April 2025 AUTHORS CASTILLO & KRUEGER MAY 1 Author series offers two authors in one night We celebrate the love of our Library every day, but officially, the week of April 6-12 is when the American Library Association highlights and celebrates the role of libraries, librarians, and library workers who play a part in transforming lives and strengthening our community. This year’s theme is “Drawn to the Library!” Thousands of people from across Marion County are drawn to use Marion Public Library. From young families stopping in for programs and storytime, developing their early literacy skills, to students stretching their minds in creative games and connecting with peers. From seniors seeking tech help and other learning opportunities, to events to connect popular authors with readers through author visits and book discussions. People from across the county are drawn in to use the resources in the Local History Room to trace family genealogy and research local and national events. Don’t forget about the great connections for kids -- and adults -- throughout the summer when participating in Summer Reading. There are literally hundreds of programs on the schedule to draw you in! Whatever draws you in, your library has something for everyone!! We invite you to take a look at our 2024 Annual Report where all of our successes are highlighted. Stop by the Library to pick up a copy or download one from MarionLibrary.org/ AnnualReport DIRECTOR’S NOTE Gary Branson As part of the “In The Author’s Voice,” series, Linda Castillo and William Kent Krueger will be sharing the Marion Public Library stage on Thursday, May 1. Doors open at 6:00pm with the program starting at 6:30pm. Book signing will be at 7:30pm. No ticket is necessary for this open house event. If you are a fan of either author or enjoy crime thrillers and mysteries with historical fiction, you should attend. Linda Castillo is the author of the New York Times and USA Today bestselling Kate Burkholder mystery series, set in Ohio’s Amish country. The first book, Sworn to Silence, was adapted into a Lifetime original movie titled An Amish Murder starring Neve Campbell as Kate Burkholder. Critically acclaimed as “the master of sota. His protagonist is Cork O’Connor, the former sheriff of Tamarack County and a man of mixed heritage - part Irish and part Ojibwe. His work received several awards, including the Minnesota Book Award, the Anthony Award, the Barry Award, the Dilys Award, and the Friends of American Writers Prize. Ordinary Grace, his stand-alone novel published in 2013, received the Edgar® Award, given by the Mystery Writers of America in recognition for the best novel published in that year. The companion novel, This Tender Land, was published in September 2019 and spent nearly six months on the New York Times bestseller list. His the genre” (People magazine), Castillo is the recipient of numerous industry awards including an Edgar® Award, the Sue Grafton Memorial Award, a nomination by the International Thriller Writers for Best Hardcover, a nomination for an Audie Award for best mystery audiobook, and an appearance on the Boston Globe’s shortlist for best crime novel. William Kent Krueger writes a mystery series set in the Northwoods of Minnemost recent stand-alone, The River We Remember, published in 2023, was featured on many best-of-the-year lists, as well as receiving an Edgar® Award nomination for Best Novel. Spirit Crossing, was released in August 2024. Our BookMarks Friends group will have a selection of books available for purchase at the event. Marion Library.org/AuthorSeries
April 1 Fiction Book Discussion @ 6:00pm April 2 ALL - Book Buzz: Career Day at the Library @ 10:00am FFN Fakémon Returns @ 5:30pm April 3 Story Time! @ 10:00am & 11:00am ALL - Planting to Bottling: Behind the Scenes of Shamrock Vineyard @ 2:00pm TEEN Tabletop Time @ 3:15pm April 4 ALL - Marion Fire Department & Home Safety @ 2:00pm April 7 Lapsit Baby Time @ 11:00am April 8 ALL - A Brief Introduction to Acupuncture & Eastern Medicine @ 10:00am Books in Focus @ 3:00pm April 9 ALL - Book Buzz: Career Day at the Library @ 10:00am FFN Poetry @ 5:30pm April 10 Story Time! @ 10:00am & 11:00am TEEN Tabletop Time @ 3:15pm April 11 ALL - The Holocaust: Through the Lens of the Liberation @ 10:00am April 14 Lapsit Baby Time @ 11:00am April 15 ALL - Historic Marion Walking Tour @ 2:00pm Nonfiction Book Discussion @ 6:00pm April 16 ALL - Book Buzz: Career Day at the Library @ 10:00am FFN Giant Board Game @ 5:30pm April 17 Story Time! @ 10:00am & 11:00am TEEN Tabletop Time @ 3:15pm April 21 Lapsit Baby Time @ 11:00am April 22 Book Show & Tell @ 3:00pm April 24 Book Sale 5:00-8:00pm < Must have ticket April 25 Book Sale 9:00am - 5:00pm (Schmidts truck) April 26 Book Sale 9:00am - 5:00pm April 27 Book Sale 12:00 - 4:00pm April 29 Aging Well: Staying Engaged and Energized @ 10:30am April 30 Make Your Own Kentucky Derby Fascinator! @ 5:30pm JOIN THE DISCUSSIONS Community Read books available calendar of events https://www.marionlibrary.org/events *ALL - Registration and a fee required Adult Child/Teen ALL Digital Lit Now is the time to pick up a copy of the Community Read book, The Art and Science of Connection: Why Social Health is the Missing Key to Living Longer, Healthier, and Happier by Kasley Killam. MPL is hosting a number of book discussions throughout Marion County in preparation for the authors’ visit on June 12. Several copies are available at Marion Public Library. Pick up your copy then JOIN THE SOCIAL DISCUSSION: • Wednesday, May 14 @ 6pm Fable Bar 119 W. Huber St.,downtown Marion • Wednesday, May 21 @ 2pm Marion Senior Center 2375 Harding Hw East, Marion • Wednesday, May 28 @ 6pm Bowstring Restaurant 109 N. Water St., Caledonia • Monday, June 2 @ 6pm Oscar’s, 