New Bern-Craven County Public Library

Library Closed and Website Down Jan 16-18

2012-01-11T09:20:00.000-05:00

The Library will be closed Monday, January 16, through Wednesday, January 18, for repair work on the library's fire sprinkler system. We will reopen Thursday, January 19 at 9 a.m.
Also, the library's website will be offline January 17 and 18 as we perform much needed maintenance on the web server. Watch this blog for more progress. The links to the catalog in the the right column of this blog will still work.

Closed for New Year's Day

2011-12-29T11:55:00.000-05:00

The New Bern-Craven County Public Library will be closed Sunday, January 1, and Monday, January 2, for New Year's Day. We will reopen Tuesday, January 3 at 9 a.m. HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Closed for Christmas Holidays

2011-12-23T15:43:00.000-05:00

The New Bern-Craven County Public Library will be closed from Saturday, December 24, through Tuesday, December 27 for the holidays. We will reopen on Wednesday, December 28, at 9 a.m. Merry Christmas!!

Web Site To be Offline January 17-18

2011-12-07T12:46:00.000-05:00

The library's web site will be offline on January 17-18, 2012, as we upgrade hardware and reconfigure the server. If all goes as planned, the site should be operational on January 19. Our current hard drives are nearing capacity and new ones are being installed.

The planned upgrade will not affect the library's online catalog system at http://cpclib.worldcat.org.

As the upgrade date nears, watch this space for more information.

Thanks,
Victor T. Jones, Jr.

The Library will be Closed Tuesday, July 12, 2011

2011-07-11T14:01:00.000-04:00

The New Bern-Craven County Public Library will be closed on Tuesday, July 12, 2011, so all employees may celebrate the life and memory of Hayden Hodges Jones, beloved friend, co-worker and a member of the library family for 50 years.
The Library will reopen at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, July 13, 2011.

2011-05-31T23:29:00.003-04:00

Check out the New Bern-Craven County Public Library's web page-Summer Reading Programs for all ages. Hope to see you at the library!

2011-05-11T15:36:00.002-04:00

Sharon Clarke, "The Story Lady" will sing and perform folktales from around the world on Saturday, May 14, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. in the Hayden H. Jones Auditorium. Sharon, with a variety of instruments and props will actively involve children of all ages. Come and experience the dramatic storytelling of Sharon Clarke as she weaves together song with story...imagery with imagination for a delightful and engaging performance. For more information, call the Youth Services Department, 252-638-7815.

National Library Week

2011-04-08T14:10:00.004-04:00

"Create Your Own Story @ Your Library" is the theme for National Library Week celebrations from April 10th - 16th.
Public libraries are a wonderful free resource to help people of all ages create their own story- whether it is sharing a poem at poetry readings, creating a resume and finding a new job or researching their ancestors.
The New Bern-Craven County Public Library has a full schedule of activities available for all ages.

Events begin with a Poetry Café at 3 p.m. on Sunday, April 10^th. Sandra E. Adams will serve as host for this coffee house where poetry fans can recite an original poem or read from the works of a favorite poet. Beverages will be provided for this open mic reading.

April’s Lunch and Learn series will be held at noon on Monday, April 11^th. Interfaith Refuge Ministries will present “Share the Journey: A Refugee's Plight to Freedom". Bring your lunch. Beverages will be provided.

There are two special programs for families. Gary Shelton of Shelton Show will present “The Magic of Reading” for children ages 5 and older at 4 p.m. on Thursday, April 14^th. Gary will combine magic with some classic children's literature for an entertaining performance.

Disney characters Woody, Buzz and crew will be on screen at 4 p.m. on Friday, April 15^th for the Friday Flick “Toy Story 3” as they update their story @the library.

