This news item expired on Monday, April 30, 2018 so the information below could be outdated or incorrect.
From local authors to local history, the Buncombe County Public Library System is a fantastic resource for more than just books. Check out the many great activities for all ages and interests at our branch locations in April.
To receive all the library happenings in your e-mail box, sign up for our e-newsletter. Our calendar of events is another great resource.
Buncombe County Public Libraries
PROGRAMS – April 2018
Story Book Characters on Parade!
Begins Monday April 2
Pack Memorial Library
67 Haywood Street
250-4700
We are pleased to welcome GoFigure Dolls back to Pack Library! These unique handmade dolls are crafted by local artisans, and inspired by beloved children’s book characters. Dolls will be on display in the Youth Services department throughout the month of April.
Itch to Stitch
Monday, April 2 at 10am-12N
Monday, April 16 at 10am-12N
Monday, April 30 at 10am-12N
Weaverville Library
41 N. Main Street
250-6482
Casual knitting and needlework group for all skill levels.
Enka-Candler Book Club: Bull Mountain by Brian Panowich
Tuesday, April 3 at 7pm
Enka-Candler Library
1404 Sandhill Road
250-4758
Free Computer Classes for Beginners
Begins Tuesday, April 3 at 6pm
Pack Memorial Library
67 Haywood Street
250-4700
Join us every Tuesday in April for a free basic computer class. The classes will cover these topics: How to set up and use Facebook, How to set up and use an email account, How to use Word, and how to type a resume and other documents. These classes are free, but registration is required for each class. The lesson of each class will be posted on the Buncombe County Events Calendar as well as the Pack Memorial Library Facebook events page. Held in our computer lab downstairs.
Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain
Tuesday, April 3 at 6pm
South Buncombe/Skyland Library
260 Overlook Road
250-6488
Impress yourself and see the way an artist sees. Learn to avoid common mistakes in drawing and perception that will noticeably improve your drawing skills. Open to ages 14 and up, and no experience is necessary. All materials supplied. This class is free but you do need to register. Call the library at 828-250-6488 or come by to sign up. This free event is sponsored by the Friends of the South Buncombe Library.
Weaverville Evening Book Club: Option B by Sheryl Sandberg
Tuesday, April 3 at 7pm
Weaverville Library
41 N. Main Street
250-6482
What's it Like to Walk in Local Immigrants' Shoes?
Tuesday, April 3 at 6pm
North Asheville Library
1030 Merrimon Avenue
250-4752
Come to North Asheville Library for a discussion on immigrants living in Buncombe County. Geri Solomon, who teaches English as a Foreign Language and advocates for immigrants' rights, will lead a conversation about the challenges and hope of our immigrant community, the contributions they bring to Asheville, some common myths about people who immigrate to the United States, and ways to connect with and make a difference in local immigrants' lives. The session will include a Q&A period, and as always, this program is free and open to the public.
Intro to Botany
Wednesday, April 4 at 4pm
Swannanoa Library
101 West Charleston Street
250-6486
Would you like to become a citizen scientist? Come to the Swannanoa Library for Intro to Botany, a program provided by the NC Arboretum. Examine specimens under a microscope, learn about the science of plants, and take a walk to see the plants in our area. Become an Eco Explorer and help us know more about what grows and lives in our community. Learn how to get your Botany Field Badge and free pass to the Arboretum!
Weaverville Afternoon Book Club: Untamed by Will Harlan
Wednesday, April 4 at 3pm
Weaverville Library
41 N. Main Street
250-6482
Art After School
Wednesday, April 4 at 4-5
East Asheville Library
902 Tunnel Road
250-4738
Join us the first Wednesday every month throughout the school year for a special program hosted by the Youth Educators from the Asheville Art Museum. Learn something exciting, view original art, and make a piece to take home! For grades K-5.
Kids Draw!
Friday, April 6 at 4pm
Leicester Library
1561 Alexander Road
250-6480
Do you love drawing? Join us on the first Friday of each month for a variety of casual drawing fun: free-form or structured. Exercise your imagination and share ideas with friends. Snacks provided. For school-age kids.
Spring Break Movie Matinee: Wonder
Friday, April 6 at 3-5pm
Pack Memorial Library
67 Haywood Street
250-4700
Based on R.J. Palacio’s bestselling novel, Wonder tells the inspiring story of August Pullman, a boy with facial differences who attends a mainstream school for first time in fifth grade. This film is rated PG and runs 1 hour and 53 minutes.
