Hello, readers! One thing in my life that brings me joy is watching birds. My birdwatching is not done out in the wild, binoculars in hand, but simply looking out my kitchen window at the birdfeeder in my backyard. There is something very special about seeing all the visiting birds, and my family and I … Continue reading Backyard Birdwatching
Hobbies
Changing Leaves, Change Within
Our favorite time of year is approaching: Fall! Living in North Carolina, and especially the Smoky Mountains, we are fortunate to experience all four seasons. For many, the seasons are closely linked to how we approach our life. After all, the plants and animals around us operate cyclically, so it’s natural to assume we as … Continue reading Changing Leaves, Change Within
Crafting Mistakes
Hey y’all, this is Savannah from the Macon County Public Library. You’ve seen some of my previous blogs which focus here and there on escapism. Since March is National Craft Month, I get to talk about my most favorite “escapism” of all – craft time. In case you didn’t know, there’s a lot of truth … Continue reading Crafting Mistakes
MakerTools!
Thanks to a generous grant from LSTA (Library Services and Technology Act), makertools are arriving at all FRL libraries this winter. But what are makertools? You may have heard the term "makerspace" in recent years -- MakerTools is FRL's take on that concept. MakerTools are the equipment and knowledge needed for making, learning, exploring, and … Continue reading MakerTools!
Libraries On Tap
Did you know that the brewing industry is the fastest growing industry in western North Carolina? Well, of course it is! That’s why Fontana Regional Library system is stepping out of the stacks to bring: “Libraries on Tap: Brewing Scavenger Hunt” to Jackson, Macon and Swain counties. “Libraries on Tap” is a collaboration between Fontana … Continue reading Libraries On Tap
Guest Blog: Local author, Tyler Cook, reflects on Macon County Public Library’s Read Local Book Fair
As I reflect on the fifth annual Read Local Book Fair in Franklin, I can’t help but feel excitement, as if I’m attending it for the first time. Each year brings a new experience, and a new group of customers gets to experience a new book, whether they buy mine or someone else’s. For us … Continue reading Guest Blog: Local author, Tyler Cook, reflects on Macon County Public Library’s Read Local Book Fair
Simple Switch, Right?…Not as Easy as “ABCs”
Making the big move from Adult Reference Services to Youth Services was not supposed to be a big deal because I’ve been a children’s librarian for most of my career, but after working with adults for 10 years, this may take some getting used to... Instead of people asking about how to save a document … Continue reading Simple Switch, Right?…Not as Easy as “ABCs”
Calling all Nerds! – Healthy Escapism 101
I am a proud, card-carrying nerd. While I am not a stereotype, I enjoy and appreciate all things geek (I do, after all, work in a library). Over the years, my inner geek has taken a back seat to jobs, school, moves, and financial constraints, however, the geek is and will always be around, waiting … Continue reading Calling all Nerds! – Healthy Escapism 101
National Parks and Recreation Month
Hi Shelf Life Readers! Happy National Parks and Recreation month! I am writing to you from the Jackson County Public Library but if you tried to find me during the summer months from 2012 to 2015, you would’ve had to look deep in the wilderness of either the Sumter or Chattahoochee National Forest, where I … Continue reading National Parks and Recreation Month
Hike with Pride this month!
June is LGBTQIA+ Pride Month as well as Great Outdoors Month and so this blog will be about both! LGBTQIA+ is an acronym that stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual and the plus is for gender fluid people - people whose gender identity changes over time or per situation. Queer is a … Continue reading Hike with Pride this month!
Shelf Life in the Mountains 