Burke County Public Library

Adult Programs
August 2026 Programs for Adults at the Burke County Public Library. This calendar layout features yellows and oranges with a sunflower theme, and information about programs offered at the library for adults. Any programs marked as needing registration can be preregistered by calling or visiting your library (828-764-9261, 828-874-2421, or 828-764-9283). Friday, August 7: Needlework in the Morning from 10am to Noon at the Valdese Public Library. No registration is required. Saturday, August 8: Beneath the Dirt - unearthing history, preserving legacy: The community led restoration of Rock Hill AME Church Cemetery. 1pm at the Morganton Public Library. No registration is required. Wednesday, August 12: Partner's Educational Lunch Series: Addressing Anxiety and Depression in Older Adults: Part 2 - Coping Skills. 12-1pm at the Morganton Public Library. No registration required. Bring your lunch. CEUs available. Wednesday, August 12: Digital Literacy for Seniors: Virtual Museum Tours. 2-3pm at the Morganton Public Library. Presented by Western Piedmont Council of Governments. No registration is required. Thursday, August 13: Crochet Cafe - 6pm at the Valdese Public Library. A Needlework program for Young Adults and Adults. No registration required. Friday, August 14: Happily Ever Afters Anonymous Book Club. 4pm at the C.B Hildebrand Public Library. Program open to Adults and Teens. This month's title: Dog Ladies by Julie Titterington. No registration required. Tuesday, August 18: Plot Hounds Book Discussion - 10am at the Valdese Public Library. This month's title: The Women by Kristin Hannah. No registration required. Saturday, August 22: Book Signing with Jim Owens - Author of Vein Mountain: The Search for Gold. 11am at the Morganton Public Library. No registration required. Tuesday, August 25: Digital Drop In (presented by Western Piedmont Council of Governments). Pre-register for a 30 minute one on one session with a Digital Navigator. Between 9:30am and Noon at the Morganton Public Library. Wednesday, August 26: Oxymorons, a New Adult Book Club. 6pm at the Morganton Public Library. Program open to Adults and Older Teens. This month's title: Every Day by David Levithan. No registration required. Friday, August 28: Needlework in the Morning from 10am to Noon at the Morganton Public Library. No registration is required. Saturday, August 29: Play Music on the Porch Day. 2-4pm at the Morganton Public Library. Open to all ages; no registration is required. Music provided by Arizona Bay. The Library is online at www dot bcpls dot org, on Facebook at bcpls, and on Instagram at bcplsnc. Email or call with questions: programs at bcpls dot org. 828-764-9269. What is Needlework in the Morning? A way to meet with fellow knitters, crocheters, and anyone who enjoys needlework! Share ideas, experience, and hone skills. Bring your own materials. Open to all ages and skill levels. Meets on Friday mornings (check the calendar for each month’s dates and locations!), no registration required. What is Crochet Cafe? A chance to have a cup of coffee or tea with friends who share a love of crochet (or other needlework). Bring your own materials. Open to Adults and Teens. Meets one Thursday evening a month at the Valdese Public Library, no registration required. Download the Libby (by Overdrive) App on your phone or tablet for eBooks, eAudiobooks, eMagazines - all at the tip of your finger! Join us each week on Facebook and in the News Herald and The Paper for pictures and history from the local area. Both Throwback Thursday and Picture Burke are featured. Brought to you by the North Carolina Room. Programs are supported by Burke County, The Library Foundation of Burke County, the Friends of the Burke County Public Library, and additional community partners as noted on this calendar.

Upcoming Programs for Adults

Programs that require pre-registration are marked as such. To register, or for more information, please call or visit your library.

