As the days get longer and our community comes alive with the warmer weather, there is no better place to connect, learn, and celebrate than at your Xenia Community Library! We’re excited to invite you to two special eventscoming up to celebrate the past year and to kick off an exciting season ahead.
Celebrate one year since the grand reopening of your Xenia Community Library with a full day of activities for all ages. Whether you stay all day or drop in for a favorite activity, there is something for everyone to enjoy.
Highlights Include:
10:00am – 12:00pm: Button-making with Spark Place
10:30 – 11:30am: Crystal Clear Science: May the Force Be With You
12:00pm: Birthday celebration on the patio with cupcakes
Get ready to dig into a summer full of stories, discovery, and fun! Our Summer Reading Kickoff Party launches this year’s theme, “Unearth a Story,” with hands-on activities and engaging presentations for all ages.
Timed Activities:
3:30 – 4:30pm: Pick up a 2026 Summer Reading tote bag or T-shirt (while supplies last)
4:30 – 5:30pm: SuperNeatWowScience! with presenter Bill Richey
6:00 – 7:00pm: Interpreting the Past with Amanda Rollins, PhD — an interactive look at how scientists reconstruct history
All-Day Activities:
Popsicles and a Dino Dig on the patio
Family Tree Youth Take & Makes from the Greene County Room
“What Is It?” identification game
Dino puzzle station
Summer Reading sign-ups
From celebrating a milestone year to launching a summer of imagination and exploration, these events are all about bringing our community together.
Here is a link to all of our programs coming up in Xenia so you can mark your calendars, invite a friend, and come be part of the fun at YOUR Xenia Community Library!
The Greene County Public Library is excited to introduce several supervisors who have recently joined the Xenia Community Library team. These dedicated professionals bring a wide range of experience, passion for public service, and a shared commitment to supporting our community. Each of them also brings unique strengths to their roles and we’re thrilled for all of you to get to know the people helping lead and shape services at your Library.
Sarah Hedrick – Head of Youth Services
Sarah Hedrick joined our Xenia team shortly after the 2026 New Year began as the Head of Youth Services. Sarah brings more than a decade of public library experience, having worked in libraries since 2012, including positions with the Washington-Centerville Public Library and The Lane Libraries.
Sarah holds a degree in Political Science with a minor in Environmental Science from Heidelberg University, as well as a Master of Library and Information Science from Kent State University. Outside of work, she enjoys playing open-world video games and reading teen fiction, fantasy, and the occasional romance novel.
What Sarah loves most about library work is that no two days are ever the same. She values the opportunity to help our patrons with a wide variety of needs and finds particular joy in supporting young people as they grow. One of her most meaningful experiences was helping a young teen discover a passion for coding through a library program and years later assisting that same patron with college applications as he pursued a degree in Computer Science. For Sarah, seeing the lasting impact libraries have on patrons’ lives is what makes her interactions truly special.
Amanda Cahill – Head of Circulation
Amanda Cahill may be a familiar face to some in our community. After eight years of service at the Fairborn Community Library earlier in her career, Amanda was thrilled to return to the Greene County Public Libraries as our new Head of Circulation in January 2026.
Amanda has dedicated her professional life to public service with experience spanning Greene County Public Libraries, Jobs and Family Services, and the education field since 2005. As lifelong learner and creative spirit, she enjoys fantasy and science fiction novels, music, theater productions, arts and crafts, and cheering on her favorite hockey teams.
Since rejoining our GCPL family, Amanda has found the Xenia community to be welcoming, vibrant, and a true joy to serve. She is excited to continue learning in her new role and looks forward to discovering new ways to best support and serve the community she cares so deeply about.
James Meadows –Stack Manager
James Meadows brings 18 years of library experience to the Greene County Public Library system in his new position as Stack Manager. Originally from northeastern Kentucky, James is a proud Appalachian and carries a deep appreciation for storytelling and community, which are values that align closely with library service.
A lifelong reader, James’s favorite author is Jonathan Maberry and he is an avid fan of the horror genre. Outside the library, he enjoys spending time immersed in Magic: The Gathering and Dungeons & Dragons. James was recently married to his wife, Jillian, and together they share their home with four dogs (Valkyrie, Heimdall, Delanie, and Damien) who keep life entertaining and full.
Lauren Smallwood – Head of Adult Services
Lauren Smallwood is our Head of Adult Services and joined the Greene County Public Library in November 2024. She brings experience from both academic and public libraries, having worked in Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, and Preble County.