Fairview Neighborhood History Project: Volunteer Training
Saturday, April 7 at 1:30-3:30pm
Fairview Library
1 Taylor Road
250-6485
If you have signed up to volunteer for the Fairview Neighborhood History Project or are interested in volunteering for the Fairview Neighborhood History Project, please join us for training on Saturday April 7 from 1:30-3:30 l p.m. All volunteers wanting to participate in the oral history interview process of this project must attend this training.
Free Exercise Class: Mixed Level Pilates
Saturday, April 7 at 11am
Pack Memorial Library
67 Haywood Street
250-4700
Mixed level Pilates with Alexis Miller of Cisco Pilates Asheville. Appropriate for teens and adults. This class is free, but registration is required. You can register on the calendar of the library web page. Limited number of mats available, when registering, please specify if you need a mat. Held in auditorium at Pack Library.
How to Grow Plants from Seed
Saturday, April 7 at 11am
Black Mountain Library
105 Dougherty Street
250-4756
"How to Grow Plants from Seed," presented by Barb Harrison, Extension Master Gardener Volunteer. This free introduction is part of the Seed Library and sponsored by Friends of the Black Mountain Library. For more information: blackmountainblooms@gmail.com
Evergreen Community Charter School Spring Art Show
Begins Monday, April 9
Pack Memorial Library
67 Haywood Street
250-4700
Enjoy the talented work of over 100 student artists. 2D and 3D pieces will be on display in the Youth Services Department April 9 - May 9.
Leicester Book Club: The Lake House by Kate Morton
Tuesday, April 10 at 1pm
Leicester Library
1561 Alexander Road
250-6480
Beer and Book Club at the Whale: Can't We Talk about Something More Pleasant? A Memoir by Roz Chast
Tuesday, April 10 at 7pm
Pack Memorial Library
67 Haywood Street
250-4700
Beer and Book Club at The Whale: A Craft Beer Collective. The book selection for April is Can't We Talk about Something More Pleasant? A Memoir by Roz Chast.
Wildflowers of the Southern Appalachians with Blue Ridge Naturalist of the Year Scott Dean
Tuesday, April 10 at 7pm
Weaverville Library
41 N. Main Street
250-6482
An illustrated and animated talk by naturalist and biologist Scott Dean, known not only for his photography of local wildflowers and his knowledge of their cultural history, but also for his highly entertaining presentations. For more information call the Library at 250-6482.
Author Ben Anderson presents Smokies Chronicle: A Year of Hiking in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Tuesday, April 10 at 6pm
South Buncombe/Skyland Library
260 Overlook Road
250-6488
Local author Ben Anderson spent a year hiking through the distinct seasons of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Come listen to him share stories from his book and get ideas for great hikes of your own. This free event is sponsored by the Friends of the South Buncombe Library.
Fairview Friends of the Library Meeting
Tuesday, April 10 at 7pm
Fairview Library
1 Taylor Road
250-6485
The Friends of Fairview Library will be meeting on Tuesday, April 10 at 7 p.m. All dues paying members are welcome to attend.
Read With Olivia the Therapy Dog
Tuesday, April 10 from 4-5pm
Tuesday, April 24 from 405pm
Weaverville Library
41 N. Main Street
250-6482
Sign up for a reading session with Olivia the Therapy Dog.
TEEN Upcycled Poetry and Pizza
Wednesday, April 11 at 4-5:30pm
Pack Memorial Library
67 Haywood Street
250-4700
Recycle old words into new. We’re upcycling books into word art. Pizza and drinks will be provided. RSVP's appreciated but not necessary. Sign up online at the library event calendar www.buncombecounty.org/library.
Early Childhood Development
Wednesday, April 11 at 6pm
North Asheville Library
1030 Merrimon Avenue
250-4752
Do you find yourself wondering what’s going on in your child’s mind? Are you ever confused by your child’s behavior? Come have a candid conversation about what we know about child development, developmental milestones, and child behavior. Instead of focusing on parenting styles, we will spend our time discussing how children perceive the world and what makes them tick so you feel more confident in your own parenting decisions.
After School Art Club
Wednesday, April 11 at 4pm
Pack Memorial Library
67 Haywood Street
250-4700
Educators from the Asheville Art Museum will visit the second Wednesday of every month to teach different aspects of art and provide an art activity. Kids learn about art and also make something cool to bring home. For school-aged kids.
