We will be CLOSED on Monday, September 4th for Labor Day

Dear Readers,

Happy September!

I hope those who are back at school (students and teachers included) have a wonderful and fulfilling year. September is Library Card Sign Up Month so we are promoting everything the library has to offer with emphasis on the card’s potential to enrich your life! Please see our press release here for more information.

Students who attend Watauga County Schools already have an account (like a second library card) with their student IDs. This allows them to borrow up to 10 books or audiobooks with no late fees.

When adults get a library card, in addition to our brochure and other information, we will be giving you a slip of paper with voter registration contact information. It is not too early to be thinking about getting registered to vote, if applicable.

~ Monica Caruso

County Librarian

Appalachian Regional Library Welcomes Our New Director of Libraries

Please welcome Jacob Starks, our new Director of Libraries for Appalachian Regional Library! Jacob joins us from Graceland University in Lamoni, Iowa, where he served as Director of Libraries. He begins work on September 1. Read more about him here.

Be on the lookout for our new outreach van! We're getting road ready thanks to an LSTA Grant (Library Services & Technology Act), our Watauga Library Endowment, and Friends of Western Watauga Branch Library. We will continue to serve our homebound readers and plan to attend community events throughout the year to share our Library services. Shelves have been installed and we are working on the outside lettering!

Story times include songs, books, and activities!

A whole new story time starting this month!

Join us for after-school story time, Tuesdays at 3:30 PM starting Tuesday, September 19!

LEGO Club

Tuesday, September 26

4:00 PM

Come and build with us!

Creative Writing Workshop for Teens and Preteens

Thursday, September 28

4:00-5:00 PM

Stretch your writing muscles, eat some pizza, and meet other creative writers!

Email Kristian for RSVPs, questions, and pizza requests

Book Brigade

Young Adult Book Club

Thursday, September 14

5:30-6:30 PM

ages 14-18

For our second meeting, the Book Brigade will discuss The Downstairs Girl by Stacey Lee, eat some pizza, and choose the next book to discuss. Stop by the Adult Services desk any time to pick up a copy of the book and join the fun!

Email Justin or Kristian for questions and pizza requests.

Books may contain mature themes, profanity, or violence. Parental discretion advised.

We're starting a Youth

Literary Arts Magazine!

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!

We've prepared a new scavenger hunt at the library!

To celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month, we've hidden the flags for Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Mexico, Chile, and Belize around the library. Find them all to win a prize!

Make your mark! Contribute to our collaborative bulletin board!

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

News from the Circulation Desk

Watch this space each month for new statistics on book loans from the folks at the circulation desk!

More Adult Programs

Appalachian State University's Common Reading Program

Since 1997, incoming first-year students at App have been assigned a book as part of their orientation to the University. By participating in the Common Reading Program, students establish a common experience with other new students that helps develop a sense of community and introduce them to a part of the academic life they are beginning at Appalachian. This year's Common Read pick is John Elder Robison's Be Different: My Adventures with Asperger's and my Advice for Fellow Aspergerians, Misfits, Families, and Teachers. The Watauga County Public Library has added several copies of the Common Reads Edition of the book to our collection so that members of the community may participate as well.

Author John Elder Robison Campus Events:

Keynote Address at the Schafer Center

Tuesday, September 19

7:00 PM

Advice to Autistic and other Neurodivergent College Students in the Plemmons Student Union Grandfather Mountain Ballroom

Wednesday, September 20

9:00 AM

Address: Reflections on Neurodiversity and Disability in the Plemmons Student Union Grandfather Mountain Ballroom

Wednesday, September 20

1:00 PM

North Carolina Legal Aid

Criminal Record Expungement Listen & Learn

Tuesday, September 5

2:30 PM

Child Custody Listen & Learn

Tuesday, September 12

2:30 PM

Medicaid Rights Listen & Learn

Friday, September 22

2:30 PM

All clinics are online! For a full list of clinics and to register, click here.

AARP Featured Online Events

Boost Your Balance and Mobility

Improving our balance and mobility is especially important as we get older, when the systems that help us maintain our balance and avoid falls - our vision, our inner ear, and our leg muscles and joints - tend to break down. This 45-minute virtual exercise class aims to help you work on your balance and can help prevent and slow those losses.

Monday, September 4

11:00 AM

A Tour of Philadelphia's Magic Gardens

Visit and learn about one of Philadelphia’s most unique places, the South Street neighborhood’s mixed-media art environment created by mosaic artist Isaiah Zagar. Our virtual visit to Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens - two mosaic-covered galleries and an outdoor sculpture garden - will feature a history of the artists, the neighborhood and the artwork. This free program is presented in collaboration with Philadelphia’s Magic Gardens.

