Fontana Flyer

LIFESPAN empowers teens and adults with disabilities to live, work, and play in their communities. Partnerships with the local library have made that mission a true reality in Macon, Jackson, and Swain Counties. “The library has been an excellent partner to reach those who need a boost to get back into the workforce,” said Alisha Tatum Senior Director of LIFESPAN.

Staff at all Fontana Regional Libraries attended an Astronomy 101 training in the Portable Planetarium. Staff participated in learning how to find familiar constellations in the night sky, learned some fun astronomy facts, and watched a short movie about a solar eclipse to prepare for the August 21st total solar eclipse that will be visible at all of our locations. Telescopes are being checked out at your nearest Fontana Regional Library! You get the Orion Starblast Telescope for 7 days that comes with easy to use manuals and tips on stargazing!

February 7, 2017 - In keeping with Fontana Regional Library’s mission to provide the public of Jackson, Macon, and Swain counties with excellent service and convenient access to resources for their educational, informational, and recreational needs, the Regional Board, members of the local county boards, and library staff attended a retreat led by Molly Westmoreland from the North Carolina State Library.

The Jackson County Public Library and the Macon County Public Library are participating in the North Carolina Science Festival presented by the Biogen Foundation. The festival will be held from April 7-23, and each library will be hosting one event during this timeframe. First, at 4:00PM on Tuesday, April 11th at the Jackson County Public Library, the monthly Science Club will meet.

Recently Fontana Regional Library (FRL) completed its 5 year long range plan, and “Connectivity” became one of our 7 goals. The goal’s focus is to promote “Affordable broadband service to every home and business” using 2 strategies. These strategies are, “Keep the public informed of initiatives, opportunities, and barriers to connectivity in this area” and “Advocate for affordable ‘last mile’ broadband connectivity for our service area.”

The Marianna Black Library Planning Committee is arranging for another fundraiser to help build a new library in Swain County. The Fryemont Inn, in Bryson City, will host an evening of food and a silent auction in mid-April (date and time to be announced soon). Items from area crafters and businesses and local antique collectors are being donated and they are not to be missed! The folks at the Fryemont are known for their hospitality and excellent faire — so this is sure to be a hugely successful fundraiser.

Jackson County Public Library Staff and Volunteer Technology Mentors have been offering traditional computer classes at the Department on Aging (for people 50 or older) for about a year and half. The topics have ranged from Using a Smartphone to Facebook Security.

A fundraiser for the Reading Rover Bookmobile will be held on Saturday, March 25, 2017. The event will take place at Jack the Dipper and South of Philly in Sylva.

The Library lost a member of our family on February 17, 2017, when Teresa Bryant, the Branch Supervisor at the Nantahala Community Library passed away. Teresa first came to work at the library on July 1, 1994. Since that time she has been the face and spirit of the Nantahala branch of the library. Teresa was known for her kindness and her gentle spirit. She always had a smile for everyone. She will be greatly missed by her family, the library staff, and by the community.

In the past year, the Library has developed a new Long Range Plan that turns outward to focus on needs identified by our public. We will join with other community organizations and agencies to address our community needs. Our community goals are:

CONNECTIVITY - Affordable broadband service to every home and business.