Events conclude on Saturday, April 16^th with “Writing Your Family Stories” presented at 10 a.m. by local author Karen Dodd. Dodd will inspire participants to “Create Your Own Story” by using personal or family events as the basis for writing. Dodd, author of The Riverwalk Mystery Serie,s used stories from her family as the basis of her books Carolina Comfort and Carolina Comfort II. Her novel, Down East on Nelson Island" uses the facts from family stories in creative fiction. She will briefly discuss that option at the conclusion of her program.

Events take place in the Hayden H. Jones and are open to the public. Donations are welcome.

2011-04-01T18:08:00.002-04:00

"The Magical World of Reading" comes to the New Bern-Craven County Public Library! Locally grown and nationally known storyteller, Gary Shelton of "Shelton Show," will debut his new show on Thursday, April 14, 2011 at 4:00 p.m. in the Hayden H. Jones Auditorium. Some of the finest examples of children's literature from around the world will be featured in this interactive, magical program. Children ages 5 and older are invited to attend the free program. For more information, please call the Youth Services Department at 252-638-7815.

2011-03-11T07:46:00.002-05:00

Rags to Riches: A traveling theatre troupe for young audiences presents..."Little Red Riding Hood" on Thursday, March 24, 2011 at 5:00 and 7:00 p.m. in the Hayden H. Jones Auditorium. Free tickets are available at the Children's Services desk. This program is geared for children of all ages, so please join us!

2011-02-15T09:08:00.002-05:00

Preschool Storysteps is cancelled on Tuesday, February 15, 2011 due to a water leak in the Children's Mini-Theater. We hope to have the problem resolved soon and resume our normal storytime schedule for the rest of the week.

2011-01-10T10:26:00.001-05:00

The New Bern-Craven County Public Library is closed TODAY-Monday, January 10, 2011, due to inclement weather. Teen Movie Night has been cancelled. Please call 638-7800 for updated information on Tuesday's schedule.

2010-09-08T12:14:00.004-04:00

The Library is hosting two special events this month that look at German POW camps in the U.S.
On Tuesday, September 14th at 7 p.m., Jim White, historian and author, will speak on "Camp Battle: German POW Camp, New Bern, NC. Jim's research includes a few photos of the camp and information about one prison escape. Local history buffs and students of World War II will be interested in this chapter of New Bern's history.

The traveling exhibit Held on the Homefront: German POWs in the U.S. will be at the library from 2-8 p.m. on Thursday, September 16th. The mobile museum, a converted bus, includes a 21 seat theater and uses media, narrative texts and artifacts to tell the story of the 380,000 Germans imprisoned across the U.S. during World War II. The exhibit is organized by the TRACE Museum, St. Paul. MN.
The North Carolina Museum of History lists 18 prisoner of war camps throughout the state, housing primarily German prisoners including crews from U-Boats captured or sunk off the North Carolina coast.
The New Bern exhibit stop is sponsored by First Citizens Bank.

Register Now for Book Discussion Series

2010-08-02T00:29:00.003-04:00

"“Law and Literature: The Eva R. Rubin Series”

This Let’s Talk About It Book Discussion series will meet every three weeks on Monday evenings at 7 PM from August 23rd through November 15th.
Participants are encouraged to explore the difference between what is established law and what is “just". Visiting college professors provide background and moderate the discussions.
The first session will meet at 7 PM on Monday, August 23rd in the library auditorium. Books are now available at the library.
Titles to be read include:

August 23 – Billy Budd by Herman Melville
September 13 – The Tragedy of Pudd’nhead Wilson by Mark Twain
October 4 – A Lesson Before Dying by Ernest Gaines
October 25 – Snow Falling on Cedars by David Guterson
November 15 – The Emperor of Ocean Park by Stephen Carter

This project is made possible by a grant from the North Carolina Humanities Council, the state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities, in partnership with the North Carolina Center for the Book, a program of the State Library of North Carolina. Additional support is provided by the Friends of the Library.

Contact the library at 638-7800 for more information.

