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"I am completely smitten with the Lunch with Books patrons...who welcomed me like a long-lost cousin. It takes two to have a successful reading: an enthusiastic presenter and an engaged audience, and boy did the stars align for us." -Marie Manilla, Still Life with Plums

"Lunch With Books is an outstanding program -- one of the best in the country." -NPR Journalist Matthew Algeo, The President is a Sick Man


"With a new book in hand, I’ve visited a lot of libraries lately, and I think the Ohio County Public Library is my all-time favorite. People are kind and welcoming, and deeply appreciate a visiting writer." -Jaimy Gordon, Lord of Misrule (National Book Award)

“I wanted the book launch to be at Lunch With Books because it is the best library book program in West Virginia and because Wheeling and the Wheeling area was centrally involved in so many of the firsts in West Virginia sports.” –Bob Barnett, Hillside Fields: A History of Sports in West Virginia

This blog is being discontinued.

This blog is being discontinued.
Please visit: www.ohiocountylibrary.org/calendar

Tuesday, August 25, 2015

September 01, 2015: Wheeling's Coney Island

Lunch With Books. Event starts at 12:00 PM.



Ever hear of Wheeling's Coney Island?


Once upon a time, there was an amusement park on the largest of the Sisters Islands just south of the Pike Island Dam. The island was called Coney Island by locals, and on its opening day, 6,000 people arrived by steamboat and pontoon bridge. There they enjoyed rides, a dance pavilion, a picnic area, a swimming beach with lights for night swimming, and even an ostrich farm.

The park was busy and popular and was the site of operas, circuses, and the Saengerfest. Unions often rented the park for a whole day. The park was damaged by floods in 1906 and $100,000 worth of renovations were done for the 1907 season.
What happened to the park? Find out from Kathleen Quinn at Lunch With Books at the Ohio County Public Library​ on Sept 1 at noon.
 1888 image, OCPL Archives.


Wednesday, August 19, 2015

Lunch With Books: Author Susan Spencer-Smith August 25, 2015



Event starts at 12:00 PM.


Weirton based writer Susan Spencer-Smith’s “inspirational, cozy” mysteries are set in fictional Biddlebourne, WV. Her cookbook features recipes of “southern comfort” foods of West Virginia and Ohio.

Tuesday, August 11, 2015

Aug. 18 A Visit from Sacagawea 

Meet the lone female member of Lewis and Clark’s Corps of Discovery. Aside from her value as an interpreter and guide, her presence with the expedition communicated to tribes along the way that the Corps had peaceful intentions. Sacagawea is portrayed by Mary Dailey courtesy WV Humanities, History Alive.

Tuesday, August 4, 2015

Aug. 11 “Situations of I” with David Weimer


Explorations of life, meaning and existence are among the subjects of Weimer's 4th published work. This collection of philosophic essays, speculative short stories and prose poetry emerged from the author's life and observations while living in Flushing, Ohio.


Top Ten Lunch With Books Programs

Program; Presenter; Attendance; Date

1. SAENGERFEST; Eintracht German Singing Society; 200; 07-17-10

2. A Lucky Child; Auschwitz Survivor Judge Thomas Buergenthal; 198; 03-04-11

3. Fashion Show; Civil War 150; 194; 11-20-11

4. Ruanaidh; Art Rooney, Jr. and Jim O'Brien; 168; 06-15-10

5. Follow the River; James Alexander Thom; 160; 06-05-08

6. Warwood Memories; 157; 12-18-12

7. The Quiet Man Pub Reading; 150; 08-30-12

8. Wheeling Then and Now; Sean Duffy; 146; 09-07-10

9. Bloch Brother Tobacco; Stuart Bloch; 131; 04-27-10

10. Reasons to Believe; Dr. Scott Hahn; 126; 08-21-07

Book Discussion Groups

The Ohio County Public Library facilitates book discussion groups for both young adults and adults. Currently, the OCPL offers two adult groups, which meet on the first Monday and third Thursday of each month.

In addition to its own growing collection, the OCPL has access to the book discussion collection of the West Virginia Library Commission.

To join or form a book discussion group, or for more information, please call 304-232-0244.

Meeting of the Minds Philosophy Group

The Meeting of the Minds Philosophic Inquiry Forum is facilitated by David Weimer. The group meets virtually every Tuesday at 6 PM. Call the library for meeting room locations.

For more information, visit www.firstknowthyself.org/m&mphilosophy.htm or contact group organizer, David Weimer, at 740 526-0985 or by email at dwwweimer@comcast.net..