Event flyer for "Beneath the Dirt," highlighting a talk on the restoration of Rock Hill A.M.E. Cemetery, featuring a photograph of gravestones in a wooded area. Transcribed Text: Beneath the Dirt Unearthing History, Preserving Legacy: The Community-Led Restoration of Rock Hill A.M.E. Cemetery Saturday, August 8 1 pm Morganton Public Library Join us for a presentation from the Director of Cemetery Conservation with Richard Grubb & Associates, Inc., who will be discussing a preservation plan for the Rock Hill A.M.E. Church Cemetery in Lake James State Park. Adults only, please *Call 828-764-9269 or email danielle.townsend@burkenc.org for more information
Colorful flyer for "Virtual Museum Tours" event at Burke County Public Library, featuring a laptop graphic, event date and time, and descriptive text about exploring virtual galleries. Transcribed Text: VIRTUAL MUSEUM TOURS at the Burke County Public Library in Morganton WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 12th from 2pm - 3pm Did you know many of the world's leading museums have been making their collections and exhibits available to view virtually? In this lecture we'll explore some of these virtual galleries, as well as digital tools that help bring art, architecture, and history to life! For more information: shelly.smith@wpcog.org
Colorful flyer for "Happily Ever Afters Anonymous" book club, featuring welcoming text, details about the event, and illustrations of individuals reading. Transcribed Text: Happily Ever Afters Anonymous Book Club We listen, and we don’t judge. Join us for a book club that’s just for people who want to talk about the “Happily Ever After”! Open to adults and teens. No pre-registration is required! This month’s title is: The Dog Ladies by Julie Titterington Friday, August 14 @ 4pm C.B. Hildebrand Public Library For more information contact Lizzie at 828-764-9273 or by email at lizzie.whisnant@burkenc.org.
Flyer for a Digital Drop-In event at the Burke County Public Library on every 4th Tuesday from 9:30 am to 12:00 pm. Transcribed Text: DIGITAL DROP-IN at the Burke County Public Library in Morganton EVERY 4TH TUESDAY from 9:30am - 12:00pm Our Digital Navigator will be available at the library to answer your questions about any of the following: Online Bill Pay and Appointment Scheduling Smartphones and Tablets Laptops Apps Online Shopping, and more! Schedule your 30 minute appointment today by calling the library or stopping by our Adult Services Circulation Desk! WPCOG Planning & Transportation Live Well at your library - NC Cardinal Supporting Aging in Place BURKE COUNTY
Promotional image for the Burke County Public Library’s Spice Club event with details on registration, classes, and spices. Transcribed Text: Live Well @ your Library SPICE CLUB Registration for spice pick-up begins Saturday, August 1! Registration is good for September-April. Pick up a new spice & recipes to keep the first Tuesday of each month, then attend a cooking class the following Thursday to create a dish using the same spice. Registration for class portion is required each month. *Must pre-register *Adults only *Limited space *Class will be held at Valdese Public Library, while pick-up of spice will be at preferred library location. *Call 828-764-9269 for more information, or any Burke County Public Library location to register.
Flyer for a discussion on anxiety and depression in older adults, featuring event details, a logo for "PARTNERS," and a note about continuing education credit. Transcribed Text: PARTNERS Improving Lives. Strengthening Communities. Addressing Anxiety and Depression in Older Adults: Part 2-Coping Skills Changes in physical health, social isolation and losses as we age can result in depression and anxiety. Join us for a discussion of the differences between sadness and depression, worry and anxiety. Coping strategies for both disorders are discussed. One Continuing Education Training Credit is available for attending this training. Save the Date! Wednesday, August 12 12:00 pm Burke County Public Library Partners’ Health Education and Aging Resource Team
Promotional flyer for a Crochet Cafe event at Valdese Public Library, featuring event details and inviting participation with drinks and conversation. Transcribed Text: YA + ADULT SERVICES CROCHET CAFE LOOKING FOR SOMEWHERE TO HAVE A CUP OF COFFEE OR TEA WITH FRIENDS WHO SHARE YOUR LOVE OF CROCHET? JOIN US FOR OUR MONTHLY CROCHET CAFE! BRING YOUR WIP TO AN EVENING OF WARM DRINKS AND CHATTING WITH NEW FRIENDS. OPEN TO ADULTS AND TEENS! NO PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED! Thursday, August 13 @ 6pm Valdese Public Library For more information contact Danielle at danielle.townsend@burkenc.org.
Promotional image for "Plot Hounds Book Discussion," featuring a cartoon dog with a book, event details on "The Women" by Kristin Hannah, scheduled for August 18 at Valdese Public Library. Transcribed Text: Plot Hounds Book Discussion The Women by Kristin Hannah Tuesday, August 18 10 AM Valdese Public Library FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL 828-764-9269 OR EMAIL DANIELLE.TOWNSEND@BURKENC.ORG
Secrets and Shadows at your Library

SRP Programming may have wrapped up, but you can still track your reading through July 31 at bcpls.readsquared.com or on the FREE ReadSquared App!

Flyer for "Needlework in the Morning 2025-2026" with colorful yarn balls and knitting needles, detailing event times and locations. Transcribed Text: Needlework in the Morning 2025-2026 *1st Friday-Valdese Public Library *2nd Friday-Morganton Public Library *4th Friday-Morganton Public Library 10am-12pm Open to all ages and skill levels, Needlework in the Morning is a way to meet with fellow knitters, crocheters and anyone who enjoys needlework. Share ideas, experience and hone skills! Bring your own materials. For more information, please call 828-764-9269 or visit our website: bcpls.org *Schedule subject to change. Please check the library calendar for meeting dates.
Promotional flyer for "Beneath the Dirt," an event about the restoration of Rock Hill A.M.E. Cemetery, featuring gravestones in a forest, event details, logos of supporting organizations, and contact information. Transcribed Text: Beneath the Dirt Unearthing History, Preserving Legacy: The Community-Led Restoration of Rock Hill A.M.E. Cemetery Saturday, August 8 1pm Morganton Public Library Join us for a presentation from the Director of Cemetery Conservation with Richard Grubb & Associates, Inc., who will be discussing a preservation plan for the Rock Hill A.M.E. Church Cemetery in Lake James State Park. Adults only, please Call 828-764-9269 or email danielle.townsend@burkenc.org for more information
Promotional poster for "The Oxymorons" adult book club, featuring event details, a book selection, and illustrations of people with books. Transcribed Text: The Oxymorons: A New Adult BOOK CLUB Featuring top trending titles for the almost to mostly adult readers. THIS MONTH'S PICK: Every Day by David Levithan Wednesday, August 26 • 6:00 PM Morganton Public Library FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT LIZZIE OR DANIELLE AT 828-764-9260. This program is open to adults and teens ages 15 and up. No pre-registration is required to attend!

Upcoming Book Lists for Book Discussion Groups:

Plot Hounds Book Discussion Group

Meets on a Tuesday morning at 10am at the Valdese Public Library

August: The Women by Kristin Hannah

September: The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

October: Every Time I Go on Vacation, Someone Dies by Catherine Mack

November: Dead Man’s Curve by Pinkie Darro

December: The Names by Florence Knapp

Oxymorons Book Discussion Group

Meets on a Wednesday evening at 6pm at the Valdese Public Library

August: Everyday by David Levithan

Happily Ever Afters Anonymous Book Club

Meets on a Friday afternoon at 4pm at the C.B. Hildebrand Public Library

August: The Dog Ladies by Julie Tetherington

September: Plum Spooky by Janet Evanovich

October: A Corpse Called Bob by Izzy Palmer

November: The Secret Book and Scone Society by Ellery Adams

December: Christmas Cupcake Murder by Joanne Fluke