Neuse River Program June 8th

2010-06-04T10:51:00.001-04:00

Neuse River: Life Begins With a Drop of Water

Jake Jacobson, of the Neuse Riverkeeper Foundation, will speak about the Neuse River
at 7 p.m on Tuesday, June 8th in the library auditorium.

Please join us for this informative presentation. Admission is free and refreshments will be served.

2010-06-03T15:39:00.002-04:00

Children (12 and under) are invited to Make a SPLASH at the New Bern-Craven County Public Library for this year's Summer Reading Program! Registration will begin Monday, June 28 in the Children's Services Department. We encourage children to register early so they may participate in the storytimes and club sessions beginning Tuesday, July 6. The Youth Services staff will kickoff the summer programs with a Bedtime Special on Wednesday, June 30 and Thursday, July 1 at 7:00 in the library auditorium. All children need a ticket to attend. Free tickets will be available beginning Tuesday, June 8. We hope you will help us celebrate 30 years of summer reading programs. Wear your pajamas and plan on having fun with all your library friends. For more information about our programs and services, please call at 252-638-7815.

Lecture and Genealogy Seminar, May 21 and 22

2010-05-13T10:15:00.003-04:00

In celebration of New Bern’s tercentennial, the New Bern-Craven County Public Library is sponsoring two programs featuring the renowned Palatine researcher, Henry Z. “Hank” Jones, Jr.

On Friday, May 21, at 7 p.m. in Orringer Auditorium at Craven Community College, Mr. Jones will deliver a free lecture titled “The Palatines: Profiles in Courage.” The lecture will discuss the history of the Palatines and their subsequent immigration to England and North America.

On Saturday, May 22, a day long genealogy seminar will be held at the New Bern-Craven County Public Library auditorium, beginning at 9 a.m. for registration. Topics discussed will include “When the Sources are Wrong,” “Family Tradition: Separating Fact from Fiction” and “How Psychic Roots Became an Unsolved Mystery.” Also discussed will be “Tracing the Origins of early 18th Century Palatines and Other Emigrants.” The cost for this seminar is $40 if registered by May 7 and $50 after May 7. Price includes lunch and workshop material.

Contact the Kellenberger Room at 638-7808 or visit the Kellenberger Room’s website (http://newbern.cpclib.org/research) for more information and registration forms.

Hank Jones has written seven books on genealogy and an autobiography. He is a Fellow of the American Society of Genealogists, a group whose membership is limited to 50 members. He received the Award of Merit from the National Genealogical Society for Distinguished Work in Genealogy, is a member and former Trustee of the Association of Professional Genealogists and is a Charter Member and former Director of The Genealogical Speaker's Guild. In addition to his genealogical career, Hank also had a twenty-five year acting career, appearing on numerous television programs and eight Walt Disney movies in the late 1960s and early 1970s including Herbie Rides Again, Blackbeard’s Ghost and The Shaggy D.A. He retired from acting in 1981 to spend more time doing genealogy.

Friends Wanted

2010-04-17T23:28:00.002-04:00

The Friends of the Library membership drive is now underway. Application forms are available at the Library's main desk. Annual dues and proceeds from the twice yearly book-sales help support library programs including the Summer Reading Program and Let's Talk About It Book Discussion Series.

Join the Friends on Sunday, April 18th at 3 p.m. with local author Eddie Ellis. Mr. Ellis will be the keynote speaker for the Friends Annual meeting which is open to the public. Ellis, the author of New Bern History 101, will speak on "How a Trip to the Library Changed My Life"

GIANT VIDEO and AUDIO BOOK SALE

2010-02-24T13:51:00.005-05:00

The New Bern-Craven County Public Library announces a giant video and audio book sale in the library auditorium from March 25-27. Sale hours are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

Thousands of entertainment videos and a large collection of books on cassette tape will be available. Topics include: drama, family, musicals, science-fiction, westerns, and more. $1 per video tape, books on tape will be 25 cents per tape.

Call 638-7800 for more information.

