The library is hosting a Lunch & Learn program on May 22 at noon, and all are invited to attend. The Health Foundation and Recovery Revolution’s Crisis Intervention Team will be speaking about our county's response to the opioid epidemic. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently reported that drugs claim almost 300 lives every day. Attendees will learn about the stigma surrounding addiction and treatment, life-saving Naloxone, and facts about Fentanyl. Lunch will be provided, so registration is required. Please call 336.838.2818 x232 to register.

by Suzanne Moore, County Librarian

Bob Dylan, one of America's most beloved folk-rock icons, turns 83 on May 24, 2024. He is widely regarded as the greatest songwriter of all time and was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2016. In addition to his music career, he has pursued other interests, including painting, distilling, ironworking, and acting in several films.

Wilkes County Public Library and Friends are organizing a special event to honor National Poetry Month. The event will take place on April 30, featuring Jaki Shelton Green, North Carolina’s Poet Laureate. Starting at 4:00 p.m., Wilkes County Friends of the Library will provide refreshments and host Green for a Meet & Greet in the library. At 5:30 p.m., Green will read aloud her poems and talk about her work as the state poet, followed by a brief Q&A session. Suzanne Moore, Wilkes County Librarian, said, “We are proud to have our State Poet here to help us wrap up the end of National Poetry Month. She has some powerful stories to tell with her poems and hearing them spoken adds even more depth and beauty to the written words.”

by Suzanne Moore, Wilkes County Librarian

Addiction has a significant impact on both individuals and their loved ones. Its repercussions can cause emotional and physical pain, often leaving people feeling helpless and unsure about what to do. This can lead some to give up, walk away, or deny that the problem even exists. However, in today's world, where there is so much suffering and heartache, it is more important than ever to be a source of light and look for the good that may be difficult to find. Addiction also impacts the whole community.  Loss of employment, reduced productivity and increased burdens on public healthcare and safety are affected in areas with increased drug use. A supportive community can reduce the impact and save lives.