By Maria Davis
Mountains Branch Library Branch Manager
Is Mountains Branch Library a place you think about visiting during the holiday season? If not, you might want to rethink that. While we may not have the fancy decorations or bright lights, our Friends of the Mountains Branch Library do a wonderful job decorating our little piece of paradise! And you can always find a friendly face waiting on you as well as a plethora of books, magazines, movies, and programs. Angie does a wonderful job of pulling out holiday books in our Children’s Room to make browsing easier.
As always, Mountains Branch Library has programs for all ages going on throughout the year. November 24, 2021 we have “Dragon Eggs” for ages 10 and up (call to register), and December 20, 2021 will bring our annual Gingerbread House fun. The Gingerbread Houses is a family event and registration will be required. See library staff, Facebook (www.facebook.com/lakelurelibrary) or our website (www.rutherfordcountylibrary.org) for more information on registering, ages, and times available.

We had a very successful year with Books & Bites and got to meet some amazing authors! Thank you to the Friends of the Mountains Branch Library for working so hard to make this series happen every year. There is no better deal around than that of Books & Bites.
Speaking of saying “thank you,” I want to give a special thank you to all our volunteers. We absolutely could not run this place without YOU! From shelving books, to checking out patrons, to just chatting…you are needed and loved very much. Thank you for all you do.
We have had several successful programs this fall. We have danced Salsa, painted ceramic leaf bowls (while drinking yummy Mocktails), painted wine glasses for Halloween, and sewed cute Teddy Bears. We continue to have Preschool Storytime every Thursday morning at 10:30. Mrs. Tamara has the best programs around!
Fundraising for the new Bookmobile is still going on. Thank you to everyone who has contributed thus far! We still have a way to go to get the bus ordered and stocked. Don’t forget that donations for the Bookmobile may be tax deductible if a check is written to “Friends of the Mountains Branch Library” with “Bookmobile” written on the FOR line. We cannot wait to see this amazing bus driving around our area serving the people of our community. It will not be possible without your help. Feel free to call the library if you have any questions about the Bookmobile or would like more information on how to contribute.
As you are reading this issue of The Mountain Breeze, we are preparing to celebrate the retirement of Library Assistant Angie Turner. Angie came to Mountains Branch Library in 2005 and quickly became a vital part of the team with Rutherford County Library System, but especially at Mountains Branch. We always know we can count on Angie for a readers advisory, help with a computer or phone problem, ordering the book you just can’t wait to read, and above all – a smiling and friendly face. We have been blessed beyond belief to have had Angie here for as long as we have and we feel like a member of the family is moving on. Please make time to come see Angie and tell her how much you have appreciated her before the end of November. It won’t be the same without Angie!
Mountains Branch Library wishes you a heartfelt Happy Holidays!