Author Margaret Maron to Visit

2010-02-08T14:06:00.003-05:00

Best-selling author Margaret Maron comes to New Bern to kick off the New Bern Craven County Public Library series, Tar Heel Voices, an exploration of works showcasing life and culture in North Carolina. Maron, a native Tar Heel, is the author of twenty-six novels and two collections of short stories, including the popular and best-selling series of mystery novels featuring Judge Deborah Knott, a district court judge from fictional "Colleton County," North Carolina. As a district court judge Knott travels all over the state and her cases (and the novels) take her to Harkers Island, (Shooting at Loons), among the potters in central NC (Uncommon Clay), to the High Point furniture market (Killer Market), and the Blue Ridge Mountains (High Country Fall), among many familiar North Carolina locations. Through murder and mayhem, family trials and tribulations, hurricanes and scorching tobacco fields, Judge Knott dispenses justice across her beloved North Carolina with an even hand and a good sense of humor. Beyond the mystery stories, the novels explore author Maron’s concerns for North Carolina as the state transitions from agriculture to high tech, and touch upon problems of race, migrant labor, politics, and unstructured growth.

The New York Times Book Review states, “Every Margaret Maron [novel] is a celebration of something remarkable.” Ms Maron still lives on the family tobacco farm a few miles southeast of Raleigh. (The farm is also the setting for her novel Bootlegger's Daughter, numbered among the 100 Favorite Mysteries of the Century by the Independent Mystery Booksellers Association.) In 2004, she received the Sir Walter Raleigh Award for best North Carolina novel of the year. Maron is also a recipient of the Order of the Long Leaf Pine and in 2008 she was honored with the North Carolina Award for Literature, the state’s highest civilian honor.

“Ms. Maron is a wonderful speaker and a great way to kick off our Tar Heel Voices series which aims to celebrate North Carolina as an inspiration to the creative process,” says Head Librarian Joanne Straight. “Margaret Maron herself is a North Carolina native who returned to her family home following time in Italy and New York. Not only does she have deep roots in our state but she vividly reflects that in her writing.”

Maron will be presenting a lecture titled: “Coming Home with the Bootlegger"s Daughter;” Bootlegger's Daughter is the title of the first book in the Deborah Knott mystery series.

“I think it’s especially wonderful that Margaret Maron is coming this year when we are celebrating New Bern’s 300th birthday since she so clearly loves being a Tar Heel and is so interested in the history and cultural life of this state,” says Straight. “We are really excited to have her and are looking forward to introducing her to our community.”

Tar Heel Voices: Author Margaret Maron will be held Saturday, March 20 at 2 p.m. in the dining room of the New Bern Scottish Rite Temple, 516 Hancock Street in downtown New Bern. Free tickets will be available at the New Bern Craven County Public Library at 400 Johnson Street in New Bern beginning March 1. There will be no admission without a ticket. Although there is no charge for admission, donations to the New Bern Craven County public library are welcome.

A wine and cheese reception with Margaret Maron will be held on March 19 (the evening before) from 7-8:30 p.m. at the home of John and Maria Cho in downtown New Bern. Tickets are $20 per person. Tickets are limited and will be available for sale at the library beginning March 1. All proceeds will benefit continuing programs at the New Bern Craven County Public Library.

Margaret Maron’s appearance is made possible through the generous sponsorship of: Harris, Creech, Ward & Blackberry, P.A., Leigh A. Wilkinson, the Arts Department of the New Bern Woman's Club and the Friends of the Library.

