Catawba County News
Fall in Love with Reading at your Library!
Published: February 05, 2026
February is the season of hearts, chocolates, and grand gestures...but there’s another kind of love worth celebrating, the love of reading.
While the Catawba County Library proudly builds community, supports healthy living, and provides welcoming spaces to gather, reading remains at the very heart of what we do. It’s how we explore new ideas, understand different experiences, and keep our minds curious and engaged. Whether you’re a devoted page-turner or someone who hasn’t picked up a book in a while, this is your invitation to fall back in love with reading.
To make it even more fun, the library kicks off each year with a new Adult Reading Challenge, and 2026’s challenge is a Bingo-style game filled with creative, playful prompts. Read a book set in Appalachia. Pick a story with a nosy neighbor. Try something recommended by a librarian. Tackle that book at the bottom of your to-be-read pile. Complete one row of Bingo and you’ll earn a prize: a free book from the Friends of the Library book sale. It’s low-pressure, high-fun, and designed to help you discover new favorites along the way. You can sign up through Beanstack at catawbacountync.beanstack.org/reader365 or pick up a paper log at any library location.
Speaking of book sales, our Friends of the Library groups have expanded in-house book sales to six locations across the county. You can now browse discounted books and DVDs during regular library hours at the Main Library in Newton, and the Claremont, Conover, Sherrills Ford-Terrell, Southwest, and St. Stephens branches. These sales are full of surprises, bargains, and hidden gems. Proceeds go right back into supporting library programs and resources for the community, so every purchase gives twice.
If you enjoy sharing your reading life with others, the library hosts seven adult book clubs across the county. There is a group for every mood and genre. Teens are invited to join the fun as well through our dedicated Teen Book Club Internacional, creating space for high school readers to connect, discuss, and discover together. These clubs are as much about connection as they are about books, offering conversation, laughter, and the shared joy of a great story. Dates and times are available on our online calendar at catawbacountync.gov/library.
Reading strengthens our brains, reduces stress, builds empathy, and keeps curiosity alive. It can be an adventure, a comfort, a challenge, or a spark.
This February, and all year long, your library is here to help you rediscover the magic of a good book.
ARE YOU UP FOR THE CHALLENGE?
