The Catawba County Purchasing Division has received the 2020 Sustained Professional Purchasing Award (SPPA) from the Carolinas Association of Governmental Purchasing (CAGP). This marks the seventh consecutive year Catawba County has earned this recognition. The Sustained Professional Purchasing Award is presented annually to CAGP member agencies that have demonstrated excellence in purchasing standards during the calendar year.… View More
March 2021
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Catawba County government offices will be closed Friday, April 2 in observance of the Good Friday holiday. Libraries will be closed April 2 and April 3. The Animal Shelter will be closed on Friday April 2 and Saturday April 3 and will reopen to the public on Tuesday April 6th. Catawba County Parks (Bakers Mountain, Riverbend and St. Stephens) and the Blackburn Municipal Sanitary Landfill will be… View More
The Catawba County Library strives to be the community’s place to connect, explore, and grow and to empower lives and build community by bringing people, information, and ideas together. Each year, the library takes a moment to measure how effectively it is reaching its goals through a simple survey. The survey takes only a few minutes to complete and will help ensure that the library is providing the services and resources the… View More
In 2020, the library collaborated in a series of festivities to mark the centennial of women’s suffrage in the United States. To keep the celebration going, we’re continuing to honor the milestone by sharing the rich history of past efforts to secure the right to vote and exploring concepts of equal rights, fairness, and democracy. On Monday, March 29 at 6 pm, the library will be hosting a virtual program called… View More
Do you appreciate the calming influence that nature has on your mood? Are you eager to get back outside after a season of cold and rain? The library is partnering with Dr. George Place, director of the Cooperative Extension and a certified personal trainer and tai chi instructor. Twice-monthly, he’s inviting people to join him at one of the… View More
Do you find technology difficult to understand? Do you wish you knew how to make sense of the library’s digital resources? Is there something about your smartphone that you just haven’t been able to figure out? If you’d like to get practical tips about technology, join us for our next Tech Talk Tuesday session, which takes place at 2 pm on Tuesday, March 30. The class centers around questions that patrons… View More
Do you need help figuring out how to look for employment due to road blocks from a criminal record? If you’re uncertain about how to proceed and how to give yourself the best shot at securing a good job, count on the people from NCWorks. Focused on workforce development, they support job-seekers and employers, so they’re well-versed in the best ways to connect the right… View More
LIBRARY PROGRAMS 828.465.8665 Contribute to Our Seed Library Ongoing We're building a seed library, where the community can exchange seeds for free! We'll accept viable seeds at all locations during their standard business hours, and heirlooms are especially welcome. Please package and label any donations you drop off. Seeds may also be borrowed from the… View More
The Catawba County Park System, which currently includes Bakers Mountain Park in Hickory, Riverbend Park in Conover and St. Stephens Park in Hickory, will begin operating seven days a week starting April 1, 2021. County parks will be open 362 days a year, weather permitting, and will close on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Additionally, all Catawba County parks will open one hour earlier, at 8:00 a.m., beginning… View More
The Sheriff's Office recently had an awards ceremony. Deputy C. Sigmon was recognized by a committee of his peers as employee of the month for February. Deputies C. Mills, D. Pinkney and B. Cody received their Advanced Law Enforcement Certificate through the NC Sheriff's Education and Training Commission which is awarded based on a cumulation of experience, training and education. Captain P. Lutz was awarded his Advanced… View More
On Thursday, March 11, the North Carolina Department of Commerce recognized the Catawba County Library staff as one of its 2020 North Carolina Main Street Champions in a virtual ceremony. The annual honor is extended to people and organizations that have demonstrated a commitment to downtown revitalization and to strong communities. The library was nominated for the award by the… View More
Do you know of a child who could benefit from one-on-one help with classroom work or use additional support to complete assignments? The Catawba County Library is partnering with the Catawba County Youth Council to provide student volunteers who can help elementary and middle-school children with homework and reading practice. These Homework Helpers are… View More
People love the easy access that digital books and audiobooks provide, and their popularity has grown enormously over the past year. To help meet the increased demand, the library is excited to be offering hundreds of new titles for adults, teens, and kids. These just-added selections come with the extra benefit of being available to everyone with no waits and no holds. Reading and listening are immediate! The enhanced collection of… View More
Getting your resumé in front of hiring managers is an important first step in scoring a job, but clinching the interview should be an equally significant goal. If you’re uncertain about the best ways to present yourself to an employer – or if you’ve never done it before and would like to calm your fears – count on the people from NCWorks. Focused on workforce development, they support job-seekers and employers, so they’re… View More
Title: Librarian I Department: Catawba County Library, Sherrills Ford-Terrell Branch How long have you worked with the county? 3 years. What does your job involve? Please describe what you do. The library empowers lives and builds community by bringing people, information, and ideas together--connecting people with resources… View More
Do you love reading great books and talking about the experience with a circle of good-natured friends? If you’re looking for camaraderie with folks who are as eager to discuss character, language, and narrative as they are their occasional displeasure with plot points and author choices, join a library book club! One of them, Piece of Cake, began life in a bakery setting, and its selections are accessible fiction reads, with a… View More
