Happy September!

As many start a new school year, it is once again time for Library Card Sign Up Month. See the link for the press release.

It is a great time of year to get a new card or check the status of your old card.

Once you get your card, you will be given the choice of a Kovu coffee coupon, Stick Boy Bread Company cookie/coffee coupon, or a free book from our Watauga County Friends of the Library in-house book sale area.

On September 21, our wonderful hard-working Friends of the Watauga County Public Library group is celebrating its 50^th anniversary from 11 am - 4 pm. The Library will be closed to allow space for our party and all of the fun activities. The meeting room and bathrooms will be open and the majority of activities will be on the lawn and in the parking lot.

Save the date and we hope to see you then.

~Monica Caruso

County Librarian

Western Watauga Branch Book Club

Weekend Warriors by Fern Michaels

Wednesday, September 17

2:30 PM

Disaster Preparedness Training with the American Red Cross

Wednesday, September 25

10:00 AM

If you're feeling deja vu, it's because we had to reschedule last month's planned disaster preparedness training! This free training will teach you how to best prepare yourself and protect your home in the event of a natural disaster. It will also discuss how to prevent home fires.

Friends of Western Watauga Branch Library Fundraiser

Raffle for a themed basket of your choice, filled to the brim with handcrafted, useful, beautiful and fun items! Baskets are valued between $300-400 each. Tickets will go on sale in mid-October, and winners will be announced on December 11! More information will be available in the October newsletter!

Children's Programs

Story times include songs, books, and activities!

Join us for afternoon story time, Tuesdays at 3:30 PM!

Open S.T.E.A.M. Table

Tuesday Afternoons

Come by every Tuesday afternoon for an open S.T.E.A.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) activity for elementary schoolers! You can follow the suggested challenge or use the materials to make your own!

Visits from Mac the Therapy Dog

Tuesdays at 3:00 PM

Mac, a sweet and personable therapy dog, visits the library on Tuesday afternoons to spend time with any children who want to be his friend. Come by and see him!

Sensory-Friendly Family Movie: The Incredibles

Saturday, September 7

2:00 PM

Come to the library and save the day at a sensory-friendly showing of The Incredibles!

These movie events are designed for people who have special needs and their guardians or care workers. This event is not intended for adults unless they are caring for an individual with special needs or another person under the age of 12. All families are welcome to attend, provided a person aged 16 or above remains with children who are under the age of 12 for the entire event.

Migration Olympics Storytime with the High Country Audubon Society

Tuesday, September 17

3:30 PM

The Summer Olympics are over, but with migration season upon us, birds are about to show off their own amazing abilities! Come to a special storytime with the Audubon Society to play a game, learn about the cool things birds can do, and maybe even win a medal!

Family Bird Walk at Valle Crucis Community Park

Wedensday, September 18

9:00-10:00 AM

Join Youth Services and the High Country Audubon Society at Valle Crucis Community Park to go birdwatching! Learn about the birds we find in the park and how they migrate for the winter. Some binoculars may be available but bring your own if you have them!

The Return of Crochet Club!

Wednesday, September 18

4:00 PM

No experience or supplies needed, and now grown-ups are welcome!

Email Jennifer with questions.

Lego Club

Tuesday, September 24

4:00 PM

Come and build with us!

Animanga Club

Wednesday, September 25

3:30 PM

Join our Animanga Club, where teens age 13-18 can read manga and watch anime together! Come by to watch some anime and discuss manga you've been reading.

Tween Creative Writing Workshop

Thursday, September 26

3:00-4:00 PM

Explore your creative side with the return of our creative writing workshop! Eat snacks, play games, and discuss your writing. Contact Tori for more info.

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

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!

Monday Matinees: The Mask of Zorro

Tuesday, September 3

3:00 PM

While we normally play our Monday Matinees on Mondays at 3:00 PM, our first movie of the month will be on Tuesday, due to Labor Day. This September we're getting the pulses pounding with a series of action and adventure movies! For our first movie, we're practicing our sexy accents for The Mask of Zorro!

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 1:00 PM.

Watauga County Historical Society Lecture: In the Footsteps of Daniel Boone with author Randell Jones

Wednesday, September 4

6:00 PM

Learn about Daniel Boone, our town's namesake, just in time for the release of the revised and updated edition of author Randell Jones's book, In the Footsteps of Daniel Boone!

Library Expansion Capital Campaign Committee Meeting

Thursday, September 6

10:00 AM

Want to help us raise money for a library expansion or learn more about our expansion plans? Come to our library expansion committee meeting to learn what we're cooking up!

Seated Tai Chi Classes

Mondays, September 9-December 16

10:00-10:45 AM

TCHI Board Certified Instructor Nicole Hiegl is back to offer more free seated Tai Chi classes for arthritis and fall prevention, in person (limited space) and online! To register, go to this link or call the Adult Services desk at (828) 264-8784 ext. 2.

Monday Matinees: Master and Commander

Monday, September 9

3:00 PM

Come to the library every Monday at 3:00 for a movie. This September we're getting the pulses pounding with a series of action and adventure movies! For our second Monday, we're stretching our sea legs with Master and Commander!

Cook the Books Book Club

Tuesday, September 10

3:00 PM

Cook the Books will discuss Crooked House by Agatha Christie. Please stop by the circulation desk for a copy of the book.

NCWorks Information Booth

Wednesdays, September 11 and 25

1:00-3:00 PM

An NCWorks representative is coming to the library to assist anyone seeking career or educational advancement. Come on by for information about resources to assist with employment, training, and more!

High Country Writers

Hey Writers!

High Country Writers meet in the Watauga County Library meeting room with a virtual option available! Join us on Thursday, September 12 at 10:00 AM for a lecture from a guest speaker and Thursday, September 26 at 10:00 AM for a critique session.