Lauren holds a degree in Art History with a concentration in German Studies from the University of Cincinnati, as well as a Master of Library and Information Science from the University of Pittsburgh. While she enjoys literary fiction, classics, and nonfiction, Lauren has a special appreciation for the magic found in middle-grade and teen fiction. She is especially fond of the works of Jason Reynolds.
Lauren loves working at the library because of the opportunity to serve and connect with our community every day. One of her favorite patron interactions involves a student who stops by after school to chat at the front desk to share stories from her day while grabbing a snack bag and occasionally returning sticky notes filled with words of affirmation. Moments like these remind Lauren just how meaningful small connections can be and it totally brightens her day!
We invite all of you to stop by and say “hello” to our supervisors the next time you are in! Whether you’re checking out materials, attending a program, or just visiting for the day, our team is always happy to connect and help make your library experience the best it can be. We’re proud to have such a passionate and dedicated group serving our Xenia community and look forward to all the great things ahead.
See Ya at Xenia!
Welcome to Week 3 of December’s discussion of Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy, covering Parts 4 and 5.
Part 4
Anna and Karenin are estranged, living in the same household but barely interacting. Karenin is so concerned with the optics of their household and relationship that he is willing to remain married to Anna as long as she and Vronsky don’t humiliate him with making their affair obvious in society and their household staff. Anna disregards Karenin’s wishes and invites Vronsky over to their home when she knows Karenin will be at work, but he returns early and runs into Vronsky.
An infuriated Karenin decides to proceed with getting a divorce on grounds of infidelity, but his lawyer convinces him to go the easier route that will not involve the church and could end up not going in Karenin’s favor. He sees Anna’s brother Stiva at a party he and Dolly are throwing, alerting Stiva (who is giddy about his new affair with a ballerina) about the divorce.
What are your opinions of Karenin? Can you understand where he’s coming from, or is his reasoning weak? As I read the novel my opinions about him change, but I’m at the point where I don’t have any empathy for him.
Vronsky struggles during a difficult week having to entertain a foreign dignitary, and Anna beings to show her jealousy with him for one of the first times, as she dislikes him being away with other people along with the possibility of being around other women. She is unwell during her pregnancy and announces she’s had a dream where she was told she would die during childbirth.
Anna’s mood and character begins to obviously change here; we see little charm in her interactions and she makes two references to her own death. Do you think it’s the pregnancy, mental illness, or the stress of her marriage and affair?
While away, Karenin learns Anna’s given birth to a girl also named Anna and is expected to die of a fever. When they’re reunited at her bedside, Vronsky comes over and Anna begs Karenin to forgive both her and Vronsky, which he does. Vronsky is so upset that he attempts to shoot himself when he returns home, but a servant finds him in time and sends for doctors who help save him. When Anna makes a miraculous recovery she and Vronsky leave together for the countryside.
As someone who loves reading about drama and is really enjoying this book, even I am starting to get tired of the back-and-forth divorce conversations concerning Anna and Karenin. To me, it’s a big stretch that Karenin is so moved by Anna’s recovery that he once again tells her he’s okay with their affair if she wants to continue seeing Vronsky. I don’t see forgiveness having that big of an impact on these characters. What do you think?
Lenin and Kitty are reunited at Stiva and Dolly’s party and they still have feelings for each other!! In the midst of the party they begin to play a word game on a chalkboard and it is, in my opinion, one of the most underrated romantic scenes in literature. They open themselves up to be vulnerable with each other explaining their past mistakes and reasoning, ending with Levin again asking Kitty to marry him. She says yes, and fireworks in the shape of hearts burst from our book pages.
The next morning Levin returns to Kitty’s home to finalize their engagement and alert her parents to the news. He also wants to be honest with her and shares the journals he’s kept, telling her the fact that he is not religious as she is and had not been chaste. While upsetting to Kitty, she forgives him and remains engaged.
These scenes with Levin and Kitty are some of my favorites in the whole novel. The people around Levin are so happy for him they want to be the one to drive him to Kitty’s home and hear all about it. Kitty has shown how much she’s matured since she and Levin last met, and they’ve formed a quick bond of love and understanding with each other.
