Watauga County Public Library | |
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Dear Readers,
Happy December!
As we enter into December, a few of our staff members and I have discussed bringing our giving tree back. In past years, we had a giving tree over in the Adult Services area with scarves, hats, mittens, gloves, etc. The idea was to take what you need or bring any extra items you have that could help someone stay warm in the winter. This is the season of giving so let’s contribute what we can. Rather than a tree, we opted for a large wrapped gift box and will have it in the same area adjacent to the Adult Public Services Desk.
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And to highlight a couple of holiday events...
We'll have Reindeer Games at the Library on Friday, December 1 from 4:00-5:00 PM. Before Festive First Friday at the Jones House and downtown, come to the library, where we'll have fun holiday activities including an obstacle course, a bracelet-making craft, and decorating giant cardboard gingerbread houses!
Before the parade from 12-1:30 pm, Youth Services and our regional director Jacob Starks will be hosting parade day activities on the library lawn. Jacob will be making gingerbread funnel cakes, while YS will be serving hot cocoa and hosting "reindeer games" while promoting the expansion project as well as the Friends of the Library Book Sale. Look for the Library outreach van in the parade!
Happy holidays to our wonderful patrons!
~ Monica Caruso
County Librarian
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Friends of the Western Watauga Library outdoor book sale will continue as weather permits. Please call before bringing donations.
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Change in schedule
For the month of December, the Dementia Caregiver Support Group, sponsored by the Friends of Western Watauga Branch Library will meet:
Friday, December 1
2:00 pm
Friday, December 15
2:00 pm
For more information, call the Branch Library at (828) 297-5515
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Senior Drive-Through Christmas
We are gearing up with the Senior Center at Western Watauga Community Center for our third annual Senior Drive-Through Christmas! Thanks to Friends of Western Watauga Branch Library for volunteering for this heartwarming event!
Wednesday, December 13
1:00 PM
Inclement weather date: December 19
1:00 PM
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Western Watauga Branch Book Club
Rich Blood by Robert Bailey
Wednesday, December 20
2:30 PM
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Watauga County Public Library Activities | |
Story times include songs, books, and activities! | |
Join us for after-school story time, Tuesdays at 3:30 PM! | |
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Reindeer Games at the Library
Friday, December 1
4:00-5:00 PM
Before Festive First Friday at the Jones House, come to the library, where we'll have fun holiday activities including an obstacle course, a bracelet-making craft, and decorating giant cardboard gingerbread houses!
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Try It Club
Saturdays, December 2 and 16
2:00 PM
Recommended for ages 8-18
Each time we meet, we will try a new skill or activity; maybe it will be an interesting craft, maybe it will be a game. Just bring yourself and an open mind! We will learn together. It could be a roaring success or it may be a spectacular failure - you'll have to try it and find out. We can't promise it will work, but we will have fun trying!
Registration required. email Jenna or call (828)264-8784 extension 3
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Join our Crochet Club!
Wednesdays, December 6 and 20
4:00 PM
No experience or supplies needed. Snacks provided!
Email Jennifer with questions
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Parade Day Festivities
Saturday, December 9
12:00-1:30 PM
Come to the library on the day of the Christmas parade for food and drinks, games, music, and to check out the Friends' holiday book sale!
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Lego Club
Tuesday, December 19
4:00 PM
Come and build with us!
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Creative Writing Workshop for Teens and Preteens
Thursday, December 21
4:00 PM
Stretch your writing muscles, eat some snacks, and meet other creative writers!
Email Kristian for RSVPs and questions
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We're starting a Youth
Literary Arts Magazine!
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Youth ages 3-18 are invited to submit their writing and visual artworks for our NEW Youth Literary Arts Magazine, WatCo Youth! Access our submission form here! | |
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Keep out of the cold with our Winter Scavenger Hunt! | |
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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
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Check out a Launchpad with your library card to play games and read books! | |
Click here to see the new books coming to our collection soon! | |
Click here to see some books in our collection that need some love. Maybe you'll discover a new favorite! | |
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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. 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 1 pm
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Healthcare Navigation Assistance
Wednesdays, December 6 through
January 10
11:00 AM-7:00 PM
A Healthcare Navigator will be at the library offering free, unbiased assistance to find affordable, quality plans with the Healthcare Marketplace or Medicaid. The Navigator can also assist with the medicaid application process.
