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April 2024April is one of our favorite months at the Library because National Library Week happens each April. We’re celebrating with a month filled with programs, programs, and more programs! |
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April events |
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🎶 Loud @ the LibraryGet LOUD at the library with the Platteville Library Foundation’s annual fundraiser - an afterhours evening of live music and food. This year’s music is the Fever River String Band (opening act by Darin and Amber). Food is included with admission; beer and wine will be available for purchase. Tickets are $40 the week before the event and are available at the front desk. Ages 21+ |
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😎 (Nearly) Total Eclipse of the LibraryAre you ready for the April 8 solar eclipse? The eclipse will peak at .88 magnitude at 2:04 pm in Platteville. Find out more about eclipses and prepare to safely watch the 2024 solar eclipse by picking up a take & make project and a pair of eclipse glasses. |
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❤ The most important person in the library is you!We wouldn’t exist without your support and library usage. Join us for treats and coffee on Patron Appreciation Day as a small token of our appreciation. |
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💳 Has your library card seen better days?Has your keychain card been loved to pieces? Did your wallet card vanish on you? Bring in your old card or an ID and replace your library card for free during April in honor of National Library Week.
🌠 Don’t have a library card?Haven’t used the library in years? Just moved to town? We can’t wait to welcome you to the library! Your first card is always free. |
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🔖 All ages bookmark design contestOur annual all-ages bookmark design contest runs through the end of April. Winning designs from four different age groups will be professionally printed to be used with our upcoming summer library program. This year’s theme is “Adventure Begins at your Library.” Entry forms are at the library and online. |
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📎 Spring paper shreddingJust in time for the end of tax season, we’re partnering with Southwest Opportunities Center to host our spring shredding drop-off. Limit of 2 grocery bags or 1 bankers box of papers per person. Shredding bins will be available April 23 - May 4 (or until the bins are filled, whichever comes first).
Southwest Opportunities Center (SOC), Lancaster WI, provides programming, employment, and services for adults with disabilities who live in Grant County and Southwest Wisconsin. SOC also provides production, assembly, and cleaning services to businesses in the area. |
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👑 Teen Read: You Should See Me in a CrownJoin us for this limited edition teen book club. This book club will be meeting every week in April to talk about the book You Should See Me in a Crown by Leah Johnson. Teens will discuss the book, eat snacks, make crafts, and do activities. A free copy of the book will be given to each participant! No reading is required for the first meeting. |
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🎬 Film ClubOur newest discussion group is Library Film Club. From casual moviegoers to diehard cinephiles, all are invited to check out a copy of the movie, watch it at home, and join the discussion at the Library. The first movie pick is the modern classic The Princess Bride. Each month will feature a different genre, so join us to help choose our next month’s selection! |
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🦎 Reptile and exotic pet dayMadison Area Herpetological Society (MAHS) will be visiting with their reptiles! Live animals will be present. Children ages 8 years and younger must be with an adult. |
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🎈 Afterschool funWe’re excited to have another fantastic group of local university students planning a series of fun drop-in programs for young children, grade school children, and teens this spring. Check the Library calendar for program themes. |
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🧶 Let’s get craftyUnwind: We’ll make the tea, you bring the conversation and a project to work on.
Make it Midweek Recycled Book: In the spirit of spring, reuse and recycle old, tattered books by turning them into some beautiful crafts. Make it Midweek will be starting at 5:45 pm to give everyone more time to get creative! |
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🎭 Animal MasqueradeMake a bear, bunny, or other animal mask out of paper plates, construction paper, and popsicle sticks. This fun craft is great for selfies and pictures. For preschoolers with an adult. |
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🎨 Student art on displayWe’re excited to be once again hosting the Platteville School District’s Student Art Exhibit. Stop in and check out the outstanding works of art on both floors. |
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🧸 Spring StorytimeSpring storytime wraps up this month - don’t miss the last few weeks! Drop in for our weekly all-ages family storytime at the Library. |
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💥 Teen anime clubJoin us for fun, food, and fandom as we eat snacks and watch anime. Ages 12-18 |
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📚 Let’s talk booksStop by the library to pick up a copy of one of this month’s book club titles: Kid’s Book Club is reading Minecraft: The Island by Max Brooks Teen Book Club is reading Redwall by Brian Jacques Adult Book Club is reading How Civil Wars Start: And How to Stop Them by Barbara F. Walter Monthly Morning Book Chat is sharing their current reads
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The more you know… |
🌟 Spotlight on STEM Kits |
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👩🔬 Did you know the Library has kits available to check out and enjoy at home? This month's featured kit is our STEM Kits. Each kit contains a book and interactive items that focus on Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math. We have over 50 STEM kits geared for a variety of ages from toddler to upper elementary-age that can be used to actively teach STEM concepts or as a fascinating addition to playtime. |
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📰 Platteville 100 years agoDid you know that you can search digitized local historical newspapers on the Library’s computers? In honor of this month’s solar eclipse, here’s a look at a few of our favorite headlines involving eclipses of the past: The Eclipse: The much talked eclipse of Saturday last came off according to announcement. But few who witnessed the phenomenon realized the fact that when the same spectacle would be again presented that this generation will have passed away, and that new citizens, new laws, new states, and new governments will have been formed and other people will occupy the spot we now tread. (Grant County Witness, August 13, 1869) Many people recall the total eclipse of the sun which occurred in 1869. It became dark at 4 p.m. Fred Waltz, well known Marion farmer, in speaking of the phenomenon to a Dial reporter the other day, stated he was cradling grain in the field and was obliged to quit work for he was unable to see. (The Platteville Journal, February 4, 1925) Total Eclipse of the Sun Wednesday, August 31: If you want to see the sun shrink to a slim crescent during the partial eclipse that will be visible here next Wednesday, August 31, get your dark glasses ready. A piece of well smoked glass will do just as well [ed. note from 2024: please don’t listen to the reporters of 1932!] […] Platteville will see about four-fifths of the sun covered; there will be a darkening like the passing of a cloud, when the moon covers up part of the sun, leaving only a crescent shaped rim. (The Platteville Journal, August 24, 1932) Many Platteville People Observe the Eclipse: Considerable interest was manifest here Wednesday when the eclipse of the sun took place. For over an hour the shadow on the sun could be plainly seen with the aid of a smoked glass [ed. note: again, please do not look at the sun through a “smoked glass”]. A very heavy shower occurred about an hour before the eclipse appeared. This seemed to bring some real relief from the extreme heat that had been experienced the first three days of the week. (The Platteville Journal, September 7, 1932)
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⛔ Library closingsDue to staffing shortages, the Library's spring hours will not include Sundays. Following our regularly scheduled Sunday closures during the summer, the Library plans to resume Sunday hours the weekend after Labor Day (Sunday, September 8). Thank you for your support and understanding.
The Library will be closed on Monday, May 13 for staff in-service. The Library will be closed on Monday, May 27 for Memorial Day. |
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🔮 Looking aheadKeep an eye out for our May events, including: |
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