
By Maria Davis,
Mountains Branch Library Branch Manager
I don’t know about you, but I love a good “to-do list.” It makes me feel good to be able to check something off that I have completed. I’m not going to lie, though, sometimes I write items on my list that I have already done just so I can check them off. Get out of bed? Check. Make coffee? Check. Vacuum the ceiling? Nah…not going to happen. This is the time of year that we sometimes make new lists. Some of us refuse to call them New Year’s resolutions…so we just make a list. What’s new on your list this year? Become a patron at Mountains Branch Library? What are you waiting for? Bring your ID and proof of Rutherford County residency and come get your library card. We can’t wait to see you!

We have lists at the library, too. Lists of all our programs, all of our community room use, list of new books, lists of donors, and more. In the past couple of months, we have been blessed with donations for the Friends of the Mountains Branch Library as well as the Bookmobile. We cannot thank you enough for supporting us. We would especially like to thank Kay Dittmer and the Lake Lure Olympiad for their donation as well as the Lake Lure Lions Club. Lyn Weaver and Hickory Nut Gorge Foundation have also come through with donations recently. We don’t know where we would be without the people of Lake Lure.
The Friends of the Mountains Branch Library met recently and the lineup for 2022 Books & Bites was discussed. I can’t give you details yet, but keep an eye out for the schedule. It is going to be amazing and you will not want to miss one single event. The time we spend together at the Lake Lure Inn with our authors is always special for everyone.
We are ready to get back to some fun programs in the new year and hope you will join us for all of them.
Line Dancing is new and will be held on Thursdays or Fridays (2 separate classes) beginning in mid-January. This class will be taught by Gwen Cook and looks like it is going to be so much fun! No experience is necessary – but registration is ☺
We will be bringing the Charlie Cart out again January 7, 2022 to learn how to make a creamy and delicious Tortellini Soup. No registration required – but come hungry. Speaking of the Charlie Cart, we are hoping to talk Stephany, our Hispanic Services Librarian, into coming January 18, 2022 to make us a dish from her native country of Peru. Keep an eye out for those details.
I can’t wait for our youth event in February! We are having an Anti-Valentine’s party and I can honestly say it will most likely be the best Valentine’s party I have ever been to. In March, the NC State Employees Credit Union will be partnering with us to do a youth financial literacy program aimed at teaching young people some basic financial information. All of these programs are free. Keep an eye on our website (www.rutherfordcountylibrary.org) or our Facebook page, (www.facebook.com/lakelurelibrary,) for more information about all our programs.
Jennifer Heaslip began her career at Mountains Branch Library late November and is fitting right in with staff and patrons alike. We are lucky to have her and can’t wait for her new and innovative ideas.
The library may not seem new, but we do have new and exciting things going on every single day. Come on by and find out for yourself.