To make an appointment, call (828) 239-2985
Se hable español, (855) 733-3711
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Friends of the Library Book Sale
The Friends of the Library will be holding their annual holiday book sale. Thousands of items, including books, holiday gift baskets, CDs, and DVDs, will be available!
Friends members only:
Thursday, December 7 4:00 PM-6:00 PM
Open to the public:
Friday, December 8 1:00 PM-7:00 PM
and Saturday, December 9 10:00 AM-3:00 PM
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Monday Matinees: Mamma Mia!
Monday, December 11
2:00 PM
Come to the library every Monday at 2:00 for a movie! In December, we're escaping from the cold with beach movies, so come enjoy the sun and surf! For our first Monday, we'll be watching the hit musical Mamma Mia!
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Health Insurance Enrollment and Medicaid Application Event
Thursday, December 14
9:00 AM-5:00 PM
Come by the library to speak with a healthcare navigator from LegalAidNC and the NC Navigator Consortium about the open enrollment period and get help finding healthcare coverage! Walk-ins are welcome, or book an appointment at this link or by calling (855) 733-3711
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Red Cross Blood Drive
Friday, December 15
10:00 AM-2:30 PM
To make an appointment, please call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit RedCrossBlood.org and enter sponsor code: Watauga County Library. Give for a $10 Amazon.com Gift Card by email: rcblood.org/Amazon
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Winter Watercolor Class
Saturday, December 16
10:00 AM-12:00 PM
Join multimedia artist Mark Anderson in exploring your artistic abilities with watercolor paints to paint a wintry picture for the holidays!
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Monday Matinees: Barbie
Monday, December 18
2:00 PM
Come to the library every Monday at 2:00 for a movie! In December, we're escaping from the cold with beach movies, so come enjoy the sun and surf! For our second Monday, we'll be watching the 2023 blockbuster Barbie.
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Tell Us what Movies YOU Want
to Watch!
We're planning to play even more beach movies in January, but we want to know which ones will draw a crowd! Swing by the Adult Services desk to vote for your favorites, or click on this link to vote online!
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Tech Tips with Troy
Do you want to write an email, use a tablet, or have another tech question on your mind? Library & Information Science graduate Troy Brooks provides technology assistance by appointment on Saturdays from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM. To schedule an appointment, call the Reference Desk at (828) 264-8784 ext. 2.
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Introducing Memory Kits!
After the Western Watauga Branch Library introduced their wildly popular memory kits, the Watauga County Public Library's Adult Services department has constructed eight themed memory kits of our own for patron use. Each kit contains activities, sensory items, books, and music based around a theme for use in reminiscence therapy for people with dementia or dementia-related diseases. For more information, read this American Library Association blog post on the subject. Come by and check one out today!
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COVID-19 Tests Available at Library
Thanks to AppHealthCare, COVID-19 home tests are available to the public at both locations. Limit of 2 boxes per family. Each box has 4 tests.
Please do not come in to pick up tests if you have COVID-19 symptoms and/or are not feeling well. Just give us a call, and we will bring tests to the bench outside the library doors for you to pick up. Thank you!
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Overdrive is offering free monthly webinars on using Libby, their library reading app. Learn how to access our library’s digital collection of ebooks, audiobooks and more. These webinars are great for new digital users or those making the switch from OverDrive to Libby. December's session is on Wednesday, December 6 at 11:00 AM. Click here to register for it or any upcoming session! | |
News from the Circulation Desk | |
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North Carolina Legal Aid
Social Security Disability Listen & Learn
Thursday, December 7
2:30 PM
Child Custody Listen & Learn
Tuesday, December 12
2:30 PM
Simple Divorce Listen & Learn
Thursday, December 21
2:30 PM
All clinics are online! For a full list of clinics and to register, click here.
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AARP Featured Online Events
Power Up Your Knowledge of Electric Vehicles
Attend a 45-minute session to explore the spectrum of Electric Vehicles available today and to learn about the important aspects related to purchasing, driving and owning an electric vehicle.
Monday, December 11, 1:00–1:45 PM
AAPR Presents: Rock 101 - The Music & Stories of Ten Classic Songs
Rock 101 is a tour de force presentation that features an informative and entertaining narrative, a multimedia exhibition of fascinating videos and images, and a live band that will rock the house. The narrator will offer a brief history and introduce each song with stories that allow the audience to appreciate well-known tunes in new ways.
Saturday, December 16, 3:00–5:00 PM
More AARP Mountain Region events available here.
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For more information, click here!
