We are pleased to congratulate Jaime Graves for her promotion to the Public Services Manager at the May Memorial Library and are excited to see her thrive in her new role!

How long have you worked with the County?

I’ve been with Alamance County for almost five years and I’ve loved every minute of it.

Where are you from originally?

I was born and raised here in Alamance County, not far from Piedmont Dragway.

Do you have a hobby?

I’ve always had hobbies and they change frequently.  I loved baking for many years, then I did all things crafty like quilting, crocheting & cross-stitch.  My current hobby is blinging things out with rhinestones.

When you were little, what was your dream job?

My dream job as a child was being a veterinarian and while I still love animals, I don’t think I love them enough to deal with them everyday.  I love working at the library, creating new displays and new graphics.

What was the best part of your week/weekend?

The best part of my week is Friday evenings, the work week is over, the weekend hasn’t quite started and it’s so relaxing.

If your life was a song, what would the title be?

It would be “Good Riddance” by Green Day; I hope you had the time of your life.  That is my goal in life to find joy in everything I do and experience. And the song is really good too!

What is the weirdest thing you’ve ever eaten?

I’m not sure how weird it is, but I’ve enjoyed boudin before.  It’s a pork sausage made with rice and vegetables.  It was delicious!

What’s your favorite TV Show?

My current favorite tv show is Call the Midwives, but I’ve always loved British shows like The Great British Bake Off & Downton Abbey.  I also a huge fan of documentaries!

What is your favorite thing to spend money on?

Right now, my favorite thing to spend money on is vinyl records.  I love music and listen to it non-stop when I can, so buying vinyl records is just another way for me to enjoy the music I love.

What’s the most interesting thing you’ve learned recently?

While making a poster for the library, I learned that trees can be male or female and they don’t die from old age.  I thought that was very cool! 

We are pleased to welcome Amy Kendrick back to Alamance County and the May Memorial Library as the new Branch Manager!

How long have you worked with the County?

I’ve worked for Alamance County on and off for 25 years. I recently moved here from Catawba County and started this position in November 2023.

Where are you from originally?

I was born in Greensboro and raised in Graham.

What are you most passionate about?

In my career, I’m passionate about supporting my staff.  In my home life, I love being outdoors.

Do you have a hobby?

Hiking, reading, knitting

When you were little, what was your dream job?

To be a children’s book author and illustrator

What was the best part of your week/weekend?

Adopting my new dog Jack

If your life was a song, what would the title be?

Golden by Jill Scott

Are you involved in any community projects or organizations?

Not yet

What is the weirdest thing you’ve ever eaten?

I haven’t eaten anything especially odd, but while in the Peace Corps in Vanuatu, I drank kava. Once was enough for me.

What’s your favorite TV Show?

Ted Lasso

What is your favorite thing to spend money on?

Trail shoes

What’s the most interesting thing you’ve learned recently?

Currently, I’m reading a lot about dog training, and since I’m a first-time dog owner, everything I’m learning is new and interesting.

Kathy Garrison has been a fixture at the May Memorial Library for over 35 years. Now, we are pleased to announce that she has been promoted to a new role in the library! As the new Assistant Director she will be able to take her no nonsense approach to all of the library branches. Congratulations

How long have you worked with the County?
I have been employed with Alamance County for 35 years.

Where are you from originally?
I’m from the small town of Altamahaw Ossipee, which is located in the Morton Township.

What are you most passionate about?
I’m most passionate about my family, my job and coaching and encouraging others to be their best.

Do you have a hobby?
My hobbies are word puzzles, growing new plants, reading, singing and talking.

When you were little, what was your dream job?
My dream job was to be a teacher or lawyer.

What was the best part of your week/weekend?
The best part of my week was coming to work each day conversing with my coworkers and talking with patrons. The best part of my weekend is spending quality time with my family.

If your life was a song, what would the title be?
If my life was a song, it would be I’m Blessed.

Are you involved in any community projects or organizations?
I’m not involved in any community projects or organizations, don’t have a lot of free time.

What is the weirdest thing you’ve ever eaten?
The weirdest thing I’ve ever eaten was bear sausage.

What’s your favorite TV Show?
My all-time favorite TV shows are: The Andy Griffith Show, The Gomer Pyle Show and Pink Panther Show.

What is your favorite thing to spend money on?
I absolutely love spending money on myself (clothes), and my great niece and nephew.

What’s the most interesting thing you’ve learned recently?
The thing that was most alarming to me that I learned recently was the high rate of mental illness.

Welcome Adyera to the Children’s Department of the Mebane Public Library! We are excited to have her join our team and can’t wait to see what she’ll do!

How long have you worked with the County?
4 and a half months!

Where are you from originally?
The Research Triangle

What are you most passionate about?
Art in all its forms

Do you have a hobby?
Photography (emphasis on creative portraiture)

When you were little, what was your dream job?
An art teacher

What was the best part of your week/weekend?
Exploring new cities and spending time with loved ones.

If your life was a song, what would the title be?
“Day by Day”

Are you involved in any community projects or organizations?
None at the moment.

What is the weirdest thing you’ve ever eaten?
Escargot

What’s your favorite TV Show?
A three-way tie between Monk, Psych, and How to Get Away with Murder

What is your favorite thing to spend money on?
Thrifted Clothes and Photography Gear

What’s the most interesting thing you’ve learned recently?
Trees can talk to each other!