LIBRARY PROGRAMS 828.465.8665 Seed Library Opens to the Public Saturday, March 20 at 9 am Thanks to generous contributions from the community, we're opening our seed library to people who would like to borrow seeds to help create their own gardens. Seeds are free and are available at the Main Library in Newton. They're subject to availability and cannot be… View More
Starting March 15, 2021, there is a new way to get Medicaid health care. Most people will get the same Medicaid services in a new way – through Managed Care Health Plans. You will be able to choose the health plan that is best for you. A health plan is a group of doctors, hospitals and other providers. They work together to give you the health care you need. Everything will come from the same health plan. This… View More
As the state’s vaccine rollout plan opens up to people with one or more conditions that increase their risk of severe COVID disease and people living in congregate housing, Catawba County Public Health, Catawba Valley Health System and Frye Regional Medical Center will continue to provide a joint vaccination appointment request process through www.CatawbaVaccine.org. Eligible individuals… View More
By Jennifer McCracken Catawba County Public Health Director As I look back on the past year, there is a classic Bob Dylan song that keeps coming back to me. And even though it first came out in the mid-60s, its words ring true for the incredible year we’ve had as a community, as a state, a nation and the globe. “You’d better start swimming or you’ll sink like a stone, oh the times, they are… View More
The Catawba County Library is celebrating the approach of spring with special performances by Hickory Ballet & Performing Arts. The organization’s coed youth company will be dancing to Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, the well-known series of violin concertos from the early 18th century. The performances will take the form of outdoor, socially-distanced, interactive programs. Rather… View More
When the Catawba County Library launched a donation drive for its new seed library last month, many people voiced an interest in learning the proper way to preserve seeds, so the library is partnering with the Catawba County Cooperative Extension to offer a virtual seminar called ‘Seed Saving: Tips & Tricks.’ The program will take place at 5:30 pm on Tuesday, March… View More
Music often serves as a unifying element in cultures and among like-minded people, offering a sense of camaraderie and belonging. Throughout the rich scope of Black history, music has been a prominent feature, taking many forms and styles and giving character to the experience of generations of men and women. This month, the library’s Black History Discussion Group will be looking at the impact Black Americans have made in the field… View More
In the final STEAM program associated with the library’s Spring Into Reading challenge, participants will delve into the fascinating world of mathematics, especially in regard to the role of numbers in real-world, practical situations. The basis of our workshop will be an exploration of pi, a mathematical constant defined as the ratio of a circle's circumference to its diameter. While pi is used most often in computations for… View More
There’s a lot to be said for fitness pursuits that honor the essential connection between mind and body. To treat one without the other denies the opportunity to bring strength and calm to the entire person. We make sure that you get the full effect with our new series called Yoga & Chill. The monthly classes are a terrific introduction if you’re new to the practice and great support if you already have a yoga regimen. Our… View More
LIBRARY PROGRAMS 828.465.8665 Contribute to Our Seed Library Ongoing Help us build a seed library, where the community can exchange seeds for free! We'll accept viable seeds at all locations during their standard business hours, and heirlooms are especially welcome. Please package and label any donations you drop off. The seed swap collection will be… View More
With warm weather approaching, the Catawba County Library is partnering with the NC Cooperative Extension and Catawba County Parks to create seasonal programs that promote fitness and well-being. The first program, Center & Venture, combines tai chi and hiking in local parks, offering participants a half-hour of gentle,… View More
Does your teen want to learn to cook? Do you have a high-schooler who will be leaving for college soon and wants to have a few handy recipes? Point them toward the Catawba County Library, which is hosting a four-week series designed to teach teens how to make hearty, filling dishes using the microwave. April Vigardt from the NC Cooperative Extension will lead 30-minute Zoom sessions… View More
Have you been trying to figure out the best TV-watching solution for your family? Nowadays, there are so many options beyond traditional TV that it can be time-consuming and confusing to determine the best fit for your entertainment needs. Our Cutting the Cord program will offer useful tips and share helpful alternatives to purchasing a fixed cable TV package. The Zoom session is designed to share details about different… View More
This time of year offers lots of opportunities to explore the natural world. From trees budding and daffodils blooming to birds returning and a new season arriving, there’s lots to be amazed by. Our next Spring Into Reading STEAM program will tap into these wonders as we make origami rainbow flowers. We’ll take inspiration from St. Patrick’s Day, the spectacle of rainbows, and spring itself as we create these beautiful paper… View More
The idea of a resume seems simple enough, but once you sit down to create one, the process can be overwhelming. Did you remember your whole work history? How do you highlight specific skills for specific employers? What’s the best way to organize all of that information? If you’d like expert assistance as you create your resume – or update an old one – count on the people from… View More
LIBRARY PROGRAMS 828.465.8665 Contribute to Our Seed Library Ongoing Help us build a seed library, where the community can exchange seeds for free! We'll accept viable seeds at all locations during their standard business hours, and heirlooms are especially welcome. Please package and label any donations you drop off. The seed swap collection will be… View More
As the state’s vaccine rollout plan opens up to frontline essential workers, Catawba County Public Health, Catawba Valley Health System (CVHS) and Frye Regional Medical Center (FRMC) are making significant changes to the joint vaccination appointment request process for local employers and individuals. Due to limited vaccine supply and anticipated high demand for vaccination appointments, these changes are being implemented to help make the… View More