Your first thought for a packed day of summer fun might not be your local library – but you’d be wrong. This July, the Hudson Library in Highlands and the Albert Carlton-Cashiers Library in Cashiers are bursting at the bindings with concerts, crafts, curious creatures, and more. From drumbeats echoing through reading rooms to mayors spilling community secrets over coffee, Hudson Library Highlands and Albert Carlton-Cashiers Community Library are serving up summer programming that’s anything but humdrum.
At Hudson, Thursdays are a mini festival every week. The day begins with Family Storytime at 10:40 A.M. and shifts into high gear with the afternoon Kids Zone lineup. On July 3, EcoSplash! invites kids to roll up their sleeves and dive into the science of local rivers. July 10 brings Drum Life – a high-energy percussion experience where everyone gets in on the rhythm.
The month continues with Lego Club (July 17), a science-fueled mystery show (July 24), and STEAM Adventures (July 31) to wrap it all up.
Meanwhile, mystery lovers are in for a treat when local author Maggie Bailey drops by on July 18 at 2:00 P.M. to discuss her latest page-turner, Quilty as Charged. But the fascination doesn’t stop there – earlier that same day at 11:00 A.M., residents can grab their coffee and chat with Highlands Mayor Pat Taylor during Community Coffee, where local insights flow as freely as the caffeine
Martha Novak
In Cashiers, the Albert Carlton-Cashiers Community Library is buzzing with its own brand of mountain magic. For adults, there’s Mah Jong Mondays, Thursday afternoon matinees, and a string of standout programs: author Martha Novak discusses Blood Mountain (July 9), gardening experts host Blue Ridge Garden Quest sessions (July 11 and 25), and a social media Q&A (July 15) aims to demystify the digital. On July 23, local history takes the spotlight with a Horace Kephart program presented by the Cashiers Historical Society.
For all ages, the fun gets louder – and sweeter. Community Jams on July 13 and 27 turn the library into a music hall, while the Highlands-Cashiers Chamber Music Festival brings jazz and ice cream to the lawn on July 16. Kids can also enjoy weekly storytimes, STEAM projects, movie mornings, a color-popping science show (July 11), tie-dye bears (July 18), and a squirmy session with real live worms (July 25).
So go ahead – rethink your idea of a summer hot spot. On the Plateau, libraries aren’t just cool. They’re cool and happening.
Pictured | Maggie Bailey
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