Part 5:
Anna and Vronsky are living together in the countryside and Anna’s mood appears to be back to normal; she is happy away from Russia and being free to be with Vronsky in public. (Girl, why won’t accept Karenin’s divorce offer and get it over with?!) However, now Vronsky is the one struggling. He seems to be unhappy now that he has everything he’s wanted. He begins painting again, painting a portait of Anna, and she whisks them off to go see a famous painter in the area. When Vronsky sees his work, he abandons his own portrait of her and hires him to do it.
With Vronsky hating their life in Italy, the two eventually make their way back to St. Petersburg but are not met with open arms from their former friends in society. Anna sneaks into Karenin’s home to see her son on the morning of his birthday, which is possibly the saddest scene in the novel. She and Karenin run into each other, and Anna is left in another downward spiral as she begins to resent her daughter and Vronsky for her life ending up this way.
Though Vronsky begs her not to go, Anna insists on attending the opera that evening with her elderly aunt. He understands that Anna will be ridiculed if she goes, and that’s exactly what happens. Distraught, Anna pleads to leave again.
Do you think Anna has parental love for her son? She is brought to tears when she visits him, but she’s also choosing to live away from him by running off with Vronsky and her daughter.
Levin and Kitty get married and leave for Levin’s home in the countryside. Kitty begins to invest all of her time and effort into housekeeping duties, and Levin begins to show more of himself below the surface with her, becoming agitated and, at times, quick to anger. When he learns of his brother Nikolai being on his deathbed, Levin is annoyed at Kitty’s insistence on traveling with him. However, when they arrive, Levin admires her even more when he sees how kind and selfless she is when taking care of his brother. Levin sees his own personal failings compared to Kitty’s strength, and his love for her grows even more. Which is good, because we find out Kitty is pregnant!
What I liked about reading these parts were the comparisons between the “honeymoons” of both sets of characters. While Anna and Vronsky aren’t married, they escape to glamorous and luxurious Italy when their relationship is renewed after both survived near-death experiences. Levin and Kitty’s wedding is followed by a trip back to a much more modest and humble home than Kitty is used to, but she instantly takes on the role as the head of the house. While Anna is constantly running away from something, Kitty is taking the next steps to the rest of her life with confidence and with Levin.
Come back next week when we’ll be around the final third of the book and discussing Parts 6 and 7!
Welcome to Week 2 of December’s discussion of Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy, covering Parts 1, 2, and 3.
Part 1:
This novel has two great opening lines. The epigraph pulls from both Deuteronomy and Romans verses “Vengeance is mine. I will repay.” We turn the page to chapter one and are hit with one of the most famous opening lines in all of literature, “All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.” And BAM! In only 20 words we know we’re in for a bumpy ride.
Did you already know the story and ending of Anna Karenina before you read it for the first time? No spoilers! It’s one of the most famous stories in the world, but I’m a true believer that a story can still be enjoyed even if its main plot or events have been spoiled through pop culture.
The novel opens with Anna’s bother Stiva (Stepan) waking up the day after his affair with the family’s governess had been discovered by his wife Dolly. We spend a good deal of time with Stiva, as he’s the character who introduces us to the novel’s second protagonist Levin.
How do you feel about Tolstoy’s choice to open the novel with Stiva rather than his sister and main protagonist Anna? Do we learn anything about her through learning Stiva?
Stiva travels to the train station to meet Anna arriving from St. Petersburg, and Count Vronsky is there to meet his mother. On her journey there Anna has been sitting with Count Vronsky’s mother who is enamored with her, and Vronsky is immediately drawn to, and struck by, Anna’s beauty. And so it begins!
The novel’s other protagonist, Levin, is in for a bumpy ride of his own. Russia is beginning to leave behind some traditions like arranged marriages; Kitty’s mother has difficulty with this but has a preference of Vronsky over Levin, her father prefers Levin. He’s returned to town and is somewhat hesitant to propose to Kitty after hearing she’s been close with Count Vronsky while he’s been away. At Stiva’s encouragement, Levin is more hopeful and goes to meet with Kitty; later arriving at her home to catch her alone and make the proposal… and be turned down. Were you at all shocked Kitty refused the proposal?