Swannanoa Book Club: The Hare with Amber Eyes: A Family’s Century of Art and Loss by Edmund De Waal
Thursday, April 12 at 6pm
Swannanoa Library
101 West Charleston Street
250-6486
Recycled Art After School
Thursday, April 12 at 4pm
Enka-Candler Library
1404 Sandhill Road
250-4758
Come make crafts with upcycled materials! Best for kids in elementary school.
Fandom Friday
Friday, April 13 at 4pm
Enka-Candler Library
1404 Sandhill Road
250-4758
Cosplay club for kids 12 and up.
90 Second Newbery Film Festival
Saturday, April 14 at 1pm
Pack Memorial Library
67 Haywood Street
250-4700
Join us to celebrate young filmmakers in our community, screening this year’s submissions in the 90 Second Newbery Film Festival. Free popcorn and drinks will be provided. All ages are welcome. To learn more about the 90 Second Newbery Project visit 90secondnewbery.com.
J.R. the Tail Waggin’ Tutor
Saturday, April 14 at 11am
Swannanoa Library
101 West Charleston Street
250-6486
J. R. loves bunnies and wants YOU to come and read stories about rabbits to him. If you are a beginning reader who loves doggies…please hop to it! You can help J.R.’s tail wag again.
Red Herring Puppets Presents: Aesop's Fables
Saturday, April 14 at 3pm
East Asheville Library
902 Tunnel Road
250-4738
Join us at the East Asheville Library for a fabulous presentation of Aesop's Fables by Red Herring Puppets! This is a free, family friendly event. Space is limited. Please stop by the East Asheville Library or call 250-4738 to reserve your free ticket.
Preschoolers We Love You!
Week of April 16, various Libraries
Preschoolers, Get Ready! This year’s “Preschoolers We Love You!” show promises to be one of the silliest ever. This popular variety show for children began as a special valentine to the library’s youngest book lovers and continues to be one of our most favorite events. Each year, shows regularly draw over 1,000 children for the multiple performances. The program is a book inspired musical revue especially designed for preschoolers, with puppets, dancing and other lighthearted fun. The talented performers are drawn from the library staff across the county.
The dates and locations for this year’s performances are:
Tuesday, April 17 at Pack Memorial Library; Shows at 9:30 a.m. and 10:45 a.m.
Wednesday, April 18 at the Weaverville United Methodist Fellowship Center ; Shows at 9:30 a.m. and 10:45 a.m.
Thursday, April 19 at the Black Mountain United Methodist Church; Shows at 9:30 a.m. and 10:45 a.m.
All shows are free, but space is limited. All school groups who would like to attend must call 250-4729 to make a reservation.
Drop in Yarn Group
Tuesday, April 17 at 6pm
South Buncombe/Skyland Library
260 Overlook Road
250-6488
Bring your own materials and work on a project, share tips, try something new, and make new friends!
Knitting & Crochet Workshop
Tuesday, April 17 at 4-5pm
Leicester Library
1561 Alexander Road
250-6480
Have you always wanted to learn how to knit? Do you have any unfinished knitting or crochet projects hanging around? If so, come join us for an afternoon workshop with Ellen Whitcomb who has taught knitting to adults and children for over 30 years. Supplies are available for use during the workshop, but bring your own if you can. Experienced knitters are encouraged to sit and knit with us. All ages welcome.
Black Mountain Mystery Book Club: "Still Life" by Louise Penny
Tuesday, April 17 at 7pm
Black Mountain Library
105 Dougherty Street
250-4756
Fairview Evening Book Club: ‘My Brilliant Friend’ by Elena Ferrante
Tuesday, April 17 at 7pm
Fairview Library
1 Taylor Road
250-6485
Fairview Evening Book Club will be reading ‘My Brilliant Friend’ by Elena Ferrante for the month of April and will be discussing it on Tuesday, April 17 at 7 p.m
“Soon to be an HBO series, book one in the New York Times bestselling Neapolitan quartet about two friends growing up in post-war Italy is a rich, intense, and generous-hearted family epic by Italy’s most beloved and acclaimed writer, Elena Ferrante, one of the great novelists of our time.”– The New York Times
No sign up or registration is required to be a part of Evening Book Club, and you can join anytime.
Pack Makers and Shakers: Sit Upons!
Wednesday, April 18 at 4-5pm
Pack Memorial Library
67 Haywood Street
250-4700
Bleacher season is here. Create your own comfy cushion to last all summer long. Participants will be entered to win free Asheville Tourist Tickets! Lucky winners will be announced during the program.
