Tag Archive for: #granvillecountylibrarysystem

Granville County Library System

North Carolina Room Preserves Historical Flavor of ‘Old Granville County’

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In honor of April 7-13 as National Library Week, Mark Pace, North Carolina Room Specialist at the Richard H. Thornton Library in Oxford, was the featured guest on Thursday’s edition of WIZS’ Town Talk program.

A part of the Granville County Library System since the early 1960s, the North Carolina Room’s primary mission is to preserve and maintain materials for historical and genealogical research in the present-day county of Granville and adjacent counties.

“We are a regional history center. Granville County formed in 1746 and is a ‘mother’ county. Warren, Vance, Franklin, parts of Orange and Person and present Granville were all once part of the original Granville County,” Pace explained. “We seek to preserve the materials that are relative to the cultural and historical flavor of old Granville County.”

According to Pace, genealogical records ranging in date from 1746 to present day include wills, deeds, marriage records, court records and cemetery records.

Such information can be found on the approximately 600 microfilm reels of newspapers, dozens of large size genealogy charts and 175 scrapbooks – some dating to the late 1800’s – that are a part of the Room’s collection.

“I always tell people that when you start researching your genealogy, you’re going to find something that you don’t like. On the other hand, you find out things about your ancestors that make you proud,” said Pace.

In addition to microfilm and charts, the 900-square-foot room inside the Thornton Library is also home to an extensive photography collection, personal papers and 4,500 books and volumes specific to local history.

“We have received some good collections recently, specifically a photography collection of 4,500 images given by the family of J.B. Clay, a local photographer in Oxford from the mid- 1950s to the mid-1990s. This new donation serves as the largest known photo collection relative to Granville County to date,” Pace said.

Donated materials from the public, including family bibles, photos and letters, are essential to the mission of the North Carolina Room, according to Pace.

“We rely heavily on what people donate to us or bring and let us copy. You can’t go out and buy these types of things. The public is always encouraged to bring by any items of local historical significance for us to copy and keep a record of, no matter how obscure those items may seem.”

Although its primary function is genealogical, Pace said the North Carolina Room meets patron needs for inquiries into historical environmental site surveys, high school reunions, local government requests, church histories and more.

While the majority of visitors are Granville County residents, Pace reported that up to 40% live outside of the area, including residents of other states and countries. “In just this year alone, we’ve had visitors from 35 different states and from far away as Great Britain and Jamaica.”

Pace, a Henderson native and college history major, said his passion for historical events and documents began with the Henderson High School fire of 1968.

“I was eight-years-old and my father taught school there. I remember it vividly. He got home late that night and I begged him to take me back to the school to let me see it. The next day, I saved the newspaper articles about the fire. After that, I would save other newspaper articles of historical events. In the late 1960s/early 1970s, there was a lot going on.”

In his Town Talk interview, Pace relayed many interesting historical facts about both Granville and present-day Vance County, including what he considers Granville’s most significant contribution to the world marketplace – flue-cured tobacco.

“The land in the southern part of Granville County was so good for growing flue-cured tobacco that a group came from Australia in the 1890s and loaded up dirt from Granville County and had it shipped back to Australia to see if they could grow it there. Of course, it didn’t work,” laughed Pace.

To hear the Town Talk interview with Mark Pace in its entirety, including more interesting historical facts on Granville and Vance County, please click here.

The North Carolina Room is located inside the Richard H. Thornton Library at 210 Main St. in Oxford. Hours of operation are Monday-Thursday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays from 1 to 5 p.m. (closed Sundays from Memorial Day until Labor Day).

Science in the Summer

Seats Still Available for Granville Libraries’ ‘GSK Science in the Summer’

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-Press Release, Granville County Government  

The Richard H. Thornton Library in Oxford and the South Branch Library in Creedmoor will host GlaxoSmithKline’s “Science in the Summer,” a fun and free North Carolina education initiative that helps children “grow into science.”

Through classes held at public libraries and in community-based centers all over North Carolina, “Science in the Summer” is designed to get kids excited about studying science with hands-on experience. The theme for the 2019 program is “The Science of Me” as students explore human biology through activities and experiments.

During these educational sessions, students will learn that the human body is a complex system that is constantly working to complete tasks such as breathing, running and even picking up a pencil.

