Catawba County News
This Week @ Your Library July 12-19
Published: July 08, 2026
We've got storytimes!
Ready to Learn Storytime: Preschool
Preschool story time with reading
readiness. Join us for songs, sensory play, crafts, and stories designed to prepare your preschooler to learn.
Wednesdays at 10 am
Sherrills Ford-Terrell Branch Library
St. Stephens Branch Library
Main Library in Newton
Wednesdays at 11 am
Southwest Branch Library
Thursdays at 10 am
Maiden Branch Library
Sherrills Ford-Terrell Branch Library
Southwest Branch Library
St. Stephens Branch Library
Fridays at 10 am
Main Library in Newton
Ready to Learn Storytime: Tiny to Two
Mondays at 10 am
Main Library in Newton
Fridays at 10 am
Sherrills Ford-Terrell Branch Library
This sweet, simple, 20-minute story time features rhymes, bounces, sensory play, and singing for our youngest learners. Playtime follows.
Programs for children, ages 6-11!
The Catawba County Museum of History: America 250
Ever wondered what our country was like 250 years ago? Find out in this hands-on exploration of American history!
Monday, July 6 at 2 pm
St. Stephens Branch Library
Monday, July 6 at 5 pm
Southwest Branch Library
Friday, July 10 at 4 pm
Conover Branch Library
Thursday, July 16 at 2 pm
Maiden Branch Library
Thursday, July 23 at 11 am
Main Library in Newton
Thursday, July 23 at 2 pm
Claremont Branch Library
Monday, July 27 at 6 pm
Sherrills Ford-Terrell Branch Library
Real Science with Dr. Z!
Experience real science with a trained physicist!
Tuesday, July 7 at 6 pm
St. Stephens Branch Library
Waves, Oscillations, and Periodic Motion: What do all of these things have in common? Learn the answer to that question and more at this program.
Tuesday, July 14 at 3 pm
Main Library in Newton
Dr. Z’s Earthquake Extravaganza:
Learn about plate tectonics and earthquakes in this live science demonstration!
Wednesday, July 22 at 3 pm
Maiden Branch Library
Rocket Science: 3... 2... 1... BLAST OFF! Join us as we take off through a thrilling demonstration of the basics of rockets!
PAWS to Read
Encourage your young reader through reading with a certified therapy dog. To schedule an appointment, please call 828-466-5108 for Conover or 828-466-6821 for St. Stephens.
Tuesdays, July 7, 14, & 21
St. Stephens Branch Library
Tuesday, July 21 at 5:30 pm
Conover Branch Library
by appointment
Critter Keeper
Snakes, spiders, and lizards, oh my! See incredible animals and enjoy a chance to pet them...if you dare!
Wednesday, July 15 at 10 am
Maiden Town Hall
Wednesday, July 15 at 1 pm
Southwest Branch Library
Wednesday, July 15 at 4 pm
St. Stephens Branch Library
Wednesday, July 15 at 6 pm
Main Library in Newton
Thursday, July 16 at 11 am
Conover Branch Library
Thursday, July 16 at 1 pm
Claremont Branch Library
Thursday, July 16 at 4 pm
Sherrills Ford-Terrell Branch Library
Catawba County Parks: Dino-palooza
Join local park rangers to learn all about dinosaurs in this interactive experience.
Wednesday, July 15 at 1 pm
Claremont Branch Library
Wednesday, July 22 at 1 pm
St. Stephens Branch Library
Wednesday, July 22 at 4 pm
Conover Branch Library
Discovering Layers
Monday, July 13 at 5:30 pm
St. Stephens Branch Library
Explore the structure of the Earth by recreating its layers - from crust to core - using tasty, edible ingredients. This hands-on program blends learning and creativity (with a side of sweetness!) as participants build their own mini-Earth models.