PTSD for Veteran's and Families
Wednesday, April 18 at 6pm
Pack Memorial Library
67 Haywood Street
250-4700
Join us for Equinox Ranch for Veteran's discussion on PTSD for families.
The Swannanoa Star Party
Friday, April 20 at 7pm
Swannanoa Library
101 West Charleston Street
250-6486
The 2018 North Carolina Science Festival will feature the Statewide Star Party as a signature event. During this 6th annual Statewide Star Party, Swannanoa Library will host a public sky watching session at Grovemont Park on Friday, April 20, with a chance to see the stars and planets up close as well as take part in hands-on activities to explore the question of whether there is life elsewhere in the universe, how we might find it and what it may look like. Saturday, April 21, 2018, Don Collins, professor emeritus of Warren Wilson College will invite visitors at the Star Party event to come back to his observatory for a second round of looking at the stars. Across the state about 4,000 visitors and 200 STEM professionals and volunteers are expected to participate.
This free program is for ages 8 and up. If there is a need for a rain date, one will be announced a day or so before the scheduled event.
Local Author Howard Hanger
Saturday, April 21 at 2pm
Pack Memorial Library
67 Haywood Street
250-4700
Book reading and signing with Howard Hanger, author and founder of Jubilee! Community, Hanger Hall, and Hanger Hall School.
Hear It, Think It, Draw It Story Time!
Saturday, April 21 at 10:30am
Pack Memorial Library
67 Haywood Street
250-4700
Join Storyteller Dan Antonelli for an hour of interactive fun as he guides both children and adults through a creative mixture of listening, thinking, and drawing exercises.
This activity will replace our regular Saturday Story Time on April 21. Most appropriate for ages 4-7, though all ages are welcome.
An Evening of Live Music with Guitarist Paul Hutchison
Tuesday, April 24 at 6:30pm
Leicester Library
1561 Alexander Road
250-6480
Join us for a special evening performance by Paul Hutchison, local guitarist, bassist, mandolinist, banjo player, singer, and private music instructor. On his classical, acoustic, and electric guitars, Paul performs in a variety of musical styles -- from Celtic and Flamenco to Country, Jazz, and Rock. Enjoy the music of many eras with an accomplished performer and gifted speaker who entertains while sharing his wide knowledge of the history of music. Designed for adults, teens, and tweens. Refreshments provided.
Maya Angelou: Woman of Words
Tuesday, April 24 at 7pm
Fairview Library
1 Taylor Road
250-6485
Fairview's own Becky Stone will portray Maya Angelou: Woman of Words on Tuesday April 24 at 7 p.m. at the Fairview Library courtesy of Friends of Fairview Library.
Maya Angelou opened herself to the world through words – written, spoken, sung – and revealed herself to all who were willing to wrestle with her thoughts and language. Through Becky Stone poet Maya Angelou gives voice to the caged bird inside us all.
Maya Angelou was an actor, writer, director, and producer of plays, movies, and television programs. In 1982, she was named the first Reynolds Professor of American Studies at Wake Forest University. She was active in the Civil Rights Movement and worked with Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X. She made around 80 appearances a year on the lecture circuit, something she continued into her eighties.
Becky Stone moved to Western North Carolina from Philadelphia almost 40 years ago and discovered storytelling. She has performed as a teller, actor, singer, and dancer for 45 years while raising 4 children, teaching, directing, and co-publishing the quarterly magazine, GreenPrints, with her husband Pat.
Refreshments will be served after courtesy of Friends of the Fairview Library.
TEEN Dungeons & Dragons
Wednesday, April 25 at 4-6pm
Pack Memorial Library
67 Haywood Street
250-4700
Join us for Dungeons & Dragons. For ages 12 and up. This event is free, but registration is required. Please call the library to register at 250-4720.
Jazz Hour at Pack Library
Friday, April 27 at 7pm
Pack Memorial Library
67 Haywood Street
250-4700
Free Jazz Hour at Pack presents Michael Jefry Stevens & Friends: Roberta Baum (vocals), Rick Dilling (drums), Zack Page (bass), and Michael Jefry Stevens on Steinway piano.
Guided Meditation with Ronya Banks of Asheville Insight Meditation
Monday, April 30 at 6pm
Pack Memorial Library
67 Haywood Street
250-4700
Join Ronya Banks in one hour together exploring meditation and life practices that bring more joy and peace to our lives with 25 minutes of meditation. This class is free and everyone is invited.