Tuesday, September 5

6:00 PM

Elk Shoals Hike - Year of the Trail Event

Join your fellow AARP members and others for a Park Attendant guided walk/tour of the Elk Shoals section of New River State park, home to endangered hellbenders and 14 rare botanical species. Learn the history of the land acquisition and transition from Methodist Youth Camp to State Park. Hear plans for future expansion of the park's trail system. Starting at the Beach we will walk along the river for a gentle mile out and back. Then for all who wish we will continue up the ridge through the forest to the old dorm buildings. We will then re-convene at New River Brewery to socialize and start your weekend off with a beverage.

Friday, September 29

4:00-5:30 PM

More AARP Mountain Region events available here.

VIRTUAL WORKSHOPS:

Third Thursday Job Fair

Come by the Watauga NCWorks Career Center at 130 Poplar Grove Connector to meet with prospective employers! Come dressed appropriately and bring your resume.

Every Third Thursday

11:00 AM-2:00 PM

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

Click here to see the new books coming to our collection soon!

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

Book Bunch Book Club

Book Bunch will discuss The Diamond Eye by Kate Quinn on

Tuesday, September 26 at 1:30 pm.

Please stop by the Adult Services desk for a copy of the book and a list of upcoming books the group plans to read.

Cook the Books Book Club

Cook the Books will discuss The IT Girl by Ruth Ware on Tuesday, September 12 at 3:00 pm. Please stop by the Circulation desk for a copy of the book.

Watauga County Historical Society Annual Meeting and Speaker Series

Wednesday, September 6

5:30 PM

After a brief business meeting, the Watauga County Historical Society will hear from our good friend, WCHS member, and renowned genealogist/local historian Terry Harmon about his forthcoming book, "Convoluted: The 1972 Durham Family Triple Homicide." Get there early to be sure you have a seat for this highly anticipated talk by Terry! This in-person event will also be livestreamed through Facebook Live at the Digital Watauga Facebook page, where you can ask questions in the comments section that will be relayed to our speaker during Q&A.

Health Insurance Q&A

Wednesday, September 13

3:00-6:00 PM

and

Thursday, September 21

10:30 AM-1:00 PM

Have a health insurance related quandary you need guidance on? Come by and a Certified Healthcare Navigator from the Legal Aid of NC High Country Office can give you some answers!

Parkinson's Support Group

Tuesday, September 26

10:00 AM

Contact John Padgett for more details at john@livinghopenc.com or (828)773-2864

Crossing the Line: Writing Workshop with Author Susan Zurenda

Thursday, September 14

1:00-3:00 PM

To celebrate the release of her upcoming September 5 novel, The Girl from the Red Rose Motel, Susan Zurenda, award-winning author of Bells for Eli, is holding a writing workshop at the Watauga County Public Library. Adults age 18+ are welcome! For more information, click here.

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 14 at 10:00 AM for a visiting writer/speaker and on Thursday, September 28 at 10:00 AM for a critique session.

Repair Hub

will be returning to the library on Saturday, September 30 from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM! If you have broken or torn items around your house, bring them to the Repair Hub pop-up rather than throwing them out!

Tech Tips with Troy Returns!

Do you want to write an email, use a tablet, or have another tech question on your mind? Library & Information Science GRADUATE Troy Brooks rides again to provide technology assistance once more on Saturdays from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM. To schedule an appointment, call the Reference Desk at (828) 264-8784 ext. 2.

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!

COVID-19 Tests Available at Library

Thanks to AppHealthCare, COVID-19 home tests are available to the public at both locations. Limit of 10 tests per family. 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. Just give us a call, and we will bring tests to the bench outside the library doors for you to pick up. Thank you!

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. September's session is on Wednesday, September 6, at 2:00 PM. Click here to register for it or any upcoming session!

NAMI Family Support Group

Meeting virtually on

Monday, September 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, September 26 at 6:00 PM. For zoom link please contact Caleb Robleto.

For a full list of online programs from NAMI affiliates, please visit NAMI's North Carolina calendar.

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, ONLY meets online for June, July, and August. Their Zoom Meeting ID is 956 3282 9303 with the passcode 209696

For more information call/ email

(828) 262-6628

strongme@appstate.edu

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 strongme@appstate.edu

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 by calling (828) 262-5424.

VAYA Health Training

Neurocognitive Disorders and the Basics of Dementia

Neurocognitive disorders, often miscategorized as dementia, can be frightening, overwhelming, and complicated to understand. This course examines the four most diagnosed types of neurocognitive disorders (NCDs), symptoms, risk factors, and treatment options.

Friday, September 8

10:00 AM

To register, click here.

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

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