Wilson County Public Library logo

Do your New Year’s resolutions include spending more time at the library? Kick off the new year with Wilson County Public Library free programs and special events in January 2019.

Main Library hours are Monday-Wednesday 9am-9pm; and Thursday-Saturday 9am-6pm.

Branch hours vary.

All library locations are closed on Sundays.

For more information, call 252.237.5355 or visit www.wilsoncountypubliclibrary.org.

Main Library

The Wilson County Public Library systems Main Library is located at 249 Nash Street W, Wilson NC.

Children’s Programs

These ongoing programs take place in the main library’s Youth Services area. Registration is not required. For Children’s Programs, contact Youth Services at 252.237.5355, press option 4.

Lapsit (ages 0-2): Wednesdays, January 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, 2019; Thursdays, January 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, 2019; 9:30am
Preschool storytime: Wednesdays, January 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, 2019; Thursdays, January 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, 2019; 10am
Family storytimes: Saturdays, January 5, 12, 19, 26, 2019; 3pm

Youth STEAM Programs

STEAM programs take place in the Youth Services area. For Youth STEAM Programs, call 252.237.5355, press option 4.

Cool ‘Copters*

Tuesday, January 8, 2019

We will talk about gravity and air resistance and then we will craft a paper Cool ‘Copter. Ages 5 and up. No registration required.

Basketball Tower Challenge*

Tuesday, January 15, 2019

For this engineering challenge participants will design a tower strong enough to support a basketball. Ages 5 and up. No registration required.

Lego Club*

Tuesday, January 22, 2019

A recurring monthly program. Come ready to be creative and build. All LEGOs will be provided by the library. Ages 5 and up. No registration required.

Let’s Explore: Snowflakes*

Tuesday, January 29, 2019

We will read the book The Secret Life of a Snowflake by Kenneth Libbrecht, and craft our own snowflakes. Ages 5 and up. No registration required.

Teen Programs

For more information, contact Scott Houston, Teen Librarian, at 252.237.5355 x.5073 or via email.

Peculiar People Day

Thursday, January 10, 2019, 6-8pm

Make some peculiar popcorn and snack on it while enjoying a peculiar movie. Presented by WCPL Teens in the Main Library Assembly Room. No registration required.

WCPL Teen Advisory Board

Monday, January 14, 2019, 5:30-6:30pm

Explore the resources and ideas we have in the Main Library CrAFT Studio. Presented by WCPL Teens. No registration required.

Library Shelfie Day

Wednesday, January 23, 2019

Share your library “shelfie” with us and check out our Facebook and Instagram for staff and patron “shelfies.” All ages. No registration required.

Bubble Wrap Day

Monday, January 28, 2019, 5:30-7:30pm

Pop over to the Main Library Conference Room to celebrate Bubble Wrap Day with bubble wrap crafts and activities. Presented by WCPL Teens. No registration required.

Adult Programs

Documentary showing: Food Insecurity

Tuesday, January 15, 2019, 6pm

All across the United States, people go to sleep not knowing where their next day’s meals will come from. Learn more about this serious issue by viewing this documentary on food insecurity, followed by a brief discussion session, in the Main Library Assembly Room. Light refreshments will be served. This program is presented in partnership with the City of Wilson. All ages. RSVP to Brittany Allen (via email) by January 9.

Friends of the Library Annual Meeting featuring artist Oona Lewis

Thursday, January 17, 2019, 6:30pm

The Friends of the Wilson County Public Library invite all members and non-members to their annual meeting, featuring guest speaker Oona Lewis. Ms. Lewis is a local artist and co-owner of the ArtVentures studio and gallery in downtown Wilson. Held in the Main Library Assembly Room. Light refreshments will be served. All ages. No registration required.

Learn to Knit!

Friday, January 18, 2019, 3pm

Have you always wanted to learn to knit? Need to brush up rusty knitting skills? Join us for a free introductory class in the Main Library Assembly Room aimed at teaching you the basics of knitting. Already know how to knit? You’re welcome to come hang out and knit along with us. Ages 16 and up. Registration required; call 252-237-5355 to register. For more information, contact Genevieve Baillie at 252.237.5355 x.5050 or via email.

