The Campbell County Public Library operates four branches. The Cold Spring Branch is located at 3920 Alexandria Pike in Cold Spring, phone 859-781-6166. The Carrico/Fort Thomas Branch is located at 1000 Highland Ave. in Fort Thomas, phone 859-572-5033. The Newport Branch is located at 901 E. Sixth St. in Newport, phone 859-572-5035. The Alexandria Branch is located at 8830 Alexandria Pike in Alexandria, phone 859-572-7463.
There are two Express locations for pickups and returns in Silver Grove and Melbourne.
Hours for Cold Spring, Carrico/Fort Thomas and Newport branches are 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Friday; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday; and 1-5 p.m. Sunday. Hours for Alexandria are 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Tuesday-Friday; 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday; and closed Sunday and Monday. For more information, click here.
Cold Spring
Programs for Adults and Teens
Dungeons & Dragons
6-8 pm Friday, July 6
New and experienced players alike welcome to play Dungeons and Dragons 5e. If you don’t know how to make a characterwe will have pre-generated characters. If you would like to make your own character, we will be making characters and leveling up from 6 to about 7 pm. Ages 13 & up. Registration required.
Minecraft Club
5-7 pm Monday, July 9
Win prizes and play with local kids. Register to save a spot on the limited library laptops or bring your own. You must have a paid PC account. Ages 8-19. Registration required.
Cold Spring Book Club
11 am Tuesday, July 10
Join the discussion of Flght of the Sparrow by Amy Belding Brown. Ages 18 & up. New members welcome. No need to register.
Escape from the Library
4:45-8:30 pm Saturday, July 14
Think you can solve the mystery and break out of the Library? Join us for Escape from the Library where you can put your observation and puzzle solving skills to the test to see if you can beat the clock. Registration required; to cut down on wait times, please contact the Library to set up an appointment.
Guitar Hero
5-8 pm Monday, July 16
Libraries Rock so you should too. Join us to play Guitar Hero. Ages 11 & up. Registration required.
Board of Trustees Meeting
5:30 pm Wednesday, July 18
The board meets on the third Wednesday of the month. Meetings rotate among all four branch locations. All board meetings are open to the public. No need to register.
Cup of Crime Book Club
7 pm Wednesday, July 18
Join the discussion of Memory Man by David Baldacci. Ages 18 & up. New members welcome. No need to register.
LAN Party
6:30-11:45 pm Friday, July 20
Local Area Network, otherwise known as L.A.N., is where a group of friends can connect their computers or tablets to play games together. Bring your computer or tablet device and your favorite game so you can join in with others.There will be prizes and snacks. Ages 18 & up. Register now because power strips and ethernet cables are limited, and the electronic devices or accounts will not be provided by the library. Call Clara at 781-6166 xt 20 for more information.
Turtle Time with Newport Aquarium’s WAVE Foundation
6 pm Monday, July 23
In this class we talk all about the actual differences between turtles, tortoises, and their relatives! We will also discuss some simple conservation practices that you can do to help protect these amazing animals. We also talk about each species of turtle or tortoise that we bring and their adaptations for survival. Ages 12-19. For children interested in turtles please see our children’s department’s turtle time program earlier in the day. Registration required.
Mosaic Stepping Stones
6-8 pm Tuesday, July 24
Make a mosaic stepping stone for your yard or garden. Ages 18 & up. Registration required.
Real Men Read Book Club
7 pm Thursday, July 26
Join the discussion of Mr. Briggs’ Hat by Kate Colquhoun. Women & men welcome. Ages 18 & up. No need to register.
Teen Summer Reading Finale: Shaving Cream Water Fight
6 pm Saturday, July 28
Take water fighting to the next level by adding shaving cream to the fun. Water toys and shaving cream provided. Be prepared to get messy. Ages 11-19. Registration required.
Programs for Children and Families
Tot Time
9:30 & 11:30 am Mondays, July 9, 16, & 23
Tot Time includes a story time and a playtime with toys, balls and bubbles. Ages 1-3. No need to register.
Preschool Time
10:30 am Tuesdays, July 17 & 24
Preschool Time includes a story time and ends with early literacy stations. Ages 3-5. No need to register.
Baby Sign Story Time
9:30 am Tuesdays, July 17, & 24
We will sing songs, share nursery rhymes and learn simple sign language for babies. Ages 0-18 months. No need to register.
