Keeping you informed, involved, and inspired!
In the January issue

A Group of Skiers
reading-challenge-2018
Our library sponsors this challenge for two very important reasons: to promote literacy in our community and have fun doing it! We hope you'll consider joining our community of readers; it's a great way to find book recommendations and push yourself to read books you may never have chosen otherwise. This year's reading challenge offers new categories such as "A book that deserves a second chance", "A book set in a garden", and "A book of letters" as well as perennial favorites like "A book recommended by your friendly librarians" and "A book that challenges the way you think". The new challenge will go live on Thursday, January 4 at our Reading Challenge Wrap-up/Kickoff Party. After January 4, you can visit the 2018 Ashe County Reading Challenge website at
 https://arlibrary.libguides.com/2018readingchallenge
Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?
~ Mary Oliver, "The Summer Day" ~
The library will be closed on January 1 for New Year's Day
and January 15 for Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
illustrator-book-club
This new book club for grades 3-6 encourages participants to learn about the way illustrations interact with words to create something that is more than the sum of words+pictures. Children will have the opportunity to re-create the work of classic illustrators. In the first meeting, we will explore the work of Ezra Jack Keats, author of The Snowy Day, Whistle for Willie, and many more. The club will meet on the second Thursday of each month.
Thursday, January 11, 3:30 pm
If you only frequent the main floor of the library, you may be missing out. Visit The Upper Level to meet your friendly reference librarians, receive book recommendations and tech help, enjoy fun activities and special programs, visit our seed library (wait until spring for this one), or just enjoy the awesome view from the top of the staircase. C'mon, the other half of the library is waiting for you.

Our Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program put over half a million dollars back into the pockets of Ashe County residents last year. This vital service is hosted by the library and performed by IRS-certified volunteers between January and April of each year. Most people who earn $54,000 or less are eligible to receive free tax preparation through the VITA program. For more details, visit the IRS website. If you would like to schedule an appointment with VITA, call 336.977.5829. Appointments will be taken for January 29-April 7.
Mondays 10-3 * Tuesdays 10-5 * Saturdays 9-1
new-program-times

Get Crafty now meets on the third Saturday of the month at 10 am.
Mountain Music Slow Jam now meets on the first and third Saturdays of the month at 3 pm.
computer-classes

Beginning on January 11, join us on Thursdays at 10 am for free computer classes on a variety of topics. Computers will be provided or you may bring your own.
January 11: Using the Internet
January 18: Office Hours (Ask us anything!)
January 25: Email
Click the button below to see a full listing of library programs and events for January 2018. Thank you to the Ashe County Friends of the Library for their generous support of our programs. Click here to learn how you can become a Friends of the Library member.
Ashe County Public Library | 336.846.2041 |   www.arlibrary.org