This news item expired on Sunday, September 30, 2018 so the information below could be outdated or incorrect.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 September.
Go directly to the library calendar of events.
Buncombe County Public Libraries
PROGRAMS – SEPTEMBER 2018
Circulation! Library Fitness Hour
Saturday, Sept. 1 at 10:30 a.m.
Saturday, Sept. 15 at 10:30 a.m.
Pack Memorial Library
67 Haywood Street
250-4700
We're teaming up with Buncombe County Recreation Services to start a free library fitness hour! Can't afford the gym, exercise equipment, or don't have the space in your place?
We'll screen a workout DVD, (DVD title will be posted on FB a few days before the program so you know what you're getting into), we'll have donated equipment to use, parks and rec will occasionally be in to help with circuit workouts & Cisco Pilates Asheville will be here once a month for Mixed Level Pilates class.
We'll provide a "regulars" card. Once you attend the program, we'll stamp the pass for you and the finished card will go into a raffle for a drawing to win a gift card or prize to/from a business downtown.
Local Author R.R. Martin-Adkins Reads From Revealed! What Jesus Never Said: As Compiled By His Sister
Tuesday, Sept. 4 at 4-6:30 p.m.
Enka-Candler Library
1404 Sandhill Road
250-4758
Local Author R.R. Martin-Adkins will be reading from and signing copies of his new book, "Revealed! What Jesus Never Said: as compiled by His Sister." This program is free and everyone is invited.
Enka-Candler Book Club: Nora Webster by Colm Toibin
Tuesday, Sept 4 at 7 p.m.
Enka-Candler Library
1404 Sandhill Road
250-4758
Peter Sellers – A Life & Career in Four Films: The Mouse that Roared
Tuesday, Sept. 4 at 6 p.m.
Fairview Library
1 Taylor Road
250-6485
"As far as I'm aware, I have no personality of my own whatsoever. I have no character to offer the public. When I look at myself I just see a person who strangely lacks what I consider to be the ingredients for a personality. If you asked me to play myself, I wouldn't know what to do."- Peter Sellers
The life and career of Peter Sellers was one of contradictions. On screen, he was hailed as a comedic genius. Behind the scenes, however, he was often overtaken by depression, addiction, and erratic behavior. His work would influence comedians and actors for generations, with his irreverent style and dedication to craft earning multiple awards and nominations.
On Sept. 4 at 6 p.m., please join us for The Mouse that Roared, the first of a four-part retrospective on the turbulent life and career of Peter Sellers.
After the economy of the Duchy of Grand Fenwick is ruined by an American company, the tiny nation declares war. Their intention is to immediately surrender, taking advantage of American largesse toward its defeated enemies. This hilarious Cold War farce stars Peter Sellers (in multiple roles), along with Jean Seberg and William Hartnel.
All screenings will be hosted by North Carolina Film Critics Association member James Rosario (thedailyorca.com), who will introduce each film and lead a discussion after.
This program is free and everyone is invited. Popcorn included! Look for the upcoming films in this series on the first Tuesday of each month:
October 2nd – Pink Panther
November 6th – Dr. Strangelove
December 4th – Being There
Art After School
Wednesday, Sept. 5 at 4-5 p.m.
East Asheville Library
902 Tunnel Road
250-4738
Join us at the East Asheville Library for an exciting after school craft! We will meet on the first Wednesday of every month throughout the school year. This is a free even but registration is required so we will know how many kids to prepare for. Please call 250-4738, email or stop by the East Asheville Library for more information. This program is designed for children ages 5 and up.
East Asheville Book Club: Ceremony by Leslie Marmon Silko
Thursday, Sept. 6 at 6:30 p.m.
East Asheville Library
902 Tunnel Road
250-4738
WORD Storytelling at Pack Library Presents Gwenda Ledbetter
Saturday, Sept. 8 at 2 p.m.
Pack Memorial Library
67 Haywood Street
250-4700
Story lovers from all over the region will come together to celebrate Asheville's Story Lady, Gwenda Ledbetter as she presents her latest show, "Tales From and Beyond The Red Rocker" Sponsored by the Friends of the Buncombe County Library, The North Carolina Room at Pack and Mr. & Mrs. David Joe Miller, this show is proudly offered free to the public.
Asheville's Story Lady, Gwenda Ledbetter is a highly renowned, award winning Master Storyteller who began her career in the early ’60’s at Pack Memorial Library and on WLOS’s Saturday morning “Mr. Bill Show” with her segment, “Stories From The Red Rocker.” She was lovingly known as “The Story Lady.” Her wondrous career as a storyteller began a decade before the prestigious National Storytelling Festival, which helped launch the professional careers of numerous other storytellers and troubadours around the world, took root in Jonesborough, TN. She won the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Storytelling Network in 2016 and, at 88 years young, continues to enthrall audiences with her
Please join us as we gather, listen to stories and celebrate the return of the story lady.
