The Catawba County Library System will be closed on Friday through Sunday, April 10-12, in observance of the Easter holiday. Regular hours will resume on Monday, April 13, at 9 a.m.

The Main Library is located at 115 West C Street in Newton. The Catawba County Library System also includes the Claremont, Conover, Maiden, Sherrills Ford, Southwest and St. Stephens Branch Libraries. For more information about branches and programming, call 465-8292.

Catawba County Library System will sponsor several special displays during the month of April. Displays are intended for informational and education as well as entertainment.

Offerings will include:

Newton- Gardening, book sale promotion, hazardous waste collection

            Genealogy-Basketry

St. Stephens-Poetry display by Donna Fox.

Sherrills Ford - Items about spring 

Southwest-Gardening, BIG Read Civil War display items

Maiden-Knitting, Bags and Jewelry Collection by Christen Ehlert            

Claremont-True crime books

Conover-BIG Read Civil War display items

The library system operates seven locations throughout the county and has more than 70,000 registered users.                                          ¼/p>

Creative history students at Catawba Valley Community College will share their documentary class projects at 5 p.m. Thursday, April 23, at the Main Library in Newton.

Five students of history professor Richard Eller will premiere their work to the public in the library auditorium. There will be no admission charge.

On the program will be Johnathan Holder’s 11-minute film, “The Battle of Ramsour’s Mill,” which explores the bloody 1780 conflict near Lincolnton. The two-hour struggle left 70 dead and more than 200 wounded.

Alex Schilz and Billy Justus teamed to produce “The Drum: A World War II Story” about a local couple’s experiences in combat and on the home front. The piece is 19 minutes long.

An unusual house in Watauga County is the subject of “The Blair House Mystery Painting,” adorned by the work of an unknown itinerant painter who lived 100 years ago. Hannah Tolbert and Christy Perez teamed to produce their film which runs about a half hour.

All five students took Eller’s “Local History and Genealogy” class last fall which explored historical research and presentation through video images.

The program represents the first time that CVCC students have exhibited their historical projects at the county library. The program will have appeal for middle schoolers through adults.

For more information, contact Richard Griffin, Youth Services librarian, at 465-8668.

If you’ve been checked the news lately, you may have heard references to Atlas Shrugged.

What are they talking about?

This doorstop-of-a novel is more than 1,150 pages and was published by Russian-born author Ayn Rand more than 50 years ago. It is still hailed as an intellectual landmark.

Born Alisa Rosenbaum in 1905 at St. Petersburg, Russia, she emigrated to the United States to escape totalitarianism. Adopting the name Ayn (rhymes with “mine”) Rand, she was a fierce opponent of big government, championing individualism and capitalism in her fiction and work as a Hollywood playwright.

Rand’s book is back in the news because of its theme: the world turned on its ear after a philosophical revolution. The Library of Congress, among others, have regarded it as the second-most influential book in American thought other than the Bible.

Atlas Shrugged was Rand’s magnum opus with a simple moral: Politicians invariably respond to crises — that in most cases they themselves created — by creating new government programs, laws and regulations which only increase the downward spiral as the “motor of the world” stops.

Rand’s scenario has gained momentum as pirates hijack cargo ships, politicians berate corporate CEOs, riots break out in Europe and international trade slows-all of which are depicted in Atlas Shrugged -offers fodder for discussion. Debate over federal bailouts have given the book another lift, .as readers rush to Atlas Shrugged to see if life is imitating art. Sales have already tripled this year.

Local interest is picking up a bit, too. As this article was written, Catawba County Library patrons were tuning in to Rand. The library’s two copies of Atlas Shrugged were being read; two others were being processed. And both copies of her other famous novel, The Fountainhead, were checked out.

So was Rand right or wrong?  Time will tell.

If you don’t get a chance to read Atlas Shrugged, a film version is rumored to be in the works for release in 2011. But by then, a film may feel superfluous to Rand’s most loyal fans; events unfolding around them will have been drama enough.

Friends of Catawba County Library will hold their next monthly meeting at 11 a.m. Monday, April 13, at the Main Library in Newton.

The group will discuss upcoming projects including the illustrated talk on the Great Depression by Dr. Gary Freeze of Catawba College. His presentation will begin at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 14 in the library auditorium.

Friends will also discuss their next big book sale May 1 and 2 at the Main Library. This major fundraiser enables the group to support the library in a variety of ways including purchase of new materials.

In observance of National Library Week, Friends will treat library staff to lunch after the April 13 meeting. Those who wish to join the group for lunch should make reservations by contacting Lynne Bolick Reed at 465-8292 or Tammy Wilson at 465-8661.

