This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Health & Fitness

Celebrate a Mysterious March at the Oxford Public Library!

The Oxford Public Library announces March events for children and teens!

The Oxford Public Library will celebrate a Mysterious March with a series of detective-themed programs for second graders - fifth graders.

On March 6 at 4:15 p.m., children in grades 2-5 can make paper Secret Decoder Badges in an exciting introduction to cryptography, or the art of writing and solving codes. Participants will also make scytales, the ancient Greek version of a decoder, so that they can exchange secret messages with friends. Registration is required.

On March 11 at 4:15 p.m., the library will host Jigsaw Puzzle Mysteries for children in grades 2-5. Attendees will listen to short mystery stories. Then, they will put together picture puzzles to crack each case. Registration is required.

Find out what's happening in Oxfordwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

On March 20 at 4:15 p.m., second graders - fifth graders can become Math Detectives. Participants will use simple addition, subtraction, multiplication and division to discover a clue about a crime. Registration is required.

On March 25 at 4:15 p.m., the library will offer a discussion of Polly Horvath's novel Mr. and Mrs. Bunny -- Detectives Extraordinaire! for children in grades 2-5. When Madeline’s parents are kidnapped, she enlists the help of a pair of detectives… who are bunnies! Participants should read the book ahead of time; then, come discuss it with other children! Copies are available to borrow from the library. Registration is required for this final Mysterious March event.

Find out what's happening in Oxfordwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The library will host several other entertaining children's programs in March.

On March 7 at 4:15 p.m., kindergartners - second graders are invited to attend a read-aloud of Harry Allard and James Marshall's classic picture book Miss Nelson is Missing. When Miss Nelson, the nicest teacher ever, doesn't show up to school, she is replaced by the mean substitute Viola Swamp. Will the students be able to find their teacher and get her back? Listen to the story to find out; then stay for a fun activity! Registration is required.

On March 13 at 4:15 p.m., teens in grades 6-12 can make St. Patty's Parfaits out of green Cool Whip, pudding and crumbled Oreos. It's a treat for which a leprechaun would gladly trade his pot of gold! This is a Junior Friends of the Library event, but membership is not necessary. Teens will have the opportunity to snack, socialize and volunteer ideas for future library events. Registration is required.

On March 15 at 12:30 p.m., homeschoolers in kindergarten through fifth grade are invited to make Artist Trading Cards, baseball-card sized works of art that can be shared with friends. Registration is required.

Two knitting events will be held for patrons ranging in age from seven to ninety-seven. Children and adults may join the library's Knitting Group at 5 p.m. on March 4 and March 18. At these events, volunteers Leslie Alexander and Liz Rubino will teach attendees knitting basics in order to create a scarf. Participants must bring their own yarn and knitting needles. It is recommended that beginners bring size 8 or larger wooden needles and double-ply worsted weight yarn. Experienced knitters are welcome, too! Registration is required.

On March 21 at 4:30 p.m., second graders - fifth graders can attend Give Yourself Goosebumps: Danger Time! Embark on a spooky interactive adventure as the librarian reads aloud a choose-your-own-ending book from the master of creepy stories R. L. Stine. Registration is required.

On March 28 at 5:15 p.m., kindergartners - second graders are invited to listen to The Wonderful Pigs of Jillian Jiggs by Phoebe Gilman. Jillian Jiggs has a plan to sew and sell toy pigs, but she has a problem. When a line of customers forms, Jillian doesn't want to give up any of her creations. What is she to do? Find out during this read-aloud. Then, parents and children can work together to make their very own plush pig! Registration is required.

Craft Day is held on Mondays at 3 p.m. – 7 p.m. Crafts include Easter Eggs with Tangelene Ramsay on March 4, Lucky Foil Shamrocks on March 11, March Lions on March 18, and Magic Screens on March 25. Free crafts are appropriate for children in grades preK-5. Crafts are distributed on a first come, first served basis.

The library hosts several regular storytimes per week. Early Bird Stories, for children of all ages, are held on Tuesdays at 9:30 a.m. and Wednesdays at 9:30 a.m. Babies & Books, a stories-and-songs program for infants – 3 year olds, is held on Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. Pick-a-Craft Storytime, for children ages 3-5, is held on Thursdays at 2 p.m. All Ages Storytime is held on Fridays at 10 a.m. No registration is required for storytimes.

For more information or to register for programs, call the library at 203-888-6944. 

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?