Young Readers and Future Readers (birth to rising 5th grade)
This summer Ms. Caitlin and Ms. Megan will entertain families with weekly story times, hands-on workshops, and hosting special guest performances from: KidSenses, the Balloon Lady, the Critter Keeper, and B-Rad the Magician!
How the Reading Challenge Works for Kids:
Present your Reading Log to a library staff member. Every 2 hours spent reading = 1 raffle ticket for one of several fun prize baskets.
Once you’ve completed the reading log, turn it in to the library. It will be your raffle entry for the Summer Reading Finale Grand Prize.
Want more chances to win? Pick up a new Reading Log and keep coming to programs at your library!
Drawings for prizes will take place at our End of Summer Reading Party on Friday, August 3rd 11am 3pm.
Children’s Summer Programs
Recurring Programs:
Family Story Time + Craft Mondays, 10:30 a.m. at the Marion Branch Library Tuesdays, 10:30 a.m. at the Old Fort Branch Library Preschoolers and their families are invited to join us for books, songs, rhymes, and a craft. Sensory Story Time – Registration Required Saturdays, June 2 and July 7 at the Marion Branch Library, 12:00 p.m. Sensory Story Time is an all-ages program created for the families of children with special needs. Our goal each story time is to engage the senses through interactive books, songs encouraging movement, and other exciting sensory activities. Special Events:
Summer Reading Kick-Off Party Monday, June 11 at the Marion Branch Library, 10 a.m. Tuesday, June 12 at the Old Fort Branch Library, 10 a.m. Join us as we kick off the 2018 Summer Reading Program with games, crafts, face painting, and more! Workshop: String Painting Wednesday, June 13 at the Old Fort Branch Library, 11 a.m. Wednesday, June 13 at the Marion Branch Library, 3 p.m. Tired of paint brushes? Try out string painting as we create art while listening to classical music!
“Blow it Up!” with Kid Senses Friday, June 15 at the Old Fort Branch Library, 11 a.m. Friday, June 15 at the Marion Branch Library, 3 p.m. Kids will EXPLODE into learning with this highly flammable show! Workshop: Piano Wreath Wednesday, June 20 at the Old Fort Branch Library, 11 a.m. Wednesday, June 20 at the Marion Branch Library, 3 p.m. Create the perfect piano wreath to decorate your room! Workshop: Jazz Painting Wednesday, June 27 at the Old Fort Branch Library, 11 a.m. Wednesday, June 27 at the Marion Branch Library, 3 p.m. Come get inspired as we create abstract art while listening to jazz music. The Balloon Lady Friday, June 29 at the Old Fort Branch Library, 11 a.m. Friday, June 29 at the Marion Branch Library, 3 p.m. The Balloon Lady is back again for another summer of creative storytelling with her amazing balloons! Workshop: Musical Jewelry Wednesday, July 11 at the Old Fort Branch Library, 11 a.m. Wednesday, July 11 at the Marion Branch Library, 3 p.m. Get ready to create your own musical jewelry for an awesome library dance party. Critter Keeper Friday, July 13 at the Old Fort Branch Library, 11 a.m. Friday, July 13 at the Marion Branch Library, 3 p.m. Love snakes, spiders, and other creepy critters? This Critter Keeper show is perfect for you! Workshop: Rainbow Spinners Wednesday, July 18 at the Old Fort Branch Library, 11 a.m. Wednesday, July 18 at the Marion Branch Library, 3 p.m. Come decorate a rainbow spinner to create fantastic optical illusions! Workshop: Rainsticks Wednesday, July 25 at the Old Fort Branch Library, 11 a.m. Wednesday, July 25 at the Marion Branch Library, 3 p.m. Using paper towel rolls and other household items, we will be making this classic musical craft! B-Rad the Magician Friday, July 27 at the Old Fort Branch Library, 11 a.m. Friday, July 27 at the Marion Branch Library, 3 p.m. Join us as B-Rad the Magician puts on a wacky & fun magic show just for kids! End of Summer Reading Party Friday, August 3 at the Old Fort Branch Library, 11 a.m. Friday, August 3 at the Marion Branch Library, 3 p.m. Join us as we celebrate the end of an awesome summer reading program with snacks, games, and prizes! Make sure to turn in your completed reading log to be entered for the grand prize.