“Without our body working in harmony, we would not be able to function,” the registration flyer reads. “From the building blocks of life to organ systems, students will develop a deeper understanding of the human body.”

(Photo courtesy Granville Co. Govt)

At both local library branches, Level One (second and third graders) is scheduled for July 22 through July 26 from 9 a.m. until noon; Level Two (grades 4 and 5) will be held July 22 through July 26 from 1 until 4 p.m.; and Level Three (for students in grades 6 through 8) will be held July 29 through July 31 from 9 a.m. until noon. A total of twenty elementary students and 24 middle school students will be accepted for each session.

A few slots are still available. Registration continues online at www.scienceinthesummer.com and will be open until all seats are filled.

Parents are advised that a waiver – which will be sent separately – must be completed within 72 hours of the registration process for enrollment to be complete.

The Richard H. Thornton Library and the South Branch Library are two of four branches of the Granville County Library System. The Thornton branch is located at 210 Main Street in Oxford and the South Branch is located at 1550 S. Campus Drive in Creedmoor.

The “GSK Science in the Summer” program is being held in partnership with Morehead Planetarium and Science Center and will be taught by certified instructors. Email scienceinthesummer@unc.edu for more information about this program or call 919-843-9379.

‘American Women in History’ to be Presented at South Branch Library

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-Press Release, Granville County Government

The South Branch of the Granville County Library System, located in Creedmoor, will host the program “American Women in History” on Saturday, March 9, 2019. The 5 p.m. event entitled “We Can Do It” is scheduled through Brightstar Touring Theater in celebration of Women’s History Month.

The show features some of the world’s most remarkable female pioneers such as Amelia Earhart, Sacajawea, Susan B. Anthony, Laura Ingalls Wilder and many others. Those attending this production will discover the groundbreaking efforts of women like these in shaping American history. A discussion with the actors of Brightstar Touring Theater will follow the program, which is free and open to the public.

Brightstar has been providing professional theater to young audiences for the past 16 seasons. With plays and programs that are curriculum-based, a variety of shows are offered, from historical productions to diverse, character-based plays. This year, more than 2,000 performances are scheduled from Washington state to Florida and all areas in between, as well as in Germany, Russia and other countries around the world.

The South Branch Library, located at 1550 South Campus Drive in Creedmoor, welcomes this touring group and invites all ages to attend. For more details, contact the library at 919-528-1752.

To learn more about programs and services provided by all four branches of the Granville County Library System in Oxford, Creedmoor, Stovall and Berea, visit https://granville.lib.nc.us/.

Granville County Library System

Granville Co. Library Offers Full March Calendar of Events

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-Information courtesy Granville County Government

The four branches of the Granville County Library System will offer several new and innovative events and programs during the month of March.

On Saturday, March 2 and Saturday, March 9, Women’s History Month is celebrated as two female authors are featured. Children’s author Amber Parker of New Bern, NC will be on hand at the South Branch Library on March 2 to discuss her books at 3 p.m. Young readers are especially invited to experience the world of nature she describes.

Following up on that presentation will be a book signing at the Berea Branch on March 9 at 11 a.m. as author Faye Little presents her work, “Snapshots of a Country Diary.” Originally from Berea, Little (formerly Faye Adcock) now lives in Virginia and will share memories of growing up and living on the family farm. For more details about these presentations, contact the South Branch Library at (919) 528-1752 or the Berea branch at (919) 693-1231.

Other events to be presented for Women’s History Month, in conjunction with Friends of the Library, include a program by Dr. Christine Darden, a “Hidden Figure” of NASA fame, on March 3 at 2 p.m.;  “The Status of Women in North Carolina” at 7 p.m. on March 6, with featured speaker Mary Williams Stover of the N.C. Council on Women; The Poetry of Mary Oliver on March 11 at noon; “Three Questions to Ask Yourself” discussion by Stacy Abrams, March 13 at 7 p.m.; “The Rise and Fall of the Rocket Girls” book discussion on March 15 at 11 a.m.; “African American Women and the Suffrage Movement” presentation on March 20 at 7 p.m.; and “The Political Progress Women Have Made,” facilitated by Cecile Richards at 7 p.m. on March 27. All of these events will be held at the Thornton Library.

