Checkout the Clemmons Branch Library

Checkout the Clemmons Branch Library BY VONDA HENDERSON

Public libraries are wonderful places. Why? There are all sorts of books, periodicals, music, resources, and more to entertain or educate yourself . . . and the best part is that it’s all free with the use of your library card. No other place comes to mind with so many options and no associated fees. The Clemmons Branch Library has so much to offer. “We have an open, welcoming environment,” explained Carolyn Price, the Branch Manager. “We are a high volume library with a family-oriented atmosphere.”

Carolyn and the library staff, comprised of ve full-time and three part-time employees, work as a team to ensure that the Clemmons Branch Library is a vibrant part of the community. With a well-rounded selection of books in all available formats, downloadable material, and online resources, as well as other programs designed with the community in mind, the library is a busy place. Their daily average for check out is between 500 to 800+.

In addition to the resources in-house, the Clemmons Branch Library is part of the NC Cardinal System, a shared resource center with 40 plus North Carolina counties. As a member, hard copy books/resources not available at the county level can be requested and may be shipped from any of the participating counties. The books are then checked out and returned via the normal process and ultimately returned to their original home library. This system expands a reader’s ability to enjoy what might otherwise be a regional or unavailable book locally. On average, 78,000 books are shared via the NC Cardinal System on a monthly basis.

The primary areas within the Clemmons Branch Library are adult ction and non ction, magazines, DVDs, audiobooks, music CDs, and sections for young adults and children. Of these, ction is the largest section. The children’s area includes all categories, ction, school-related topics, non- ction, and the learning to read section. The magazine section includes current periodicals for all ages. There are ve computers available for public use; two in the children’s area are loaded with ageappropriate games and educational activities.

Downloadable opportunities are also great with a Forsyth County library card. Many choose to download books that are “borrowed” to their computers, tablets, or phones. There are also downloadable options for music and magazines with clear advantages – there’s no waiting, and once it’s downloaded, it’s yours. Explore the catalog of music/magazine options and give your budget a break! Why buy if you can download with a library card?

In addition to traditional library resources, the Clemmons Branch Library has several ongoing programs that may be of interest.

• The Cookin’ Club is going strong in its third year at the library. They meet the third Wednesday of each month at 12:30 pm. Based on the theme selected for that month, participants use the preselected library cookbooks to create dishes to share.

On any given month, there may be 12 to 30 in attendance. If you love to cook or want to expand your knowledge and cooking skills and meet others in the community, grab your apron and join the club.

• How about a game of chess? The Chess

Club, hosted by Molly Schaefer, the Youth

Services Librarian, meets the 4th Tuesday of each month at 4:00 pm. Open to kids from rst to fth grade, the Chess Club teaches the basics of chess and provides plenty of game time to hone skills. “We hope to bring a local high school chess club to one of our meetings soon,” Molly shared. “Learning to play chess helps with critical thinking, mathematics, and strategic thinking skills that are important in so many aspects of life.”

• Children have their own weekly programs of reading and activities. “Music and movement are incorporated into their storytelling activities,” shared Carolyn.

Toddlers meet Tuesdays at 10:30 am; preschoolers meet Thursdays at 10:30 am.

• Homeschoolers enjoy getting together on a regular basis for social connections, as well as subject-based sessions on science, geography, or other topics.

Look for news about the Clemmons Branch Library’s new location, which will expand their space by two and a half times its current size. The new location will allow for more dedicated space and greater functionality – and even more books!

Visit the Clemmons Branch Library at 3554 Clemmons Road. For questions, call 336.703.2920. Their hours are Monday thru Wednesday 9:00 am to 8:00 pm, Thursday and Friday, 9:00 am to 6:00 pm, and Saturday, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. Check out the Clemmons Branch Library!