Items filtered by date: November 2023

Meet Tom Baker at the Wilkes County Public Library on March 28 at 3:30 p.m.

Tom Baker, a celebrated author and dedicated advocate for veterans, brings his compelling stories to life in this special discussion. His works, The Hawk & the Dove and Wannabe Warrior, explore themes of resilience, service, and personal transformation. Don't miss this opportunity to hear from an inspiring storyteller who bridges literature and real-life experiences!

by Suzanne Manners, Wilkes County Librarian

William “Billy” James Collins was born on March 22, 1941. He is best known for serving as the United States Poet Laureate from 2001 to 2003. Additionally, he was New York's State Poet from 2004 to 2007. Both state and national poets are responsible for increasing public awareness and appreciation of poetry through reading and writing.

by Suzanne Manners, County Librarian

During February, don’t forget to show your love for your library! This month, libraries are nationally celebrated for their value in the community. You may be familiar with the saying, “It’s not a house; it’s a home…” In a similar vein, we can say, “It’s not just a building that houses books; it’s the heart of the community!”

by Suzanne Manners, Wilkes County Librarian

February is a month that celebrates the birthday of Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president of the United States. Additionally, we commemorate the literary birthday of Henry Adams, who was born on February 16, 1838. The connection between Henry Adams and Lincoln is noteworthy, as Henry lived during Lincoln's presidency and had access to firsthand accounts from that time. Furthermore, Henry comes from an extraordinary presidential lineage; his great-grandfather, John Adams, served as the second president, while his grandfather, John Quincy Adams, was the sixth president.

by Suzanne Moore, Wilkes County Librarian

Wilkes County Public Library is excited to promote "Food for Fines" during the week of January 13-18.  At this time, library patrons are encouraged to bring undamaged and unexpired, boxed, or canned non-perishable food items to the library. We also welcome donations of pet food, as dogs and cats need to eat too!

This month's featured author is John Lukacs, born on January 31, 1924. His book, Five Days in London, May 1940, recounts Winston Churchill's initial days in office as Britain's newly elected Prime Minister. Lukacs is known for his ability to portray complex events and situations with remarkable clarity.

by Suzanne Moore, County Librarian

A library renovation project begins in mid-October and is expected to be completed in early 2025.   The improvements will utilize the current space to expand services and modernize appearance.   Most importantly the project includes the installation of an upstairs bathroom.   The original building plan only provided restroom facilities for patrons on the main floor.  Everyone is looking forward to having a bathroom upstairs!   Other renovation highlights include a new stage (wired for sound) to hold concerts and programs and a podcast studio for staff and patron use.

by Suzanne Moore, County Librarian

Celebrate Library Card Sign-up Month this September with Wilkes County Public Library and the American Library Association! We're inviting everyone to discover the incredible resources and opportunities available at your local library by signing up for a library card.

This year, we’re thrilled to have Optimus Prime from the TRANSFORMERS as our special ambassador, highlighting that there's more than meets the eye at Wilkes County Public Library. Whether you're looking to enhance your skills, find valuable information, or connect with fellow avid readers, a library card unlocks a world of possibilities.

by Suzanne Moore, Wilkes County Librarian

Check out some good books and join us for cool events to help you through the “dog days of summer.”  There is something at the library for everyone and as of our last count, 597 children have signed up for this year’s program “Adventure Begins at Your Library.”

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.

by Suzanne Moore, Wilkes County Librarian

Ready, set, library! National Library Week is April 7–13, 2024, and Wilkes County Public Library encourages everyone in the community to visit the library to take part in the festivities and explore all the library has to offer.

by Suzanne Moore, Wilkes County Librarian

Henry Glassie, a renowned folklorist, and College Professor Emeritus at Indiana University Bloomington, celebrates his birthday on March 24th. His book, Passing the Time in Ballymenone, is a fascinating and detailed exploration of life in a small, tight-knit community in Northern Ireland. In this book, Glassie captures the rich cultural traditions, values, and beliefs of the people of Ballymenone, offering readers a unique and insightful glimpse into the daily lives of this community. 

