By Amanda M. Gardner, Wilson County Public Library
You are going to love our February virtual programs! Celebrate African American History Month with programs highlighting African American scientists, inventors, authors, and artists. Learn the history of Wilson’s African American cemeteries. Check out a new weekly ABC Storytime on Monday mornings. Track your reading for a chance to win prizes in the Winter Reading Program.
All programs will be accessible via the library’s Facebook and YouTube channels, unless otherwise specified. Registration is not required unless stated for specific programs.
Wilson County Public Library engages the community and enhances the minds of all ages with programs, lectures, classes, and entertainment.
Main Library hours are 10am-7pm, Monday through Tuesday; and 10am-6pm, Wednesday through Saturday. Branch hours vary. All locations are closed on Sundays.
With questions about the library, call 252.237.5355 or visit www.wilsoncountypubliclibrary.org.
Snow Place Like the Library: Winter Reading Program
January 4-March 31, 2021
Register online and start an avalanche of reading! The program is open to all ages with unique prizes for each age group. For youth ages 0-12, every 100 minutes read earns you a prize and a chance in our grand prize drawing! Teens age 13-18 and adults who read a minimum of 300 minutes by March 31 will be entered into a prize drawing for gift cards. There will also be awards for the teen and adult that reads the most minutes. Check the library website for registration links and more program information!
Youth Programs
For more information, contact Youth Services at 252.237.5355, press option 4.
ABC Storytime
Mondays, February 1, 8, 15, and 22, 2021 @ 10am
Ages 0-5. Join us for a virtual interactive alphabet story time focusing on letter recognition and phonological awareness, including interactive games, songs, and fingerplays.
STEAM Programs
Tuesdays, February 2, 9, 16, and 23, 2021 @ 7pm
Ages 5 and up. In honor of African American History Month, STEAM activities will be based on the work of African American scientists and inventors. Activity packets will be available for pickup at the Circulation Desk on the Monday before each program, while supplies last.
Storytime
Wednesdays, February 3, 10, 17, and 24, 2021 @ 10am
Ages 0-10. During the month of February, African American authors and illustrators will be featured in this weekly program.
Young Adult Programs
For more information or to register, contact Kate Brittain at 252.237.5355 ext. 5073 or via email.
Black History Month Activities
February 1-25, 2021
In honor of African American History Month, ages 12-19 are invited to illustrate the words of a famous African American author of their choice. Art can be created in any medium- paint, crayon, pastel, papier mache, digital art- whatever! Submit your work by email attachment to Kate Brittain at kbrittain@wilson-co.com. Posts will be featured on the WCPL Facebook page! Submissions will be due by Thursday, February 25.
Zoom Book Talk
Thursday, February 4, 2021 @ 4pm
Ages 12-19 are invited to a guided discussion on the novel Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson. Share your thoughts and hear what your peers have to say about it! Register to obtain a Zoom link.
Teen Advisory Board Meeting
Thursday, February 18, 2021 @ 4pm
Ages 13-18. The Wilson County Public Library Teen Advisory Board (TAB) gives teens the opportunity to share ideas and plan programs and services offered to their peers by the library. Members of TAB attend monthly meetings and assist in at least one teen program each school year. Participation may count toward school and National Honor Society service hours! Meetings will be held via Zoom. Register to obtain a Zoom link.
TGIF: Teen Book of the Week
Fridays @ 11am
TGIF is a weekly book review show featuring Teen Librarian Kate Brittain. Listen to book reviews and recommendations for readers of Young Adult literature and learn background information on each title. Tune into Facebook or YouTube every Friday at 11am for a brand-new episode!
Adult Programs
Narcissist Personality Disorder and The Older Adult
Monday, February 8, 2021 @ at 1:30pm (Register here)
Monday, February 22, 2021 @ at 5:30pm (Register here)
Mental health professionals from Therapeutic Alternatives will discuss the basics of Narcissist Personality Disorder and its impact on the older adult community via a live Zoom webinar. This program is free and registration is required. Choose one of the available dates and visit the corresponding link to register. For questions, contact Therapeutic Alternatives at 919.523.5120.
