McDowell County Public Library

Library Updates

Children’s Programs

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Keep reading and attending programs!!

Summer reading Ends August 1st at 5:30 p.m.!!

All reading logs and tickets will need to turned by 5:30 pm on Friday, August 1st

 

Upcoming July/ August  Programs 

Preschool Storytime/ La hora del cuento para preescolares

Monday, July 7, July 14, and July 21 at 10:30AM

Join Ms. Megan for Preschool Storytime at the Marion Library.

Books, songs, felt board stories, action rhymes, and fun for preschool-aged children.

Libros, canciones, historias en fieltro, rimas de acción y diversión para niños en edad preescolar.

 

Movement Storytime with Jordan Laney, Monday, July 7 at 10:30AM

Come enjoy stories along with Yoga for toddlers.

Venga a disfrutar de cuentos y yoga para niños pequeños.

 

Preschool Storytime with Desiree Magnant, Monday, July 14 at 10:30AM

Regular scheduled Preschool Storytime, featuring books read by Desiree Magnant.

Hora de cuentos preescolar programada regularmente, con libros leídos por Desiree Magnant.

 

Community Helpers Storytime at the Marion Fire Department, Monday, July 28 at 10:30AM

Join us for our final summer Preschool Storytime at the Marion Fire Department. Come enjoy a delightful story read by a Community Helper! After the reading, children will have the opportunity to converse with community helpers and explore their vehicles.

Acompáñenos a nuestra última Hora de Cuentos para Preescolares en el Departamento de Bomberos de Marion. Venga a escuchar un libro leído por un Ayudante de la Comunidad. Después, los niños podrán conversar con ellos y explorar sus vehículos.

 

Wednesday, July 9, July 16, July 23, and July 30 at 10:30AM

Join Mr. Mason for Preschool Storytime at the Old Fort Library.

Books, songs, felt board stories, action rhymes, and fun for preschool-aged children.

Libros, canciones, historias en fieltro, rimas de acción y diversión para niños en edad preescolar. 

 

Craft for Little Hands/ MANUALIDADES PARA MANOS PEQUEÑAS

Preschool-aged children are invited to craft at the library. Dress for a mess because we will be using glue, scissors, paints, paper, markers, crayons and much more! Designed for ages 3- to 5-years old, but all are welcome.

Los niños en edad preescolar están invitados a hacer manualidades en la biblioteca. ¡Vístase para hacer un desastre porque usaremos pegamento, tijeras, pinturas, papel, marcadores, crayones y mucho más! Diseñado para niños de entre 3 y 5 años, pero todos son bienvenidos.

Monday, July 7, July 14, and July 21 at 11AM | Marion Library

For All Ages/ para TODAS las edades

Tie Dye & Decor/ Teñido anudado y decoración

Friday, July 25 at 4pm | Marion Library

Everyone’s welcome to join the tie-dye extravaganza hosted by MACA! Bring your own shirt, scarf, pants, skirt, shoes—whatever you fancy—to get your groovy on!

¡Todos son bienvenidos a unirse al espectáculo de tie-dye organizado por MACA! ¡Traigan su camisa, bufanda, pantalones, falda, zapatos… lo que quieran, para lucirse!

Critter Keeper / Guardián de criaturas

Friday, August 1 at 3pm | Marion Library

Join us for an engaging Live Animal program! This event promises fun for the entire family and will take place at the Marion Library.

Acompáñenos a un programa de animales vivos. Este programa es divertido para toda la familia y se llevará a cabo en la Biblioteca de Marion.

Elementary Programs/ Programas de primaria

Art Explorers (Rising Kindergarten- Rising 5th Grade)/ Exploradores de arte (Alumnos de Kinder a Quinto grado): Diamond Painting/ pintura de diamantes

Wednesday, July 2 at 4pm | Marion Library

Elementary-aged children are invited to unwind and explore a new artistic activity: diamond painting! Join us to create your own sparkling artwork.

Los niños de primaria están invitados a relajarse y explorar una nueva actividad artística: ¡pintar con diamantes! Acompañanos para crear tu propia obra de arte brillante.