by Suzanne Moore, Wilkes County Librarian

Wilkes County Public Library is recognizing Black History Month with a couple of important readings and conversations.  First, save the date for a conversation about Beyond Innocence: The Life Sentence of Darryl Hunt by, Phoebe Zerwick. This book is a deeply reported, gripping narrative of injustice, exoneration, and the lifelong impact of incarceration, Beyond Innocence is the poignant saga of one remarkable life that sheds vitally important light on the failures of the American justice system at every level. 

by Suzanne Moore, Wilkes County Librarian

The Traphill Branch Library's group, The Reading Trap, recently celebrated Thad Carhart's 74th birthday on February 16 by reading his memoir, The Piano Shop on the Left Bank. In the book, Carhart talks about his discovery of the joy of pianos at a piano atelier in Paris, France.

by Suzanne Moore, Wilkes County Librarian

Library Lovers Month Takes the National Spotlight Every February! Libraries are amazing community centers that offer a wide range of books and other resources for public consumption. The best part is that all you need to gain access to these resources is a library card, which is completely free of charge! So, if you haven't got a library card yet, it's high time you get one and start exploring the vast world of knowledge and information that awaits you at the library.

by Suzanne Moore, Wilkes County Librarian

While visiting my grandmother in Florida, during Christmas vacation and sitting on Holmes Beach with a mesmerizing view of the ocean, I read a book titled "The Sound of Waves" by Yukio Mishima, which was published in 1954.  Mishima's birthday is on January 14, 1925.  If you can’t physically go to the ocean, I promise this book will take you there!

by Suzanne Moore, Wilkes County Librarian

The latest *Reading Trap authors to celebrate birthdays are Fyodor Dostoyevsky (b. Nov 11, 1821) and Alain de Botton (b Dec 20, 1969).  Both authors are renowned for their philosophical works, and their books were recently selected for discussion. The reflections about their works are uniquely connected, and they offer an insightful perspective on various philosophical themes that are worth exploring.

by Suzanne Moore, Wilkes County Librarian

Wilkes County Public Library is hosting “Liberty Sessions Unplugged” in support of local veterans on December 9, 2023. The event will take place at VFW Post 1142, located at 802 Veterans Drive in North Wilkesboro. The jam session kicks off at 2:00 p.m. with performances by Will Easter, Doug Davis & Friends, and Highway 268. All players and pickers are welcome to join an open jam session from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.  The event ends with performances by Helen Morris and Friends, The Wilkes Record Players, Autumn Ridge, and Randy McNeil.

by Suzanne Moore, Wilkes County Librarian

The holidays can be a stressful time of year, with all the demands of shopping, cooking, entertaining, and traveling.  All these factors can upset our spiritual wellness.  Spiritual wellness offers a meaningful connection between our inner selves, the world, and the transcendent. It provides purpose, resilience, and a sense of belonging.  By exploring life’s questions, spiritual wellness guides us towards purposeful lives. Emotionally, it equips us with tools like compassion and resilience. This wellness fosters unity, empathy, and belonging.  This understanding provides a way to achieve greater peace, freedom, and increased manageability over our healing process.  Come out for these special events and find inspiration and support to lift your spirits and find joy.

by Suzanne Moore, County Librarian

December 4, 2023

OPEN HOUSE 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.

Are you tired of the same old boring store-bought ornaments? Are you interested in adding a unique and personal touch to your Christmas tree? Try making your own DIY Christmas ornaments with crafty supplies provided by the library.   Explore your ‘ornamentality’ by creating a beautiful keepsake for your seasonal décor.   

by Suzanne Moore, County Librarian

Aravind Adiga, one of India’s acclaimed authors, was born on October 23, 1974 in Madras (now called Chennai), and grew up in Mangalore in the south of India.  His book, The White Tiger, is a 2008 winner of the prestigious Booker Prize for Fiction. Each year the best novel published in the United Kingdom and Ireland, written in the English language, wins this award, named for a British wholesale distribution company.   

By, Suzanne Moore, Wilkes County Librarian

Herbert George Wells (b. Sept 21, 1866), an English author from the early 1900s, became a ‘Reading Trap’ celebrity at the book club’s September meeting.   Wells’ novella masterpieces; War of the World, Invisible Man, Tono-Bungay, The Island of Doctor Moreau, and The Time Machine are recognized as ‘must-reads’ and have also gained popularity over the years in film and radio broadcasts.  It was during a performance reading of War of the Worlds, that the radio drama induced mass hysteria by listeners who feared a real Martian invasion.