Unearth What’s Inside a Geode
Thursday, July 16 at 2 pm
St. Stephens Branch Library
Rock-hounds unite! What’s inside a geode? How do they form? Most importantly, how do you split them open? Participants will learn the basics of geode geology and then open their geodes safely with adult supervision. To register, please call 828-466-6821.
Dino Craft Lab
Thursday, July 16 at 3 pm
Southwest Branch Library
Get crafty and prehistoric! Build paper dinosaur puppets, pasta dinos, and other fun dino-themed projects. A roaring good time for hands-on fun and imaginative play, this program lets participants explore the world of dinosaurs through art.
Dinosaur Trivia
Tuesday, July 18 at 2 pm
St. Stephens Branch Library
Join us for this dinosaur trivia challenge where young explorers will embark on a prehistoric quest to test their knowledge of the mighty creatures that roamed the earth millions of years ago!
Programs for teens!
Plantersaurus
Wednesday, July 15 at 3 pm
Sherrills Ford-Terrell Branch Library
Create a whimsical planter using a simple plastic dinosaur toy, paint, and a buildable succulent. To register, please call 828-466-6827.
Programs for adults!
Zumba Mondays!
Mondays at 6 pm
Main Library in Newton
Enjoy a dance and movement class that’s too much fun to call exercise.
Mindful Movement
Wednesdays & Fridays at 3 pm
St. Stephens Branch Library
Low impact exercise and gentle stretching for adults of all ages.
Escape Room: Seismic Stealth
Tuesday, July 14 at 2 pm
Southwest Branch Library
Solve the clues or become the chews—remember, if you drop the ball, he drops the nap. You will need to solve puzzles with the grace of a cat, because one dropped key or heavy footsteps will turn this 7-ton predator’s nap into a snack break. If the “snore-o-meter” hits red, you aren’t just failing the mission—you’re officially joining the fossil record.
Inking Techniques: Animal Illustrations
Tuesday, July 14 at 5 pm
Maiden Branch Library
Master light and shadow as we transform animal sketches by Old Master artists (i.e. Rembrandt, Da Vinci, Gainsborough) into finished illustrations using technical drawing pens. To register, please call 828-428-2712.
Swing Dance 101
Tuesday, July 14 at 6 pm
Conover Branch Library
Join us for an introduction to swing dance! We’ll cover simple steps and rhythms to get you comfortable on the dance floor. To register, please call 828-466-5108.
Preserve Your Family Story: Photos & Documents
Tuesday, July 14 at 6 pm
Main Library in Newton
Make it easier for future generations to unearth your family story. This hands-on workshop is all about how to preserve the photos and documents that tell the story of your family. Learn how to scan and store digital versions of your most precious family mementos. Bring up to five photos or documents to digitize for posterity. To register, please call 828-465-8665.
Smartphone Notification Settings
Wednesday, July 15 at 2 pm
Long View Town Hall
Learn how to adjust smartphone notifications to reduce digital distractions, stay organized, and stay focused.
K-Pop Catawba!
Thursday, July 16 at 6 pm
Main Library in Newton
Catawba County's only continuing K-pop fan gathering! Share your favorite songs, videos, and artist biases and play K-pop trivia. Explore the world's most exciting musical genre!
Gentle Flow Yoga
Friday, July 17 at 11 am
Sherrills Ford-Terrell Branch Library
A certified yoga instructor will lead us through a beginner-friendly, gentle flow yoga class. You are encouraged to bring a yoga mat or towel as well as a small blanket.
Visit with the Library to Go - out in the community!
Herman Sipe Lunch & Library
Wednesday, July 15 from 11:30 am - 1 pm
115 Herman Sipe Rd, Conover, 28612
Enjoy a meal provided by The Corner Table Community Kitchen, check out some books, listen to a story, and participate in free hands-on activities.
Public Health Farmers Market
Thursday, July 16 from 10 am - 1 pm
3070 11th Ave. Dr. SE, Hickory
We’ll be bringing the party to the farmers market with music, crafts, and books for all ages.