Friends of Catawba County Library is a support resource and community liaison for the library system and sponsors author readings and other events. This year proceeds from the book sale and other fundraisers have been used for programming and to enhance the collection system-wide. The group welcomes interested members of the community. For more information call 465-8292.

          ¼/p>

Creative kids in grades K-8 are encouraged to enter the National Library Week bookmark contest at Catawba County Library. The theme this year is “Picturing America” and entries will be accepted from April 13- through May 13.

National Library Week is an annual observance sponsored by the American Library Association and local libraries across the country. The week offers a time to celebrate the contributions of our libraries and librarians and to promote library use and support.

The winning bookmark will be professionally printed for distribution by the library system. The art medium must be easily reproducible on a photocopy machine, such as crayon, felt-tip marker, colored pencils or pen. Size is limited to 2 ½ x 8 inches. Templates are available at the library. The back of each bookmark should include the student’s full name, grade and school. If the student is homeschooled, he or she should provide a home telephone number.

A winner and one honorable mention will be selected from each of three grade levels, (K-2, 3-5, 6-8). Prizes include a book store gift certificate. A special award will be given to the school with the most entries.

Local author Joyce Moyer Hostetter will judge the entries after her book talk during Children’s Book Week on May 14. A display of finalists may be seen at the Main Library.

Entry forms and contest rules may be picked up at any location of the Catawba County Library System. The Main Library is located at 115 West C Street in Newton. Branches are in Conover, Claremont, Maiden, St. Stephens, Sherrills Ford and Southwest, serving the Mountain View and Banoak communities. For more details, contact Youth Services at 465-8668.

A visit by a Pulitzer Prize-winning author headlines activities next month at Catawba County Library.

Geraldine Brooks, author of March, will be at the Main Library in Newton to sign books as part of BIG Read 2009. Her visit is scheduled from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, April 25.

National Library Week will be marked with a talk by Dr. Gary Freeze of Catawba College. He will compare the Great Depression to the current economy during a free lecture at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 14, at the Main Library. Freeze is the author of The Catawbans and other local history books.

Friends of the Library groups will be gearing up for their big annual books sales at the end of the month. Donations of books, CDs and DVDs are being accepted until the last week in April. Proceeds allow these support groups to purchase needed library materials and to sponsor programming.

The library system will be closed April 10-12 in observance of Easter.

To preregister for computer classes or to learn more details about a program, contact the appropriate branch.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Main Library, 465-8664

   · Preschool story time, each Thursday at 10 a.m.

   · Homework help for kids, 3:15 p.m. each Tuesday & Thursday

   · Intro to Computers, 10 a.m. April 9

   · Friends of the Library, 11 a.m.  April 13

   · Kids/youth bookmark contest begins April 13

   · Free tax prep for seniors, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays through April 14

   · Great Depression talk with Dr. Gary Freeze, 5:30 p.m. April 14

   · Game time, 3:30-5 p.m. April 17

   · Earth Day program, 4 p.m. April 22

   · Kids/youth poetry contest deadline April 23

   · CVCC history documentaries, 5 p.m. April 23

   · Geraldine Brooks book signing 10 a.m. April 25

   · Teen Advisory Board, 2 p.m. April 25

   · Poetry winners read, 4 p.m. April 25

   · Friends members-only book sale preview, 3 -7 p.m. April 30

 

Conover Branch, 466-5108

   ·  Intro to Word, 6 pm. April 13

   ·  Intro to Publisher, 6 p.m. April 27

 

Claremont Branch, 459-9311

   · Friends of the Library, 6 p.m. April 28

 

Maiden Branch, 428-2712

   · Toddler stories 9:30 a.m. & preschool 10 Wednesdays.

   · Preschool egg hunt, 11 a.m. April 4

   · Decorate a book bag workshop, 3:30 p.m. April 16

 

St. Stephens Branch, 256-3030

   · Preschool/toddler story time 10 a.m. Thursdays

   · Setting Up Email with Yahoo, 10 a.m. April 8

   · National Library Week story time, 6:30 p.m. April 13

   · Music Makers 10 a.m. & 4:30 p.m. April 16

   · Crochet & book talk, 6:30 p.m. April 28

 

Sherrills Ford Branch, 478-2729

   · Toddler/preschool stories Wednesdays, 10 a.m.  

   · Toddler/preschool music time, 10 a.m. Thursdays

   · Basic Computer Skills, 10 a.m. April 3

   · Flo Taback animal story time, 10 a.m. April 8

   · Little Women & Men games, stories & more, 6:30 p.m. April 14

   · Reading Fun story time, 10 a.m. April 15

   · Friends of the Library, 7 p.m. April 21

   · Earth Day crafts & stories, 10 a.m. April 22

  

Southwest Branch, 294-2343

   · Toddler/preschool story time, 10 a.m. Thursdays.

