Hillsboro Library adding movies to its programming roster

The Hillsboro Library is eager to start the new year with its usual list of fun programming for all ages – but in 2026, the schedule will add movie nights.

“In 2025, we tested the waters to see if our patrons would enjoy coming to the library to watch movies,” said circulation manager Sarah Davidson. “We showed public domain movies, and we were ecstatic to see that people did, indeed, come to see them. So now, looking ahead to 2026, we are going to show a much broader range of movies.”

Davidson continued, “As much fun as some of those old movies are, especially, some of those b-movies, we want to open up our schedule to films that more people will recognize.”

While the movie agreement does not permit announcing the names of the movies outside of the library and the library’s website, Davidson said that the movies will all be well-known, from classics, to fan-favorites, to blockbusters.

“The goal, however, isn’t just to show the movies,” she said. “It’s to create an experience that you can’t have anywhere else.”

Many of the movie nights will also include a themed craft. Some, Davidson added, will even be “party” nights, with games or other activities available an hour before the movie starts.

The year’s first movie is one such “party” event. It will be shown on Thursday, Jan. 22, with a scavenger hunt, game, and craft at 4 PM, and the movie starting at 5 PM. Once the movie starts, the two activities will stop, but patrons can continue to quietly work on their craft during the movie.

“We want this to be a night where you can come and not just watch a movie, but fully experience it,” she said. “We’ll have movies for all audiences: From families looking for a fun activity to movie buffs wanting to revisit old favorites, and everyone in between.”

Popcorn and water bottles will be served at every movie night, but some events may also include a themed snack.

And while Davidson reiterated that she can’t actually share the names of the movies outside of the library, she did list some of the crafts that patrons could look forward to: “Just as a teaser, the first craft available will be tropical paper flowers, and then, in February, you’ll craft a way to… ‘catch ‘em all,’” she said.

To learn which films will be shown, stop by the library to pick up a bookmark that lists all of the movie nights for the year. Information can also be found on the library’s website, updated monthly.

“We really hope people will come and have a great time with some great flicks,” Davidson said. “We’ve been wanting to do something like this for a while, and we’re super excited to offer this to the community.

To learn more about this or other library programs, visit www.highlandco.org, call 937-393-3114, or search “Highland County District Library of Ohio” on Facebook.