Call your local NC Works Center to register (828) 265-5385 or go to www.ncworks.gov
Address: 130 Poplar Grove Road Connector, Boone, NC 28607
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VAYA Health Training
Dementia: A Deeper Understanding
Did you know that dementia is an umbrella term including a variety of different symptoms? Caring for someone with dementia can present unique challenges. This curriculum will examine, in detail, associated symptoms and behavioral changes. It will also explore best practices for care delivery.
Friday, December 8
10:00 AM
For a full list of events, visit our events calendar.
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The Incredible Years Free Parenting Class
The Children's Council of Watauga County is offering FREE parenting classes on Tuesdays, 5:00-7:30 PM or Wednesdays, 9:00-11:30 AM from September 5 until December 13. Register by email at this link or by phone at (828) 262-5424.
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Free Aging Well Assessments
are screenings for aging adults and are available for any community member in the High Country. Screenings include balance and fall risk, cognition, dementia, and nutrition. They take approximately 60 minutes to complete and results can be sent to the primary care provider. To schedule an appointment call the Interprofessional Clinic front desk at 828-262-8658 or email [email protected]
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Aging Academy Fridays Free Workshops for Healthy Living
Please mark your calendars and join us for our upcoming Aging Academy 2023-2024 series. All presentations will be held in Leon Levine Hall of Health Sciences room 103, from 3:00-4:15 pm unless otherwise noted. Kindly confirm your registration here for all events.
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NAMI Family Support Group
Meeting virtually on
Monday, December 11 at 7:00 pm.
Please contact Mike Tanner if you would like to join this meeting. For more information click here.
NAMI Connection Recovery Support Groups
Meeting virtually on Tuesday, December 26 at 6:00 PM. For zoom link please contact Pam Thomas.
For a full list of online programs from NAMI affiliates, please visit NAMI's North Carolina calendar.
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The New Normal Stroke, TBI, & Movement Disorders Support Group
First Wednesday of every month
1:00 pm - 2:30 pm
The New Normal, a stroke, TBI, and movement disorder support group hosted by App State's Interprofessional Clinic, meets over Zoom at this link.
For more information call/email
(828) 262-6628
[email protected]
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Surviving to Thriving Caregiver Support Group
Leon Levine Hall, 1179 State Farm Road, Rooms 208 & 210
Meeting on the first and third Monday of every Month, or on Zoom (Meeting ID 946 3674 2526, Passcode 213158).
12:00-1:30 PM
For more information call (828) 262-6628 or email [email protected]
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Monthly Shared Meal with Seniors and Students
Leon Levine Hall 1179 State Farm Road, Dining Lab Room 138. The focus is on decreasing social isolation and improving connection. The seniors will be tabled with Beaver College of Health Sciences graduate students. This event is held on Oct 3, Nov 7, and Dec 5, the first Tuesday of the month from 12-1:30. There is an educational topic and seating is limited so registration is required at 828-262-6628 or [email protected]
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"Movin' & Groovin' Walking Group"
On Mondays from 8:30-11:30 at the Greenway, community members can sign up for 30 or 60-minute walks. They will traverse the Greenway from Leon Levine with students. The goal is to improve physical and social health outcomes. Register at 828-262-6628 or [email protected]
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Parkinson's Speak Out & Education Group
On the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month from 1-3 beginning September 13th. Classes will run twice a month through November 22nd in the Interprofessional Clinic, Leon Levine room 132. Sessions will include education, group speech, and cognitive exercises. One-on-one therapy with social work is available but not required. Topics include: What is Parkinson's?, Motor Symptoms and Exercises, Cognitive and Speech Decline, Nutrition, and Social and Emotional Effects of Parkinson's. Register at 828-262-6628 or [email protected]
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Caregivers of Neurodivergent Individuals Brown-Bag Lunch
Caregivers of Neurodivergent Individuals Brown Bag Lunch every third Thursday 12:30-1:30 PM 400 University Hall Drive, Boone Room 168 For more information call 828-262-7690
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Thank you to the following donors:
- Sue Hagaman and R.B. and Julie Isaacs – Adult Large Print Books (in memory of Josephine Isaacs)
- Delta Kappa Gamma Society – Children’s Books
- Repair Hub Attendees – Adult Supplies
- Wreath Workshop Attendees – Adult Supplies
- Friends of Watauga County Public Library – Miscellaneous
- Friends of Watauga County Public Library – Festive First Friday and pre-parade activities
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