Recent Articles

Children across North Carolina now have access to free eBooks and eAudiobooks through a new statewide program. Designed for kids in pre-K through 4th grade, NC Kids Digital Library includes more than 3,700 eBooks, audiobooks, videos and Read-Alongs. The program is available through all Fontana Regional Library locations in Macon, Jackson, and Swain Counties, as well as at 85 regional, county and municipal libraries across the state.

The Jackson County Library’s Science Club created a human piano while studying conductivity using the library’s Makey Makey, an interactive circuit board device, during Science Club: Play-Doh Lab this Valentine’s Day. Along with creating a human piano, the kids made their own Play-Doh and used it to make Play-Doh portraits, as well as to play games such as Tetris and Pac Man with the Makey Makey.

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.