Art Explorers (Rising Kindergarten- Rising 5th Grade)/ Exploradores de arte (Alumnos de Kinder a Quinto grado): Escher Tessellations/ Teselaciones de Escher

Wednesday, July 9 at 1pm | The MTCC Workforce Education Center Building in Old Fort

Art Explorers (Rising Kindergarten- Rising 5th Grade)/ Exploradores de arte (Alumnos de Kinder a Quinto grado): Popsicle Stick Weaving/ Tejido de palitos de helado

Wednesday, July 9 at 4pm | Marion Library

Elementary students will construct weaving looms using popsicle sticks and then create their own unique designs.

Los estudiantes de primaria construirán telares usando palitos de helado y luego crearán sus propios diseños únicos.

 

Art Explorers (Rising Kindergarten- Rising 5th Grade)/ Exploradores de arte (Alumnos de Kinder a Quinto grado): Notan Art & Josef Albers/Notan Art y Josef Albers 

Wednesday, July 16 at 1pm | The MTCC Workforce Education Center Building in Old Fort

 

 

Art Explorers (Rising Kindergarten- Rising 5th Grade)/ Exploradores de arte (Alumnos de Kinder a Quinto grado): Scratch art/ julio Arte scratch

Wednesday, July 16 at 4pm | Marion Library

Get creative with crayons! Elementary students will learn a fun and interesting art technique called crayon etching.

¡Despierta tu creatividad con crayones! Los alumnos de primaria aprenderán una técnica artística divertida e interesante: el grabado con crayones.

 

Art Explorers (Rising Kindergarten- Rising 5th Grade)/ Exploradores de arte (Alumnos de Kinder a Quinto grado): Surrealist Art Games/ Juegos de arte surrealista

Wednesday, July 23 at 1pm | The MTCC Workforce Education Center Building in Old Fort

 

Art Explorers (Rising Kindergarten- Rising 5th Grade)/ Exploradores de arte (Alumnos de Kinder a Quinto grado): Foil Art/ Arte en papel metálico

Wednesday, July 23 at 4pm | Marion Library

Discover the fun of creating art with tin foil and Sharpie markers! This easy and engaging activity encourages creativity and artistic self-expression.

¡Descubre la diversión de crear arte con papel de aluminio y marcadores Sharpie! Esta actividad fácil y divertida fomenta la creatividad y la autoexpresión artística.

Art Explorers (Rising Kindergarten- Rising 5th Grade)/ Exploradores de arte (Alumnos de Kinder a Quinto grado): Custom Crayon Making / Fabricación de crayones personalizados

Wednesday, July 30 at 1pm | The MTCC Workforce Education Center Building in Old Fort

 

Art Explorers (Rising Kindergarten- Rising 5th Grade)/ Exploradores de arte (Alumnos de Kinder a Quinto grado): Kandinsky inspired Glow in the dark art / Arte en papel metálico

Wednesday, July 23 at 4pm | Marion Library

Elementary students will explore the work of Russian painter Wassily Kandinsky before creating their own Kandinsky-inspired art using glow-in-the-dark supplies.

Los estudiantes de primaria explorarán el trabajo del pintor ruso Wassily Kandinsky antes de crear su propio arte inspirado en Kandinsky utilizando materiales que brillan en la oscuridad.

Please join our CLOSED Facebook page by searching McDowell Library Children Services for updates, videos and more from our Children’s Library!

First Chapter Tuesdays at 7 p.m./ Primer Capítulo Martes- Martes a las 7pm

Join Ms. Megan for the first chapter of a new book that has been added to our collection. These books are geared toward students in grade 2-5.

Leeremos el primer capítulo de un nuevo libro que se ha añadido a la colección.

BEDTIME STORIES/ Cuentos para dormir 

 Fridays at 7:00 p.m./ Viernes a las 7 pm

Join Ms. Megan for a bedtime story in our CLOSED Facebook group (McDowell Library Children Services).

 

 Have a question about a program posted?  Call us at either 828-652-3858 for Marion or 828-668-7111 for Old Fort.

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Seed Library & Propagation Station

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Green background with the Seed Savers logo in the top left corner. Text of "Seed Library Borrow Seeds Donate Seeds Save Seeds & Grow. Various images of seeds and plants around the text. Photo of the seed library catalogue cabinet with the Marion Library Seed Share sign above it.

