Storytime groups again active as New Year begins

A new year is here, and we hope to see you at the library this month. We offer weekly storytime groups for children from birth through fifth grade at each of our locations.

The new sessions begin this Monday, Jan. 5, and registration is ongoing. Contact one of our branches if you are interested in one of our storytime groups. Pre-registration is required for all storytime groups.

The following programs in January all require pre-registration, so be sure to sign up early if you see one your child would like to attend.

The C.B. Hildebrand Public Library is continuing their Cooking Club for Kids and Weaving Wonders groups. Weaving Wonders will meet on Wednesday, Jan. 14, at 3:30 p.m. while Cooking Club meets Wednesday, Jan. 21, at 3:30 p.m. on Zoom.

Cooking Club will be making yummy cherry turnovers while Weaving Wonders will create beautiful pot holders. Weaving Wonders is for children between ages 5 and 12, and Cooking Club is for children in grades 3-5. Both groups require pre-registration.

The Valdese Public Library is once again hosting “Kids Can Cook” this month. This month’s Winter Fiesta-themed program will feature taco soup and easy sopapillas for a warm and toasty evening.

This cooking class is for children in kindergarten through fifth grade and will be held Tuesday, Jan. 13, at 5 p.m. Pre-registration is required.

Additionally, the following programs will be offered this month and do not require pre-registration.

C.B. Hildebrand Public Library will host Tinker To Learn Friday from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 9. This program is open to all ages. Feel free to drop in during this time period to tinker, build, and play while making new friends.

Parents are welcome to join in the building or unwind and connect with one another during this drop-in program. No pre-registration is required.

The Critter Keeper is coming back to Burke County. Join the C.B. Hildebrand Public Library on Saturday, Jan. 17, at 11 a.m.

There is a reason that Randy Miller and all of his critters are so popular around here; be sure to join us to see the surprises he brings out for us this time. This program is open to all ages and does not require pre-registration.

Libraries Closed

All locations of the Burke County Public Library will be closed on Thursday, Jan. 1, for New Year’s Day. Libraries will close at 5 p.m. on Dec. 31.

New Books Are Back

With the closure of the library’s primary book vendor, Baker & Taylor, and the transition to a new book vendor, the arrival of new books at the library has been infrequent.

But new books are back. Hundreds of new books have arrived, and hundreds more are on order. So, come by the library to see what’s new.

Senior Tech

The Western Piedmont Council of Governments Planning and Transportation department is offering monthly Digital Literacy for Seniors classes at the Morganton Public Library. Join us Wednesday, Jan. 14, at 2 p.m. for our Video Chat with Zoom class. We will learn how to navigate the Zoom platform to connect with family, friends, and coworkers. No pre-registration is required, and the class is free of charge.

Adult Programming

Savory Spice Club packets will be ready to pick up Tuesday, Jan. 6, at the registrant’s preferred library. Pre-registration is required, and this program is open to adults only.

Join us for Savory Spice Chop Shop on Thursday, Jan. 8, at 5:30 p.m., at the Valdese Public Library. Pre-registration is required.

Needlework in the Morning will meet on Friday, Jan. 9, at 10 a.m. at the Morganton Public Library. No registration is required.

Young Adult Programming

It’s a new month with a lot of new programs for middle and high school students. Our YAS Winter Reading Challenge has officially kicked off at all library locations and will run through Saturday, Jan. 31.

For every book that teens read, they can fill out a paper slip and drop it into the WRC box at any library location. Each slip goes into a drawing to win a prize at the end of the month.

#YA2Go boxes are also now available at all library locations while supplies last. These themed YA boxes feature a library book along with that month’s themed bookish items and activity.

This week, teens can head to the C.B. Hildebrand Public Library on Monday, Jan. 5, at 6 p.m. for a game night featuring board, card, Nintendo Switch, and Meta Quest VR games.

Tuesday, Jan. 6, we will have a Kitchen Survival 101 class at 6 p.m. at the Valdese Public Library, where teens will learn the basics of kitchen safety and how to pull together a meal using common pantry ingredients.

Space is limited, and pre-registration is required to ensure enough supplies are available.

Finally, we wrap up the week on Thursday, Jan. 8, at 4 p.m. with a Paracord Survival Craft Night at the Morganton Public Library. Pre-registration is encouraged to ensure enough space and supplies are available.

For more information or to pre-register for any YAS program, contact Lizzie at 828-764-9273 or by email at lizzie.whisnant@burkenc.org.

Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteers are needed at the Morganton Public Library to assist with landscape maintenance. We need some folks to help us keep our landscaped areas free of weeds and debris.

If you would like to help call, Library Director Jim Wilson at 764-9276 or email at jwilson@bcpls.org.

eBooks @ your library

More than 6,000 Burke County Public Library users have registered to use the library’s digital collection available through the e-iNC consortium and NC Kids Digital Library.

This digital collection includes eBooks, audiobooks, and streaming video available to Burke County Public Library cardholders. Apps are available for download for a variety of devices including Kindle, iPhone, and Android phones.

Go to http://omc.overdrive.com to see the apps. To access the collection and download items go to http://e-inc.lib.overdrive.com and follow the instructions to set up an account.

You will need to know your library card number and your PIN. Please contact the library if you need any assistance.

Find Us on the Web

Go to www.bcpls.org for a list of programs and events. Unless noted otherwise, all library programs are free. Some programs have pre-registration and age requirements.

Most Wanted List

Donations of new or gently used copies of any of the best-selling titles are most appreciated. To date, the library has received 1,125 of these most wanted books.

Current New York Times bestsellers and NC Cardinal Consortium holds:

• “The Widow” by John Grisham – 992 holds
• “The Housemaid” by Freida McFadden – 76 holds
• “The Correspondent” by Virginia Evans – 901 holds
• “The Secret of Secrets” by Dan Brown – 245 holds
• “Theo of Golden” by Allen Levi – 669 holds
• “The God of the Woods” by Liz Moore –
• “Brimstone” by Callie Hart – 43 holds
• “Project Hail Mary” by Andy Weir – 24 holds
• “Mona’s Eyes” by Thomas Schlesser – 61 holds
• “Alchemised” by SenLinYu – 60 holds