Alamance County Public Libraries’ annual murder mystery is sure to be a storybook event this year, filled with intrigue and excitement and a healthy dose of comedy. With help from the audience, it won’t take any time at all to figure out who murdered our victim.

The Fairy Godmother was a kind and compassionate woman, who bestowed only the best of gifts to the best of people. For decades, she was the go-to fairy for all things magical. She was always willing to help her storybook friends…or was she?

Someone in fairytale world certainly didn’t think so! Could it be the terribly dashing Prince Charming? Or his lovely wife, Cinderella? Perhaps Prince Naveen had something to do with it? The evil Queen Raveena could have done it! She is evil after all, but what about Raveena’s stepdaughter, Snow White? Maybe she put her up to it. And we can’t forget Fairy Godmother’s second-in-command, Tinkerbell! Not to mention, Rump. He’s looking quite suspicious these days.

Did the Fairy Godmother “help” the wrong friend? Were her gifts actually curses? Why kill her? Who had the motive? Who had the heart? Who murdered the Fairy Godmother?

Between all the political espionage, backstabbing, and hidden romance, this year’s murder mystery is one not to be missed. Expect anger, secrets, revenge, and what’s a murder mystery without the fairytale court-of-law being involved?

The event itself is free and for adults only. It will take place at May Memorial Library at 7:00pm on both Friday, July 28^th and Saturday, July 29^th. Light hors d’oeuvres will be provided, so please come a little hungry.

Tickets will be made available starting Monday, July 3^rd at 10:00am and are available electronically this year at this website: http://www.eventkeeper.com/mars/xpages/A/ALAMANCE/ekp.cfm?curOrg=ALAMANCE. As always, space is limited, so please remember to book yours early!

For more information, please call (336) 229-3588 or email Emery Lai at elai@alamancelibraries.org.

It is sometimes easy to forget that, like people, books come in all shapes and sizes! So each individual should be able to find the best fit for themselves when it comes to how they want to ‘read’ their next favorite book. We wanted to take to the time to remind everyone out there of all of the possibilities that are FREE for them, as library users, to access.

For traditionalist and anyone who just loves the feel and smell of holding a book in your hands, don’t worry! Print books are still around, and no matter what you hear, won’t be going away.

If you still want to read your favorite books, but don’t enjoy turning pages, holding the weight of the item, or needing the ‘proper’ lighting to see without damaging your eyesight – then downloadable ebooks are waiting for you! We offer downloadable books through Libby and Hoopla, which both have apps. Just login with your library card number and PIN to search and browse our titles. There are also a LOT of other free websites and book resources that can be found on our Downloadable page anytime. Use your phone, tablet, computer, kindle, etc.

And for those of you who might have trouble with our vision, large print materials are always available, which should have 18 font size print. Don’t forget, downloadable books would also be great for those with vision issues as you can control the font size from your device at any time.

If you are too busy to sit around and enjoy reading, there are still options for you that don’t involve paid subscriptions to expensive services owned by billionaires. Libby and Hoopla once again save the day with the thousands of downloadable audiobooks available. Plus, your phone or device will often sync with bluetooth devices such as your car (depending on the year) or speakers to be able to listen from wherever in your home you might be. Add some headphones and you’re mobile!

If you still have CD players in your vehicle, home, or can dig out the tried and true walkman, then find yourself a book on CD.

And last but not least is our Playaways. These are devices that only need a battery and headphones and they easily fit in your pocket during exercise, while mowing the lawn, and more. And, recently, a thrifty user just found a way to use an aux adaptor to sync to a hearing aid or wireless earbuds. Find those instructions here.

So I hope to dive into a book, through any preferred format, soon! Search our catalog to find your book and see all of these great format options, if they are available. Also, explore our Readers’ Advisory resources to find something new to try.

What is a Seed Library?

The seed library is a free program that encourages residents to plant, share, and save seeds. The mission of the seed library is to :

• Make free seeds available to anyone in our area to grow their own food. Promote gardening and seed saving.
• Promote healthy outdoor activity.
• Provide information, education, and instruction about sustainable organic gardening and seed saving. Preserve our agricultural heritage and traditions. Build community resilience, self-reliance, and a culture of sharing.

How to Use the See Library

Our seed library is located just inside the library on the left when you enter from the lobby at the Graham Public Library.

You are welcome to browse the seed packets which are filed by type, then by variety. Please try to keep the seed packets in order to avoid confusion. Select the seeds you are interested in growing.

If you are a beginning gardener, we suggest easy-to-grow vegetables such as peas, beans, lettuce, carrots, and radishes.

Please take only one envelope per variety of vegetable so that there is enough for everyone. Only take what you will plant during the season.

Please be sure to write on the clipboard what seeds you are taking with you so that we can keep track of our inventory and re-stock if necessary. It is not necessary to come to the circulation desk. All the seeds are free. There is no charge to use the seed library.

Take your seeds home and plant them. You don’t need a huge garden to grow your own food.
You can grow your crops in containers if you don’t have the space for a full garden.

Once your plants begin to produce, leave a few of your best plants unharvested so that you will have seeds to save and donate back to the seed library!

Find Out More Today!