Teens will have a chance to show off their creative talents with Ms. Lori ‘s hands-on workshops where teens will explore artistic techniques and clever STEM programs.
Teen programs are offered weekly- Tuesdays in Marion at 4pm and Thursdays in Old Fort at 4pm.
How the Reading Challenge Works for Teens:
Super easy! Every 10 hours you read = 1 raffle ticket.
For extra credit, each teen program attended at the library = 1 hour of reading for your Reading Log.
Want more chances to win? Pick up a new Reading Log and keep coming to programs at your library!
Drawings for prizes for Teens will take place on Monday, August 6th at 10 a.m. at the Marion Library
Teen Summer Programs
Mosaic CD Tiles
Tuesday, June 12 at the Marion Branch Library, 4:00 p.m.
Thursday, June 14 at the Old Fort Branch Library, 4:00 p.m.
Teens will learn how to make a colorful tile using old CDs. These tiles can be used to create jewelry, embellish frames, or create a table top.
Painting Punk Rocks
Tuesday, June 19 at the Marion Branch Library, 4:00 p.m.
Thursday, June 21 at the Old Fort Branch Library, 4:00 p.m.
Teens will use their creativity and turn rocks into musical band members.
Rainsticks
Tuesday, June 26 at the Marion Branch Library, 4:00 p.m.
Thursday, June 28 at the Old Fort Branch Library, 4:00 p.m.
In this hands on session, teens will learn how make a musical instrument that will produce the sound of rain.
Breakout Box
Tuesday, July 3 at the Marion Branch Library, 4:00 p.m.
Thursday, July 5 at the Old Fort Branch Library, 4:00 p.m.
Teens will be challenged while they try to figure out all of the clues to unlock the box and win the prizes within.
Macramé Earbuds
Tuesday, July 10 at the Marion Branch Library, 4:00 p.m.
Thursday, July 12 at the Old Fort Branch Library, 4:00 p.m.
Teens will learn how to turn ordinary earbuds into extraordinary earbuds. Free earbuds included.
Polymer Clay
Tuesday, July 17 at the Marion Branch Library, 4:00 p.m.
Thursday, July 19 at the Old Fort Branch Library, 4:00 p.m.
Teens will create musical instrument miniatures using polymer clay.
Make Pop Rocks
Tuesday, July 24 at the Marion Branch Library, 4:00 p.m.
Thursday, July 26 at the Old Fort Branch Library, 4:00 p.m.
Learn how to make a candy that creates a fun popping sound when dissolved in one’s mouth.
Pizza Party and Portrait
Tuesday, July 31 at the Marion Branch Library, 4:00 p.m.
Thursday, August 2 at the Old Fort Branch Library, 4:00 p.m.
Teens will celebrate completing the summer reading program with a pizza party. They will also be doing a portrait using liquid latex.
Kids and Teens can’t have all the fun- Adults and Seniors deserve a chance to win prizes for reading!
This summer we are raffling off two Kindle Fire tablets, one for the Old Fort Library and one for the Marion Library. To enter your name in the drawing, register at either library and pick up your reading log.
How the Reading Challenge Works for Adults:
Earn 1 raffle ticket for every-
5 books you read.
program you attend.
completed weekly challenge.
Drawings for the Adult Prizes will be held on Tuesday, August 7th.
Want more chances to win? Pick up a new Reading Log and keep coming to programs at your library!
Have any questions? Visit us at www.McDowellPublicLibrary.org or give us a call at 828-652-3858 for more information about these programs.
Summer Programs
Genealogy Digs Workshop
Thursday, June 7 and July 5 at the Marion Branch Library, 5:30 p.m.
How can the North Carolina History Room help you? Learn where to begin, when to look on microfilm vs. online, how to search for ancestors in the various wars. To get hands-on experience, attendees are encouraged to bring any written information on their families: names, dates, places lived, family members, any prior knowledge (written or oral) from other family members, etc. Registration will be required and limited to a maximum of 6 people.