Christmas in July
4 pm Thursday, July 5
Enjoy Christmas-themed crafts, games and more. Grades 1-5. Registration required.
Family Story Time
10 am Saturdays, July 7, 14, 21 & 28
Help your children develop literacy skills, and have some fun too, with stories, songs, games and a craft. Ages 0-7. No need to register.
Bead Party
2 pm Saturday, July 7
Create beautiful jewelry, keychains and more with some of our many beads. Families. Registration required.
Evening Story Time
6:30 pm Wednesday, July 11
Help your children develop literacy skills, and have some fun too, with stories, songs, games and a craft. Ages 0-7. No need to register.
Toddler Time
10 & 11 am Wednesdays, July 11, 18 & 25
Toddler Time includes a story time and ends with a themed craft. Ages 2-3. No need to register.
Cincinnati Museum Center Presents: Impact of Inventions
4 pm Thursday, July 12
Learn all about historical inventors, how they have changed our lives and how you can change the lives of others through inventing. Grades 1-5. Registration required.
Tangled Movie Date
2 pm Saturday, July 14
Join us for a relaxing break from the heat with a fun movie and snacks. Today, we will be watching Disney’s Tangled. Families. Registration required.
Family Card & Board Game Day
1-5 pm Sunday, July 15
Choose any game from our collection of more than 60 card or board games or bring a favorite from home. Families. No need to register.
Paint & Bake Ceramics: Summer Magnets
4 pm Thursday, July 19 (Grades 1-5)
2 pm Saturday, July 21 (Families)
Paint an awesome summer-themed magnet with the help of our friends over at Paint and Bake. Registration required.
Turtle Time with Newport Aquarium’s WAVE Foundation
4 pm Monday, July 23
Learn about the differences between turtles and tortoises and how we can protect them with guests from the Newport Aquarium. You will even get to meet and touch these amazing creatures. Grades 1-5. Registration required.
End-of-Summer Reading Ice Cream Social
4 pm Thursday, July 26
Let’s celebrate the end of a great summer full of fun and reading. Enjoy some ice cream with all the fixings and some fun games and crafts. Grades 1-5. Registration required.
End-of-Summer Reading Picnic
1 pm Saturday, July 28
Celebrate the end of a great summer with a picnic, full of food, games and fun. Families. Registration required.
Carrico/Fort Thomas
Programs for Adults and Teens
Dungeons & Dragons
3-5 pm Thursday, July 5
All levels of experience welcomed as we play Dungeons & Dragons 5e. Ages 11-19. No need to register.
Watermelon Wreath
6-8 pm Thursday, July 5
Create a wreath that is perfect for summertime. Ages 18 & up. Registration required.
DIY Summer Skin Care Kit
4 pm Wednesday, July 11
Inspired by aloe, cucumber and carrot use these cooling and healing botanicals to create an all-natural summer skin care kit. Refresh your summer skin with your DIY take homes. This class will be taught by Cora Bunten of Seventh Street Gifts. Ages 11-19. Registration required.
Coffee & Conversation Book Club
2 pm Wednesday, July 11
Join the discussion of The Burgess Boys by Elizabeth Strout. Ages 18 & up. New members welcome. No need to register.
The Power and Properties of Stones
6:30 pm Thursday, July 12
Learn all about the meanings, properties, and powers of stones. Taught by Carisa Bunten of 7th Street Gifts. Ages 18 & up. Registration required.
Felt Flower Magnets
6-8 pm Thursday, July 19
Create colorful felt flower magnets to add fun and whimsy to your home. Ages 18 & up. Registration required.
Teen Chess Tournament
4-6 pm Wednesday, July 18
Test out your chess skills with others and compete for the prize. Ages 11-18. Registration required.
DIY Wind Chimes
6-8 pm Wednesday, July 25
Create your own set of wind chimes to hang up outside your home or in your garden to enjoy. Ages 18 & up. Registration required.
