Meet Arly the Library Fox

“Arly the Library Fox” has joined Appalachian Regional Library System to help librarians spread the love of reading!  As the region’s mascot, Arly will make appearances at special events in Ashe, Watauga, and Wilkes Libraries.  Arly, a Gray Fox, is a native of North Carolina and lives in several dens, depending on which county he is currently visiting.  When you see Arly, you will notice his friendly smile and well-behaved manners.  He loves children of all ages, even the grown-up kind, and is looking forward to meeting everyone!  Arly will have a website and Facebook page soon, so that fox fans can follow him and know when or where he will be.  Arly of course LOVES reading and also plans to share his book reviews and recommendations.  

This month Arly will make two scheduled appearances in Ashe County.  On November 16 he will be accompanying Suzanne Moore, the county librarian, for a visit to the county commissioners’ meeting.  On November 21, Arly will be visiting the library and riding the library’s float in the Christmas Parade.  During Arly’s library visit, the children’s department offer instruction and materials to make fox masks that can be worn during the parade.  Come out and help welcome Arly to our town!

Arly plans to  visit on December 1 so he can participate in the annual ornamentality craft project.  This year’s ornamentality project will honor West Jefferson’s Centennial Year with instruction on making corn husk decorations.   

Arly also will encourage folks to support the library’s annual “Food for Fines Drive.”  The Food for Fines campaign will run through the first week in December.  Anyone with accumulated fees and fines can clear their record by donating food items.  Each item donated, eliminates one dollar in fines, and all food collected will be given to the county’s sharing center.  If you have no fines or fees, you can still make a food donation to help Arly feed families.

Arly will be glad to pose with the public for photographs and hopes to see you at the library this holiday season!   

Dates to remember in November:

The library will be closed for Veteran’s Day on November 11 ...  

and for Thanksgiving on November 26 – 28.

·         Children’s Programs

o   Tot Time is every Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. for 2 and 3 year-olds with stories, songs, and crafts

o   Story Time is every Thursday at 10:30 a.m. and offers stories, songs and crafts for 4-5 year-olds

o   The Lego Club meets on November 19 at 4:00 p.m. for grades K-5 with a new challenge each month.

o   If the Dinosaurs Came Back by Bernard Most is the featured Story Walk, on display at Ashe County Park throughout the month.

·         Teen Programs

o   Geek out at 4:00 p.m. every Tuesday with Otaku’s United, an Anime/Manga Club.

o   The Teen Advisory Council (TAC) meets at 4:00 p.m. on November 19. 

o   Join us for board games, giant games, games, games, and more games at 5:00 p.m. on November 5. 

·         Adult Programs

o   For all your tech troubles, book and appointment with our friendly reference librarians.  Call 336.846.2041 x227

o   Yoga Club meets in the library’s downstairs meeting room at 5:30 p.m. on Mondays.
o   A special program on Financing the Future is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. on November 17, in the library’s downstairs meeting room (includes free meal).  Learn strategies and discover tools to help you achieve two important long-term financial goals: saving for college or technical education and planning for retirement.  

o   The Centennial Book Club meets at 6:00 p.m. on November 24 in Hotel Tavern to discuss Same Kind of Different as Me by, Ron Hall and Denver Moore.

o   Brouhaha Book Club meets at 5:30 p.m. on November 30 in Boondocks Restaurant for “Books, Beer and Bookworm Babble.”  Come and find out what everyone has been reading lately!

o   Each Monday during the month of November aspiring novelists are invited to the library’s National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) Support Group.  Stop by between hours of 10-2 to collaborate with other writers, get inspiration, or motivation to help reach your daily word-count goals. Snacks and caffeine will be provided. 

·         All Ages

o   The Get Crafty class will knit slipper socks for donations to local assisted living facilities 10:00 a.m. on November 14.

o   The Community Drum Circle meets at 5:30 p.m. on November 10 and 24.  Join the celebration of drums, while exploring the soul and spirit of music!

o   Mountain Music Slow Jam will meet from 5:30-7:00 p.m. on November 6 and 20 in the downstairs meeting room (after-hours access through side door on lower parking lot).  Get together with other musicians and jam.  Songs are explained as to timing, breaks, etc… and played in slow time.  Designed for beginners, all skill levels are welcome.

o   Drop-in all day on November 7 for some make-and-take crafting fun, featuring Mini Book Wreaths with Laura. 

·         Special Events:

o   Stop in at 1:00 on November 7 for the opening reception of Summit Training and Education Program’s Art Exhibit.  Light refreshments will be provided.

o   Check out the “Mixed up Mesozoic” program, where you can compare your foot to a dinosaur, dig for fossils, see a volcano erupt, make fossil necklaces, and hear a dino-mite tale at 11:30 a.m. on November 14.

o   Create a special craft to use during the parade, between 1-3 on November 21, and look for the library’s float at the West Jefferson Christmas Parade.