Dear Readers,

Have you been inside the Library lately? It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas! I wanted to thank the following folks from Watauga Opportunities named below who came and decorated our tree last month!

• Aktion Club members Shannon, Hope, AJ, Clint, Ricky, and Courtney
• Watauga Opportunities staff present were Christina, Stacy, and Josh

The bows and beautiful ornaments really make our foyer look outstanding.

We appreciate you!

Don't forget to shop this week in our meeting room at the Friends of the Watauga County Public Library Holiday Book Sale. Over 5,000 books await new homes for the holidays! All proceeds come back to the Library. Scroll down for more details under Adult Services.

The Friends are busy setting up this week. The excitement is mounting!

Happy holidays!

~ Monica Caruso

County Librarian

Story times include songs, books, and activities!

Check out the Appalachian Regional Library Literacy Resources YouTube channel for virtual library story times.

Enjoy Storywalk® at the Tot Lot!

Storywalk® is an outdoor reading experience.

Located at the Watauga County Recreation Complex

141 Complex Drive, Boone, NC 28607

Tag for Teens: Reindeer Games

Did you know you can earn service hours for hanging out at the library? This month, we'll discuss plans and projects for next year and play some fun holiday games! (There might even be candy involved!)

Monday, December 5

4:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Festive Friday: How the Grinch Stole Christmas

Meet the Grinch, Max the dog, and even Cindy Lou Who as they bring "Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas" to life in their own special, silly way. Stick around after the program for photos and silliness during our exclusive meet-and-greet!

Thanks to the Town of Boone and the Friends of the Watauga County Public Library for their support!

Friday, December 2

4:00 pm and 6:00 pm

STEM Stories for K- 2nd Grade: Do You Want to Build a Snowman?

We'll read Caralyn Buehner's Snowmen All Year before we make snow and build our own snowmen!

Monday, December 19

1:00 pm - 2:00 pm

Registration Required

Call (828) 264-8784, ext. 3, or email [email protected] to register!

STEM Stories for 3rd - 5th Grade: Snowball Fight!

Join us for Rubin Pingk's Samurai Santa: A Very Ninja Christmas! We'll learn how to make snowball cannons and have an epic indoor snowball fight after!

Monday, December 19

3:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Registration Required

Call (828) 264-8784 ext. 3, or email [email protected] to register.

One Night, Two Moons: A Very Joe Miller Story Time

What would you do if you saw a Christmas tree come to life outside your window? Join us for Story Time as we read Joe Miller's One Night, Two Moons and decorate the library with our very own special trees!

Copies available for check out.

Wednesday, December 21

11:00 am

More Adult Programs

North Carolina Legal Aid

Thursday, December 1

Free Social Security Disability Clinic

Tuesday, December 6

Free Criminal Record Expungement Clinic

For additional programs or to register, click here. All programs are at

2:30 pm via Zoom.

The Hughlene Bostian Frank Visiting Writers Series

Save the Date for more authors in the spring!

Legal Aid of North Carolina

Health Insurance Enrollment Event

Monday, December 12

Noon to 6:30 pm

Appointments: (828) 477-4714

Walk-ins are welcome

Se habla español

Health Insurance Navigators will be on site offering free, unbiased assistance to find affordable, quality plans with the Health Care Marketplace or Medicaid, and SHIP counselors will be assisting with Medicare applications.

High Country Writers Annual Christmas Luncheon/ Award Ceremony

Tuesday, December 6

Enjoy music, food, and fellowship (in person hopefully) in the beautiful setting of Blowing Rock Conference Center.

Contact [email protected]

for information.

For events information, click here.

Please check here in January, 2023 for a new set of events with High Country Life Long Learners!

AARP Online Events:

Exploring Family-Friendly Housing Options

(Virtual Seminar)

Dec 7, 2022 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Register here.

A Caregiver’s Holiday Guide

Thursday, Dec 8, 2022

From 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Join here.

More events available here.

Friends of the Library Book Sale

Thursday, December 1

1:00 pm - 4:00 pm (Friends of the Library Members Only)

Friday, December 2

1:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Saturday, December 3

10:00 am - 3:00 pm

Win a Beautiful Quilt!

The Friends of the Library are raffling a beautiful quilt made by an anonymous donor. 100% of the proceeds will be used to support the Library. You may see the quilt on display during November just inside the library's main entrance.

For a chance to win, you may purchase tickets during November at the library Circulation Desk or during the FOL Book Sale held December 1-3.

Tickets are $1 for one raffle ticket or $5 for seven tickets. 

There is no limit to the number of tickets you may purchase. The winning ticket will be drawn on December 3.

The Next Chapter Book Club is for adults and young adults with developmental disabilities. The discussion group provides a connection to books, friends, and community. The book we are using is Each Little Bird That Sings by Deborah Wiles. To attend via Zoom, please contact Adult Services at (828) 264-8784 ext. 2.

With the exception of the second Wednesday of the month, the group meets Wednesdays at 2:30 pm.

Book Bunch Book Club

Book Bunch will not meet in December, but will discuss The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles on

Tuesday, January 31, 2023 at 1:30 pm.

Please stop by the Adult Services desk for a copy of the book.

Cook the Books Book Club

Cook the Books will not meet in December, but will discuss Apples Never Fall by Liane Moriarty on Tuesday, January 10, 2023

at 3:00 pm.

Family Support Group

Monday, December 12

7:00 pm

Please contact Mike Tanner if you would like to join this meeting. For more information click here.

VAYA Health Training

Neurocognitive Disorder: Living with Dementia

Commonly referred to as dementia, neurocognitive disorders can affect the way people perceive and engage with the world around them. This course looks at various classifications of neurocognitive disorders (NCDs), delirium, and common changes associated with each type. Tips for caregiving are provided.

Friday, December 9

10:00 am

To register, click here.

It's a Brain Thing: The Study of Dementia Medications

Dementia can be a frightening journey for both the caregiver and the person receiving care. Research continues to reveal more about this disease and treatments that may help. This class updates participants on how medications can help, as well as frustrating limitations.

Friday, December 9

11:15 am

To register, click here.

For a complete list of webinars, click here. For Geriatric and Adult Mental Health Specialty Team information, click here.

Food for Fines

November 28 - December 3

Each non-perishable donated item removes $1.00 from late fees. This does not include lost material fines.

Webinars

Resumes and Job Applications

Wednesday, December 7

10:00 am

Interviewing

Thursday, December 15

10:00 am

Contact your local NCWorks Center to register. For more information, click here.

COVID-19 Tests Available at Library

Thanks to AppHealthCare, we now have COVID-19 home tests available at both locations for the public.

Limit of 10 tests per family, please. Each box has two tests.

Please do not come in to pick up tests if you have COVID-19 symptoms and/or are not feeling well.

Friday, December 16

10 am - 2:30 pm

Toys for Tots

The Library is an official Toys for Tots drop off station! Please bring new, unwrapped toys and place in the boxes provided. Learn more about the Christmas time giving program here.

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