BIG Book Sale

2009-09-24T17:28:00.003-04:00

The Friends of the New Bern-Craven County Public Library fall book-sale returns to the Sudan Shrine Center at the corner of Broad Street and East Front Street beginning Friday, October 16th.
Sale hours are Friday and Saturday, October 16th and 17th from 9 AM to 5 PM and Sunday, October 18th from 2 PM to 5 PM.
The selection of materials, which includes hard cover and paperback books for adults and children, records and videos, fills more than twenty tables.
The library accepts donations of books and other materials in good to excellent condition during our hours of operation. At our discretion, donated items may be added to the library collection, offered to the Friends of the Library or discarded. Unused gifts cannot be returned to the donor. We are unable to accept textbooks, magazines, condensed books, or items that are soiled, torn, moldy or damp.
Proceeds from previous book-sales have funded children’s and adult programs including the annual Dickens program and the summer reading program. The Friends have also purchased books and equipment including encyclopedias, computers, preservation supplies and an electronic keyboard.
Membership applications for the Friends of the Library are available at the library’s main desk.

2009-09-11T17:05:00.017-04:00

Civil War Movie Series

The library is sponsoring a series of Civil War themed movies this fall prior to hosting the national traveling exhibit "Forever Free: Abraham Lincoln's Journey to Emancipation."
All movies begin at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday afternoons in the library auditorium. Admission is free.
The schedule includes:

September 20 – Ride with the Devil explores the lives of four Southern guerilla fighters on the Missouri-Kansas border.

October 4 – Shenandoah This classic film stars Jimmy Stewart as a Virginia farmer who tries to remain neutral and not get involved in the conflict. He is forced to take action when his youngest son is taken prisoner by the Union army. 138 minutes

October 18 - The Great Locomotive Chase A Union spy leads a group of raiders into Southern territory to steal a train in an attempt to destroy the railroad system. 105 minutes

November 1 – Glory Critics and historians have high praise for this movie that tells the story of the 54th Regiment of the Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, an all black unit comprised of Northern freemen and escaped slaves. 122 minutes

Using Online Library Research Tools Just Got Easier

2009-07-29T15:58:00.004-04:00

Students, community members, and library users who once thought Google was the only easy answer to all their online research needs will now find it easier to make use of the library’s online research tools.

As part of a pilot program, the Craven-Pamlico-Cartert Regional Library (including the New Bern-Craven County Public Library) has partnered with NC LIVE, a collaborative for North Carolina’s nearly 200 libraries, to make searching online library databases easier by allowing users to login with only their library card number. This service will start AUGUST 7.

In the past, users were required to visit the library to acquire the NC LIVE password. Now, library customers can login using information they likely already have in their wallets or on their keychains.

CPC Regional Library has always offered free access to online research databases provided by NC LIVE. Long touted the sources for reliable information, online library databases give access to information not available freely on the Web. But the ease of using Internet search engines, such as Google, has caused many library customers to settle for an easier option. Library staff at the CPC Regional Library hope the switch to an easier system will encourage more library patrons to use the service.

Library Director, Jackie Beach, wants people to take advantage of the many online resources the library has to offer. “The online databases we provide through NC LIVE range in topics from career planning, literature, and genealogy, to health and medical resources, to business and investing. Our customers can even access e-books, online videos, magazines, and newspapers by using online library resources. The information in these databases is not out there on the Web for free, but our library customers have free access through our library’s website. Whether you’re starting your own business or you’re doing a homework assignment for class, NC LIVE library databases have something valuable to offer.”

To access NC LIVE online research tools, go to the library’s website (http://newbern.cpclib.org), or visit www.nclive.org and choose Craven-Pamlico-Carteret Regional, then enter your library card number. These resources can be used whether you are in the library or at home with an Internet connection.

Online Catalog Working Again!

2009-06-25T16:46:00.003-04:00

Around lunch time today (June 25), the online catalog started working again.

The catalog had been out of service since mid-February due to problems with the Regional Server.

All functions, including reserves, appear to be operational. Thank you for your patience during this time.

Summer Reading Programs Begin

2009-06-16T10:35:00.004-04:00

The Summer Reading Programs have begun and will continue through July.
Master the Art of Reading, the Adult Program, began June 15 and will run through July 31.
Express Yourself @ Your Library, the Young Adult program, also began June 15 and will run through July 20, when Time Logs will need to be turned in.
Be Creative @ Your Library, the Children's Summer Reading Program, begins registration on June 22, with the program running June 29 through July 31.
For more information information see the library's website at http://newbern.cpclib.org/nbccpl/srp2009.htm.

