Catch the Bee Mobile Library at the Ross County Fair

Everyone’s favorite community pollinator, the Bee Mobile Library, will be buzzing into the Ross County Fair this year from Sunday, August 4 to Saturday, August 10. You can find the Bee near the Bandstand, and we’ll have fun activities and appearances by your friendly library staff members each day.

Like libraries, the county fair offers something for everyone. I spent 10 wonderful years in 4-H, followed by my daughter’s own 10-year tenure, so going back now as an empty-nester is filled with nostalgia and opportunities to relax and truly enjoy the fair, as opposed to working long, hard days to make the fair happen.

This year, I get to join my library coworkers in visiting with fairgoers and promoting the library’s vast collection of materials and services. Instead of stressing about animals, shows, attire, and all of the hustle-and-bustle that comes with 4-H’s biggest week of the year, I now get to make a BEE-line for the corn dogs, fresh-squeezed lemonade, pigs and bunnies, and Ferris wheel (just a few of my favorite fair things). I miss the 4-H years, but the fair will always be there to remind me of some of the most important times of my life, both as a participant and as a parent.

The Bee Mobile Library will be open every day during fair week from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., and will feature a collection of popular titles and new releases for fairgoers and campers to check out. What a great way to spend the downtime between shows! Books can be returned on-site at the Bee or to any library location in Ross County.

While visiting the Bee Mobile Library, you can use the Bee’s built-in WiFi, sign up for a library card, and check out materials.

Visitors to the Bee can also participate in a variety of activities throughout the day, including trying out our new Plinko-like prize board (80s/90s game show enthusiasts rejoice!) and going on a fairground adventure with daily scavenger hunts.

Storytime, with books read by your favorite librarians, will take place Monday through Thursday at 11 a.m. at the Bandstand.

Take a lunch break with some good fair food and play Bingo at the Bee at 1 p.m. each day.

At 3 p.m. daily, we’ll be featuring items from our highly-popular Beyond Books collection. This collection includes bikes, large yard games and other recreational items, tools, musical instruments, and loads more. Stop by and see all we have to offer… Beyond Books.

And if you get the itch to flex your popular culture prowess, try Trivia at the Bee each evening at 5 p.m.

We will also celebrate Bilingual Day at the Bee on Thursday. We’ll be highlighting Spanish and French cultures.

4-H taught me about teamwork and leadership. It taught me to always strive “To Make the Best Better.” And I believe the library, where I have chosen to spend my career, very much echoes the nurturing of the four Hs: Head, Heart, Hands, and Health.

The library and I wish the best of luck to all Ross County 4-H participants, and we hope all fairgoers have a great time!

For more information about library resources and services, visit CRCPL.org or download the “SEO Libraries” app.

Jenn Slone, the library’s Access Director, is a former 4-H member, camp counselor, Jr. Fair Board member, and Queen’s court representative. She took hogs, rabbits and a slew of still projects each year, and one of her favorite fair memories is riding a pig around the show arena – although not by choice.

This article originally appeared on Lancaster Eagle-Gazette: Catch the Bee Mobile Library at the Ross County Fair