Let’s talk about The Ball Scene. Leading up to the ball, Kitty has just turned down Levin but is excited to meet Vronsky there; so excited that she even tells Anna Karenina to wear a lilac dress to coordinate with her. Anna does not wear lilac, but black! It’s not the dress, though, that makes Anna irresistible. When Vronsky sees her again the dress is described as merely a frame to highlight her elegance, beauty, and charm. Though he danced with Kitty, Vronsky and Anna make a statement when they danced a waltz and the final dance of the evening together, leaving Kitty without a partner. It’s in this moment of high-drama that Kitty realizes she’s lost Vronsky’s interest to someone she admired and cared deeply for. Later at home with the Oblonsky’s, Kitty claims she has a headache to miss dinner with her parents and Anna, and Anna claims she believes Vronsky will still pursue Kitty. Soon after, she leaves town to return to her husband and son. She looks out at the first train stop and spots Vronsky at the station. He has followed her. (!!!!!)
In St. Petersburg, Vronsky has the audacity to introduce himself to Anna’s husband and knows she doesn’t love him. At the end of Part 1 we know that this is just the beginning of a long, dramatic love affair.
Part 2:
Kitty is down bad in Part 2. She’s depressed and heartbroken over the turn of events that changed her life in a short window of time; rejecting Levin’s proposal and being snubbed by Vronsky for another woman. Stiva makes a visit to Levin and mentions how Kitty has been ill this whole time, and Levin finds a kind of satisfaction in hearing this. Kitty’s family takes her to Germany to stay at a spa to work on her health, and she’s introduced to Madam Stahl and a lovely young woman Varenka. Their kindness and charm eventually inspires Kitty to move beyond her heartbreak and begin to think of doing good deeds for others, but when Kitty’s father visits he makes Kitty realize that Madam Stahl is a vain woman, not a charitable angel.
It’s at this point in the novel I think Kitty realizes she often acts as she’s expected to by others, or is inspired by others, but doesn’t act as her true self. She’s a young woman who has gone through a fairly traumatic experience and is now able to mature and grow through these experiences.
In St. Petersburg, Anna’s husband quickly understands something has shifted with her since she returned from Moscow and puts together the pieces that she and Vronsky have feelings for each other, urging Anna to keep some things locked inside and not act on them. Nice try, Karenin! Time jumps forward in this section to a year or so later and we find Anna and Vronsky are now officially Having An Affair. However, Anna is not overjoyed when we find out, she is crying and says she’s lost everything while gaining everything she wanted. How do you feel about Anna in this moment? Do you have any empathy for how she’s feeling?
At this point, everyone in St. Petersburg knows what’s going on between Anna and Vronsky and society is changing how they treat her. Vronsky buys a new horse, Frou Frou, and is preparing for a race when Anna tells him she’s pregnant and won’t leave her husband to be with him. This racing scene is about as dramatic as Part 1’s scene in the ball, with Vronsky and Frou Frou both agitated and confused, leading to a fall in the race that breaks the horse’s back.
During this time, Karenin and Anna are practically living separate lives in separate homes and he sees how Anna reacts during the horse race while not knowing if Vronsky is okay. Anna finally admits she loves Vronsky and hates Karenin, whose reaction is repression and methodical, telling her to keep up appearances.
Part 3:
Levin works hard in the countryside to work through life’s troubles, as labor makes him feel like he’s a part of something greater with a feeling close to Enlightenment. While feeling connected to the land, his attitude about farming changes and he becomes frustrated that the peasants aren’t flexible to work with him on new ideas of agriculture and technology – something that takes up much of Part 3. He receives a letter and learns that Dolly, Stiva’s wife and Kitty’s sister, is staying nearby to save on expenses. When Levin visits her she brings up Kitty, letting him know she believes there’s still a chance of them being together. Levin begins to get angry, saying it could never happen. The next day he spots Kitty passing in a carriage and his heart is light again, open to loving her.
Why do you think Levin’s feelings changed so quickly when he saw Kitty? Did he really stop having feelings for her before, or do you think it was more about his pride? Are you someone who likes to keep busy and do chores when there are other things on your mind like Levin?
Karenin and Anna’s marriage is in a bad state. Karenin wants Anna to suffer and is refusing a divorce, and he’s beginning to resent their son while also using him against her. They eventually meet again and Karenin essentially tells Anna he’ll tolerate her affair as long as Vronsky doesn’t go into their home… which Anna can’t uphold.
There’s a lot to talk about when it comes to Anna and Karenin’s son; I felt so badly for him through the entire novel. Do you think either of his parents are worse for their behavior toward him, or are they equally bad parents? Anna talks about how much she loves and misses her son, but she also chose to continue her affair with Vronsky and leave her life behind knowing she was leaving her son. Karenin uses his son against Anna and doesn’t provide much, or any, affection.
