Cashiers Library offers so much to do

Written By: Luke Osteen | Issue: 2019/03 - March

“There’s nothing to do!”

If you’re a parent or grandparent, you’ve heard this lament from the kids in your life, especially as winter drags on.

That’s why Albert Carlton-Cashiers Community Library is the perfect tonic for those days and weeks when children have reached their limits and grown-ups’ tolerance has stretched to the breaking point.

This month and every month, the library is offering an entire slate of activities to keep youngsters entertained, stimulated, and eager to learn.

“In addition to our Storytime for preschoolers every Wednesday at 10 A.M., we have activities for children in grades from kindergarten through middle school every Tuesday at 3:45 P.M.,” says Librarian Serenity Richards.

On the first Tuesday of every month, elementary-age children are invited to participate in Imagination Station, a program of storytelling and arts and crafts designed to stimulate youngsters’ creative talents. Topics vary, but each is selected to resonate with young minds growing in the 21st Century.

On the second Tuesday of each month, children of all ages are invited to participate in Lego Club. Though Lego Club was established for youngsters, more than a couple of parents and grandparents have joined in the fun. Buckets of Lego are available for assembly, with participants building whatever sparks their imagination.

STEAM Club meets on the third Tuesday of each month. This celebration of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics is designed for elementary and middle school students. They’ll be able to assemble and program robots to perform a variety of fun and challenging tasks. In addition, they’ll learn concepts that are critical to success in the modern world. It’s all done in a spirit of fun and excitement, with hands-on coaching and encouragement.

The STEAM program reflects support from both the federal and state governments.   

“This grant is made possible by funding from the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by the State Library of North Carolina, a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources,” says Richards.

On the fourth Tuesday of each month, students are invited to attend Crafternoon, where they’ll be challenged to create a beautiful work of art under the direction of Youth Services Coordinator James Stewart-Payne. Each creation is guaranteed suitable for display by proud parents and grandparents.

All of these programs are free and open to everyone, even if they are not card-holding library patrons. Albert Carlton-Cashiers Community Library is located at 249 Frank Allen Road. For information about these programs and all the services provided by the library, call (828) 743-0215.