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Image of red poppies blooming against a blue sky background

May 2023

Our unofficial theme this month is “out with the old, in with the new!” Or more accurately, out with your old, in with someone else’s old. It’s all about sustainability and repurposing this month. What else would you expect from a place that’s all about a community sharing the same books?

May closings

The Library will be closed on Friday, May 12 for staff in-service.

The Library will be closed Sunday, May 28 and Monday, May 29 for Memorial Day.

Starting with Sunday, May 28, the Library will be closed on Sundays for the summer. The Library will resume Sunday hours on September 10.

May events

Out with the old plants, in with the new

Is it possible to own too many plants? Should you find yourself in such a situation, may we suggest dropping off your excess houseplants, seeds, bulbs, cuttings, etc for our spring Plant Swap. Make sure to also come to the Swap and find a new plant friend to take home with you. It’s okay to bring plants without taking any, and it’s okay to take a plant without bringing any.

Find out more about the Plant Swap

Out with the old craft supplies, in with the new

Started a new hobby you didn’t like? Started a new hobby and realized you like it better than your old hobby? Bought some paint for a project that you finished? We get it - we have Library craft cupboards to clean out, too!


Drop off the craft supplies that you no longer use and then come back and pick up some new supplies at our third annual Craft Swap. Anyone who drops off craft supplies ahead of time gets an “early bird ticket” that will grant you entrance to that magical first 30 minutes of the swap. It’s okay to bring supplies without taking any, and it’s okay to take supplies without bringing any.

Find out more about the Craft Swap

Shredding the old

It’s our most asked-about program of the year: our biannual shredding event. 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. Don’t worry, this one is a drop-off only event - we won’t make you take any new documents home!


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.

Find out more about Spring Shredding

Dig up the old

What treasures reside in the backyards of Platteville homes? Jim Winter, aka The Driftless Digger, treasure hunts in the Driftless area by metal detecting, bottle digging, creek walking, and magnet fishing. Learn from Jim what skills and supplies you'll need to begin digging on your own.

Find out more about Learning How to Dig with the Driftless Digger

Dig up some history in your own family tree. Trade tips, share stories, and learn about resources for doing your own research into the past at our monthly Genealogy Table.

Find out more about Genealogy Table

Take home some new (old) books

We’re taking part in Platteville’s city-wide garage sale weekend with a sale of our own. We’ve been saving up ex-Library books for weeks to get ready. Be sure to stop by for bargains!

Find out more about the Library Book Sale

Out with the old ebook app, in with the new

If you’re using the OverDrive app to read or listen to ebooks on your phone or tablet, this app will no longer work after May 1. To keep enjoying your ereads, make sure to install the Libby app instead. Libby is from the same company as OverDrive and has exactly the same books, magazines, and audiobooks, just with a different look to the app.


Have questions about making the switch or running into problems? We’re here for you! Bring in your device and your library card and we’ll help you troubleshoot.


Never used either app but want to start using Libby? You’ll need your library card and your PIN—most likely the last four digits of your phone number—to get started.

Find out more about switching to Libby
Find out how to install Libby on a Kindle Fire
Find out how to use Libby with your Kindle reader
Sync your OverDrive wish list to the Libby App
Libby FAQs

Unwind with a craft and friends

The library’s newest and hottest club is Unwind! This club has everything:

  • caffeine! (we’re providing tea)

  • crafters! (knitters, crocheters, embroiderers, cross stitchers, beaders, and doodlers are all welcome)

  • chatting! (you provide the conversation)

Bring your own project to work on and drop in the first Wednesday of the month to enjoy the company of fellow crafters.

Find out more about Unwind

Getting crafty

Teen Duct Tape Crafts: Use duct tape to make a creative stand-alone project or cover anything you would like to bring with you. Ages 12-18


Cricut Club: Do you love your Cricut machine? Want to try new things but don’t know where to start? Want to show off the cool new projects you’ve been working on? Join our drop-in monthly Cricut Club.


Make it Midweek Folding Money: This month we're folding fake money into bowties, hearts, and other shapes. This is a fun way to give money as a gift for graduations, weddings, and tips. We'll be using paper, but you’re welcome to bring your own dollar bills to practice with! Ages 18+


Find out more about Teen Duct Tape Crafts
Find out more about Cricut Club
Sign up for Make it Midweek: Folding Money

Author visit: Cindy Weber

Cindy Weber of McFarland, WI was 52 years old when her youngest son’s illness upended her world. Austin first experienced health issues in 2012 from an allergic reaction to a commonly prescribed medication. A rare, serious disorder ensued, followed by seemingly endless bouts of both mental and physical crises. In Bend Don’t Break: My Son's Survival Cindy Weber shares her efforts in keeping her son alive and finding hope. During her presentation, Cindy will share her journey and desire to help those struggling with mental and physical health.

Find out more about Cindy Weber’s author visit
Read a sample from "Bend Don’t Break”

Folklore fun

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with us! Drop in to enjoy folklore fun with stories and activities. For ages 7-11 years.

Find out more about Folklore/Cinco de Mayo

Sensory sensations

Drop in to have fun making and touching different sensory items. Ages 3-6 with an adult.

Find out more about Sensory Sensations

Out WI go!

What better way to enjoy spring than by getting outside? Thanks to a pilot program with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, we have 1-day passes for Wisconsin State Parks to hand out (while supplies last). In order to claim a pass, you’ll need to know what day you plan to use it. Stop in for more information.

In with new stories

Storytimes are on hiatus until summer. In the meantime, you can call our Dial-a-Story anytime at 877-907-8081. 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!

Let’s talk books

Stop by the library to pick up a copy of one of this month’s book club titles:

Out with spring, in with summer

Spring has barely sprung and now summer reading season is nearly upon us! Registration for our all-ages Summer Library Challenges starts May 30.