Ice House Entrepreneurship Program
The Ice House Entrepreneurship Program is designed to inspire and engage participants in the fundamental aspects of an entrepreneurial mindset as an essential life skill. The program draws upon eight fundamental concepts of entrepreneurial thought and process derived from the companion text, Who Owns the Ice House? Eight Life Lessons from an Unlikely Entrepreneur.
Each online, self-paced lesson contains video case studies featuring a variety of real-world “unlikely” entrepreneurs who have overcome challenges by embracing the core concepts of an entrepreneurial mindset. For more information or to register, contact Amanda Gardner, Assistant Library Director, at 252.237.5355 ext. 5072 or via email.
Local History and Genealogy Programs
For more information or to register, contact Tammy Medlin, Local History and Genealogy Librarian at 252.237.535,5 ext. 5029 or via email.
Gone but Not Forgotten: The History of Wilson’s African-American Cemeteries
Monday, February 8, 2021 @ 6:30-7:45pm
Cemeteries have deep historical connections to their local communities. Most of us are familiar with Rest Haven cemetery, but did you know it is just the last of at least seven cemeteries to serve African-Americans in the City of Wilson? Lisa Y. Henderson will discuss the sacred spaces serving Wilson starting before the Civil War and how you can help preserve them today. Register to obtain a Zoom link.
Branch Library Programs
Black Creek Branch Library
103 Central Avenue, Black Creek, NC
Hours: Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 10am-6pm
Phone: 252.237.3715
Pal Val Craft
Tuesday, February 9, 2021 @ 10am-5:30pm
Ages 6-10. Join us to make a puppy valentine ‘pal val’. Grab-and-go kits may be picked up on a first come, first served basis while supplies last.
Alma Thomas: African American History Month Art Challenge
Tuesday, February 23, 2021 @ 10am-5:30pm
Ages 6-10. Join us in learning about Alma Thomas, an innovative African American painter, and try recreating her paintings using paper, or make your own in her style! Grab-and-go kits may be picked up on a first come, first served basis while supplies last.
Elm City Branch Library
114 N Railroad Street, Elm City, NC
Hours: Monday-Friday, 10am-6pm
Phone: 252.236.4269
Grab-and-go Kit Pickup
Mondays-Fridays @ 10am-6pm
February’s theme is “Love & Kindness.” Children and tweens may pick up a Valentine necklace craft or a Heart Cross Stitch craft. Grab-and-go kits will be available on a first come, first served basis while supplies last.
Lucama Branch Library
103 E Spring Street, Lucama, NC
Hours: Monday and Thursday, 10am-6pm
Phone: 252.239.0046
My Funny Valentine Grab-and-Go Craft Kits
Monday, February 8 and Thursday, February 11, 2021 @ noon-5pm
Ages 5-12. Participants will create their own personalized valentine with funny faces and more! Kits may be picked up on a first come, first served basis while supplies last.
Just the Facts
Monday, February 22 and Thursday, February 25, 2021 @ noon-5pm
Participants will discover and uncover information relating to African American History through fact sheets, puzzles, a 28-day activity sheet, and a mini book creation. Kits may be picked up on a first come, first served basis while supplies last.
Crocker Branch Library (Stantonsburg)
114 S Main Street, Stantonsburg, NC
Hours: Monday and Thursday, 2:30-6pm
Phone: 252.238.3758
Heart Lacing Craft
Monday February 1 and Thursday February 4, 2021 @ 2:30-5:30pm
Practice motor skills and create a fun valentine with this lacing craft. Kits may be picked up on a first come, first served basis while supplies last.
Dr. Mae Jemison Rocket Craft
Monday, February 15 and Thursday, February 18, 2021 @ 2:30-5:30pm
Come learn about the first black female astronaut with this Rocket Craft! Kits may be picked up on a first come, first served basis while supplies last.