Burke County Public Library

05/31/2026

Join us for the kickoff event Thursday, June 4, 5-8pm on the Courthouse Square.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18q9WFguZA/

Just a little over a week left until registration begins for the adult summer reading program 2026! Book discussions, Local History, Programs to unleash creativity, and
Trips.
Track everything on the FREE ReadSquared app, or at bcpls.readsquared.com

Prizes for tracking your summer reads, Prizes for the most programs attended, and more. , , , , , , , , , , , ,

05/31/2026

Happy Vesak!

>>Often referred to as the most important Buddhist festival, Vesak (Vesākha, Vaiśākha) commemorates the birth, enlightenment (Nibbāna), and passing (Parinirvāna) of Gautama Buddha in Theravada, Tibetan Buddhism and Navayana. On Vesak Day, Buddhists all over the world commemorate events of significance to Buddhists of all traditions: The birth, enlightenment and the passing away of Gautama Buddha. As Buddhism spread and was assimilated into many cultures, Vesak is celebrated in many different ways all over the world.

>> During Vesak, Buddhists decorate temples with flowers and other decorations, where they gather at dawn to raise the Buddhist flag and sing hymns. Often, they will bring gifts or offerings to lay at the feet of the Buddha, and some will place a small statue of the Buddha in a bowl of water with flowers at the front of their altars, which people can wash. This is meant to remove bad karma and is referred to as the bathing of the Buddha. Believers will also perform charity work and acts of kindness and will not eat meat as they are expected not to kill anything for the day.

>>Why different days of celebration for Buddha’s Birthday? The exact date of Buddha's Birthday is based on the Asian lunisolar calendars and is primarily celebrated in Vaisakha month of the Buddhist calendar and the Vikram Samvat Hindu calendar. In modern-day India and Nepal, where the historical Buddha lived, it is celebrated on the full moon day of the Vaisakha month of the Buddhist calendar. In Theravada countries following the Buddhist calendar, it falls on the full moon, Uposatha day, typically in the 5th or 6th lunar month. In China, Korea, Vietnam and the Philippines, it is celebrated on the eighth day of the fourth month in the Chinese lunar calendar. In Tibet, it falls on the 7th day of the fourth month of the Tibetan calendar.

05/30/2026

Caring for plants can be a meditative practice, even a form of self-care.
(If you can effectively keep Misa out of them!)

Discover the joy of houseplant care with this welcoming and practical guide filled with no-nonsense tips and encouraging advice from plant expert and content creator Tanner Mitchell a.k.a. Tanner The Planter.

Tanner Mitchell knows this firsthand. As the owner of a beloved plant store he opened with his wife in 2020, Tanner has seen how house plants bring so much comfort and joy to people, regardless of what else is going on in their lives or in the larger world. With his kids’ encouragement, Tanner began posting plant care tips on TikTok and soon, he found his calling.

Whether you are a seasoned plant parent or just starting out, For the Love of Houseplants is a must-have for anyone looking to bring a bit of the natural world into their home.

"For the Love of Houseplants" by Tanner Mitchell is available for checkout at Burke County Public Library. , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
(Orange gradient background/book cover/photo of a grey-brown tabby cat sitting on rocks in a plant/text/logos/web address)

05/30/2026

Time is running out to get registered for this year's Kickoff to Summer Party! Register now to join us on the Burke County Courthouse Square on Thursday, June 4 from 5-8pm for fun and games with local community organizations.

📋Registration for this event is now open to community organizations, apply today at https://forms.gle/aD6UqTec9zJF6QB66 or by scanning the QR code included on the image.

☀️See you this summer! 📚

❓For more information contact the library at 828-764-9260 or by email at:
👉[email protected] (youth services)
👉[email protected] (young adult services)
👉[email protected] (adult services)

05/29/2026

It's time for your ! Check out these fresh, new books coming to a library near you.

Visit ** https://wowbrary.org/nu.aspx?p=1238--TEE&more **to see all the new titles available at your library!

Want to stay updated on all the new titles added every week? Click the link on that page to have the lists delivered to your inbox!



Highlighted titles include:
These Vengeful Gods by Gabe Cole Novoa
The Dragon and the Sun Lotus by Amelie Wen Zhao
The Swan's Daughter: A Possibly Doomed Love Story by Roshani Chokshi

05/29/2026

Summer Reading Program Storytimes kick off June 8! 6 weeks of fun: crafts, stories, songs, and so much more!

All storytimes require registration (and have limited space), and we still have openings in the following groups at the time of posting:

At the C.B. Hildebrand Public Library (828-764-9283)
>>Library Explorers (K-2nd grade) - Thursdays at 3:30pm
>>Cool Kids (3rd-5th grade) - Tuesdays at 3:30pm

At the Morganton Public Library (828-764-9274)
>>Baby Bookworms (birth to 24 months) - Mondays at 10:30am
>>Terrific Tots (2-3 years old) - Tuesdays at 10:30am
>>Preschool Pals (4-5 years old) - Thursdays at 10:30am
>>Library Explorers (K-2nd grade) - Tuesdays at 4pm
>>Cool Kids (3rd-5th) - Mondays at 3:30pm

At the Valdese Public Library (828-874-2421)
>>Preschool Pals (4-5 years old) - Wednesdays at 10am
>>Cool Kids (3rd-5th) - Tuesdays at 3:30pm

All other groups are currently full, but you are encouraged to join the wait-list if you are interested!

05/28/2026

Registration is now OPEN for Young Adult Services Summer Reading Program 2026! This year's theme is Game ON! @ your library, and is open to rising middle (those who are entering 6th grade in the fall), middle and high school students. Teens can register online at bcpls.readsquared.com!*

**Teens who have registered can pick up their chosen team lanyard at any library location!**

Here's our full calendar of events and activities - full activity information will be posted online at bcpls.org/srp as it becomes available. Registration for activities marked with a ** is now open, you can sign up by contacting Lizzie at 828-764-9273 or by email at [email protected].

This year we are tracking minutes read and activities attended - for every 60 minutes that you read and activity that you attend, you will be entered in to win a prize!***

For more information contact Lizzie or your local library location.



*Paper tracking options are available for those who need them by contacting Lizzie at [email protected].
***Teens may only win one prize

05/28/2026

Throwback Thursday:
Walter Leith Greene (1898 – 1962) balancing chairs on his chin. He was a talented and well known photographer who operated Greene Studio for many years. One of his hobbies was juggling. He belonged to the International Jugglers Association. Mr. Greene was in great demand to entertain throughout western North Carolina and often appeared with Russell E. Greene, his brother, who was a magician. He also entertained at photographers’ conventions. The History Museum of Burke County (John Greene) provided this image to Picture Burke, a digital photograph preservation project of the NC Room of the Burke County Public Library.

05/27/2026

Don't forget the last of the month is this Thursday at 4pm at the Morganton Public Library! Join us for board, card, Nintendo Switch 2, and Meta Quest VR gaming.

Limited to middle and high school students only! For more information contact Lizzie at [email protected].

05/27/2026

Summer Reading Program 2026 kicks off NEXT Thursday (June 4)!

Unearth a story with us - Programs and activities all summer long for kids birth through 5th grade. Track your reading (via the ReadSquared App or on paper) - set your own goal and get weekly prizes from the prize cart at any location.

More information at bcpls.org - for kids, as well as the middle/high school AND Adult summer programs!