“Bad libraries build collections, good libraries build services, great libraries build communities,” R. David Lankes, recipient of the American Library Association’s 2016 Ken Haycock Award for Promoting Librarianship.
The Town of Fuquay-Varina has just such a library. A library that is not simply a place with shelves of books, but a place to grow better as a community. From research help to book club kits, and job preparation to family storytime, Fuquay Varina’s library is a place for entertainment, education, and community interaction.
The Fuquay-Varina Community Library opened the doors to its new facility on Bramblehill Drive in September 2019, just months before the Covid-19 pandemic caused them to have to close those doors. Fortunately for this community, the library staff found ways to continue serving their patrons and they still use some of these services even though they are back to full operations.
Contactless services for those library patrons who would like to limit contact, or those who are on a tight schedule, are still available. Book Bundles and Express Book Bags are great options for a quick pick-up. By visiting the library website and answering a few questions, you can set up a scheduled pick-up for a surprise mix of kids’ books (Book Bundles) or books to match specific interests for all ages (Express Book Bags). With both options, books are gathered by a librarian, checked-out to you and bagged with your name, and placed on a table inside the main door. Just pick up and go!
For adults who are providing care to someone in the early stages of memory loss, the Fuquay-Varina Community Library offers Memory Care Kits. Much like an Express Book Bag, these kits are reserved online for pick-up. They offer books and materials on themes helpful to those with memory issues. The kit is designed to foster conversation and bring back treasured memories.
Fuquay-Varina Community Library is part of the Wake County Public Library System, which allows library patrons access to much more online. Research databases, e-books and audio books, custom book lists, virtual lectures, college test preparation databases, and more are accessible online wherever you are. To access any of these programs, visit www.wakegov.com/departments-government/libraries.
If you are one of the many people who have embraced the return to in-person activities, and you would like to know what the library has to offer, please keep reading. Fuquay-Varina Community Library has something for every age, and there is more to come.
“This community (Fuquay-Varina) came out of Covid wanting to get out,” said Janet West, Fuquay-Varina Community Library manager. “We recovered a lot faster than other libraries in Wake County. We are back to where we were pre-Covid as far as in-person usage of the library.”
Many of the regular patrons of the library have returned, but Fuquay-Varina has a growing population, and many are unaware of the myriad services provided by the librarians at the Fuquay-Varina Community Library.
For Young Children
Just as before the pandemic, caregivers of small children are back enjoying the library’s preschool programs, such as Family Storytime and ABC Craft and Learn. These programs are a great way to get your young child excited about reading and provide preschoolers everything they need to learn to read. Family Storytime engages children with books, music, rhymes, and movement. ABC Craft and Learn simulates a preschool classroom and focuses on one letter of the alphabet at each session. After the activities, you can find books and resources for the whole family.
Family Storytime ABC Craft and Learn
Mondays 9:30 a.m. Children ages 3 to 5
Tuesdays 10:30 a.m. Saturdays 11:30 a.m.
Wednesdays 5:30 p.m.
Thursdays 10:30 a.m.
Saturdays 10:30 a.m.
For Elementary School Children
For the elementary school-age child in your life, Fuquay-Varina Community Library offers K-5th Adventures. This fun-filled program is offered twice a week and focuses on reading, creating, discovering, and exploring through hands-on activities. Each week features a different theme, giving children an opportunity to learn about, experiment with, and create science, art, history, and more.
K – 5th Adventures
Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. and Thursdays at 4:30 p.m.
For Middle School and High School Students
In addition to exploring the variety of books in the youth section of the library, kids in 6th grade through 10th grade may be interested in the Fuquay-Varina library’s Teen Leadership Core. This is a unique volunteer opportunity in which students help with library activities, material organization, and community craft projects. For more information on the Teen Leadership Core, speak with a librarian.
High School juniors and seniors will want to take advantage of all the library has to offer for college preparation. Students can book a one-on-one session for help with test preparation, college applications, and financial aid applications. Librarians can also help find resources for academic papers and access to ACT/SAT test preparation databases. Visit the library website at www.wakegov.com/departments-government/libraries. Click the ‘At Your Service’ tab, then the ‘Level Up’ block, to book your appointment.
For Adults
Whether you want to choose a good book for a quiet night, get device help, or start a book club, the librarians at Fuquay-Varina Community Library can help.
The library is a great place to meet friends and make friends any time, but if you are looking for a regular group, “Craft and Chat” and “A Novel Idea” might be for you. Craft and Chat meets once a month for an hour of conversation and crafting. A Novel Idea meets the fourth Wednesday of each month and is a discussion group where members share their recommendations.
“A Novel Idea is like a book club without a book,” said Janet West. “They meet to discuss books, what each person is reading, and share what they recommend with the rest of the group.”
If you are interested in starting a more traditional book club, look no further than the library for all you need. Book club kits are available and include 15 copies of a book chosen from a list of 150 titles, as well as discussion materials and resources for meetings.
The community is enjoying the return of in-person social activities like book clubs, but the pandemic brought new ways of using technology for business and personal interaction, which are still widely used. Many adults have had to develop new technology skills over the past few years. Navigating virtual meetings, downloading e-books, using handheld devices, and being competent in basic computer skills has become necessary for many jobs and daily activities. If you need help with these skills, one-on-one appointments are available. Bring your device to the library and a librarian can help you become more comfortable in the digital age.
In addition to becoming more dependent on technology, the shutdowns of Covid-19 left many people looking for new employment. Whether you are new to the workforce or looking for a career change, the “Get that Job!” service at the library is a resource you’ll want to utilize. Librarians are available to review online applications, review your resume and cover letter, and give tips for interview success.
For a complete list of events and services at the Fuquay-Varina Community Library, visit www.wakegov.com/departments-government/libraries.
The Future of Fuquay-Varina Community Library
The number of people who utilize the programs and services at the library has been steadily growing since the library re-opened after the pandemic. To meet the needs of the community, the library is continuously getting new books on the shelves and adding new programs. There are new extended hours, as well. Due to space constraints, large groups like lecture series and author readings cannot be held at the library, although many of the regional libraries in the Wake County system offer these programs.
Wake County foresaw the need for a regional library in the Fuquay-Varina area, which is why the new library was built on land that would accommodate future expansion. The 2024 ballot may include a bond measure for Wake County Libraries to build and expand, including expanding the Fuquay-Varina library into a regional location.
“Right now, the closest regional libraries are Cary Regional, Eva Perry in Apex, and Southeast Regional in Garner,” said Janet West. “Expanding this library into a regional location will allow for programs that can accommodate more people attending.”
We all know that the library is a great place to find a good book. If you are a lover of romance novels or an ace detective who enjoys solving the crimes of the century, or maybe a historian who travels the ages through the pages, the library has a wealth of books. More than finding books on any subject, though, the library offers programs and services that are helpful, and sometimes vital, to any age group. Their offerings bring people together to grow, learn, and connect. Fuquay-Varina Community Library has done more than build a collection of books, it has helped build Fuquay-Varina’s sense of community.
Library hours:
Monday through Thursday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Friday and Saturday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sunday 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