Art After Hours
7-9 pm Friday, July 27
Join us for the eleventh annual Art After Hours. The Fort Thomas Library will remain open until 9:00 p.m. to showcase the work of sixteen artists from Northern Kentucky and the greater Cincinnati region. The event is free and open to the public and will feature a variety of media. Each artist will be available to discuss their work. Enjoy an assortment of delicious appetizers provided by Jeff Thomas Catering & Events! To make the evening even more festive, Fantasy in Frosting will offer an array of their scrumptious petite sweets. Fort Thomas Florist & Greenhouses will provide gorgeous floral arrangements to offer an added visual dimension to the event. In addition to the displays of fabulous art, you’ll also enjoy music performed by the Matt McAllister Jazz Trio. The 2018 Art After Hours is generously sponsored by Jeff Thomas Catering & Events, Fantasy in Frosting and Fort Thomas Florist and Greenhouses. Ages 18 & up. No need to register.
Teen Finale: Escape the Room
5-7 pm Saturday, July 28
Do you have what it takes to solve the clues and escape the room on time? Work with others through puzzles to beat the clock and the other team. Ages 11-18. Registration required.
Programs for Children and Families
Full STEAM Ahead
7 pm Mondays, July 9, 16 & 23
Get hands-on with Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math. Ages 3 & up. No need to register.
Toddler Time
10 am Tuesdays, July 10, 17 & 24
Let’s get silly with books, games & crafts. Ages 2-3. No need to register.
Preschool Time
11 am Tuesdays, July 10, 17 & 24
Let your little one learn and have fun. Ages 4-5. No need to register.
Baby Time
9:30 & 10:30 am Thursdays, July 5, 12, 19 & 26
Clap, sing and move with your baby and make new friends. Ages 0-2, especially for walkers. Registration required.
Movie Day: Coco
1-3 pm Saturday, July 7
Escape the heat and enjoy the movie Coco (PG) and a snack. Families. No need to register.
Rocks, Paper, Scissors Tournament
4 pm Monday, July 9
Rock beats scissors, scissors beat paper, and paper beats rock. Choose carefully at today’s tournament. Grades 1-5. No need to register.
Lap Time
9:30 am Wednesdays, July 11, 18 & 25
Enjoy rhymes, bounces, lullabies and books with your baby. Ages 0-2, especially for pre-walkers. Registration required.
Movers & Shakers
11 am Wednesdays, July 11, 18 & 25
Shake out your sillies while we sing, dance and play in this musical story time. Ages 2-5. No need to register.
Beach Babies
10 am Saturday, July 14
Come to the beach at the library. We will sing songs, read books and get out the beach balls. Sensory play in a baby pool and “beach” water bins will also be included. Please dress babies appropriately for water play. Ages 0-2. Registration required.
Instrument Petting Zoo
4 pm Monday, July 16
Join us for hands-on musical fun today. NKU Music Preparatory is bringing instruments for you to play today. Grades 1-5. No need to register.
Music Trivia
1 pm Saturday, July 21
Who knows more about music – you or your parents? Find out at today’s family trivia challenge. Ages 6 & up. No need to register.
Rockin’ Crafts
4 pm Monday, July 23
Rocks can be beautiful and useful. Join us for a day of crafts using a variety of rocks. Grades 1-5. Registration required.
Newport
Programs for Adults and Teens
Teen Murder Mystery Party
7-11 pm Friday, July 6
Attention Teen Detectives: Join us for a mysterious, after-hours Murder Mystery Party. We will form into detective teams to interview the suspects, gather evidence, and search for clues to discover whodunit. Ages 12-18. Registration required.
Euchre Tournament
6-9 pm Monday, July 9
Join us for a night of card dealing, table talk, and fun competition. From 6-6:30 pm, we’re having a tutorial for new players. At 6:30 pm, the tournament begins. We’ll draw for random partners, change up teams throughout the night, and count each individual player’s score throughout the tournament. Prizes are awarded to first, second, and third place. Ages 18 & up. Registration required.
Homeschoolers’ Book Club
10 am Tuesday, July 10
Join the discussion of As Brave As You by Jason Reynolds. Ages 8-12. New members welcome. No need to register.
Impromptu
2-4 pm Wednesdays, July 11 & 18
We may play board games. We may make a craft. We could do both. The time is planned, but the fun is not. Ages 11-19. No need to register.
Healthy Mama, Happy Baby: Postpartum vs. Baby Blues
7 pm Wednesday, July 11
Campbell County Public Library and NorthKey Community Care are partnering together to bring you a free, fun, and fabulous program that focuses on mama’s health and baby’s happiness.
NorthKey will help shine light on postpartum and baby blues, in an interactive, friendly, and supportive environment while our children’s librarian entertains your kiddos with a storytime and simple craft within the same space. Registration required.
