Tails & Tails is Coming!
Tails and Tales at Your Library This Summer!
Dogs, and sea turtles, and bees, oh my! No, this is not a remake of The Wizard of Oz; it is what’s in store for you this summer through the Alamance County Public Library’s Summer Reading Program! This summer’s theme is Tails and Tales, and from June 14th through August 14th, we will be exploring the wild world of animals through fun programs, both virtually and in-person.
We have a great lineup of special guests who will be presenting exciting programs over Zoom. On Thursday, June 17th, Wild Tales NC will be sharing some of their animal ambassadors and talking about conservation efforts to protect their natural habits. Things will be a-buzz June 24 at 4 P.M. with a fun bee-keeping program with Sankofa Farms! Looking to adopt a new pet or learn how to best care for your furry friends? On Wednesday, July 14th at 4:00 P.M., Burlington Animal Services will teach you how to be the best pet owner you can be! And things will get wild on Thursday, July 29th at 3:30 P.M. with a program presented by the North Carolina Zoo!
We will also be offering some fun outdoor programs for elementary students! You can learn yoga with Ms. Amy at Mebane, make fun crafts with friends at Graham, have a teddy bear picnic at North Park, and plant a tree of your own at May Memorial and Graham! Registration will be required for all these programs, and space will be limited, so make sure to keep an eye out for more information!
You can also get rewarded for the minutes you read this summer! You can register for our reading incentive program by visiting alamancelibraries.readsquared.com. Various prizes will be awarded for reaching certain milestones, and there will be raffle basket drawings at the end of summer!
This is only a fraction of the programs and activities that will be happening this summer at your libraries. For the latest information, please visit our website www.alamancelibraries.org or follow us on social media! We are sure to have a whale of a time, and hope you will join us in all of the fun!
Meet Elana Weber
Please welcome Elana Weber to the Children’s Department at the May Memorial Library!
How long have you worked with the County?
Almost one month.
Where are you from originally?
Long Island, New York, right near the ocean. We just moved from Manhattan to North Carolina in July of 2020.
What are you most passionate about?
Helping and empowering others.
Do you have a hobby?
I love to geocache, read, do the crossword, play with our cats, hike, play board games, do puzzles, and cook. I’m also trying to learn how to crochet!
When you were little, what was your dream job?
I wanted to be a famous author! Well, correction: I wanted to be a princess who also happened to be a famous actress and author, too.
What was the best part of your week/weekend?
Over the weekend, my partner, best friend, and I went for a hike along the Eno River and we saw the ruins of an old water pump station. It was great!
Are you involved in any community projects or organizations?
Yes! I volunteer with EAT NC. I also volunteer as the Orange County Historical Museum’s archivist in Hillsborough.
What is the weirdest thing you’ve ever eaten?
Bitter gourd! Intrigued by its spikes, we picked it up on a whim one weekend at the Durham Farmers’ Market. To our surprise, we ended up loving it. It’s all about how you cook it!
What’s your favorite TV Show?
Antiques Roadshow.
What is your favorite thing to spend money on?
Museums, going out to dinner, and funky Airbnb trips. But, as an honorable mention: pretty new dresses.
What’s the most interesting thing you’ve learned recently?
I’ve been listening to Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel on my commute to work, so I think it’s safe to say that I’ve learned so much about the intricacies of procuring an annulment for an English king in the 16th century! As for more relevant interesting facts, I’ve recently learned that the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill was the first public university to begin instruction in the United States.
New Hours!
In response to community interest and vaccinations becoming more readily available, the Alamance County Public Libraries is looking towards the future. Face coverings are still required and following social distancing guidelines is expected, but we will be slowly expanding our hours over the next few months.
Starting Monday, May 3rd our service hours will expand at May Memorial, Mebane, and Graham Libraries:
- Monday – Friday: 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
- Saturday: 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
North Park Library:
- Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays: 12:00 – 4:00 p.m.
- Tuesdays & Thursdays: 2:00 – 6:00 p.m.
All patrons are encouraged to follow the “Three Ws” as outlined by the N.C. Dept. of Health and Human Services – WEAR a face covering; WAIT in line at least six feet away from others, and WASH hands frequently or use hand sanitizer. If you are experiencing symptoms of illness, the Library asks that you postpone your visit.
For more information about ACPL services and operations, visit www.alamancelibraries.org and follow us on Facebook (AlamanceLibraries), Twitter (ACLibraries) and Instagram (alamancelibraries), and YouTube (Alamance County Public Libraries)
Meet Katherine Arends
Katherine Arends was promoted to the Collection Development Manager for the Alamance County Public Libraries from her position as the Branch Manager of the Mebane Public Library. Congratulations!
How long have you worked with the County?
I celebrated my 20 year anniversary this past October (both work and marriage).
Where are you from originally?
I was born and raised in Fayetteville, N.C., and no, my family was not in the military.
What are you most passionate about?
I worry about our natural world, the loss of habitat for wildlife, and the amount of pollution and waste, especially from plastic.
Do you have a hobby?
I do lots of things, none very well. I’ve made one quilt in my life and recently have gotten into making junk journals and altered books. I enjoy spending time outdoors walking and paddling, and usually have a pair of binoculars around my neck.
When you were little, what was your dream job?
I was definitely a tomboy and wanted to be a cowboy, not cowgirl.
If your life was a song, what would the title be?
I would like for it to be Free by Zac Brown Band.
What is the weirdest thing you’ve ever eaten?
I lived in Alaska for a while and bear was not an uncommon item on the dinner table.
What’s your favorite TV Show?
If I had to pick one I’d say Freaks and Geeks, but I also love Madmen, Downton Abbey, The Sopranos, Sex and the City, and the first few seasons of Gray’s Anatomy.
What’s the most interesting thing you’ve learned recently?
My husband just told me all about the Texas City, TX explosion from 1947 which was a nuclear-strength explosion caused by fertilizer stores on a ship that killed almost 600 people.
What books are on your nightstand?
Swimming Lessons by Claire Fuller, Why I Don’t Write and Other Stories by Susan Minot, I Will Judge You by Your Bookshelf by Grant Snider, and This Time Next Year We’ll Be Laughing: A Memoir by Jacqueline Winspear.
Podcasts for Book Lovers
For those who haven’t been introduced to podcasts, think of them as radio programs you can listen to “on demand” over the internet. There are over a million podcasts available on a range of topics from providers like Spotify, Amazon and iTunes.
As book lovers, there are an abundance of podcasts on books to choose from. Katherine Arends, longtime Manager of the Mebane Public Library, enjoys The Book Review podcast from The New York Times. “My favorite part is at the end when staff all discuss what they are currently reading,” Katherine says. “It is fascinating to hear everyone on the podcast talk so knowledgably about literature and various topics. I envy their capacity for soaking everything up.”
Katherine also recommends But That’s Another Story, a podcast by Will Schwalbe, author of the book The End of Your Life Book Club. Schwalbe has conversations with authors and other notable people about the book that changed their life. According to Katherine: “It is really interesting hearing the different books that have impacted others and how it helped to shape their lives. Episodes are around 25 minutes each, so easily consumed, and Schwalbe has a very calm and soothing demeanor that makes for relaxed listening.” Interested in learning about more podcasts for book lovers? Check out this article from Penguin Books UK!