Granville Co. Librarians Announce Exciting New Year’s Initiative, Upcoming Events

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Granville County Library System staff Ashley Wilson, Adult Services Librarian, and Amy Kemp, Children’s Librarian, were the guests of honor on Wednesday’s edition of WIZS’ Town Talk program.

With four branches, including the Richard H. Thornton Library in Oxford, the South Branch in Creedmoor, the Berea Branch and the Stovall Branch, the library system offers a variety of programming and initiatives for the communities it serves.

The newest initiative, referred to as “New Director, New Year,” forgives library fines accrued prior to January 1, 2019, and fees prior to January 1, 2018. Amnesty has also been granted on all lost and missing books.

“We’ve received excellent feedback and we are getting our materials back,” said Wilson. “We feel there are people who felt driven away from the library because of an unpaid fee or a lost book. We want to invite everyone back to the library system.”

No refunds will be given for fines or fees previously paid.

Ashley Wilson (left), Adult Services Librarian, and Amy Kemp (right), Children’s Librarian for the Granville County Library System, discuss upcoming and ongoing library events on WIZS’ Town Talk program. (Photo Credit: WIZS)

The library system has also recently launched a new webpage that provides detailed information regarding upcoming programs and events as well as operating hours and locations for all four branches.

When asked about the part a physical library plays in the new digital age, Kemp responded, “There used to be more public community places; a lot of that has died away. We hold on to the library as one of the last true community spaces.”

Wilson said a love of reading often brings people in, but she has an answer for those who are hesitant. “For anyone who says they don’t like to read, I always say it’s because they haven’t found the right book yet.”

In addition to a large selection of written material, the Granville County library branches offer meeting rooms for community groups, computers and computer training, children’s services for education and entertainment and much more.

“I often hear people say that libraries are going out of style, but I don’t think that’s the case,” said Kemp.

“I think it’s a false, dirty rumor,” laughed Wilson. “It’s absolutely not true! Our circulation and door count have been up at all four branches.”

To keep the branches open and thriving, Kemp said it is important that others help spread the word on library offerings and upcoming events.

Wilson added that volunteers play a large role and that the library could always use “another people person.”

Supporting the library by becoming a member of the Friends of the Library program is also encouraged. Membership dollars from this program, along with money raised at various books sales throughout the year, help fund library programming.

Children’s Programming:

  • A new series of STEAM programming (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) is now available for kindergarten through 5th graders every Thursday at 4 p.m. at the Thornton Library. Each week, children will enjoy hands-on exploration of a new STEAM topic.
  • Storytime for toddlers and preschoolers is held at all four branches. Please check the website for days and times by location.
  • A “Teen Book Club” meets at the South Branch at 3:30 p.m. on the first Thursday of every month. Teens can talk about what they are currently reading, swap recommendations with friends and enjoy snacks. An “arts and crafts” time is also offered for teens every third Monday of the month at the South Branch. Call (919) 528-1752 for details.
  • LEGO Club is held at the South Branch in Creedmoor on the second and fourth Monday of each month and at the Richard H. Thornton Library in Oxford on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month. Play begins at 3:30 p.m. at both locations and is open to kindergarten through 5th graders.

Upcoming Events for Adults:

  • Trivia Night with Tobacco Wood – Thurs., Jan. 30
  • Romantic Reading with Cynthia Abbott – 2 p.m., Sun., Feb. 10 – Thornton Library
  • Buck Meek and Twain Folk Rock Bands – 6 – 8 p.m., Thurs., Feb. 21 – Thornton Library
  • Dr. Christine Darden, American mathematician and inspiration behind the book and movie “Hidden Figures” – Sun., March 3
  • Shannon Christmas – DNA/Genealogical expert, 4 DNA kits to be given away – Sat., March 30

To find out more on upcoming events, complete a volunteer application or join Friends of the Library, please visit https://granville.lib.nc.us/.

To hear the interview in its entirety, please click here. 

Vance Co. Early College High School Now Accepting Applications for 2019-2020

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-Press Release, Vance County Schools

Vance County Early College High School is now accepting applications from students for the 2019-2020 school year.

The deadline for receiving the applications is Thursday, February 28, 2019, at 3 p.m.

Applications are available on the Early College and Vance County Schools websites or they can be picked up from the school, located on the third floor of Building 2 on the campus of Vance-Granville Community College in Henderson.

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Granville Co. Board Calls Special Meeting on Broadband RFPs

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-Information courtesy Debra A. Weary, Clerk to the Granville County Board of Commissioners

NOTICE of SPECIAL MEETING

All interested persons please take notice that the Granville County Board of Commissioners will hold a Special Meeting on Thursday, January 31, 2019, at 10:30 a.m. at the Granville Expo and Convention Center located at 4185 Highway 15 South, Oxford.

