Bold Stripes, Bright Stars, Brave Hearts

We're having a patriotic summer at the Piqua Public Library with the theme "Bold Stripes, Bright Stars, Brave Hearts." From mid-May to July 4th, we pay homage to our fallen heroes and heroines with patriotic displays and presentations. Library staff decorated every floor in red, white, and blue, from Despereaux and his festive top hat in the Children's Department to our American flag made from book club books.

Our May window display included World War II posters from the American Library Association encouraging Americans to donate books to soldiers serving overseas. 

Fourteen American flags are hanging from the mezzanine, which spans the years 1898 to the present day. Some flags only have 45 stars, many have 48, and a few are modern flags with 50 stars. A key showing where each flag is displayed sits on either side of the marble staircase.

History displays in the lobby include The Wars of the United States, Uncle Sam, World War II At Home, The Civil War, and William H. Pitsenbarger.

Despereaux is dressed up and surrounded by red, white, and blue stars and flags at the Children's Department entrance. 

Our staff arranged our book club collection into a giant American flag. Craft programs for June have included a cute flag craft and patriotic What the Craft? coloring pages. Book displays throughout the Library focus on American heroes and history. Our weekly digital puzzle has featured patriotic images from current Library displays.

To learn about our local heroes, check out The Veterans Oral History Project videos. Dr. Vivian Blevins of Edison State College donated the collection. The collection includes 136 DVDs and 29 newspaper articles. The DVDs and articles are available for check out, or you can request to watch them in the Local History Department. 

Our Bold Stripes, Bright Stars, Brave Hearts displays will be coming down after the 4th of July, be sure to stop by the Piqua Public Library to see them!