Brightstar Touring Theatre will also present “American Women in History” at 5 p.m. on March 9. This production puts the spotlight on some of the world’s most remarkable female pioneers such as Sacajawea, Susan B. Anthony and many more. This program is also open to the public and will be held at the South Branch Library in Creedmoor.

Women aren’t the only focus for the month of March, however, as registered participants can follow mysterious clues from the “wizard world” to escape a “locked” room inside the Thornton Library. Reading all seven Harry Potter books before participating in the Escape Room is helpful but not required, according to Children’s Librarian Amy Carlson. While the registration list is full, a waiting list is now available for those who have not yet signed up to participate. The Harry Potter Escape Room will be open to registered participants of all ages on Friday, March 22 and Saturday, March 23. Learn more at Granville.lib.nc.us.

“Game Night” will continue the wizardry theme as “Dungeons and Dragons” is featured at the Thornton Library from 6 until 8 p.m. on March 7. Call 919-693-1121 for more details and “heed the call!”

Children’s programming for March includes story time at the Stovall branch (Mondays) and at the Thornton branch (Wednesdays), with topics of “Opposites,” “Once Upon a Time,” “Spring” and “My Emotions.” The Lego Club will also meet every Tuesday in March at the Thornton branch from 3:30 until 4:45 p.m.

STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) programming continues on Thursday afternoons for students in grades K through 5. Held each week at 4 p.m., March topics include robot play, a presentation on the importance of clean water, building flashlights and building bridges. To participate or for more details, contact Amy Carlson at 919-693-1121, ext. 212.

Other hands-on activities include a crochet class at the South Branch, scheduled for 2 p.m. on March 18. This workshop is open to the public and all materials will be provided. A “makerspace” is also a new feature of the Thornton Library and consists of yarn, knitting needles, fabric scraps, etc. which have been donated for use by library patrons. Ask about it at the library checkout counter!

In addition, a “Seed Library” is being established at the Thornton branch. By the end of March, library patrons will be able to “check out” vegetable seeds with their library card to take home and plant in their gardens. It is hoped that residents who utilize this service will cultivate these plants and share their seeds with the library after harvest for “checkout” the following season by other interested gardeners.

Your local library is not just for books anymore! Find out “what’s new” at one of the four branches of the Granville County Library System in Oxford, Creedmoor, Stovall or Berea today, or visit https://granville.lib.nc.us/ for a full listing of events at the library closest to you.

Wilton Express Library Back in Service; One of Three Express Locations in Granville

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-Information courtesy the County of Granville

The Granville County Library System announces that the Wilton Express Library is now back in service after being temporarily out of operation.

There are three Express Library locations – in Wilton, Oak Hill and Stovall – which consist of lockers, a computer kiosk with access to the library catalog and a book return. Materials can be placed on hold from home or from the Express Library site and delivered to a locker at the site by choosing this option when placing your “hold” request. Transit deliveries are made on Monday and Thursday evenings.

The Wilton “Express Library Center” is located at 2547 Hwy. 96 South, on the same property as the Wilton EMS Station, next door to Wilton Elementary School.

For more details, contact the Richard H. Thornton Library in Oxford, the main branch of the Granville County Library System, at 919-693-1121 or visit https://granville.lib.nc.us.

The Granville County Library System announces that the Wilton Express Library is now back in service after being temporarily out of operation. The express library is located at 2547 Hwy. 96 South, on the same property as the Wilton EMS Station, right next door to Wilton Elementary School. (Photo Credit: County of Granville)

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. 

Granville County Logo

Granville Co. Library System to Forgive Library Fees, Fines

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-Information courtesy the Granville County Government’s Facebook page

The Granville County Library System recently announced that it is forgiving all unpaid library fees accrued prior to January 1, 2018, and all library fines accrued prior to January 1, 2019. No refunds will be given for fees or fines previously paid.

Calling the initiative “New Director, New Year,” the system will also grant amnesty on all missing items that are returned.

This forgiveness policy applies to all four branches served by the system including the Richard H. Thornton Library in Oxford, South Branch Library in Creedmoor, Stovall Branch Library in Stovall and Berea Branch Library in Oxford.

For more information on the four branches, including locations and hours of operation, please click here.

Granville County Library System

Granville County Library System Kicks Off New Year

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-Press Release, Granville County Library System

The Granville County Library System has plans to start off the new year with many new programs, services and events as several popular offerings continue.