Stitch It!
Wednesday, June 13, July 11 and August 8 at the Old Fort Branch library, 10:30 am
Whether you knit, crotchet, stitch, or embroider, bring your needles and yarn to the library for Stitch-It! The library’s own Donna Huffman will be available to teach new knitters the basics. Patterns, needles, and yarn will be provided for all. Whether just beginning or experienced, enjoy the company and community of others who also love the craft.
Local Archaeology Digs!
Thursday, June 14 at the Marion Branch Library, 5:30 p.m.
Guest Speaker: Dr. David G. Moore – Professor Warren Wilson College, Dept. of Sociology and Anthrophlogy
Dr. Moore has headed or been a part of several archaeological digs in McDowell County and surrounding areas. He will be presenting a program on these sites and the history that was discovered.
Faces of Appalachia, the photography of Tim Barnwell
Thursday, July 19 at the Marion Branch Library, 5:30 p.m.
Mr. Barnwell will present a PowerPoint presentation and share stories about meeting the people he photographed and interviewed for his three Appalachian-themed books, The Face of Appalachia, On Earth’s Furrowed Brow, and Hands in Harmony and discuss what was involved in completing each of the book projects. The talk is free and open to the public and is followed by book signing.
Location: Marion Branch Library’s downstairs Meeting Room
Clear some space on those bookshelves, it’s time for the Friends of the McDowell County Public Library Spring Book Sale at the Marion Branch Library!
We will have a variety of items available, including fiction, non-fiction, children’s, CDs, DVDs, and audiobooks, there is something for everyone, and all proceeds support the McDowell County Public Library System.
For the last hour of the sale on Saturday, you can fill a bag for a buck!
Come early for the best selection, come back Saturday from 4-5 pm for the best bargains, and bring a friend.
Mr. Stuve will show how to make some of the beautiful cakes and decorations that he is famous for. Wedding season is coming up soon! A fun way to learn how to make and decorate cakes for all of the showers and parties this wedding season.
One in every 68 children in America are diagnosed with some form of autism. Almost twenty-five years ago the Autism Society launched a nationwide effort to promote autism awareness and inclusion. National Autism Awareness Month has since grown to become an inspirational movement.
If you’d like to learn more, explore some of these resources:
These organizations provide an overview of the symptoms of autism; state, national and global statistics; resources on current therapies; and how to find local support.
Explore over 775 books, audio-books, and downloadable resources available though our NC Cardinal catalog. Titles include cookbooks and therapies available for parents and caregivers, a variety of perspectives on the condition of autism, biographies, as well as novels that include characters with autism.
Our local school system provides a wide variety of resources for children with autism. Their website provides a comprehensive list of local groups that parents and caregivers can contact.
Celebrate Earth Day with Matt Burneisen, Director of Keep McDowell Beautiful, who will host this presentation on backyard and worm composting. During this program, you will learn how to make your own compost bin and best practices for backyard composting of kitchen and yard wastes.
To find titles and resources in our collection about composting, go here: composting.
This program is made possible by the support of the NC Cooperative Extension and its Keep McDowell Beautiful program.
Whether you knit, crotchet, stitch, or embroider, bring your needles and yarn to the library for Stitch-It! The library’s own Donna Huffman will be available to teach new knitters the basics. Patterns, needles, and yarn will be provided for all. Experienced knitters are welcome to bring the project they are working on. Whether just beginning or experienced enjoy the company and community of others who also love the craft.
The first Saturday of each month! Sensory Story Time is an all-ages program created for the families of children with special needs. Our goal each story time is to engage the senses through interactive books, songs encouraging movement, and other exciting sensory activities. Please call the Marion Branch at 828-652-3858 to register or stop by our library.
How can the North Carolina History Room help you? Join us each month to discover resources that can help your research. Learn where to begin, when to look on microfilm and when to look online, how to search for ancestors in the various wars. Registration will be required and limited to a maximum of 6 people.
What is National Autism Awareness Month?
