ALLIANCE – Rodman Public Library will host a variety of events in the coming weeks.

Cookbook Club

After taking a break for the holidays, Rodman Public Library’s Cookbook Club will resume meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 27.

Cookbook Club, a group for cooking and baking enthusiasts, meets on the last Tuesday of each month and each cook discusses his or her experience creating a recipe choice from a selected cookbook or on a specific theme.

In honor of the upcoming Super Bowl, the selected cookbook for January is “The Bradshaw Family Cookbook” by Terry and Tammy Bradshaw and Family with James O. Fraioli.

Participants can bring in small samples of the recipes for the others to try.

The selected book for the Feb. 24 meeting is “Joy of Cooking” and the March 31 selection is Betty Crocker’s “Lost Recipes.”

Copies of cookbooks are available for checkout at the Main Library.

Although it is called a club, there is no formal membership and all are welcome, however, registration is required each month at rodmanlibrary.com or by calling 330-821-2665, ext. 210.

Makerspace

Rodman Public Library’s Makerspace is offering needlework workshops over the next few months, starting with crochet.

The series of programs kicks off on Thursday, Feb. 5 with “Crochet for Beginners: Washcloths” at 3:30 p.m. inside Rodman Auditorium. Participants will learn the basics of crochet and create a project to take home.

The programs are open to adults and teens and are free. Space is limited, however, and registration is required at rodmanlibrary.com for each session.

“Crochet for Beginners: Granny Squares” will be held on Monday, March 9 at 4 p.m. when participants will learn the classic crochet technique.

For information, call 330-821-2665, ext. 217.

Kids Crafting

Rodman Public Library’s monthly Kids Crafting program continues at 4 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 12 when children, ages 7-12, are invited to come to the Main Library to create a mixed media snowman.

Thanks to the Friends of Rodman Public Library, all materials and supplies are provided free of charge during Kids Crafting programs, which are held on the second Thursday of each month.

Registration is required at rodmanlibrary.com.

For information, call the Children’s Department at 330-821-2665, ext. 223.

Puzzle Swap

The Rodman Branch Library will host a Puzzle Swap on Friday, Feb. 13 and Saturday, Feb. 14.

From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, patrons of all ages can bring a jigsaw puzzle to the Branch Library and exchange it for another puzzle.

Ahead of the swap, the library is collecting donations of puzzles to have on hand.

Puzzles being brought in to swap 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, mark the box as such.

For information about the Puzzle Swap, call the Branch Library at 330-821-1313.

Storywalk

Children of all ages are welcome to take a special storywalk around Rodman Public Library on Feb. 7, which is international Take Your Child to the Library Day.

Between 10 a.m. and noon, patrons will be able to follow the story “Snow Falls” by Kate Gardner around the library. Along the way, they will encounter stations that will feature a number of STEAM winter-themed activities, including those that will allow youngsters to explore states of matter, snow and animal tracks, how snow reflects light, camouflage through a hide-seek-animal hunt, measuring snow, and making your own ice cream. Along the way, there will also be a craft and a station where kids will assemble a felt snowman. Kids will also experience a snowball fight using fabric snowballs and sock skating on a synthetic ice rink.

Assisting with the program will be student volunteers from the University of Mount Union who are completing a capstone project.

Bluey will also make an appearance.

At the end of the afternoon, each child will receive a free winter-themed book.

Now in its 15th year, Take Your Child to the Library Day is a perfect opportunity for children to have fun while parents and caregivers learn more about their library. Take Your Child to the Library Day showcases all the free resources local public libraries provide for families.

Rodman Public Library helps families build solid foundations of literacy and love of learning by providing access to books, early literacy storytimes and wee read, technology, online resources, fun, safe spaces, and more. Programs are held throughout the year for children, teens and adults.

More than 1,000 libraries will participate in Take Your Child to the Library Day.

To find out more about programming at Rodman Public Library, visit rodmanlibrary.com or call 330-821-2665.

VITA assistance

Rodman Public Library will serve as a drop-off location for the United Way of Greater Stark County’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program.

Trained VITA volunteers help qualifying individuals file returns for free, looking for all possible deductions and credits. The free tax preparation service is available to individuals and families that earn less than $69,000 per year.

VITA will be taking appointments to check for eligibility and to schedule drop-offs in February and March for the 2025 tax return season. An appointment is needed for all drop-offs, which will be held at Rodman Public Library on Feb. 4, 7, 18 and 21 as well as March 4, 7, 18 and 21. Those wishing to take advantage of the VITA program should visit uwstark.org/vita or call 330-994-8482 to schedule an appointment.