Starting Jan. 10, a new STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) program will be offered at the Richard H. Thornton Library on Thursday afternoons. Students in kindergarten through fifth grade are invited to participate in this weekly session, which will be held at 4 p.m. To learn more, contact Children’s Librarian Amy Carlson at 919-693-1121, ext. 212.

Every other Thursday from 6 until 8 p.m, “Game Night” is held at the Thornton branch. These fun-filled evenings, which include board games, cards and other friendly competitions, were introduced on Dec. 27, with the next “game night” scheduled for Jan. 10.

Computer workshops also continue at the Thornton Library in Oxford and at the South Branch. An introduction to computers is included, as well as email set-up and information on social media platforms. Sessions are conducted at the South Branch in Creedmoor every Wednesday from 2 until 4 p.m. and on Fridays from 10 until 11 a.m. at the Richard H. Thornton branch. Contact Adult Services Librarian Ashley Wilson at 919-693-1121, ext. 203 for details.

On Sunday, Jan. 13, a book signing by author Bill Massey will be held at the Richard H. Thornton Library. Massey’s new book, “I Learned More Than Them” will be discussed as the author describes his experiences as a middle school teacher in the Granville County Public School system. All proceeds from the sale of the book will be donated to teachers to fund field trips for their students.

On Jan. 15 at 11 a.m., library patrons can enjoy a “potluck lunch” at the Thornton Library in Oxford. Bring a plate, silverware and a dish to share as “Lunch with the Librarians” is served, along with an opportunity to find out more about what is available at the local public library.

“Pop Up” libraries are offered every Wednesday at the Granville County Senior Center. From 11 a.m. until 1 p.m., the Granville County Library brings movies, books and audio books to the Center, which is located at 107 Lanier Street in Oxford.

Storytimes for toddlers and preschoolers continue at several library branches. The Stovall library has story time on Mondays at 10:30 a.m. and children can enjoy stories at the Berea site on Tuesdays at 1 p.m. The Children’s Library at the Thornton branch in Oxford hosts story time at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesdays. January themes include “Hats for Everyone” on Jan. 9; “Nursery Rhymes” on Jan. 16; “Snowmen” on Jan. 23 and “ABC, 1-2-3” on Jan. 30.

At the South Branch in Creedmoor, a “Teen Book Club” meets at 3:30 p.m. on the first Thursday of every month. Teens can come 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.

Meetings of the LEGO Club will continue in the new year for any interested participants. The club meets 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. Meeting are held at 3:30 p.m. at both locations.

There are four branches of the Granville County Library System, with sites in Oxford, Creedmoor, Stovall and Berea. To find out more about what the library closest to you has to offer, visit the new website recently launched by the library system at https://granville.lib.nc.us/.

Lake Devin to be Site of Granville Co. Library’s Summer Reading Finale

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— courtesy Granville County Chamber of Commerce | Ginnie Currin, Executive Director ~ 919-693-6125 ~ ginnie@granville-chamber.com and the Granville County Library System website

The Granville County Library System announces the grand finale of their 2018 summer reading program. The celebration will be held at Lake Devin, off Old Hwy 75, on Saturday, August 4, 2018, from 12 – 2 p.m.

“Join the library for fun, games and a free hot dog cookout to celebrate the end of the summer reading program.”

For more information, please call (919) 693-1121 or visit the Granville County Library System website at  www.granville.lib.nc.us

Granville County Logo

Granville Co. Library System Announces Summer Programming

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-Information courtesy Angela Allen, Director, Granville County Tourism Development Authority

The Granville County Library System will sponsor several programs this summer, including:

“Master of Mayberry” the Miraculous Life of Andy Griffith at the Thornton Library in Oxford

Tuesday, June 5 from 6 to 7 p.m.

The library will host Dr. Elliott Engel to speak on Andy Griffith and his life as an actor as well as little known facts about Griffith. Using anecdotes, analysis and a large dose of humor, Engel will share the story of the immortal Hollywood actor.

GSK “Science in the Summer” at the South Branch Library in Butner/Creedmoor

June 18 – 22 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

GSK “Science in the Summer” at the Thornton Library in Oxford

July 30 – August 3 (Level I & II offered July 30 – August 3; Level III offered August 1 – 3)

For more information and registration CLICK HERE for South Branch and CLICK HERE for Thornton Library.