Storytime programs will not resume until after the holidays

Due to the Christmas and New Year’s holidays, we will not have our regular storytime programs again until the week of Monday, Jan. 5.

We look forward to seeing you back for these groups in the new year. If your child isn’t already registered for a group, give us a call.

Have you been able to check out our scavenger hunts and I Spy tank this month? At the C.B. Hildebrand Public Library, find all the clues in the children’s area to solve the riddle.

At the Morganton Public Library, kids will find all of the hidden gingerbread cookies to answer the question, “How do gingerbread cookies make their beds?” Turn in your completed sheets at the circulation desk for a prize.

The scavenger hunts are for children of all ages. One prize per child per month. Also, check out the holiday I Spy tank this month at the Valdese Public Library. The I Spy tank is for children in fifth grade and under.

Libraries Closed

All locations of the Burke County Public Library will be closed Wednesday, Dec. 24, through Friday, Dec. 26, for Christmas. Libraries will also be closed on Thursday, Jan. 1, for New Years 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 Digital Literacy for Seniors Drop-In sessions at the Morganton Public Library from 9 a.m. until noon Tuesday, Dec. 30.

These sessions are one-on-one meetings with our Digital Navigator and pre-registration is required. If you would like individual help with smartphones and tablets, laptops, apps on your devices, online bill pay, making online appointments, online shopping, and more, stop by the Adult Services circulation desk or call 828-764-9261 to schedule your 30-minute appointment. These sessions are free of charge.

Adult Programming

Mixed-Media Monday will be on Monday, Dec. 22, at 6 p.m. at the Morganton Public Library. We will be creating a Bedazzled Book. Participants are asked to bring a book to work with. Books will be available if needed. Pre-registration is required to attend. This program is for adults only.

Young Adult Programming

YAS programs will return Saturday, Dec. 27, at the C.B. Hildebrand Public Library with Reindeer Games at 2:30 p.m.

During this program, teens can play field day-style games in addition to board, card, Nintendo Switch, and Meta Quest VR games — and be the first to check out the surprise addition to the YAS gaming vault.

Snacks and games are available to middle and high school students only. For more information on these or other Young Adult Services programs, 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. 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 1,124 of these most wanted books.

Current New York Times bestsellers and NC Cardinal Consortium holds:

• “The Widow” by John Grisham – 1045 holds
• “Brimstone” by Callie Hart – 43 holds
• “The Correspondent” by Virginia Evans – 825 holds
• “The Secret of Secrets” by Dan Brown – 277 holds
• “The Housemaid” by Freida McFadden – 74 holds
• “Project Hail Mary” by Andy Weir – 22 holds
• “Sweet Venom” by Rina Kent – 0 holds
• “Alchemised” by SenLinYu – 64 holds
• “Return of the Spider” by James Patterson – 280 holds
• “Nash Falls” by David Baldacci – 472 holds