrot, loves being read to!

If you can’t wait for flower season…

Learn about planting a native plant garden with Grace Milanowski from the Platteville Community Arboretum. She’ll also share some locally collected native seeds to take home.

If you like reading under the covers…

Wear your pajamas to the library and come build a blanket fort with your family after the library closes!

If you always solve the mystery before the end of the book…

Channel your inner detective and uncover the motives of each suspect through ciphers, clues, and puzzles using realistic evidence and documents in our “Hunt a Killer” event. Play as an individual or in a group during one of our multiple time slots.

Looking ahead

Keep an eye out for our April events, including:

All kinds of events for kids and teens like Teen Mug It!
Our month-long “Poetry Path” in celebration of National Poetry Month
Our annual Bring-Your-Own-Eggs Egg Dyeing event
Our annual bookmark contest
Free replacement library cards in April
National Library Week events
Our first ever Plant Swap

Welcome to the library

We're so excited to introduce you to our fantastic new Library staff!

Maggie is a Library Specialist in the children's department and recently moved to Platteville. She has two cats named Simba and Thea. You'll see her doing storytimes and reading stories in Spanish for Dial-A-Story. Stop by the Children's Ask Desk to say hi to Maggie!

Roxanne is from the Platteville area and has two daughters and "too many critters," including horses, cats, dogs, lizards, snakes, rats and fish! She loves Baby Yoda, puns, and dad jokes.

To say hi to Roxanne, stop by the Ask Desk on the first floor!

Mela is our new Community Outreach Coordinator coming to the Library from the University of Wisconsin. She loves to support life-long learning and facilitate discussions about a variety of topics including travel, history, genealogy, gardening, art, cultures, and more. You can find find Mela at the circulation desk, the reference desk, and at book club.

Here’s what we’re eating

In honor of pi day on 3/14, we polled the library staff on their favorite kinds of pie.

Jessie, Director: I prefer pizza pie!
Karina, Patron Services Manager: My great-grandmother’s Sour Cream Raisin Pie. This isn’t the right recipe, but the photo looks close.
Leanne, Circulation Lead: My husband makes the best blueberry pie I have ever had!! He put in lemon zest and juice and it was so fresh tasting and yummy!
Lydia, Youth Services Library Specialist: Strawberry Rhubarb Pie
Mela, Outreach Coordinator: Black Cap Pie
Roxanne, Adult Services Library Specialist: My favorite was butterscotch pie made by my grandmother!