Library Lovers Month and Day in the District!

During the month of February don’t forget to love your library!  This month libraries are nationally celebrated and recognized for their value in the community.  You may be familiar with the saying “it’s not a house, it’s a home…” Well, in comparison … “it’s not just a building that houses books, it’s the heart of the community!”  The library is more than just a place to enjoy great novels, or to discover amazing adventures and untold history. Yes, there is help with research papers and a quiet space to study, but there is so much more.  For preschoolers, there are story times and lots of hands-on activities that expose them to music, art, and their first friendships.  There are several meeting rooms and space for groups to gather for special programs and classes.  Ashe library not only lends books and DVDs, but unique items, such as ukuleles, alphabet activity backpacks, and playground equipment.  There are computers and librarians to assist with technology needs as well as one of the best reference-reading rooms in the state to help with research and genealogy.

In observation of Library Lovers Month, continue enjoying your library, but consider volunteering your time.  If you don’t have a library card, it’s never too late! Visit the library to get one and use #NationalLibraryLoversDay to share on social media.

On February 23 Ashe Library will celebrate Day in the District.  Local elected officials (mayors, town and county mangers, aldermen, commissioners, state representatives, along with the county sheriff) will be invited for a special open house event.  Visit during the day to meet these VIPs and let them know how much you appreciate the library and services it provides your community. Come out for an Adventurous Alphabet Affair and meet Arly the Library Fox between 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Refreshments will be served by the library board of trustees!

Dates to remember in February:

Children’s Programs

·         Baby Bounce meets every Friday at 10:30 a.m. for ages birth to 2 years. Enjoy stories, rhymes, bounces, and songs with a stay-and-play social time afterwards.

·         Tot Time takes place at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesdays for ages 2 and 3. Wiggle, giggle, laugh, sing, and create. A fun-filled time featuring stories, music, and a craft.

·         Storytime for ages 4 and 5 is at 10:30 a.m. every Thursday. Join us for ABC adventures with stories, art, and music.

Tween Programs

·         Join us for Minecraft Day at 4:00 p.m. on February 21.  Learn about coding colors and make your own Minecraft Creeper head!

Teen Programs (ages 12-18)

·         T for Teen – Gamers Unite! Meet-up at 4:00 p.m. on February 5. Xbox360 and laptops available for teen gaming.

·         Anti-Valentine’s Day Party with a Lemony Snicket theme will be held at 4:00 p.m. on February 12.

·         Board Game Café is open at 4:00 p.m. on February 19. Come and make some friends! Play a variety of board games and enjoy coffee and sweet treats.

·         TLC (Teen Listening Council) is a safe place for teens to talk openly about any subject. Drop in at 4:00 p.m. on February 26. This month A Safe Home for Everyone will host the gathering with conversation about healthy relationships. Come out for snacks, fun activities, and help in navigating those turbulent teenage years.

Adult Programs

·         Throughout 2019, VAYA Health is sponsoring a Public Presentation Series at the library.  Two topics will be highlighted, back-to-back, each month from 10:00 a.m. until noon.  Join us on February 7 for a session on PTSD and Traumatic Experiences at 10:00 a.m. and Commonly Misused Medications Among Older Adults at 11:00 a.m.

·         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.

·         Vickie’s Book Club meets at 1:00 p.m. on February 19 to discuss Commonwealth by, Ann Patchett.

·         The Artist's Way group, led by Rebecca Petruck, will meet at 5:30 p.m. on Thursdays, through February 21. Come out and discover or recover your artistic creativity!

·         Brouhaha Book Club meets at 5:30 p.m. on February 25 in Boondocks Restaurant for “Books, Beer and Bookworm Babble.”  Come and find out what everyone has been reading lately!

All Ages

·         Get Crafty meets at 10 a.m. on February 16.  Find out about the ongoing project “365 Days of Granny Squares,” bring along your current project, or join the group and start on a crafty project now!  All skill levels welcome, materials are provided.

·         The Community Drum Circle meets at 5:30 p.m. on February 14 and 28.  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 February 2 and 16 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.

Special Events

·         Valentines! Drop in and create cards for your special someone and to give residents of our local nursing homes on February 7.  We also encourage you to fill out a postcard telling us why you love your library.  We will share these with our elected officials on Day in the District to remind them why the library is essential to our community.

·         A special documentary will be featured at 12:00 p.m. – followed by discussion on February 16.  Join us for Resilience: The Biology of Stress and the Science of Hope.  This documentary chronicles the possible effects of toxic stress on the bodies and brains of children and the dawn of a movement that is fighting back against this epidemic.  Registration is required as food will be served.  Visit https://bit.ly/2sudnNs to register.  Sponsored by Innovative Approaches.

·         Drop in for Day in the District on February 23.  Meet elected officials and bring the children for an Adventurous Alphabet Affair from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

·         Friends of Ashe County Library will be hosting a Red Cross Blood Drive from 10:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. on February 23.  Give the gift of life and donate today. 

·         A Community Discussion Series begins at 12:00 – 1:30 p.m. on February 25. Bring your sandwich and join us for coffee and snacks.  Each of these sessions will create an opportunity to discuss proven methods for preparing each of us with increasing the strength of our community. In this session we will discuss concepts from Peter Block’s Community: The Structure of Belonging.  The author will join us via Skype for the latter part of the session.