Writer Talk: Dawn Reno Langley

Tuesday, January 29, 2019, 7pm

Award-winning author Dawn Reno Langley will discuss the writer’s life for beginning writers. Any local writers, or persons interested in writing, are welcome to attend. This program, held in the Main Library Conference Room, is presented in partnership with the Wilson Writer’s Group. Ages 16 and up. No registration required.

Computer Classes

Registration required, as space is limited. To register, call 252.237.5355. For more information, contact Amanda Gardner at 252.237.5355 x.5072 or via email.

LinkedIn: Getting Started

Monday, January 7, 2019, 6:30-8pm

LinkedIn is the premier social media site for creating and promoting an online business presence and networking with other professionals. Learn the basics of LinkedIn, create your profile, find and add contacts, locate companies and join groups. Bring a digital copy of your headshot to upload to your profile. Held in the Main Library Conference Room.

LinkedIn: Tips & Tricks

Monday, January 14, 2019, 6:30-8pm

Prerequisite: Attendance at LinkedIn: Getting Started or equivalent experience.

Once you’re up and running with LinkedIn, learn how to fine-tune your profile, upload a resume, add strategic connections and target specific employers to enhance your online presence. Held in the Main Library Conference Room.

Basics Series

Each topic builds on the previous class, so please plan to attend all four sessions. All are held in the Main Library Conference Room.

Keyboard & Mouse Basics: Wednesday, January 9, 2019, 2-3:30pm — Learn how to left-click, right-click, double click, use basic command keys, and navigate various areas of the keyboard in this beginner class.
Computer Basics: Wednesday, January 16, 2019, 2-3:30pm — Prerequisite: Attendance at Keyboard & Mouse Basics or equivalent experience. Learn the basics of computing, including how to start your computer, save and re-open a file, and create a folder.
Internet Basics: Wednesday, January 23, 2019, 2-3:30pm — Prerequisite: Attendance at Computer Basics or equivalent experience. Learn basic internet terminology, how to navigate a browser, locate a website, identify common domains, and stay safe while searching the internet.
Outlook Email Basics: Wednesday, January 30, 2019, 2-3:30pm — Prerequisite: Attendance at Internet Basics or equivalent experience. Learn to create a free Microsoft Outlook email account and use its features to send, receive, and organize email messages.

Employment Programs

Job Search and Resume Help

Thursdays, January 10, 2019, 17; 2-4pm

Learn about job resources available through the NCWorks Career Center and website. Receive one-on-one assistance in creating a resume and applying for jobs. Laptops will be provided. Held in the Main Library Conference Room. No registration required. For more information, contact Amanda Gardner at 252.237.5355, x.5072 or via email.

Local History and Genealogy programs

For more information, contact Natalie Copeland, Local History and Genealogy Librarian, at 252.237.5355 x.5029 or via email.

Genealogy 101: Finding Your Ancestors at the Library

Thursday, January 24, 2019, 2-3:30pm

Interested in learning about your ancestors? Not sure where to start? Join us for this beginning genealogy workshop in the Main Library Conference Room. Learn to conduct searches on your ancestors and to locate the most useful genealogical resources for your family history research. No registration required.

Forgotten Tales of North Carolina

Tuesday, January 29, 2019, 7pm

Roger Kammerer, a local historian and native of Greenville, will present on “Forgotten Tales of North Carolina”. He authored a book of the same name based on his extensive research in North Carolina newspapers. His talk will highlight some of the most unusual and fascinating stories he has come across. He will also briefly talk about how he found out about some of these extraordinary tales.

Mr. Kammerer has also done research on many eastern North Carolina families and has written many genealogical and historical articles. He is the editor of the “Pitt County Genealogical Quarterly”, a board member of the Pitt County Historical Society, and founding member of Pitt County Family Researchers. In addition, he works in the North Carolina Collection at East Carolina University.