Welcome to our Seed Library, a community initiative run by our local  McDowell Master Gardeners and local volunteers. Our Seed Library offers a diverse selection of gardening seeds free of charge for anyone in the community to take and use in their gardens. Whether you’re an experienced gardener or just starting out, we welcome you to explore our collection and discover new varieties to grow.

How it Works:

1. Browse our collection of seeds, conveniently organized by type.

2. Select the seeds you’d like to grow and take them home with you, free of charge.

3. Plant your seeds, nurture your plants, and watch them thrive in your garden.

4. Harvest and enjoy your homegrown produce, and consider saving seeds from your healthiest plants for future seasons.

5. If you’re able, consider donating seeds from your own garden to help replenish our library and keep it thriving for others in the community.

Our Seed Library is a celebration of biodiversity and a testament to the power of community collaboration in nurturing our shared environment. We hope you’ll join us in this wonderful gardening adventure and help us grow together!

Seed Cleaning Screens | Homeplace Earth

 

As an additional resource, we offer seed cleaning screens available for borrowing. These screens make it easy to clean and prepare seeds harvested from your garden for future planting. Simply ask the front desk staff to borrow a seed cleaning screen, follow the instructions provided, and ensure your seeds are ready for storage and sharing with fellow gardeners.

 



Propagation Station

Visit our Propagation Station, located next to the Seed Library.



What is plant propagation?

Plant propagations are pieces, or cuttings, from plants that grow their own root systems and become new plants.



Want to adopt cuttings?

  • Spray a paper towel with water.
  • Remove a cutting from a cup, and wrap the plant roots gently in the paper towel.
  • Place the wrapped roots in a plastic bag.
  • When you get home, continue to grow the cutting in water or plant it in well-draining soil in a pot with drainage holes.

Want to donate cuttings?

  • We take houseplants or indoor herbs only.
  • Please no soil or potted plants.
  • Please root the cuttings in water before donating them.
  • Cuttings must be healthy and free of pests or disease.
  • Pour water into one of the donations cups. Record your donation in the notebook and include care tips plus the cup’s number where you place your donation.

 

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Books By Mail

Posted by mcpl on

 

📚Books by Mail Program


Launching August 20th!

Our Books by Mail service brings library materials straight to your mailbox, FREE of charge, for eligible McDowell County Public Library patrons.


📬What is Books by Mail?


Books by Mail is a service for library card holders who are physically or visually unable to visit the library in person. Whether you’re homebound due to disability or a long-term health condition, we’re here to make sure library resources are still within reach.


✅ Who is Eligible?


To qualify, you must:

  • Have a McDowell County Public Library card
  • Have a physical or visual disability that prevents you from visiting       the library
  • Reside within McDowell County

📝 How to Sign Up


1. Fill out an application:

  • Here 
  • Download the application form
  • Call us at (828) 653-3858 to request an application by mail
  • Or stop by the library to pick up a printed copy

2. Submit your completed application:

Mail to:

McDowell County Public Library                                                            90 West Court St. Marion, NC 28752

Return in person

Or submit the form above.

Books By Mail - Arlington Public Library

 


📅 When Does it Start?


Deliveries begin August 20th, 2025. Sign up now to be part of the first mailing!


📖 Questions?


📞 Call us at (828) 652-3858

📧 Email us at hgrant@mcdowellpubliclibrary.org

⬇️ Or leave a message below

Warning
Warning
Warning

Warning.

We’re happy to help!


 

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  • Hours

    Marion Library

    Mon, Wed, Fri: 10-5:30
    Tue, Thu: 10-7
    Saturday: 11-5
    Sunday: Closed
    Holiday Hours

    Old Fort Library

    Monday: Closed
    Tues: 10-7
    Wed, Fri: 10-5:30
    Thursday: 10-7
    Saturday: 11-5
    Sunday: Closed
    Holiday Hours

  • Get in touch

    Marion Library

    Phone 828-652-3858
    Fax 828-652-2098

    Old Fort Library

    Phone 828-668-7111
    Fax 828-668-1758


    Subscribe to our Newsletter

  • Find us

    Marion Library

    90 W Court St
    Marion, NC 28752
    Directions

    Old Fort Library

    65 E Mitchell St
    Old Fort, NC 28762
    Directions