HISTORICAL PROGRAMS ABOUND IN 2026
 
Forgotten Founding Fathers Lecture Series Starts Robust Slate of History Programs
 
Sidney Zufall will present "Rebels and Revolutionaries: America's First Patriots" to kick off a seven-part "Forgotten Founding Fathers" lecture series at 6 p.m. on Monday January 26. 
 
The program is only one of several programs that RPL has scheduled so far for 2026 that will interest history enthusiasts.
 
Icons - Read More - Dark Purple
RPL APP GETS UPDATE
Are You Using The Most Current
Version of the Rodman Library App?
 
 Rodman Public Library’s app has received an update, and users are advised that may want to uninstall the old version on their devices and reinstall the new version from Google Play or the App Store to ensure that they are using the latest version.
 
The Rodman Library app can be found by searching Rodman Public Library wherever you get your apps by searching for Rodman Public Library.
 
Users will also have to relink their library card account to the app in order to place holds on materials and see other account information, such as how many items they have checked out, how many are overdue.
 
The latest version of the app also makes it easy for patrons to view our online calendar and register for programs.
 
Those who require assistance using the app, should call 330-821-2665, ext 217. 
SOMETHING NEW AT RODMAN LIBRARY
Children's Area Mural Complete

Iris Murray, a local muralist, has completed a woodland-themed mural in the children's area at Rodman Public Library just in time for the new year. 
 
The artwork brightens the space with 16 different creatures along six panels and a large wall.
 
Icons - Read More - Dark Purple
PLANNING AHEAD
Puzzles Sought Ahead of Swap

The Rodman Branch Library will host a Puzzle Swap on Friday, February 13, and Saturday, February 14. Ahead of the swap, the library is collecting puzzles in good condition now. Puzzles should be in good condition and stored in a proper container with a picture of the finished puzzle on the front. Preferably, the puzzles should contain all of its pieces. However, if a puzzle is missing a piece or two, please mark the box as such. Puzzles can be dropped off at the Main and Branch locations.
IN THE MAKERSPACE

National Bird Day Papercraft

Appreciate a Dragon Day
DIY Bookmarks

DIY Squirrel Shadowboxes
January Makerspace Programs
 
There are four free Makerspace programs planned in January at RPL, including:
 
January 5 (4 p.m.) -- National Bird Day Papercraft
January 16 (4 p.m.) -- Appreciate a Dragon Day DIY Bookmarks
January 22 (4 p.m.) -- DIY Squirrel Shadowboxes
January 28 (4 p.m.) -- LEGO Day DIY Bookmarks
 
 
LEGO Day DIY Bookmarks
ONE BOOK ONE COMMUNITY
Sy Montgomery's
Soul of an Octopus
is 2026 OBOC Selection
 
Keep watching The Buzz and Rodman Public Library's website for details about One Book One Community programs
happening in February and March.
 
The  2026 selection is The Soul of an Octopus,
by Sy Montgomery. The book explores the emotional and physical world of the octopus — a surprisingly complex, intelligent, and spirited creature
— and the remarkable connections
it makes with humans.
 
Copies of the book are on sale at the Main and Branch locations for $10 a copy, which includes tax. Copies are also available for checkout with a valid RPL card. A list of programs leading up to the author’s visit in late March will be released at a later date.
 
The Soul of an Octopus: A Surprising Exploration Into the Wonder of Consciousness by Sy Montgomery
FUN FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY
Tabletop Gaming
 
Tabletop Gaming, an all-ages program continues at the Main Library at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, January 6. Each month, a new game is featured so that patrons can learn a new game. Of course, other games available in the library’s collection, which can also be borrowed with a valid library card, are also available and visitors are
welcome to bring their own games. The free monthly event is held on the first Tuesday of each month. The aim of the family program is to give area residents an opportunity to gather with others to play their favorite card and board games and make new friends. Light snacks will be offered and no registration is required to attend the monthly program. Although the program is open to players of all ages, children under 13 should be accompanied by an adult.
 
Rodman Chess Club
 
The popular Rodman Chess Club will meet at Rodman Public Library on Wednesday, January 21 from 5:30 to 7:30  p.m. in the Main Auditorium. Although it is called a club, the program has no formal membership and is open to all interested in the ancient game of strategy. Players of all ages and levels are welcome to come and go throughout the evening.
Several boards are set up in the auditorium and players mingle to find opponents. Chess Club is held on the third Wednesday of each month.
 
 
FOR THOSE WHO LOVE TO READ
JOIN ONE OF OUR BOOK CLUBS
For a list of future selections, visit rodmanlibrary.com/Rodman-Book-Clubs
 
For book descriptions or to place a hold, click on a book cover
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
I Read YA
 
A club for adults 18 and over who enjoy reading literature written for young adults
meets every first Monday
of the Month at 6:30 p.m.
at the Main Library. 
 
Registration Required
 
For information, call
330-821-2665, ext. 213.
 
