Catawba County News
This Week @ Your Library October 12-19
Published: October 10, 2025
We've got storytimes!
Ready to Learn Storytime: Preschool
Preschool story time with reading
readiness. Join us for songs, sensory play, crafts, and stories designed to prepare your preschooler to learn.
Wednesdays at 10 am
Sherrills Ford-Terrell Branch Library
St. Stephens Branch Library
Main Library in Newton
Wednesdays at 11 am
Southwest Branch Library
Thursdays at 10 am
Maiden Branch Library
Sherrills Ford-Terrell Branch Library
Southwest Branch Library
St. Stephens Branch Library
Fridays at 10 am
Main Library in Newton
Ready to Learn Storytime: Tiny to Two
This sweet, simple, 20-minute story time features rhymes, bounces, sensory play, and singing for our youngest learners. Playtime follows.
Mondays at 10 am
Main Library in Newton
Fridays at 10 am
Sherrills Ford-Terrell Branch Library
Sensory-Friendly: Ready to Learn Storytime
Tuesdays at 10 am
Main Library in Newton
Join us for a fun, sensory-friendly storytime for neurodivergent children and their siblings! Enjoy songs, sensory play, crafts, and stories designed for a small group of 10, creating a calm, welcoming space. Afterward, stay for free play to encourage socialization & motor skills. To register, please visit the library or call 828-465-8665.
Little Artists: Art with the HMA
Friday, October 17 at 10 am
Conover Branch Library
Parents & caregivers, join your little one to create something special with the Hickory Museum of Art! To register, please call 828-466-5108.
Programs for children, ages 6-11!
Paws to Read
Tuesday, October 14 by appointment
St. Stephens Branch Library
Practice reading with certified therapy dog, Sunshine. To schedule an appointment, please call 828-466-6821.
STEAM: ‘Trick or Treat’ with Ozobots
Thursday, October 16 at 4 pm
Sherrills Ford-Terrell Branch Library
Learn to use color-codes to program Ozobots to ‘trick or treat’ in this Halloween-themed activity. Ages 9-11.
Feature Film Friday
Friday, October 17 at 11 am
Southwest Branch Library
School’s out, but Elio is in and you don’t want to miss it. Join us for a heartwarming sci-fi adventure about a boy who accidentally becomes Earth’s ambassador to the galaxy. Popcorn and drinks will be served.
Programs for teens!
Teen Open Studio
Thursday, October 16 from 3:30 - 5:30 pm
Main Library in Newton
Writing, art, or drama – create in a laidback, welcoming studio atmosphere.
Painted Pumpkin Party
Saturday, October 18 at 2 pm
St. Stephens Branch Library
Join us for spook-tacular fun as we decorate our very own mini pumpkins.
Programs for adults!
Zumba Mondays!
Mondays at 6 pm
FUMC Newton Fellowship Hall
Kick off your week with a burst of Zumba, a dance and movement class that’s too much fun to call exercise. It’s appropriate for every skill and ability level and open to anyone 14+ (parental signature required for teens under 18).
NC Works
Wednesdays from 1:30 - 4:30 pm
Sherrills Ford-Terrell Branch Library
Get individual help in finding work and connecting to resources.
Smartphone Basics for Seniors
Fridays at 1:30 pm
Main Library in Newton
Learn about and ask all of your smartphone questions in this weekly series!
Mindful Movement
Fridays at 3 pm
St. Stephens Branch Library
Low impact exercise and gentle stretching for all ages.
Halloween Trivia Night
Monday, October 13 at 6 pm
St. Stephens Branch Library
Join us for a spooktacular evening of Halloween trivia! Host Valerie Carpenter is guaranteed to test your team’s knowledge about everything scary and ghoulish. Earn bonus points for dressing up!
Discover the Benefits of Acupuncture
Tuesday, October 14 at 2 pm
Southwest Branch Library
Join licensed acupuncturist Callie Pierce , L.Ac. to learn how this traditional practice can support wellness and manage stress. Whether you're new to acupuncture or just want to learn more, this is a great opportunity to explore.
Introduction to Hoopla and Libby
Tuesday, October 14 at 2 pm
Sherrills Ford-Terrell Branch Library
Libby and Hoopla are free and user-friendly ways to find thousands of eBooks and eAudiobooks. We will teach you how to download the app, sign in, and download a book or two. Bring your own tablet or phone to set up your gateway to the world of eReading.
Homegrown National Park
Tuesday, October 14 at 6 pm
Maiden Branch Library
Master Gardener, Sharon Abernethy, will teach us how to transform our yards, balconies, and community spaces into wildlife-friendly habitats. Every square foot of restored habitat can create interconnected corridors that provide refuge for native plants and animals.
Job Searching Boot Camp: Resume Writing
Tuesday, October 14 at 6 pm
Southwest Branch Library
Learn some tips and tricks for creating or updating a resume that highlights your strengths and experience.
Ghost Paintings
Tuesday, October 14 at 6 pm
Main Library in Newton
Get spooky with these super easy “gaggle of ghosts” paintings using spackle. No skills required! Come for the fun, stay for the mess! To register, please call 828-465-8665.
Mystery Mavens
Tuesday, October 14 at 6:30 pm
Sherrills Ford-Terrell Branch Library
The Mystery Mavens book club welcomes new members and is open to the public, even if you haven’t read the book. Join us for a lively discussion on Missing White Woman by Kellye Garrett.
Grave Tales: Victorian Death Customs
Wednesday, October 15 at 6 pm
Main Library in Newton
The Victorians had some interesting ideas and customs surrounding death and the dearly departed. Join us for a three-part series with Genealogist Rhonda Roederer to learn what our ancestors believed and how they handled death.
October 15 – The Art of Mourning – Making Grief Glamorous
October 22 – Messages in Marble: the Victorian Tombstone’s Hidden Messages
October 29 – Burial Betrayal: Eastern Cemetery’s Endless Horror
Newton Book Club
Thursday, October 16 at 5 pm
Carpe Crustum in Downtown Newton
Selecting a diverse range of works and authors, join us to talk about October’s pick, The Love of My Afterlife by Kirsty Greenwood. Get ahead with November’s selection, The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife by Anna Johnston.
Spooky Bat Keychains
Thursday, October 16 at 5:30 pm
Main Library in Newton
Relive the fun of Halloween arts and crafts by sewing one of these cute bat keychains. You even have the choice to make it a vampire bat! Basic hand sewing skills will be taught and used, but not necessary to complete the project.
Krazy for K-pop!
Saturday, October 18 at 11 am
Main Library in Newton
Share your favorite songs, videos and artist biases, play K-pop trivia and explore the world’s most exciting musical genre.