That’s it for Parts 1-3! Come back next week where we’ll be discussing Parts 4and 5.
Welcome to December’s online book club! This month we’ll be discussingAnna Kareninaby Leo Tolstoy. If you have read the book and would also like to talk about it in person, the Xenia Community Library’s Classics Book Club will be discussing the entire novel this Saturday, December 6th, from 3pm-4pm.
To a lot of readers, Anna Karenina doesn’t immediately scream “holiday read!”, but this long book is full of wintery scenes perfect to read during long winter nights. We’re supposed to be getting snow tonight and tomorrow, so it’s perfect timing to stay in and read about the drama of other people’s lives. Taking place in imperial Russia in the 1870’s, Anna Karenina is a tale of passion, betrayal, faith, and societal expectations.
If this is more of a film season than reading season for you, the book has been adapted into a film starring Keira Knightly, Jude Law, and Aaron Taylor-Johnson.
Join me next week where I’ll be discussing Parts 1, 2, and 3 of the novel. Looking forward to discussing it with you in the comments! You can watch the trailer below:
Season Greetings from all of us at your Xenia Community Library!
As the winter chill sets in and the holiday season fills the air we invite you to cozy up with a wealth of engaging programs, festive activities, and creative workshops. We have programs for everyone to enjoy so come visit us if you are a book lover, a craft enthusiast, explorer of new skills, or someone looking for fun family activities.
Here’s a glimpse of what’s coming up this December and January!
December Highlights: Festive Fun and Creative Learning
Jane Austen Quote Art with Flourishing Quirk Monday, December 1, 6:00pm–7:30pm Kick off the season with an evening of creativity! Join Allison from Flourishing Quirk to transform a favorite Jane Austen quote into a beautiful piece of hand-lettered art. Whether you’re a lifelong Austen fan or a newcomer to her world, this workshop is a perfect way to combine art with literary inspiration. Registration required.
Winter Cookie Decorating Wednesday, December 3, 4:00pm–5:00pm Get into the holiday spirit with a fun, hands-on activity that’s as sweet as it is festive. Teens and tweens, ages 10-18, are invited to decorate cookies with a holiday twist. The best part? You get to take home your delicious creations! Registration required.
Reptiles with the WAVE Foundation Saturday, December 13, 10:30am–11:30am Learn about the fascinating world of reptiles from animal ambassadors brought to you by the Newport Aquarium’s WAVE Foundation. This program is a great way for families and curious minds of all ages to discover what makes reptiles so unique. Registration required.
Jane Austen Birthday Party and Discussion Monday, December 15, 6:00pm–7:30pm Celebrate the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen’s birth with us! Enjoy cake, conversation, and a discussion of Austen’s works. If you’ve always wanted to delve into her novels or just want to enjoy some birthday fun, this event will be a charming and memorable experience. Registration required.
Frozen Frenzy Thursday, December 18, 4:00pm–5:30pm Do you want to build a snowman? Join Anna, Elsa, and Olaf for an afternoon of magical crafts, games, and snacks. A perfect event for kids of ages 4 to 12 to celebrate the winter season and have some fun with their favorite Frozen characters. Registration required.
Kick Start the New Year with Knowledge and Creativity
Take & Make: Herbal Heat Pack January 1–31 Start the New Year with a DIY project that promotes self-care and relaxation. Register to pick up a Take & Make kit to create your very own herbal heating pack, perfect for cozying up during winter. Registration required.
The Living Writer with Gery Deer Saturday, January 10, 12:00pm–1:30pm Got a passion for writing? Learn how to turn your creative ideas into profit with local writer Gery Deer. Whether you’re a seasoned writer or a beginner, this session will inspire and equip you to thrive as a professional writer. Registration required.
Starting Your Waste-Free Journey with Waste-Free Dayton Tuesday, January 13, 6:00pm–7:00pm Kick off your year by learning how to live more sustainably! Waste-Free Dayton will guide you on how to reduce waste and make eco-friendly choices, whether you’re new to the zero-waste movement or looking for fresh ideas. Registration required.
Step by Step Oil Pastels: Snowman Tuesday, January 20, 4:15pm–5:15pm Unleash your inner artist this winter by creating a charming oil pastel snowman. This step-by-step workshop is open to kids and teens aged 8+. A perfect opportunity to explore your artistic side while having fun in the process. Registration required.
