Library Service Priority Stats for FY 2017-18

Each year Ashe County Public Library strives to meet the needs of its community with four main service priorities: Reading, Life-long Learning, Technology, and Library as Place.  The combined efforts of a dedicated and talented staff, along with volunteer work of Ashe County Library Friends, who raise money for programming funds, are invaluable.

Ashe County Public Library partners with individuals, community businesses, and organizations to offer life-long learning opportunities and programs throughout the year.  Last year, the library held 450 programs with just over 11,600 in attendance.  Library programs appeal to a range of interests and ages: story times for children and families, arts and crafts (knitting and crocheting), support groups, music and movement (yoga), income tax assistance, gardening, author events, book clubs, etc.  In the next school year, a Library Services and Technology Grant will fund the library’s Alphabet Ready Project.  Storytime providers will visit all kindergarten and pre-K classrooms throughout the county to make learning the letters and sounds of the alphabet fun!

To better serve the community’s reading needs, Ashe Library spent over $40,000 on new and updated materials for its circulating collection.  There are also audio-books, e-books, movies and other items, such as ukuleles, playground equipment, air quality monitors, etc available for check-out.  In partnership with NC Cardinal and Ashe County Schools, students can now use their school ID numbers access print and online materials for free.  North Carolina Public Library Directors Association launched a digital library for kids that provides access to 343,472 books and films.  Across the state Appalachian Regional Library ranks in the top ten for NC Digital Kids usage. 

The NC Rural Center reports that up to 35% of Ashe County residents do not have access to either a computer or the Internet.  Ashe County Public Library provides free public access to computers and Wi-Fi, and has trained librarians to assist patrons with their technology needs.  Computer sessions and Wi-Fi connections calculated in the library’s yearly analytic report total nearly 25,000 uses, an average of 68 times a day!

The most impressive number of the year is always the dollar amount saved by patrons who borrow from the library rather than spending money to purchase books, magazines, newspapers, movies, etc... The grand total of savings to Ashe County Public Library patrons for the FY 17-18 is $2,548,253.57 Overall the library holds 61,925 items in its collection and there are 16,438 cardholders.  That is over half of the county’s population!  It doesn’t matter what race or ethnicity you are, what language you speak, whom you love, whom you worship, or where you are from.  Ashe County Public Library is for you.

  

Ashe County Public Library will be closed on July 4 & 7 for Fourth of July & Christmas in July

Dates to remember in July: 

 Children’s Programs

·       Friday Frolic for preschoolers takes place at 10:30 a.m. on July 6, 13, and 27.  Hear stories with guest readers and join the hands-on fun!

·      Visit the New River State Park (Wagoner Access, Hwy 88) and join Ranger Paul to bask in some lampryidae bioluminescence (firefly viewing) at 9:00 p.m. on July 7. Bring a blanket or lawn chair and a jacket.

·      Register now for a special Subway “share the color” program. Dr. Allison Koch will be sharing her knowledge of nutrition, diet, and exercise at 11:00 a.m. on July 10.  Children ages 5-7 will get a free healthy meal!

·      See a magical performance by Almost Amazing Al at 10:30 a.m. on July 20 (recommended for ages birth – 12). Seating is limited, so please come in and pick up your free ticket 30 minutes prior to start of this program.

Tween & Teen Programs

·         Join the Comic & Anime Club at 3:00 p.m. on July 13 to Skype with illustrator Michael Artell.  This group also meets at 3:00 p.m. on July 27.

·      Come out for middle school survival tips inspired by Dairy of a Wimpy Kid! At 4:00 p.m. on July 26 (ages 8- 12).

·      T for Teen – Gamers Unite! Meet-up at 4:00 p.m. on July 3. Xbox360 and laptops available for teen gaming.

·      Board Game Café is open at 4:00 p.m. on July 10.  Come and make some friends! Play a variety of board games and enjoy coffee and sweet treats.

·      The Teen Creative Corner meets at 4:00 p.m. on July 17. Join us for a special event to paint a still life a la Vincent Van Gogh (get a jumpstart by reading Vincent & Theo by, Deborah Heiligman).  Materials and instruction provided by Boon’s Turchin Art Center.  Limited seating – arrive early to guarantee a spot!

·      TLC (Teen Listening Council) is a safe place for teens to talk openly about any subject. Drop in at 4:00 p.m. on July 24.

Adult Programs

·      For all your tech troubles, book and appointment with our friendly reference librarians.  Call 336.846.2041 x227.   Free computer classes are offered on a variety of topics at 11:00 a.m. every Tuesday.

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

·      Drop in for Brouhaha Book Club in Boondocks Brewing at 5:30 p.m. on July 30.  There is no assigned reading for this group.  Come as you are, read what you want, and join our lively discussion of recent reads!

·      Come to the library’s upper level to play board games with friends and family at Board Game Bonanza, from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. every Saturday.  From classics like Operation to edgy card-based games like One Night Ultimate Werewolf to family favorites like Sorry! Try exciting new games like Photosynthesis and Carcassonne.  This new event has something for all ages and all skill levels.

All Ages

·      Music and folk stories of old Appalachia with Jeff Robbins will take place at 10:00 a.m. on July 12.  Seating is limited, so please come in and pick up your free ticket 30 minutes prior to start of this program.

·      Join our Disney Party at 5:00 p.m. on July 12.  Come dressed as your favorite Disney character for karaoke, trivia and more!

·      Don’t miss the library’s 2^nd annual How-to-Festival beginning at 11:00 a.m. on July 14.  Check out skills, activities, whatsits, and how-did-they-do-that’s, from science to hieroglyphics.

·      Read & Craft meets at 10 a.m.  on July 14. Travel the world with a hook in one hand and a ball of yarn in the other. This month, celebrate America with patriotic crafts.  Instruction available for beginners and project materials are provided.

·      Visit “the land down under” for a Digeridoo Performance @ Mountain View Elementary at 4:00 p.m. on July 19. Enjoy Aussie culture, music, and comedy!

·      The Community Drum Circle meets at 5:30 p.m. on July 12 and 26.  Join the celebration of drums, while exploring the soul and spirit of music!

·      Mountain Music Slow Jam will meet from 3:00-5:00 p.m. on July 14 in the downstairs meeting room. Songs are explained as to timing, breaks, etc… and played in slow time.  Designed for beginners, all skill levels are welcome.   Visit the slow jam tent at the Ashe County Fiddler’s Convention on July 28.

Special Events

·         Come join the Great American Read Cosplay Contest from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. on July 14, or send a photo to lmcpherson@arlibrary.org to enter remotely. Design your own costume and dress as one of the thousands of characters that appear in the TGAR books. The contest is open to all ages and prizes will be awarded in each of five categories: children, teens, adults, group, and best overall.

·         Epic Literary Battles: The Great Debate for the Great American Read takes place at 1:00 p.m. on July 28.  You will have two minutes to present your case for YOUR favorite novel from The Great American Read’s Top 100 and 30 seconds to respond to questions.  Call 336.846.2041 x227 to register: reserve your spot today and let your voice be heard!