Dear Readers,

Happy February to all!

Many are beginning to think about filing taxes as we begin the month.

We are proud to announce that we will again be partnering with the IRS to offer the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance service beginning February 3.

We welcome our new Site Coordinator, Zach LaChance, a lecturer in the Accounting Department at Appstate, and are grateful for his service and commitment. We have had an influx of calls, so we ask for your patience until we get back to you. If eligible for the service, please make your appointments early.

Thanks to the IRS and the Friends of the Watauga County Public Library for their support.

See the attached press release for all the details.

On another note, we are still looking for people to advocate for a Library expansion. If you are interested, please feel free to call me at 264-8784, X 4.

~ Monica Caruso

County Librarian

Story times include songs, books, and activities!

Check out the Appalachian Regional Library Literacy Resources YouTube channel for virtual library story times.

Enjoy Storywalk® at the Tot Lot!

Storywalk® is an outdoor reading experience.

Located at the Watauga County Recreation Complex

141 Complex Drive, Boone, NC 28607

LEGO Club

Tuesday, February 21

4:00 pm

For Grades K-5

Come build a LEGO creation!

Family Fun Time: Disney Trivia

Saturday, February 25

3:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Snacks, fun, and prizes for the whole family!

TAG Group: Just a Note

Monday, February 13

4:15 pm - 5:15 pm

For Ages 12-17

Teens can hang out and help out at the Library! Eat sweets and leave some inspirational notes around the Library!

STEM Stories: Pulley-ing a Tooth

We'll read William Steig's Doctor DeSoto before we make pulleys!

Wednesday, February 15

2:30 pm - 3:30 pm

For Grades K-2

Registration Required

Call (828) 264-8784, ext. 3, or email acombs@arlibrary.org to register!

STEM Lab: Gumdrop Bridge Challenge

Wednesday, February 15

4:00 pm - 5:00 pm

For Grades 3rd - 5th

Join us to learn some fun facts from Vicky Franchino's How It's Built: Bridge before we build gumdrop and toothpick bridges!

Registration Required

Call (828) 264-8784 ext. 3, or email acombs@arlibrary.org to register.

Take Your Child to the Library Day

Saturday, February 4

Join us for a special Library Day! We'll have some special guests, a library craft, and activities!

Story Time with the Appalachian State Student American Indian Movement

Wednesday, February 8

11:00 am

Join indigenous students from Appalachian State University for a reading of The First Strawberries: A Cherokee Story. The first 15 children will receive a free copy of the book! Limit one per family.

More Adult Programs

North Carolina Legal Aid

Free Social Security Disability Clinic

Thursday, February 2

Free Criminal Record Expungement Clinic

Tuesday, February 7

All clinics are online, and to register, click here.

NC Reads' State Wide Book Club

In partnership with Appstate, join NC Humanities for an interactive panel discussion examining themes from the North Carolina Reads selection Carolina Built. This panel will explore the story based on the life and legacy of Josephine N. Leary, an African-American entrepreneur and business woman who lived in North Carolina during the Reconstruction Era. This event features author Kianna Alexander and Dr. Hilary Green in a conversation moderated by NC Humanities Board Trustee Liliana Wendorff.

Wednesday, February 22

6:30 pm

To register for this event, click here. For more information, click here.

The Hughlene Bostian Frank Visiting Writers Series

Save the Date

 Novelist Jessie van Eerden and Poet Thorpe Moeckel

Thursday, March 2

Reading 6-7:30 pm

     Craft Talk TBD

Plemmons Student Union 201B Table Rock Room

For more information, click here.

Please check here in March, 2023 for a new set of events with High Country Life Long Learners!

AARP Featured Online Events

~all times are Eastern Time~

Learn to Play Bridge:

The Auction

Tuesday, Feb 7, 2023

11:00 a.m. Eastern Time

Challenges Faced by

African American Caregivers

Thursday, Feb 23, 2023

12:00 p.m

AARP Virtual Trivia -

Pub Poll on Thursday,

Feb 23, 2023 at 7:00 p.m.

More AARP Mountain Region events available here.

The Next Chapter Book Club is for adults and young adults with developmental disabilities. The discussion group provides a connection to books, friends, and community. The book we are using is The Boxcar Children by Gertrude Chandler Warner. To attend via Zoom, please contact Adult Services at (828) 264-8784 ext. 2.

With the exception of the second Wednesday of the month, the group meets Wednesdays at 2:30 pm

Book Bunch Book Club

Book Bunch will discuss We Begin at the End by Chris Whitaker on

Tuesday, February 28 at 1:30 pm.

Please stop by the Adult Services desk for a copy of the book and a list of upcoming books the group plans to read.

Cook the Books Book Club

Cook the Books will discuss Messenger of Truth by Jacqueline Winspear on Tuesday, February 14

at 3:00 pm.

Family Support Group

Monday, February 13

7:00 pm

Please contact Mike Tanner if you would like to join this meeting. For more information click here.

VAYA Health Training

Antipsychotics: Indications, Risks, and Challenges

The utilization of antipsychotic medications is accompanied by many challenges when treating older individuals. This course will focus on the classifications of medication, indications for use, and potential side effects.

Thursday, February 2

10:00 am

To register, click here.

Understanding Schizophrenia and Psychosis

People living with schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders have been misunderstood throughout history. In this presentation, the focus is on the manifestation of symptoms, causality, and risk factors.

Thursday, February 9

1:00 pm

To register, click here.

Free Webinars

Resumes and Job Applications

Wednesday, February 8

10:00 am

Interviewing

Tuesday, February 14

10:00 am

Contact your local NCWorks Center to register. For more information, click here.

COVID-19 Tests Available at Library

Thanks to AppHealthCare, we now have COVID-19 home tests available at both locations for the public.

Limit of 10 tests per family, please. Each box has two tests.

Please do not come in to pick up tests if you have COVID-19 symptoms and/or are not feeling well. Just give us a call, and we will bring tests to the bench outside the library doors for you to pick up. Thank you!

Financial Aid Awareness Month

The best way to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is early, online, and without any mistakes. Check out this handy guide on FFSA TIPS and Common Mistakes to Avoid.

Do you want to write an email, use a tablet, or have another tech question on your mind? The reference department is here to help. Library & Information Science graduate student Troy Brooks will be providing assistance with technology Thursdays

9:30 am - 1:30 am

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Surviving and Thriving Caregiver Support Group

Blue Cross NC Institute for Health and Human Services Leon Levine Hall, 1179 State Farm Road

Mondays (February 6 - April 24)

12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

RSVP (828) 262-6628

RSVP strongme@appstate.edu

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The Mind Body Connection

Thursdays (February 9 - April 13)

1:00 pm - 2:30 pm

IHHS Interprofessional Clinic

Leon Levine Hall

1179 State Farm Road

RSVP (828) 262-6628

RSVP strongme@appstate.edu

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Stroke and TBI Support Group

First Wednesday of every month starting February 1

1:00 pm - 2:30 pm

Leon Levine Hall, 1179 State Farm Road IHHS Interprofessional Clinic

For more information call/ email

(828) 262-6628

strongme@appstate.edu

High Country Writers

Hey Writers!

For events information, click here.

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English as a Second Language Classes

February 1 - April 5 (Wednesdays)

6:00 pm - 7:30 pm

Alliance Bible Fellowship

1035 NC Highway 105 Bypass

To register and for more information, write or call:

(828) 278-9302

info@ichighcountry.org

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