DIY Website Workshop Wednesday, January 21, 10:30am–12:00pm Want to build your own website but you don’t know where to start? Elizabeth Daniels will show you how to create and enhance a website for your business using the Squarespace platform. No coding required! Just bring your ideas and a desire to learn. Registration required.
More Fun for Everyone All Month Long
National Polka Dot Day Thursday, January 22, All day Celebrate the whimsical world of polka dots with us! Drop by to create your own polka dot art. Open to all ages.
National Puzzle Day Thursday, January 29, All day Celebrate National Puzzle Day by working through a puzzle with friends and family. We’ll have puzzles for all ages and skill levels available throughout the day. It’s a perfect way to unwind and enjoy a little friendly competition.
Visit our website or stop by our Library to register for your favorite events. We look forward to seeing you this season as we dive into new adventures, explore new ideas, and embrace the season of learning!
Happy Holidays & have a wonder New Year from YOUR Xenia Community Library staff!
As fall rolls in there’s so much to enjoy like the cooler weather, color changing leaves, and the chance to see all of YOU in your library AND out in our community! Here’s a sneak peek at some of the programs we have planned and events we’ll see you at this season.
Get creative with us at this special fall themed event just for teens!
Join Molly Beam as she leads an inspiring session painting decorative foam pumpkins. All supplies are provided so just bring your imagination. Spots are limited for this program so don’t wait to encourage your teen to register now.
Xenia Fall Festival – October 11th, 12:00-5:00pm
We’re excited to be part of the Xenia Fall Festival, hosted by the City of Xenia! Come out for an afternoon packed with games, a straw maze, petting zoo, pumpkin painting, food trucks, crafts, and more. Don’t forget to visit our table in downtown Xenia for fun activities and surprises waiting just for you!
Fall Family Funat the Library – October 11th, 12:00-5:00pm
Before or after the festival, swing by our beautifully renovated library for even more autumn fun! Enjoy a festive scavenger hunt, seasonal crafts, hands-on activities, and special visit from Gorman Heritage Farm from 2:00-4:00pm. Meet their farm friends for an interactive experience and learn more about life on the farm!
National Friends of Libraries Week – October 19–25th
Fall is also a time to celebrate a group that’s near and dear to our hearts, our Xenia Friends of the Library group! During National Friends of Libraries Week we honor the incredible work they do all year around with help organizing our annual book sale, providing prizes and movie snacks, and supporting programs with their time, resources, and passion.
Want to show your appreciation? Support their mission by becoming a member!
Unleash your imagination and create your very own spooky castle using our festive supplies! Whether you take it home or leave it on display in the library, your masterpiece is sure to impress friends and family. Perfect for kids and teens who love a little Halloween magic!
Trick or Treat at the YMCA – October 25th, 4:00-6:00pm
The fabulous fall fun doesn’t stop there! Join us at the Xenia YMCA for a spooky-good time filled with games, crafts, food trucks, AND candy!
These are only highlights of our events that we hope to see you at this fall. Please be sure to check out our website here for a complete listing of all the programs and events that we have planned.
We look forward to seeing you more this fall and cannot wait to celebrate the season with you here in Xenia!
We’ve had an exciting, activity-filled summer here in Xenia with our Summer Reading Club! From hands-on STEM programs with the Cincinnati Museum Center to a magical performance and workshop by Rusty Ammerman, and even learning about rabbit families and building vermicomposting bins with Gorman Heritage Farm- we’ve welcomed a fantastic lineup of engaging presenters. Combined with our weekly art sessions and teen craft programs, it’s been a colorful, creative, and truly captivating summer.
Enjoying a magic show with magician Rusty Ammerman.
It’s been especially rewarding to see how dedicated our readers have been to reaching their goals. Along with all the great SRC prizes, the Youth Department handed out over 2,500 Reading Dragon cards to our enthusiastic school-aged readers—and we’re not slowing down anytime soon!
As we shift gears for the upcoming school year, we’d love for you to explore all the ways your library can support you.
Starting the first Monday in August, we’ll offer free tutoring every Monday and Wednesday from 4-6pm. All school-aged children are welcome- no appointment necessary! (Note: There will be no tutoring on August 18, as well as any day that Xenia Community Schools are closed.)
Geology with the Cincinnati Museum Center.
We also offer monthly clubs you can register your child for, including Harry Potter Club, Art Club, and STEM Club. And don’t miss our weekly Aspiring Artists program for ages 3-9, where we read stories and do an art project together every Monday from 10:30-11:30am. Check out our events page for a full line up of what we’re getting up to here in the next couple of months.
