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.
