Fontana Flyer

Teachers at Iotla Valley Elementary, East Franklin Elementary, and Union Academy have signed up for library cards. While many teachers already had their trusty library card, there were some who did not or who needed their card updated and reactivated.

Todd Bol, a member of Rotary Clubs International, started Little Free Libraries in 2009. Taking inspiration from Miss Lutie Stearns, a librarian who brought books to nearly 1400 locations through “traveling little libraries”, Bol developed the idea for “Take a book, leave a book” collections in coffee shops and public spaces.

The focus was on patron safety and service when all Fontana Regional Library personnel received Safety and Security training during the last week of September. Topics covered included building safety in a crisis situation, serving patrons with dementia, and CPR training. Many of the staff at each library are now certified in CPR and first aid so that they can react quickly to emergencies in the library.

Firefighters in from Arkansas, Washington and Oregon thanked us for the use of our computer lab at Macon County Public Library --and we thanked them for traveling here to help protect our homes and communities from the wildfires!

Teens from Macon County Library worked, had a lot of fun, and won! The theme for this year’s parade was Santa’s Workshop/Toyland. Guided by library staff member Ellen Agee, the teens created a life size jack-in-the-box and a rolling wooden horse. Colorful costumes completed the festive holiday float.

Western Carolina University students from Dr. Paul Worley’s Beats, Radicals, and the Avant-Garde literature class created a display for Jackson County Public Library. Using pictures, props, bibliographical, and biographical information the group tells the story of the Beat Generation. Students also used QR codes so patrons viewing the display can use their smartphones or tablets to listen to samplings of the highlighted work. Authors represented include Jack Kerouac, Allen Ginsberg, and William Burroughs.

The Fontana Regional Library System was awarded a LSTA grant to be used to bring hands-on astronomy education to the residents of Macon, Jackson and Swain Counties. The Asheville Astronomy Club has graciously partnered with FRL to assist with obtaining equipment and training staff. Most recently, staff from each Fontana Regional Library participated in telescope training on October 10th, at Macon County Public Library. Knox Worde, the president of the Asheville Astronomy Club, led the telescope training with staff.

The Reading Rover attended the 42nd annual Mountain Heritage Day on the WCU Campus on September 24, 2016. As usual, the event was WCU's largest festival of the year and the Rover's location on the field, near one of the music stages, was highly visible. Many festival goers visited the Rover and climbed aboard for storytime.

Jackson County Public Library partnered with Western Carolina University, City Lights Bookstore, and Appalachian Women’s Museum to host a celebration of the newly discovered memoir by Wilma Dykeman. Mimi Fenton, professor of English, introduced Wilma Dykeman’s son Jim Stokely III, who discovered the manuscript after Dykeman’s death in 2006. Other speakers included Pam Duncan, Dr. Mae Miller Claxton, Dr.

Hudson Library received a $5,000 Mountain Findings Grant. The library will use this money to enhance youth programming and collection materials. These items include Legos, craft supplies, educational DVDs, audiobooks for children, eAudiobooks and eBooks for children, educational beginner reader books, and curriculum kits that are a great resource for parents and teachers.