West Asheville Book Club: Jayber Crow by Wendell Berry
Saturday, Sept. 8 at 3 p.m.
West Asheville Library
942 Haywood Road
250-4750
Fairview Friends of the Library Open House
Saturday, Sept. 8 at 1-3 p.m.
Fairview Library
1 Taylor Road
250-6485
The Friends of the Fairview Library cordially invite you an Open House on Saturday, Sept. 8 from 1-2:30 p.m.
We will be highlighting and reviewing the many programs supported by the Friends of the Library with poster stations, talking about ways you can become involved in the Friends of the Library organization, and having interactive discussions on:
• The Library’s upcoming 20th Anniversary Celebrations
• Friends of the Library Volunteer Opportunities
• ZOOM
• LEGO Club
• AWE Children’s Learning Computer station
• Monthly programs for adults and families
• Fairview History Project
• Large Print Books
• Used Book Sale
• Landscaping
Gardening with Children
Saturday, Sept. 8 at 10 a.m.
Black Mountain Library
105 Dougherty Street
250-4756
Bring your children to the Sowing Circle's hands-on gardening workshop. This program is free and children of all ages are invited.
Garden Visits with Gina
Monday, Sept. 10 at 10-11:30 a.m.
South Buncombe/Skyland Library
260 Overlook Road
250-6488
Have you seen the beautiful flower and butterfly garden at the South Buncombe Library? Come and visit with Gina Pieroni, our Friends of the Library volunteer and gardener extraordinaire, to learn about the flora and fauna in our garden space. Please sign up for a short tour at the circulation desk, by email skyland.library@buncombecounty.or or by phone at 828-250-6488.
Bruce Whitaker and Fairview’s Early History
Tuesday, Sept. 11 at 7 p.m.
Fairview Library
1 Taylor Road
250-6485
Friends of the Fairview Library are pleased to present historian Bruce Whitaker on Tuesday September 11 at 7pm at the Fairview Library. Bruce charmed and informed us about Fairview’s early history from Cherokee time through settlement to near the Civil War last February. He returns this September to present part two of Fairview’s early history.
Longtime author of the monthly column Days Gone By in the Town Crier, Bruce is a resourceful and dedicated historian. He started collecting history and photos in high school and continues to this day. Don’t miss this rare in-person presentation by Bruce at the Fairview Library.
This program is sponsored by the Friends of Fairview Library
Charting Your Own Course: Taking Charge of Living Longer, Better Lives
Tuesday, Sept. 11 at 6 p.m.
North Asheville Library
1030 Merrimon Avenue
250-4752
People are living longer, prompting increased concerns and uncertainties about independent living, decision-making, quality of life, and long-term care. This presentation will address many of these uncertainties with information, experiences, and insights to help you stay in control of your future. Brian T. Lawler is an Elder Law attorney with the Van Winkle Law Firm. This program is free and open to the public, and no tickets are required.
Free Drawing Class at Pack Library
Tuesday, Sept. 11 at 5-7 p.m.
Pack Memorial Library
67 Haywood Street
250-4700
A fun drawing class that doesn't take itself seriously, learn to draw figures, objects, and draw from your thoughts. Listen to music and draw what you hear, have a timed switch draw with other people in the class and see what is created. Materials supplied or bring your own drawing materials. Adults only. This class is free but registration is required. Visit the library web page at buncombecounty.org/library, locate the program you’re interested in on the library event calendar and register.
Fall Film Series at the Leicester Library: The Adventures of Robin Hood
Tuesday, Sept. 11 at 6:30 p.m.
Leicester Library
1561 Alexander Road
250-6480
Local film historian Chip Kaufmann will host and provide commentary for a free fall film series at the Leicester Library featuring the films of director Michael Curtiz. All presentations will be 6:30-9:30 on Tuesdays, and popcorn will be served.
Sept.11: The Adventures of Robin Hood with Errol Flynn and Olivia de Havilland
Oct. 9: The Mystery of the Wax Museum with Lionel Atwill and Fay Wray
Nov. 13: Mildred Pierce with Joan Crawford and Jack Carson
Southern Women Authors: Writing America Between the Wars
Begins Wednesday, Sept. 12 at 7 p.m.
West Asheville Library
942 Haywood Road
250-4750
Join the West Asheville Library and the Wilma Dykeman Legacy for Southern Women Authors: Writing America Between the Wars. Our fall lineup includes 4 lectures, 4 matching book club discussions, a text-based musical performance, and a documentary film screening. All our events are free and will take place from 7 to 8pm at the West Asheville Library.
Wednesday, Sept. 12 at 7 pm.