Friends Book Sale
9 am-5 pm Thursday, July 12-Saturday, July 14
Great selection of used books at incredible prices! Come to the Friends Book Sale in the Friends Room on the lower level of the Newport Branch. Books cost 25 cents for paperbacks, 50 cents for hard covers and up to $2 for select titles. Large selection of items are available. No need to register.
Lego Zip Line
3-5 pm Thursday, July 12
It’s time for another Lego® building challenge. This time, we’ll be creating the Lego Zip Line cars. With the help of professional engineers and architect volunteers from the community, you’ll build the best zip line car to win the top prize. Ages 11-19. Registration required.
A Novel Idea Book Club
4 pm Thursday, July 12
Join the discussion of Heartless by Marissa Meyer. Ages 12-18. New members welcome. No need to register.
Hair Care with 7th Street Gifts
6:30 pm Monday, July 16
Customize vegan and kosher carrier oils and essential oils to D.I.Y. your own therapeutic grade hair oil. Use all natural SLS and paraben free predetermined shampoo and conditioner bases to enhance with the appropriate essential oils of your choice. Participants will go home with their very own hair food kit. Ages 18 & up. Registration required.
Cincinnati Observatory: Late Night Star Gazing
7-11 pm Friday, July 20
Join us for an after-hours star gazing experience presented by the fantastic team from the Cincinnati Observatory. We will start the night with refreshments and a viewing of Apollo 13 (1995). Next, we experience the night sky through the lens of a telescope. Ages 18 & up. Registration required.
Flower Arranging
6:30 pm Monday, July 23
Use flowers, from the University of Kentucky Cooperative educational gardens, to make beautiful arrangements. Ages 18 & up. Registration required. Class size is limited.
Programs for Children and Families
Ready for K Through Play
10 am Mondays, July 9, 16 & 23
Join us as we play our way through the alphabet and get ready for kindergarten. Ages 3-5. Registration required; class limited to 20 spots.
Movers & Shakers
10 am Tuesdays, July 10, 17 & 24
Staying fit and active is fun for little ones at this silly dance party. Ages 2-5. Siblings welcome. No need to register.
Story Time for Bigs
10 am Thursday, July 5
We will sing songs, read a great book and do a fun craft. Ages 2-5. No need to register.
Songs for Seed: A Little Rockin’ & A Lot of Learnin’
2 pm Saturday, July 7
Songs for Seeds is not only about the music (although the music is reeeaaallly good). Songs for Seeds engage kids all while laying the foundation of early childhood education through musical activities. Your kiddo will hear music from a different region of the world, be exposed to a variety of rhythm patterns and be given the opportunity and space to experiment with singing and playing real instruments. Ages 0-5. Registration required.
Madcap Puppets: Puppets 101
4 pm Tuesday, July 10
Join us for a fun introduction to the art of puppetry. Madcap Puppets will be providing this free workshop intended to teach children about theater, storytelling and manipulating puppets. Grades 1-5. Registration required. Please register each child, as space for this program is limited.
Baby Bounce & Rhyme
10 am Wednesdays, July 11, 18 & 25
Bond with baby while singing silly songs, playing with puppets, exploring discovery bins that spark Baby’s curiosity and imagination, doing fun laptime bouncy rhymes and dancing in our bubbles. Ages 0-24 months. No need to register.
Little Prodigies
4 pm Wednesdays, July 11, 18 & 25
Join us all summer long as we celebrate the ways that libraries rock.
July 11: Singing Straws
July 18: Microphones & Sing Along
July 25: Guitars
Ages 2-7. No need to register.
Dog Days of Summer Reading
2-4 pm Saturday, July 14
Come to the library to practice reading with a dog. Studies have shown that this non-judgmental atmosphere actually helps children better develop their reading skills, so come join us. Please register your child, as space for this program is limited. Once you have registered, the library will contact you to schedule a 15 minute time slot for your reading. Grades 1-5.
Drums Alive! with Melodic Connections
2 pm Saturday, July 14
Join Melodic Connections for Drums Alive! — a power hour of music and community. Drums Alive! is a fun and active drumming workout. ASL interpreters will be present for those members of our Deaf community. Families. Registration required.
