As the world steps out from under the shadow of a pandemic, we are beginning to wonder what comes next?  In the hopes of no new variants, turbulent times in the world, and continued concerns about gas, inflation, etc. we are beginning to ask what needs our community has and what the library can do to assist those needs.

Over the past five years, we had set some lofty goals for the library and our community and we hope that through thick and thin we were able to accomplish a large percentage of them even if we were thrown for a loop for a portion of that time.  Our current strategic plan helped us identify needs in the community surrounding issues of literacy and education, access to technology, quality materials, a knowledgeable, competent staff, and creating a space that is welcoming for all. 

We were successfully able to start the Mobile Café service to expand access to the internet in 2018, which came in especially handy during the pandemic, began our Mobile Library service in 2021, provide wi-fi hotspots for the community to check-out, and adapted our services and resources constantly throughout the pandemic to continue to provide materials, access, and resources both electronically and in-person. 

Now we’re asking once again, what our community needs and interest are and seek your feedback to plan for the next two to three years of COVID recovery and success.  Our community survey is available in English and Spanish and while it does ask some library specific questions, feel free to use the ‘please feel free to elaborate’ areas with any suggestions you hope the library can help with!

On January 3, we launched our 2022 Winter Reading program. This one is a bit different from past years. It’s a board game inspired by the classic Chutes and Ladders game. You will roll the provided die, move that number of spaces, and complete the challenge listed. It might be a reading related challenge such as “read a book with a blue cover” or maybe you will be unlucky and have to move back a few spaces! Once you make your way to finish, you can bring your completed game back to the library and exchange it for a prize which is an awesome library staff designed mug.

The program will run through February 28. Completed game boards will need to be returned to one of our locations by March 1 to receive a prize. You can print off a board here, or you can pick one up at any of our libraries.

The goal with all of our reading programs is to encourage you to read more, but also to venture out of your reading comfort zone. We hope that you enjoy exploring new books, authors, and formats!

Please keep in touch while you’re playing the game and tag us in updates (like posing with the final prize) on social media!

Congratulations to Tyler Wilson, who was promoted to a May Memorial Reference Library Assistant from a part-time Mebane Circulation Assistant!

How long have you worked with the County?
Almost two and a half years.

Where are you from originally?
Mebane, North Carolina.

What are you most passionate about?
Learning, anything and everything.

Do you have a hobby?
I like to play guitar and hang out with my cats!

When you were little, what was your dream job?
I always said I wanted to be a marine biologist, but I really just wanted to be near the ocean all the time.

What was the best part of your week/weekend?
Going to Asheville and seeing the autumn leaves on the Blue Ridge Parkway!

If your life was a song, what would the title be?
Just Dumb Enough to Try.

Are you involved in any community projects or organizations?
I helped out with the Vinyl Society Social Club at the Mebane Public Library!

What’s your favorite TV Show?
Twin Peaks.

What is your favorite thing to spend money on?
New music gear!

What’s the most interesting thing you’ve learned recently?
Kinshasa is the most populous Francophone city in the world!

Over the past five years, we’ve been surveying our community to determine the best ways to meet the wants and needs that are being shared with us. We regularly adapt our programming, resources, and services in response to the feedback we receive. Starting on November 1st, we will finally also change our operating hours to meet those same requests. In order to expand our hours at the Graham and Mebane Libraries and the staff available to expand our partnerships out in the community, something had to give. So our new operating hours for the May Memorial, Graham, and Mebane Libraries will be:

Monday – Thursday: 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Friday – Saturday: 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Sunday: CLOSED

The North Park Library will retain similar hours to the Mayco-Bigelow Community Center:

Monday – Thursday: 12:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Friday: 12:00 – 4:00
Saturday – Sunday: CLOSED