Adult Services Report

County Librarian’s Report July 2017

Advocacy and Partnerships We installed a MindKare® Kiosk from VAYA Health near the Computer Lab that provides mental health assessments and referrals to helpful resources. We’re partnering with the Wilkes Art Gallery for Cinema in the Park movie performances, as well as with the Town of North Wilkesboro and our neighbor, Elsewhere on 10th. Mara Lynn did two outreach programs: the Wilkes County Employees Wellness Fair on May 4 and a visit to Westwood Hills Nursing & Rehabilitation Center on May 10. We continue to work closely with Wilkes Genealogical Society, The Wilkes County Health Department, and other existing partners. We’ve been working with Blue Ridge Hospice to provide advanced care directives workshops. Wilkes Community College provided employment services in a series of four workshops in April. We have a new partnership to provide STEAM programming with STAR Technologies.

Programs & ServicesAdult programming has stepped up for the summer. A first-time presentation about Cherokee Genealogy happened on June 2.

The Health Series Luncheons continued. On May 26, guest speaker and cancer survivor Ava Dowell spoke to a crowd (that included a waiting list) about Breast Cancer Awareness. On June 23, hospital CEO Gene Faile spoke about the successes and upcoming changes with Wilkes Regional Medical Center.

Local Author Larry Griffin’s new book, Slavery in Wilkes County North Carolina, was released on June 26 and we hosted a reading and signing event on June 29. A reception with light refreshments was hosted by WGS and the library.An “Early Flag Day Celebration” was held on June 8. Burl Huffman and Hobart and Diane Yates from the Brushy Mountain Detachment of the Marine Corps League hosted the event with lots of great information about the United States Flag. They performed a folding ceremony with what each fold means. Famous flags in history displayed in a slideshow on the big screen. Advance Directives Workshop has us partnered with Allison Brown and her expertise through Mountain Valley Hospice and Palliative Care. Theresa Kuneyl came to teach a hand quilting class using felted wool for a mug cozy/rug on April 10. Several ladies of all ages made the small mats, then loved Terry’s samples. By popular demand, we scheduled a class for July 15 for participants to make bird ornaments out of felt with hand-stitching.Two Computer Skills classes were held in May and June, each with three or four participants at each session. Our thanks to instructor David Greenwood. Wendy conducted class on May 17 when Dave did not arrive!Wendy, Deb, and Mara Lynn worked with many patrons one-on-one. We proctored several exams, including a final exam for a newly-minted graduate!

Summer Reading 2017 has over 700 children and teens registered! Our lunch program, Imagination Café is in its third year and going strong. Daily attendance ranges from 35-60 children.

Staffing & Volunteers Linda Pranger has adapted beautifully to her new role as Traphill Branch Manager. Sarah Davis has joined our Adult Services Department as an Adult Services Assistant. Sarah will work 18 hours per week and will help ensure we have two staff upstairs at all times.

Finances: We received a 2.6 % increase from the county. We are pleased that the friends have pledged $12,600, which will help cover the cost of materials, staff development, the summer reading program, and year long programming for all ages. Gifts from Carolina West Wireless, Dr. Amine Gebremichael, Jo and Lu Anne Love, Carter Bank and Trust, Jeff Walsh Sunday School Class, Gwen and George Shafer, and Matt Matthews, and others who attended our Winter Blues Party have allowed the further expansion and enchantment of Imagination Café.

FacilitiesWe are looking ahead to carpet cleaning in October. The carpet in the meeting room is looking a little rough after a hard year and summer lunch program.

Looking Ahead We are excited about the August 21st Total Eclipse of the Sun (almost) Party. Oh no! end of page!