Cincinnati Observatory Presents: Stars & Constellations
4 pm Tuesday, July 17
The Cincinnati Observatory will be here to teach you about the stars and the many myths behind the constellations in the sky. Grades 1-5. Registration required. Please register each child, as space for this program is limited.
Night Owl’s Story Time
7:30 pm Thursday, July 19
Listen to stories, sing songs, do some bedtime yoga, and mindfulness exercises to wind down for the night. Children can wear their pajamas so they are ready to be tucked into bed when they get home. Bedtime and Sleepytime Teas will be available to help everyone get in a relaxing mood. ASL interpreters will be present for those members of our Deaf community. Ages 2-6. No need to register.
Sensory Science Story Time: Melodic Connections
11:30 am Saturday, July 21
Children, all ages are invited to use all of their senses to explore stories, songs and hands-on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) activities. Our ‘Sensory Science’ programs begin with a short story time that integrates movement and song, and end with hands-on STEAM exploration. Today Melodic Connections will bring a very merry musical experience. All ages. No need to register.
Sensory Friendly Movies: Marvel vs. DC
3-8 pm Saturday, July 21
Sensory friendly films offer an accepting and understanding environment for individuals with autism or other special needs and their families to enjoy the movie-going experience. The room will be brighter, the volume will be lower, and audience members will be welcome to move around, talk and sing. The intended audience is children, teens and adults with special needs accompanied by siblings and caregivers, although everyone is welcome. Fidgets will be available to use. Justice League starts at 3 pm; Thor Ragnarok starts 5 pm. No need to register.
Cincinnati Museum Center: Awesome Animal Adaptions
4 pm Tuesday, July 24
The Cincinnati Museum Center will be here with live animals to meet and touch, and unique items to hold as we all learn together about the different ways that animals adapt to their environments. Grades 1-5. Registration required. Please register each child as space is limited.
Family Fun Night: Harry Potter Birthday Bash
5-8:30 pm Thursday, July 26
This exciting event gives new and existing fans a chance to share the wonder of J.K. Rowling’s unforgettable stories and, most excitingly, to introduce the next generation of readers to the unparalleled magic of Harry Potter. There will be trivia and at 6 pm an interactive screening of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. Families. Registration required.
Alexandria
Programs for Adults and Teens
Perler Beads
1 pm Saturday, July 7
Make a perfectly pixelated version of your favorite things using nothing more than perler beads. Bring your own pattern or use some of the ones the library provides. Supplies provided. Ages 12-19. Registration required.
Paper Flowers
5:30 pm Friday, July 13
Learn how to create pretty, whimsical paper flowers. Ages 18 & up. Registration required.
Alexandria Book Club
4:30 pm Thursday, July 19
Join the discussion of Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Book Store by Robin Sloan. Ages 18 & up. New members welcome. No need to register.
Programs for Children and Families
Terrific Tuesdays
11:15 am & 1:15 pm Tuesdays, July 10, 17 & 24
Join us for an exciting story time, fun activities and a great time. Ages 3 & up. Registration required.
Fantastic Fridays
11:15 am Fridays, July 6, 13, 20 & 27
Bring the little ones for some songs, dancing and a story time. Ages 1-3. Registration required.
Make It! Family Craft Time
3 pm Thursday, July 12
Get creative at this family craft program! This hands-on crafts program for families will give participants ages 4 and up a chance to express themselves. Kids 9 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Each program is limited to 15 kids plus accompanying adults.
We will try our hand at Branch Weaving! Using branches, yarn, and a plastic weaving needle. Supplies will be provided, but you are welcome to bring you own. There will also be a S’more’s Bar! Questions or concerns? Contact Miss Nina at nfrondorf@cc-pl.org or by phone at 859-572-5035, ext.18. Ages 4-12. Registration required.
Movie Time: Rio
Noon Saturday, July 14
Come join us for a Saturday afternoon movie screening of Rio (G). S provided. Families. No need to register.
Family Game Day
Noon-4 pm Saturday, July 21
Bring the whole family out for a fun family game day. Games will be provided but you are welcome to bring your own games to share. Families. No need to register.
Paint a Tile with Paint & Bake Ceramics
11:15 am & 12:15 pm Saturday, July 28
Children up to age 12 are invited to celebrate the end of Summer Reading by using their imaginations to paint s tile with Paint & Bake Ceramics. Children may sign up for either 11:15 am or 12:15 pm session. One tile per child. Registration required.