2009-05-05T19:20:00.004-04:00

The 2nd New Bern Literary Symposium will be held Friday, May 15 and Saturday, May16, 2009 in Historic Downtown New Bern.
Workshops include "Writing Your Memoir" "Developing Your Characters" and "How to Publish Your Book Now!"

Friday, May 15 - Noon - "The Whys and Hows of Research" by Ila Gray White followed by a Library Tour led by John B. Green III - Conference Room

Saturday, May 16 - 10-11:30 AM PANEL DISCUSSION

What We Wrote, Why We Wrote It, and How We Became Authors with authors: P.T. Deutermann, P.M. Terrell, and Mirian Herin - Library Auditorium

Copies of the authors books will be available for purchase

Registration forms and a complete schedule are available at the library, Next Chapter Book Store or online at http://www.cravenarts.org/

Server Update, April 2009

2009-04-28T10:40:00.000-04:00

The CPC Regional Library System suffered a major technological setback on February 14, when the main automation server crashed. All of the information that is necessary for the automated circulation system to function properly is stored on this server and the crash made this information inaccessible to the staff and public. This information includes borrowers information, circulation records and on-line public access catalog functions,i.e., searching, remote access, reserves.

CPC administrative staff had recently received a proposal for the replacement of the 10-year-old server in the amount of $65,000--an amount that is daunting, to say the least, in light of the current economic crunch we all find ourselves in. Unlike other governmental agencies, libraries do not have large contingency funds. With the help of the automation vendor working with the regional technology coordinator, the check-in/check-out function has been restored. Unfortunately at this time, the server does not have the capacity to handle the more complex functions such as the on-line catalog and the reserve book function. Consultation with other sources for a "band-aid" fix are on-going. The budget requests for fiscal year 2009-2010 include monies for the replacement of the server. Please be assured that the library staff and administration want this problem resolved as much as our users do. In the meantime, staff can help you locate materials on staff computers, and you can rediscover the joys of browsing--you might just find that best seller you've been wanting waiting for you on the new book shelf!

We thank you for your patience and understanding and, of course, donations will be accepted and appreciated!

Jackie Beach, Director

CPC Regional Library

Friends of the Library Book Sale

2009-03-27T21:23:00.000-04:00

The Friends of the Library Spring Book Sale will be held at the Sudan Shrine Center beginning at 9 AM on Friday, April 17, 2009. Sale hours are 9 AM to 5 PM on Friday and Saturday, April 17 and 18 and 2 PM to 5 PM on Sunday, April 19.
The Sudan Shrine Center is located at the corner of Broad Street and East Front Street.
Hardcover and paperback books for children and adults will be available as well as books on cassette tape. Proceeds from the sale benefit the library.

AUTHORS READ

2009-03-26T12:54:00.000-04:00

Book Lovers of all ages are invited to AUTHORS READ at 2:30 PM on Saturday, April 4th in the Library Auditorium. The event is sponsored by the Library and the New Bern Literary Symposium.

Six authors from Eastern North Carolina will give a 10-15 minute reading of their most recent books. Authors will answer questions and sell autographed copies of their work. Listeners will enjoy selections that include: poetry, mystery and suspense novels, biography and motivational titles.

Participating authors are: Phil Bowie, Richard Folsom, Tom H. Forbes, S.I. Horvath, Nancy King, and Diane Wolfe.

Admission is free. Refreshments will be served. Call 638-7800 for more information.
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Welcome

2009-03-12T12:03:00.000-04:00

Welcome to the blog of the New Bern-Craven County Public Library. We hope to use this site to inform you of upcoming events, programs, and library news. Stay tuned for updates!