Circulating Unusual Items

There is a growing trend of adding “unusual items” to libraries’ circulating collections. For example; circulating cake pans, post- hole diggers, ukuleles, soil testers, bread machines and more. Ashe Library is exploring options for its own unique collection. In the coming months, we will survey our community to determine which types of items are of the most interest to our patrons.  One goal of our strategic plan is to see that the personal education and information goals of library users of all ages and backgrounds will be supported by up-to-date and relevant library collections.  An objective to meeting this goal includes adding non-traditional items to our library’s circulating collection.

The idea of circulating unusual items is a tangible representation of the future of libraries. I once heard that libraries can be considered to be “The People’s University’ and I really believe that is right.  There are books, yes, and DVDs for entertainment, but the notion of circulating items other than these can offer patrons the chance to take their interests off the page.  When household budgets are tight, patrons are relying on their public library in different ways. In our regional counterparts (Watauga / Wilkes), circulation of Wi-fi hotspots, fishing poles, and seeds are popular.  Ashe Library already has SPECK air-quality monitors that will soon be available for check-out.  And, in partnership with NC Candid Critters, the library plans to be part of a statewide Citizen Science camera trapping project.  This project will provide several motion sensitive camera traps that patrons can check out and use on their property to help in a wildlife study.  The wildlife pictures collected by these cameras will help to map trends in animal populations across the state.  We encourage our community to participate in user surveys and to provide suggestions for items they would like to borrow from the library.  With the New Year just around the corner, why not visit the library and make new discoveries. 

Dates to remember in January:

The Library will be closed for New Year’s Day on January 2 and for Martin Luther King’s Birthday on January 16.

Children’s Programs

·         Baby Bounce is every Monday at 10:00 a.m. for birth to two year-olds.  Bring your young ones for stories, rhymes, bounces, and songs with “stay and play” social time afterwards.

·         Tot Time is a fun-filled time for 2 & 3 year-olds, featuring stories, art and music at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesdays.

·         Story time for 4 & 5 year olds feature ABC Adventures at 10:30 a.m. on Thursdays.

·         A special story time for daycare classes takes place at 9:30 a.m. on January 6.  Call 336.846.2041 x223 to register.

·         Build, create, and make new friends at a Lego Block Party at 4:00 p.m. on January 19.

Tween Programs

·         Tween Takeover! Hangout, eat, laugh, and play games at 4:00 p.m. on January 10.

Teen Programs

·         What’s your geek? What’s your game? Meet, hang out, game, and eat every Tuesday at 4:00 p.m. with the Geeks & Gamers. 

·         Help plan upcoming events at the library with the Teen Advisory Council at 5:00 p.m. on January 17.

Adult Programs

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

·         Yoga Club meets in the library’s downstairs meeting room at 5:30 p.m. on Mondays.

·         The Deep Focus Film Club meets at 5:00 p.m. on January 26, for the second installment of Malcolm X.  See the biographical epic of this controversial and influential Black Nationalist leader, from his early life and career as a small-time gangster, to his ministry as a member of the Nation of Islam.

·         Brouhaha Book Club meets at 5:30 p.m. on January 30 in Boondocks Restaurant for “Books, Beer and Bookworm Babble.”  Come and find out what everyone has been reading lately! Try the new Ashe Bookworm Porter!

·         The Coloring “Book” Club celebrates reading (and coloring) as a group experience at 5:30 p.m. on January 31. Relax with adult coloring books while listening and discussing a different short story audiobook each month.

 All Ages

·         A family program, Book and a Bite, takes place from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. on January 7. Create a centerpiece for the table, pick up a recipe and browse selected books for dinner table conversation starters.

·         Get Crafty and make Quick Knit & Crochet Gifts at 10:00 a.m. on January 14.  Instruction available for beginners and project materials are provided.

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

·         Mountain Music Slow Jam will meet from 5:30-7:00 p.m. on January 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.

Special Events

• If you participated in our 2016 Reading Challenge, or if you want to learn about what we have planned for the 2017 Challenge, please join us! The 2016 Reading Challenge Wrap-up and 2017 Reading Challenge Kick-off will take place at 5:00 p.m. on January 5.  Play games for the literary-minded, vote for the Best Reviews of 2016, and check out recommendations from this year’s challenge. Participants in the 2016 Reading Challenge are eligible to win prizes. You do not have to be present to win, but your attendance is strongly encouraged!
• Stop by to meet Lisa Muir, author of Taking Down the Moon, at 3:00 p.m. on January 30.  Her finely-wrought collection of short stories is inhabited by characters who are at once quirky and compelling. Lisa works as an English instructor at Wilkes Community College. This is her first book.

The library extends gratitude for donations given to the Youth Service Department by the Skyline Membership Corporation’s Board of Directors and Polly Hughes who also gave an unrestricted donation.