The purpose of the special meeting is to review Broadband RFPs (Requests for Proposals).

NC Coop Extension

Cooperative Extension with Paul McKenzie 01/23/19

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Home and Garden 01/22/19

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News 01/23/19

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Town Talk 01/23/19

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Daeke, Henderson City Councilman, Talks Dabney Dr. Rezoning

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Garry Daeke, Henderson City Council member, was on Tuesday’s edition of WIZS’ Town Talk program to provide further insight into the Council’s recent discussions on the possible rezoning of three lots at the corner of Lynne Avenue and Dabney Drive in Henderson.

Currently zoned for either residential or light commercial traffic, the Council has tabled the discussion on rezoning the lots for a heavier commercial use until their next meeting in February.

Further complicating any final rezoning decision is the concern over increased traffic volume in an already congested area along with uncertainty on the NCDOT’s current plans for the restructuring of parts of Dabney Drive.

“We know traffic on Dabney Drive is pretty bad most of the time, especially on Fridays and weekend,” said Daeke. “The corner of Lynne Avenue and Dabney has some particular concerns about ingress and egress traffic. For example, when you turn right off Lynne Avenue, you turn immediately into the right lane turning into the old Henderson Mall. Traffic also has difficulty turning left there and generally has to turn right.”

Daeke said one consideration to address safety concerns would be to make the area an out parcel of the mall and design the entrance and exits of any businesses that occupy that space to be accessible only through the mall parking lot.

According to Daeke, what the DOT has planned for Dabney Drive will also play into consideration. “We hope what the DOT does to Dabney Drive will help with that area, but we need more information before making a decision.”

As of now, Henderson City Council members are aware that the DOT is focusing its Dabney Drive surveying efforts from the intersection of the old mall to Interstate 85.

While Daeke said there have been talks that the lanes near the old mall intersection will be redesigned, the Council has not yet received an indication if that includes measures such as adding medians or changing the entire structure of the traffic flow.

Looking ahead to the future, Daeke said there are additional plans for Dabney Drive that include making the current road a one-way from the corner of Oxford Road and Dabney, all the way to the interstate. This plan also includes the addition of another one-way street running parallel along the old railroad line.

As with any project, costs and logistics are major considerations. “Some properties would be affected by this plan and that issue would need to be addressed. The plan we’ve been shown includes bike and pedestrian lanes and sidewalks; it’s a beautiful plan,” said Daeke.

While up to the DOT to fund any such project, Daeke said he believes “Dabney Drive needs it for growth in the future and for safety.” He suggested the implementation of the plan would be at least 5-10 years down the road.

Remembrance:

In an aside from the main interview topic, Daeke also discussed his fond memories of the late Mary Emma Evans, a former Henderson City Council member, on the occasion of her recent birthday.

“Mary was a sweet lady and a dear friend. She always called me ‘Daeke,’ which made me laugh. She always cared so much for the community and was wonderful to work with.”

“Something that she used to always say to me that I’ll never forget is, ‘We can disagree and we can have different opinions; that doesn’t have to mean we have to be disagreeable.’ She was always about compromise and working together to find a solution. We miss her and may she rest in peace”

To hear the interview in its entirety, please click here. Daeke’s interview portion of the Town Talk segment begins at the 14:27 mark.  

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Reminder: Vance Co. Board to Hold Work Session on Fire Restructuring – Jan. 23

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Information courtesy Kelly H. Grissom, Executive Assistant/Clerk to Board, County of Vance

The Vance County Board of Commissioners will hold a work session on Wednesday, January 23, 2019, at 1 p.m. in the commissioners’ conference room.  The purpose of the meeting is to discuss fire restructuring.

The work session is open to the public; however, public comments will not be taken.

Lunch will be provided to the Board members at 12:30 p.m.

Mark Your Calendar: Free OTC Medicine Giveaway at Warrenton Armory

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-Information courtesy the Norlina Police Department’s Facebook Page

A free over the counter medicine giveaway will be held Thursday, February 21, 2019, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Warrenton Armory located at 501 US 158 Business East in Warrenton.

Items include cold, cough and flu medicine, pain and allergy relief, vitamins and children’s medicine. Items will be given away for free while supplies last.

No ID is required, but you must be 18 or older to participate.

This program is made possible by NC Med Assist, Triangle North Healthcare Foundation and the Warren County Health Department. For more information, visit www.medassist.org.

(This is not a paid advertisement)