Library offers free, exciting programs for all ages

If you’re someone who doesn’t enjoy reading books, then you may not see any reason to visit your local library. But wait. What if you could take your kids there to sing and play games? What if your teen could go there to play Dungeons & Dragons? What if you could go there to exercise?

Steele Memorial Library, located at 119 W. Main Street in Mount Olive, offers an impressive array of free programs, activities and events for all ages. Some take place on a regular basis, while others are occasional or one-time-only events. While reading about the library’s various offerings below, keep in mind that some regularly scheduled events will not be held during December, due to the holidays. The easiest way to confirm times and dates for programs will be to call the library at 919-299-8105, or, better yet, swing by and pick up a copy of the December schedules.

Children’s Programs

Branch manager Lauren Saeger, and children’s librarian Lil Keener plan and implement the children’s activities. One popular program is Storytime, which typically takes place every Wednesday and Thursday, at 10 a.m., for ages 0 to 5.

“We usually read two to three books, depending on what the subject is for that week,” says Keener. “And in between some of those, we do some singing…and there’s usually a craft or games associated with it. Then we just have a play time for the kids afterwards, where they can just enjoy each other and talk about some of the stuff we’ve done.” All told, Storytime lasts about 45 minutes.

A different take on this program is Pajama Storytime, held on the first and third Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. (though, due to special holiday events, this won’t return until January). Pajama Storytime, which lasts about 30 minutes, allows kids ages 2 to 6 to enjoy stories and songs at the library while dressed in their pajamas. A regularly appearing “guest” at this program is a pajama-clad puppet who sings the kids a goodnight lullaby.

Programs are also available for the older children. A special 30-minute Music Discovery program is on the calendar for Tuesday, Dec. 6, at 4 p.m., when a musician from the North Carolina Symphony will read a music-themed book to the children and then talk about how different instruments make their sounds. Saeger notes that there are some fun surprises in store for the kids, as well. This program is funded by PNC Grow Up Great, and is for preschool and elementary-school-age kids and their families.

The following Tuesday, December 13, at 4 p.m., a book by Karma Wilson, called Bear Stays Up for Christmas, will be the springboard for holiday festivities and fun. “We’ll read this sweet book and recreate our own warm bear den and the fun activities in the book,” says Saeger. This program is for children from kindergarten through fifth grade, and preregistration is necessary to ensure that enough treats and craft supplies will be available.

Teen/Young Adult Programs

Reference librarian Tamara Baltazar is in charge of teen/young adult services. During typical months, a teen program is scheduled for every Tuesday at 5 p.m. These programs are designed for ages 12 to 18 (grades 7 to 12).

The first Tuesday night of the month is Game Night. “We have a Nintendo Switch,” says Baltazar, and “we have several board games. Honestly, we usually wind up playing board games the whole time. The Nintendo Switch does get love, but not like the card games and board games. They would much rather play Uno or one of the board games than play with the Switch.”

Uno (the card game) is especially popular with the teens — and, Baltazar says, they enjoy putting a unique spin on it by introducing their own house rules. “I have some extremely creative kids,” she says. Their creativity also finds an outlet on the second Tuesday of each month, which is devoted to crafts (CrafTEENS).

“We have a lot of fun,” says Baltazar. “Everybody is super nice and super welcoming. We’re very inclusive.”

The third Tuesday of the month is devoted to Dungeons & Dragons, a wildly popular fantasy, role-playing game. While the other Tuesday teen programs last one hour, D&D goes for two.

On the fourth Tuesday, the teens gather for the STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) program. During this time, they get to play with one of several kits the library acquired through a grant. One kit that is especially popular gives the kids a chance to use 3D printing pens to either draw or make a 3D object.

The library also has access to a couple of Oculus VR (Virtual Reality) headsets, which are sometimes used during the STEAM program. With the headset on, the kids can “go to space, they can go on a safari, they can play games,” says Baltazar.

Because of the materials used during the STEAM and craft programs, preregistration for these programs is needed, whereas teens are welcome to show up for Game or D&D nights without calling ahead.

Adult Programs

Heading up the adult programs is reference librarian Paige Newcomb. One of the regularly scheduled adult programs is The Page Turner’s Book Club, which meets the second Thursday of each month, 2-3 p.m. “I try to pick a different genre every month,” says Newcomb. “We do nonfiction and fiction…I provide the book, so people don’t have to worry about purchasing anything. They don’t have to worry about renewing it. I take care of all of that. So, all they have to do is come pick up the book, and come to the meeting.” Light snacks and coffee are provided.

Newcomb also leads an exercise class that earns rave reviews from its participants. “Cardio drumming” offers a way to burn calories and build endurance by using drumsticks to whack away at an exercise ball that’s balanced inside a large plastic bucket. Performed to the sounds of catchy, danceable music (think Bruno Mars’ “Uptown Funk”), this class is equal parts exercise and fun. It meets the first, third, and fourth Thursdays, 3-4 p.m. All adult ages and abilities are welcome but call ahead to reserve a spot. (Mountolivetribune.com recently ran a separate feature about this class.)

Special adult programs are scheduled throughout the year. On Wednesday, Dec. 14, 3-4 p.m., a Google Drive Basics class will be held. You don’t need to be tech-savvy to attend; this class is for beginning computer users.

Finally, the library is hosting an event open to all ages on Thursday, Dec. 15, 6:30-7:30, when the Hillsborough Street Jazz Trio will perform. This group of classically trained musicians boasts an eclectic repertoire, often putting a jazz spin on rock music, pop music, and even opera. During their library performance, “they plan to play some holiday favorites and familiar standards,” says Saeger. This event is something new and different for families to add to their holiday calendar.

Remember to check in with the library regularly throughout the year to find out about any new activities and events as they are added to the children, teen, and adult schedules.