Two short documentary films about Lillian Smith
Thursday, Sept. 13 at 7 p.m.
Lecture by Margaret Rose Gladney on Lillian Smith and her bestselling novel Strange Fruit
Wednesday, Sept. 19 at 7 p.m.
Book club discussion of Strange Fruit by Lillian Smith
Thursday, Oct. 11 at 7 p.m.
Lecture by Emily Powers Wright on Caroline Miller and her Pulitzer Prize novel Lamb in His Bosom
Wednesday, Oct. 17 at 7 p.m.
Book club discussion of Lamb in His Bosom by Caroline Miller
Wednesday, Nov. 7 at 7 p.m.
Text-based musical performance about Mildred Haun
Thursday, Nov. 8 at 7 p.m.
Lecture by Katie Hoffman about East Tennessee author Mildred Haun and her short story cycle The Hawk's Done Gone
Wednesday, Nov. 14 at 7 p.m.
Book club discussion of The Hawk's Done Gone by Mildred Haun
Thursday, Dec. 13 at 7 p.m.
Lecture by Victoria Barker on Elizabeth Madox Roberts and her bestselling novel The Time of Man
Wednesday, Dec. 19 at 7 p.m.
Book club discussion of The Time of Man by Elizabeth Madox Roberts
Beginner's Spanish Class
Wednesday, Sept. 12 at 4:30-5:45 p.m.
Pack Memorial Library
67 Haywood Street
250-4700
There will be a Spanish class for beginners at Pack Library in September and October. This class is free, but you need to register online. Go to buncombecounty.org/library and use the event calendar to register for this class.
Fandom Friday Cosplay Club
Friday, Sept. 14 at 4 p.m.
Enka-Candler Library
1404 Sandhill Road
250-4758
Cosplay club for kids age 12 and up.
An Artist’s Work Gets Digitized: With Art Historian and Digital Archivist Erin Dickey & Local Artist Connie Bostic
Saturday, Sept. 15 at 2-3:30 p.m.
Pack Memorial Library
67 Haywood Street
250-4700
As a Fellow in the Learning from Artists’ Archives program at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, Erin Dickey developed a studio archiving project with western NC artist Connie Bostic. This project entailed the digitization of selected materials, creation of an artwork inventory, and recording of oral histories in order to provide context on and insight into her art and legacy, as well describing her role in the growth of the Asheville arts community in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
In conversation with Connie Bostic, Erin Dickey will discuss this project, contextualize it within recent similar artists’ archives initiatives in the South, and provide tips for artists hoping to improve their own record-keeping systems.
This program will include a 20-30 minute talk with Erin describing her work, a 15-20 minute discussion between Erin and Connie and a question and answer period.
Behind the Scenes at the Library
Monday, Sept. 17 at 2 p.m.
Enka-Candler Library
1404 Sandhill Road
250-4758
Calling all homeschoolers! Have you ever wondered how the library works? Join us for this specially designed information session and tour of the library for kids ages 5-10. Please register for this free program at the Enka-Candler Library.
Mystery Book Club: No Graves as Yet by Anne Perry
Tuesday, Sept. 18 at 7 p.m.
Black Mountain Library
105 Dougherty Street
250-4756
Spinning Yarns Knitting and Crochet Group
Tuesday, Sept. 18 at 6-7 p.m.
South Buncombe/Skyland Library
260 Overlook Road
250-6488
Join us the third Tuesday of each month. Beginners: come learn to crochet a checkerboard pattern that can become a hat, blanket or more. Experienced knitters and crocheters: bring a project you are working on and share your tips and tricks. We’ll provide supplies for beginners. No sign up necessary. All are welcome.
Fairview Evening Book Club: The Burgess Boys by Elizabeth Strout
Tuesday, Sept. 18 at 7 p.m.
Fairview Library
1 Taylor Road
250-6485
Fairview Evening Book Club will be reading ‘The Burgess Boys’ by Elizabeth Strout for the month of September and will be discussing it on Tuesday, Sept. 18 at 7 p.m.
“Pulitzer Prize–winning Strout delivers a tightly woven yet seemingly languorous portrayal of a family in longtime disarray…[Her] tremendous talent at creating a compelling interest in what seems on the surface to be the barest of actions gives her latest work an almost meditative state, in which the fabric of family, loyalty, and difficult choices is revealed in layer after artful layer.
No sign up or registration is required to join book club, and new members are always welcome.
Mark your calendar for future Book Club dates and titles:
October 16 – Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon
November 20 – Mountains Beyond Mountains by Tracy Kidder
December 18 – Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeymoon
January 15 – The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down by Anne Fadiman
February 19 – Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi
March 19 – The Wife by Meg Wolitzer
April 16 – Hour of the Land by Terry Tempest Williams
May 21 – White Houses by Amy Bloom
Creating Light and Shadow in Watercolor
Tuesday, Sept. 19 at 6-7:30 p.m.