A Taste of the Spanish-Speaking World Series

Fridays, September 13 to October 4

4:00-6:00 PM

Join us as we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with a series of four talks about the Spanish-Speaking World, featuring guest speakers from the local Hispanic Community. Light refreshments served.

September 13 - Mexico's Fight for Independence

September 20 - Latin Jazz

September 27 - The Spanish-Speaking Caribbean

October 4 - Medieval Spain

Monday Matinees: Buster Keaton Double Feature

Monday, September 16

3:00 PM

Come to the library every Monday at 3:00 for a movie. For our third Monday, we're shifting gears and looking to silently split some sides with a double feature of two Buster Keaton classics: Sherlock Jr. and The General!

National Voter Registration Day at the Watauga County Public Library

Tuesday, September 17

Come by the library any time on Tuesday, September 17 to get registered to vote! We're partnering up with National Voter Registration Day to help folks get ready for November.

Crochet Club

Wednesday, September 18

4:00 PM

No experience or supplies needed, for ages 8+.

Email Ingrid with questions.

Friends of the Watauga County Public Library 50th Anniversary Party

Saturday, September 21

11:00 AM-4:00 PM

Stop by the library for our celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Friends of the Watauga County Public Library! It's free and family friendly, and we'll have refreshments and entertainment galore, so come celebrate the community that has worked tirelessly to keep our library going for half a century!

Monday Matinees: The Darjeeling Limited

Monday, September 23

3:00 PM

Come to the library every Monday at 3:00 for a movie. This September we're getting the pulses pounding with a series of action and adventure movies! For our fourth Monday, we have your ticket for The Darjeeling Limited!

Book Bunch Book Club

Tuesday, September 24

1:30 PM

Book Bunch will discuss Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver. Please stop by the Adult Services desk for a copy of the book and a list of upcoming books the group plans to read.

Parkinson's Support Group of the High Country

Tuesday, September 24

10:00 AM

Come by to meet other folks living with Parkinson's Disease. For more information, contact John Padgett at john@livinghopenc.org or (828)773-2864

Repair Hub

Saturday, September 28

10:00 AM-1:00 PM

After a few bumps in the road, Repair Hub is back with a vengeance! Bring your household items in need of repair and the talented folks at Repair Hub will get them back in working order free of charge!

Monday Matinees: The Fall Guy

Monday, September 30

3:00 PM

Come to the library every Monday at 3:00 for a movie. This September we're getting the pulses pounding with a series of action and adventure movies! For our fifth Monday, we're taking some risks in The Fall Guy!

Tell Us What Movies YOU Want

to Watch!

We're planning to play spooky movies in October, 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!

Attention, Libby Users!

On July 1, Appalachian Regional Library joined forces with Northwestern Regional Library, which gave you access to a larger digital catalog in Libby! As a result, though, you may have to re-enter your library card details on the site or in the app. Now, our Libby collection is under Appalachian and Northwestern Regional Libraries; your same library card information will still allow you to access the new collection. Call the adult services desk at (828) 264-8784 extension 2 with any questions!

COVID-19 Tests Available at Library

Thanks to AppHealthCare, COVID-19 home tests are available to the public at both locations. Limit of 4 boxes per family. Each box has 2 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!

Events from our partners

AARP Featured Online Events

Monarch Butterfly Program: Great Trails

Join us for an exciting and informative educational program! Experience the beauty of nature with a tour of our vibrant and thriving pollinator garden, followed by an optional 2.2 mile, somewhat strenuous hike, through the stunning surrounding landscape. Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to learn, explore, and connect with the natural world!

Blue Ridge Conservancy

416 Aho Road

Blowing Rock, NC 28605

Friday, September 6 10:00-11:00 AM

Power of the 50+ Voter

Voters age 50+ will decide the election. Did you know that in 2022 2.4 million or 64% of the NC electorate were over the age of 50? Older North Carolinians vote and AARP wants to ensure that your voice will be heard. Learn about the upcoming election with the Ashe County Board of Elections staff. Topics will include changes to election laws, new voter ID requirements including how to obtain a new ID, significant dates to know and locations for voting. The Board of Elections will be prepared to make photo IDs if needed.

Ashe County Public Library

148 Library Drive

West Jefferson, NC 28694

Monday, September 9 3:00-4:00 PM

More AARP Mountain Region events available here.

Virtual Workshops:

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

VAYA Health Training

Opportunities to Help During Crisis

An individual can experience a crisis suddenly and without warning, especially when symptoms of a

mental illness are involved. As a caregiver or responder, possessing skills that support de-escalation

is imperative. Did you know that you can help? This course provides information about crises in older

adults, barriers to de-escalation, and specific methods of stabilizing support.

Tuesday, September 17

1:30 PM

For a full list of events, visit our events calendar.

Strong Body, Strong Mind

Tuesdays, September 17-November 4

11:00 AM-12:00 PM

It's never too early or too late to focus on brain health! These sessions are designed to support your cognitive performance. To register, contact the AppWell interprofessional clinic at (828) 262-8658 or ipc@appstate.edu.

NAMI Family Support Group

Meeting virtually on

Monday, September 9 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, September 24 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.

The Appalachian Institute for Health and Wellness in Leon Levine Hall offers many fantastic services and programs to the community, including a caregiver support group, a walking group, age-based health assessments, and more! For more information, contact the interprofessional clinic at (828) 262-8658 or ipc@appstate.edu.

Conversation Connection at Alliance Bible Fellowship

Wednesdays, September 18-November 27

6:00-7:30 PM

Come join this conversational English class for one or all of the weeks! All levels of English are welcome. Childcare is available.

View as Webpage

Like our Facebook page to get the most up-to-date information.