306 S. Marion St., Waldo • Wednesday, June 4 @ 6pm LaRue Community Center 350 N. High St., LaRue • Monday, June 9 @ 6pm Marion Public Library book discussion • Thursday, June 12 @ 6pm author Kasley Killam visits Marion Public Library Killam is a leading expert in social health and an award-winning author. She is a sought-after advisor and founder of Social Health Labs; she has been improving global well-being through connection for over a decade. MarionLibrary.org/authorseries April is National Car Care Month, the perfect time for you to prep your vehicle(s) for travel. MPL offers access to trusted repair, maintenance, and service information for vehicles through the Chilton repair manuals in both physical and digital form. The Chilton resources provide OEM data, technical bulletins, wiring diagrams, and more. You can access the digital version, Chilton Library, through the library’s website using your library card. To access Chilton Library and other databases, visit the library’s website: MarionLibrary.org/dbases CAR CARE MONTH Get road-ready with Chilton
FICTION: April 1 @ 6pm The Burning by Linda Castillo and Spirit Crossing by William Kent Krueger BOTH AUTHORS will be at MPL May 1 NONFICTION: April 15 @ 6pm The Amish Wife by Gregg Olsen Find the 2025 Book Discussions List: www.MarionLibrary.org/bookdiscussions Full video on our Library YouTube channel at: https://youtu.be/Sq1nHzxpswU book discussion Stop by, pick up a book, read and join the discussion. books in focus Check out the new titles hitting our shelves within the month of April. Many of our patrons took advantage of our donation envelopes on the Hungry Caterpillar/Dolly Display in our lobby to make a donation to the Marion Imagination Library fund. All donations, from both generous individuals and organizations truly work to build literacy foundations and home libraries, encouraging lifelong reading. Below, members of American Legion Club 162, led by Commander Jim Cornely, recently stopped by Marion Public Library to make a $5,000 donation to the Marion Imagination Library fund at Marion Community Foundation that pays for Dolly Parton Imagination Library books to be delivered to Marion County children. MarionLibrary.org/ImaginationLibrary THANK YOU FOR THE DOLLY DONATIONS All individuals and organizations make a difference ANNUAL BOOK SALE APRIL 24, 25, 26, 27 Ticket needed for Thursday night Early Bird Sale The annual book sale runs April 24, 25, 26, and 27, with the first night always being a highly anticipated, special night for those wanting to get first dibs and the great selection. The first night ticket will be $25. This year that ticket can be purchased in advance by stopping into the BookMarket or going online to the website. Shoppers who show up Thursday night of the sale will still be able to purchase their tickets at the door. There is no charge for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, they are open to the public. Additionally, volunteers are needed for the sale. Stop by the BookMarket and let them know you want to volunteer for the book sale. Go to MarionOHBookmarks. org to purchase your Early Bird Sale ticket and to find the BookMarket open hours. Schmidt’s Sausage truck will be onsite Friday. Thursday, April 24 5-8pm Friday, April 25 9am-5pm Saturday, April 26 9am-5pm Sunday, April 27 12-4pm
Jaymi: Dual timeline; historical fiction centered around two actual tomb discoveries; dramatic, serious tone; some mystery elements; fast-paced facebook.com/mplohio instagram: @MarionPublicLib twitter: @MarionPublicLib youtube: @MarionPublicLibraryOhio linkedin: @MarionPublicLibraryOhio Marion Public Library 445 East Church Street Marion, Ohio 43302 740-387-0992 MarionLibrary.org Board of Directors Malcolm Goodman, President Phyllis Butterworth Patrick Carey Jennifer Donelson Blake Gates Dana Martin Leslie Schneider Gary Branson Executive Director Miranda: Historical retelling set in ancient China; a courageous consort is tasked with helping topple a rival kingdom; themes of duty and honor; descriptive and lush writing #staffRA Kristinne: A young Chinese-American couple experiences life in various rental homes; fast-paced; easy-to-read; well-rounded characters Ashton: African-inspired fantasy by a Nigerian author; an overlooked young acolyte summons an evil that starts a war between gods; fast-paced; good characterization https://youtu.be/dSJZ3ntlOdc Watch more extensive reviews on our YouTube channel. Coming soon! Check out a full list of books at MarionLibrary.org. Please remember you can always place a hold if the book has not arrived yet or is currently checked out. new for young readers SPEAKING VOLUMES AUTHOR NAMED Acclaimed author Chris Bohjalian to speak The BookMarks Friends of Marion Public Library and Marion Public Library have contracted with author Chris Bohjalian to be the keynote speaker for the Speaking Volumes fundraising event on Friday, October 24, 2025! Chris Bohjalian is the author of numerous novels, including his newest release, The Jackal’s Mistress. Chris uses his gripping fiction to explore contemporary social issues and how they play out in the lives of ordinary people, as well as to shed light on some of the most important moments in history. He is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of more than two dozen books, and his work has been translated into over 35 languages. Go to MarionOHBookmarks.org to find out more about the Speaking Volumes fundraiser, learn how to purchase tickets, and to check the hours of the volunteer-run BookMarket. Jenny: A dark romance retelling of the story of Aladdin and Jasmine; lots of chemistry and steam; themes of revenge, love, and power; enemies-to-lovers theme; flawed, twisted characters
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