Hosted in partnership with the Wilson County Genealogical Society. All invited. Held in the Main Library Assembly Room. No registration required.

Programs Held at Branches

Black Creek

The library at Black Creek is located at 103 Central Avenue, Black Creek NC. For more information, call 252.237.3715.

Lapsit

Wednesday, January 30, 2019, 10:30am

Ages 0-Pre-K. No registration required.

Storytime

Thursdays, January 3 and 17, 2019, 4pm

Open to all ages. No registration required.

East

The East Branch library is located at 6000-C Ward Blvd, Wilson NC. For more information, call 252.237.2627.

Storytime

Wednesday, January 9, 2019, 4pm

No registration required.

Elm City

This branch library is located at 114 N Railroad Street, Elm City NC. For more information, call 252.237.4269.

Preschool Storytime

Tuesday, January 8, 15, 22, 29, 2019; 10am

No registration required.

Monthly Book Chat

Tuesday, January 8, 2019, 4-5pm

Readers, come and join the discussion.

Elm City Young Adult (YA) Programs

Thursdays, January 10, 24, 2019; 4pm

Ages 11 and up. No registration required.

Introduction to Ancestry.com

Wednesday, January 16, 2019, 2-3:30pm

This drop-in beginner’s workshop will offer tips and strategies for exploring one’s family heritage via Ancestry.com. Learn to create an ancestral chart and to perform searches of historical records, including, vital, military, and census records. No registration required.

Lucama

This Lucama library branch is located at 103 E Spring Street, Lucama NC. For more information, call 252.239.0046.

Lapsit

Wednesdays, January 2, 16, 2019; 10:30am

Ages 0-4. No registration required.

Family Storytime

Tuesday, January 15, 2019, 4pm

All ages. No registration required.

Teen Programs

Thursdays, January 3, 17, 2019; 4pm

Ages 11-17. No registration required.

Book Chat

Wednesday, January 30, 2019, 4pm

Adults 18 and up. No registration required.

Stantonsburg

This branch is located at 114 S Main Street, Stantonsburg NC. For more information, call 252.238.3758.

Book Chat

Thursday, January 3, 2019, 3-4pm

No registration required.

Bookmobile

The bookmobile dates and locations are listed below. For more information, call the main library at 252.237.5355.

Bookmobile events scheduled:

Saratoga: Tuesday, January 8, 2019: 3:30-5pm
Rock Ridge: Wednesday, January 9, 2019: 3-4pm
Sims: Wednesday, January 9, 2019: 4:15-5pm
Saratoga: Tuesday, January 29, 2019: 3:30-5pm
Rock Ridge: Wednesday, January 30, 2019: 3-4pm
Sims: Wednesday, January 30, 2019: 4:15-5pm

Below are the “nearest addresses to where the bookmobile parks.”

Saratoga: Across the street from Premier Auto Body, 6822 Main Street, Saratoga NC. (The bookmobile parks in an empty lot across the street from the body shop.)

Rock Ridge: In the parking lot adjacent to Williamson Peanuts, 6512 Rock Ridge School Road, Wilson NC (Exit 116 off I-95).

Sims: In the parking lot adjacent to the Sheriff’s outpost located at 6402 Hwy 264a, Sims NC.

Looking Ahead: Coming in February

Storytelling with Donna Washington

Saturday, February 16, 2019 @ 3pm

Join us for an afternoon with internationally-recognized storyteller Donna Washington. This program is funded by a grant from the Grassroots Grant through the Wilson Arts Council and the NC Arts Council, which believes that a great state deserves great art. Funding is also provided by the Friends of the Wilson County Public Library.

Source: Amanda Gardner, Wilson County Public Library

*Program funded by a Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) Grant awarded to Wilson County Public Library for the creation of a CrAFT Studio—Creativity, Art, Fabrication, and Technology lab. The CrAFT Studio will combine the MakerSpace movement with STEAM subjects through robotics, coding, crafts, electronics, and more.