South Buncombe/Skyland Library
260 Overlook Road
250-6488
Create a watercolor painting with guidance by local artist, Joan Doyle. Class limited to ten participants. Free class, all materials supplied. Please sign up at the circulation desk, by email skyland.library@buncombecounty.org or by phone at 828-250-6488.
History Book Club: The Rival Queens by Nancy Goldstone
Wednesday, Sept. 19 at 3 p.m.
Enka-Candler Library
1404 Sandhill Road
250-4758
Creative Writing Interest Group
Wednesday, Sept. 19 at 4 p.m.
South Buncombe/Skyland Library
260 Overlook Road
250-6488
Join us for creative writing exercises, to meet other writers, and to help shape a writer’s community at our library. Please sign up at the circulation desk, by email skyland.library@buncombecounty.org or by phone at 828-250-6488.
Skyland Book Club: Days Without End by Sebastian Barry
Thursday, Sept. 20 at 2:30-4 p.m.
South Buncombe/Skyland Library
260 Overlook Road
250-6488
Book to Movie Film Screening: The Color Purple
Friday, Sept. 21 at 2:30 p.m.
West Asheville Library
942 Haywood Road
250-4750
West Asheville's Friends of the Library Book-to-Movie program proudly presents The Color Purple for a free movie showing on Friday, Sept. 21 at 2:30.
Celie is a Southern black woman who lives in fear of her domineering, abusive husband. She learns to stick up for herself after befriending the strong-willed Sofia, who pays a price for her fierce independent streak. Based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Alice Walker, this film is directed by Steven Spielberg and stars Whoopi Goldberg, Danny Glover, and Oprah Winfrey. Rated PG-13, 2 1/2 hours.
Free Exercise Class at Pack Library: Mixed Level Pilates
Saturday, Sept. 22 at 12:30 p.m.
Pack Memorial Library
67 Haywood Street
250-4700
Free mixed level Pilates with Alexis Miller of Cisco Pilates. Registration required. Visit the Pack Library Facebook page or the Buncombe County library events calendar to sign up.
Spanish and English Intercambio
Tuesday, Sept. 25 at 6 p.m.
South Buncombe/Skyland Library
260 Overlook Road
250-6488
Come practice your English and Spanish language skills in a friendly group of folks who want to learn a new language from each other. Sign up at the circulation desk or call 250-6488. All are welcome.
Con un grupo de personas amigables, esta es tu oportunidad de conocer a alguien que como tú, quiere practicar y mejorar su nuevo idioma. Puedes registrarte en la biblioteca o llamar al 250-6488 si tienes cualquier pregunta.
Pajamarama Storytime
Wednesday, Sept. 26 at 7 p.m. at the South Buncombe/Skyland Library
Friday, Sept. 28 at 7 p.m. at the North Asheville Library
Monday, Oct. 1 at 7 p.m. at the Enka-Candler Library
Join us for a bonus storytime with bonus librarians, too! The children's librarians from North Asheville, South Buncombe and Enka-Candler are teaming up to offer a triple-teller experience for the whole family. Feel free to come in your pajamas to listen to stories in the library after hours.
Coaching & Healing for the Living & Dying
Thursday, Sept. 27 at 6 p.m.
North Asheville Library
1030 Merrimon Avenue
250-4752
Join Sacred Passage Doula Maggie Purnell for an open and loving conversation about death and dying. Maggie, who worked as an Intensive Care Specialist for thirteen years and then as a hospice nurse for an additional thirteen years, will lead the group in an interactive workshop and lecture focused on coaching and healing before, during, and after the dying process. This program is appropriate for adults of all ages and will help participants to embrace the inevitable with light and compassion. The event is free and open to the public, and tea will be provided.
Read with J.R. the Therapy Dog!
Friday, Sept. 28 at 4 p.m.
Enka-Candler Library
1404 Sandhill Road
250-4758
The Enka-Candler Library hosts J.R. the Therapy Dog on the 4th Friday of each month. Kids are invited to stop by between 4 & 5 pm to practice their reading skills with a gentle, patient and adorable canine friend. J.R. is a certified therapy dog and he can't wait to meet the readers of the Enka-Candler community! No appointment necessary.
Manhattan Short Film Festival at Pack Library
Begins Saturday, Sept. 29 at 1 p.m.
Pack Memorial Library
67 Haywood Street
250-4700
Join us for a series of 3 events as we screen 10 short films from the Manhattan Short Film Festival. At the end of the screening you'll be asked to vote for your favorites. This event is free and everyone is invited (some films may contain adult content). You will need to pick up a free ticket at Pack Library. For more information and previews of the films visit: http://www.manhattanshort.com/