A Song of Wraiths and Ruin by Roseanne A. Brown
JANUARY 5
The Book Thief
by 
Markus Zusak
 
FEBRUARY 2
A Song of Wraiths and Ruin
 by
Roseanne A. Brown
Books and Coffee
 
The  Books and Coffee Book Club meets at 6:30 p.m. every second Monday of the month at the Rodman Branch Library.
 
The next meeting will be held
January 12  when the selection will be
The Soul of an Octopus 
by Sy Montgomery.
 
Copies are available at
the Main and Branch libraries, through the library's catalog, or digitally through
the Ohio Digital Library and Hoopla.
For more information,
call 330-821-1313. 
 
The Soul of an Octopus: A Surprising Exploration Into the Wonder of Consciousness by Sy Montgomery
True Crime Junkies
 
The True Crime Junkies, a book discussion group, meets at 6:30 p.m. every
third Tuesday of the month
at the Main Library. 
 
The selection for the 
January 20 meeting is 
Unmasked:
My Life Solving America's Cold Cases 
by Paul Holes
 
Books can be obtained through the Rodman Library catalog or the Ohio Digital Library. Registration is required to attend the meeting.  For more information,
call 330-821-2665, ext. 215.
 
 
Unmasked: My Life Solving America's Cold Cases by Paul Holes
Evening Book Club
 
The RPL Evening Book Club
meets every fourth Monday
of the month at 6 p.m.
at the Main Library.
 
 
The next meeting is January 26 
when the selection will be 
Something to Look Forward To 
by Fannie Flagg.
 
For more information,
call 330-821-2665, ext. 204.
 
Something to Look Forward to: Fictions by Fannie Flagg
Great Short Stories of the Masters
Monday Women's
Book Club 
 
The Monday Women's
Book Club meets every 
first and third Monday
of the month at 1 p.m.
at the Main Library.
 
January 5
Great Short Stories
of the Masters,
Charles Neider (editor)
 p.152-173
 
January 19
 The Marrow Thieves
 by Cherie Dimaline
The Marrow Thieves by Cherie Dimaline
 DAR Book Club
 
Open to all, the club hosted by the
Jain Bain Chapter
of the Daughters of the American Revolution meets quarterly at the Main Library.
 
The next meeting will be held
at 3 p.m. on Friday, February 13
 when the selection will be
The Spymistress 
by Jennifer Chiaverini.
 
Registration is Required.
 
For information, call 330-821-2665, ext. 204.
 
The Spymistress by Jennifer Chiaverini
GET COOKING AT RPL
The Bradshaw Family Cookbook: Our Favorite Recipes for Game Days, Weekdays, and Any Day by Terry Bradshaw
Cookbook Club
 
The Cookbook Club, a group for cooking and baking enthusiasts
gathers inside the Rodman Auditorium at 6 p.m. on the last Tuesday of each month, to discuss their experience creating a recipe of their choice from a selected cookbook or from a specific theme. Participants can bring in small samples of their recipes for others to share with others. The club, which has no formal membership, will meet January 27 when the selected cookbook will be The Bradshaw Family Cookbook by Terry and Tammy Bradshaw and Family with James O. Fraioli in honor of the Super Bowl. Registration is required to attend.
 
ON A BREAK DURING JANUARY
Maker Monday
 
Maker Monday an in-person craft program for adults is usually held monthly on a select Monday. The program is taking a break during January, but will return on February 23. (Look for more information about the project in the February edition of The Buzz.) All materials are provided free of charge, thanks to Friends of Rodman Library, but space is limited and registration is required for each session.
SOMETHING ELSE YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN
ON THE ROAD
Bookmobile Schedule
The Rodman Public Library Bookmobile
has set its 2025-2026 academic year schedule
Printed schedule brochures are available at all service desks.
The schedule can also be viewed online at
rodmanlibrary.com/bookmobile.
FEATURED DATABASE
Points of View Source
Containing resources that present multiple sides of an issue, Points of View Source provides the basis from which students can realize and develop persuasive arguments and essays, better understand controversial issues and develop analytical thinking skills.
 
 
You can find all 70+ databases offered by Rodman Library at rodmanlibrary.com/databases.
For information or help accessing RPL’s free databases, call 330-821-2665, ext. 217.
 
A GLIMPSE OF THE PAST
Children sit in a Fairmount Children's Home classroom in this photo from the collection of Jean Klee. The date on the chalkboard is January 21, 1914. This photo is one of thousands of items of media found at alliancememory.org, a collaboration between Rodman Public Library and the Alliance Historical Society, which is a partner of the Alliance Area Preservation Society and Castle Crusaders, two other historic resources in the Carnation City. Collectively, they are known as the 3 Families. Alliance Memory offers a view of history through photographs, personal recollections, and documents. To access RPL's local history and genealogy resources, visit rodmanlibrary.com/genealogy, or call 330-821-2665, ext. 217.
Rodman Public Library
215 E Broadway St
Alliance, Ohio 44601
(330) 821-2665

https://www.rodmanlibrary.com/