Learning about mammal traits with live rabbits from Gorman Heritage Farms.
New this year for homeschooling families is our monthly Homeschool Hangout! Bring a packed lunch and connect with other homeschooling families. We’ll provide fun activities and a themed book selection each month to check out and explore together.
Speaking of book collections, we’d love to highlight one of our most helpful resources for both educators and homeschooling families: librarian-curated classroom collections! With a teacher card, you can request a custom book collection on any topic. Your youth librarians will gather a tailored selection of books for a six-week checkout period. You can be as specific or as broad as you like in terms of reading levels, subjects, or titles. Just ask your librarian how to get started!
Artwork from one of our teen art programs this summer- Teens Upcycle Old Art!
Lastly, don’t forget to mark your calendars for our annual Friends of the Library book sale– back for the first time since before the renovation! The sale will be happening on Friday, September 26 from 10am-5pm, and Saturday, September 27 from 10am-4pm. We will have a variety of adult, teen, and children’s materials for purchase. This event is organized by the Xenia Friends of the Library to benefit our library’s resources. Proceeds from the sale support library programs and services. Come find some new titles to fill your bookshelves and support your local Xenia library!
It’s been a jam-packed summer, and we can’t wait to see you continue using- and loving- your community library as we head into fall. See you soon!
Latoya Hook enjoying Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire in our new Children’s area!
Stop by our newly renovated library and take a tour of all the exciting new updates! Discover our expanded children’s area, relocated makerspace, and the stunning new Xenia community mural that was specially designed by a local artist. There’s so much more to explore!
Mark your calendar for Saturday, May 10th, our grand reopening celebration! We’ll have refreshments from Glazed Donut Eatery and Frios Gourmet Pops, face painting with a local community artist, a performance by the Xenia High School Jazz Band, a special visit from the Newport Aquarium’s shark, friendly goats from GoatCountry, storytimes, and guided tours of our Library. It’s an all-day celebration you won’t want to miss!
But the fun doesn’t stop there…we’ve got an exciting summer ahead!!!
Our Summer Reading Club kicks off in June and we’re celebrating with a big party on June 9th from 3–6 p.m. Enjoy a visit from the Boonshoft Museum of Discovery, get creative with sidewalk chalk art on our new patio, and dive into other hands-on art activities. And yes!—there will be popsicles!!
What a cozy spot in the new Children’s area to read!The Hook kids enjoying a puzzle in our children’s area – how fun!
This year’s Summer Reading Club theme is “Color Our World” so we’re hosting a variety of art and imagination inspired programs:
Aspiring Artists for kids (Mondays)
Summer Art Camp for kids (Tuesdays)
Teens can join us on June 6th for a Sharpie Tie-Dye program and on June 11th for a Teen Magic Workshop with Rusty Ammerman
And don’t worry—there’s something for adults too!
On June 2nd, join us to quill Butterflies of Summer with Debora
On June 3rd, register for our Glass Painting program
We can’t wait to welcome you back to the Xenia Community Library where stories, creativity, and connections come to life all summer long.
Last night we hosted the annual GCPL volunteer dinner, and it was so nice to see everyone come together and enjoy each other’s company. We want to give another gracious thanks to all the library volunteers and acknowledge the wonderful work they do for the library and their Greene County Community!
nearth a Story”
Amanda Cahill may be a familiar face to some in our community. After eight years of service at the Fairborn Community Library earlier in her career, Amanda was thrilled to return to the Greene County Public Libraries as our new Head of Circulation in January 2026.
James Meadows brings 18 years of library experience to the Greene County Public Library system in his new position as Stack Manager. Originally from northeastern Kentucky, James is a proud Appalachian and carries a deep appreciation for storytelling and community, which are values that align closely with library service.
Lauren holds a degree in Art History with a concentration in German Studies from the University of Cincinnati, as well as a Master of Library and Information Science from the University of Pittsburgh. While she enjoys literary fiction, classics, and nonfiction, Lauren has a special appreciation for the magic found in middle-grade and teen fiction. She is especially fond of the works of Jason Reynolds.
by Step Oil Pastels: Snowman
oy a little friendly competition. 
Fall Family Fun
Unleash your imagination and create your very own spooky castle using our festive supplies! Whether you take it home or leave it on display in the library, your masterpiece is sure to impress friends and family. Perfect for kids and teens who love a little Halloween magic!