   · Free GED classes, 6-8 p.m. Thursdays. Sign up through CVCC.

   · Fractured Fairy Tales, 3 p.m. April 14

   · Knitting Up Fiction discussing Friday Night Knitting Club, 3 p.m. April 19

                                                                        ###

North Carolina historian and author Dr. Gary R. Freeze will share his insights about the Great Depression in Catawba County on Tuesday, April 14 at the Main Library in Newton.

He’ll cover the Depression of 1929-1939, though some may assume the current economic crisis is a repeat of history.

Freeze will offer comparisons, if the audience asks. “And I promise to be non-partisan,” he said.

Freeze, history professor and department chair at Catawba College researched the period extensively for his second volume of The Catawbans published in 2002.

His talk, beginning at 5:30 p.m., is free and open to the public. The event is sponsored by Friends of Catawba County Library.

Freeze’s talk will cover the 1930s as events impacted local industries and families and offer anecdotes as well as data. Borrowing images from The Catawbans, he will explore New Deal programs that left their mark on the local landscape such as the former Newton Post Office building on the square.

Freeze earned his undergraduate, master’s and doctorate degrees from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and has been a student of Catawba County history since 1989. He has worked with Sidney Halma, former director of the Catawba County Historical Museum, on a series of “civic monographs” on local heritage. Subjects included the old Catawba Springs resort, the first 40 years of Catawba Valley Regional Medical Center, and, most recently, the First Presbyterian Church in Newton. He also edited the 2006 history of Startown School by W. R. Lutz and is currently working with Halma on a history of Catawba Valley Community College.

Questions about the April 14 program should be directed to Tammy Wilson, public information officer for Catawba County Library System, at 465-8661.

When spring cleaning, don’t forget the library.

Friends groups supporting Catawba County Library System welcome books, CDs and DVDs in good condition.

A few titles may be added to the library collection as appropriate, but most will benefit books sales conducted by Friends of the Library. Proceeds from those efforts support such projects as author visits, children’s workshops and purchase of library materials. Prices are set by the individual Friends groups.

Friends of the Library for Catawba County, Sherrills Ford and Claremont are planning  May book sales. Sherrills Ford Friends will sell from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 2 at the Sherrills Ford/Terrell Fire Department. Claremont Friends of the Library also plans a book sale on May 2 in conjunction with the community yard sale.          

Friends of Catawba County Library based in Newton will hold their big book sale May 1 and 2 at the Main Library. A special members-only night will be held 3-7 p.m. on Thursday, April 30. Memberships will be available at the door.

New or used books in good condition are welcome. Both fiction and nonfiction books are sought, including materials for adults and children. Any materials that are badly soiled or out-of-date should be discarded. Also, please don’t bring magazines, encyclopedias, Readers’ Digest condensed books or textbooks.

Friends of Catawba County Library and Claremont Friends are continuing their year-round sale of selected titles at the Main Library and Claremont respectively. Patrons may peruse these shelves when these libraries are open. Proceeds from the ongoing sale fund a variety of events and book purchases to benefit the entire library system.

For more information about Friends activities or library programming, contact Lynne Bolick Reed at 465-8292.

          ¼/p>

Catawba County Library System is helping to celebrate the 12^th annual Catawba Valley Pottery and Antiques Festival with a display at the Main Library this month.

 

 

The show, scheduled March 27 and 28 at Hickory Metro Convention Center, is a fundraiser for the Catawba County Historical Society and the N.C. Pottery Center.  Saturday show tickets are $6 at the door.

 

 

The 100 vendors will include a number of local potters, but if you don’t spring for a ticket this year, you can still view some of their works at the library in Newton. On display are creations by Kim Ellington and Charles Lisk, among others. The display will continue through March and feature books about art and folk pottery.

 

 

The library system has a variety of materials concerning the noted craft. Among them:

 

            Turners & Burners by Charles Zug III (NC 738 ZUG) which mentions several local potters;

            North Carolina Pottery: The Collection of the Mint Museums edited by Barbara Stone Perry (NC 738.0956 NOR);

            North Carolina and Southern Folk Pottery: A Pictorial Survey by William Ivey (738.3 IVE).

           

For fiction with a North Carolina pottery twist, consider Margaret Maron’s Uncommon Clay, a mystery about Seagrove pottery families.

 

 

Check availability of these and other materials on-line at http://catawbacountync.gov/library .