Come hear a story and do a craft together in our cozy Old Fort branch!
This program is oriented towards preschool-age children, but kids of all ages are welcome.
After-School Adventures
Pinecone Spiders:Â Wednesday, October 8 | 4 PM | Old Fort Branch Library
Come enjoy the fall weather and forage for materials, then head inside for cider and a quick Halloween craft!
Blacklight Skeletons: Wednesday, October 22 | 4 PM | Old Fort Branch Library
Make your own dancing skeleton and watch it glow under the blacklight in this quick after-school craft!
Teen Programs
Adventurers Wanted: Teen D&D
Every Tuesday | 5-7 PM | Old Fort Branch Library
Come see what’s lurking under the surface as our party slogs into the swamps of the Willowdim!
Beginners are always welcome, and the group is level 4.
This program is made possible by donations from community members and our friends at MagiKids.
Adult Programs
Adult D&D
1st Thursday of the Month | 5 – 7 PM | Old Fort Branch Library
Curious about TTRPG games? Used to play D&D and looking to get back into it? Or just looking to hang out and make some adult friends? Join us for our new D&D campaign for adults– the most requested program our branch has had in quite a while!
Beginners and old hands are welcome alike, and we have all the supplies on hand!
Adult Craft: Haunted Paper Houses
Thursday, October 9 | 5-7 PM | Old Fort Branch Library
Taking inspiration from our recent book club pick, Guests on Earth, we’ll be trying our hand at making some tiny paper houses of our own. Of course, given the season, we’ll have options to give your miniature mansion a spooky twist!
Mountain Stories Book Club
Last Wednesday of the Month | 6-8 PM | Mountain Gateway Museum
We’re partnering with the Mountain Gateway Museum to help offer a book club in their new building!
The pick for our August meeting is A short Time To Stay Here by Terry Roberts, a story about German POW camps in Hot Springs during WWI.
All Ages
Stringed Instrument Learn & Jam
1st & 3rd Saturday of the Month | 1-3 PM | Old Fort Branch Library
Come learn some basics on how to play stringed instruments in a low-pressure environment, or just share and jam with other musicians!
We’re focusing on guitar, but if you have a ukulele, mandolin, or dulcimer, we can help you out!
Some instruments provided, but bring yours if you have one!
Game Night!
Thursday, October 24 | 5-7 PM | Old Fort Branch Library
Come hang out and play some games! We have Magic the Gathering, Catan, Munchkin, and more! Of course, there will also be snacks!
Feel free to bring your favorite games to share, too!
Open Mic Night + Scary Story Competition
Thursday, October 30 | 6-8 PM | Old Fort Branch Library
Join our first Open Mic Night at the Old Fort Library!
Since it’s October, we’ll be holding a ghost story competition, but it isn’t mandatory and you’re welcome to share anything you’d like! Music, poetry, stand-up, etc.– anything that you think fits the bill. Of course, you’re also welcome to just hang out and haunt the place…Â
Refreshments provided, bring your own tale of woe!
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!
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.
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 visuallyunable 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.
âś… 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
