A M AGA Z I N E O F F O R SY T H C O U N T Y P U B L I C L I B R A RY
INTERSECTIONS
C O N N E CT I N G P E O P L E & P U R P O S E T H R O U G H L I B R A RY S E R V I C E
4 REDLINING EXHIBIT PROMOTES UNDERSTANDING
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LOCAL WOMEN OFFER PERSPECTIVES ON HOPE AND HEALING LIBRARY FRIENDS GROUPS CHANNEL CREATIVITY TO RAISE MONEY BEYOND INNOCENCE: Q&A WITH LOCAL AUTHOR PHOEBE ZERWICK
WINTER/SPRING 2022
JANUARY
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Level Up Gamer Society (Central Library – Makerspace)
UPCOMING PROGRAMS
First and third Tues. of each month at 6 p.m. starting Jan. 4 Level Up is a group facilitated by the library, where adults (18+) can meet and engage in multiple types of gaming, including tabletop RPGs, card games, console gaming, and more. Discussions at the end of each session will determine the activities that will be facilitated at the next meeting.
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SERIES: Career & Job Prep for Teens (Central – Computer Learning Classroom) Teen Resume Workshop with Cypress Resume Jan. 4 at 4 p.m. Teen job seekers will learn how to create a basic resume, covering what to include and what to leave off.
Is Your Online Reputation College and Career Ready? Feb. 1 at 4 p.m. During this workshop we will go over ways to be mindful about the information you share and tips to cultivate their trillion-dollar online presence.
Both are hybrid programs — meeting both in person and virtually. Space is limited so registration is required. To participate virtually, visit the teen page to register or email whitejp@forsyth.cc. If you do not have a webcam or microphone, you may still attend.
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Author to Watch Book Club (Carver School Road Branch) Jan. 15, Feb. 12, March 12, April 9, and May 7 at 3 p.m. Join the “An Author to Watch Book Club,” to discuss African American authors who have a lot to say and need an audience to talk them up.
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Paws & Claws: A Creative Pawtnership (Paddison Memorial Branch) Third Wed. of every month at 11:00 a.m. Jan. 19, Feb. 16, and March 16. The Paddison Memorial Branch Library has partnered with the Forsyth Humane Society to host Paws & Claws: A Creative Pawtnership. This program series will teach participants how to create DIY pet beds, pet toys, and even tasty, healthy treats. Best of all, items made will be donated to the pets at the Forsyth Humane Society. Email Emily at emersoem@forsyth.cc to register since openings are limited.
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FAFSA Night for Parents (Carver School Road Branch) Jan. 20, Feb. 17, March 17, April 21, and May 19 at 6 p.m. If you have questions, or have started your FAFSA application and are not sure if you have filled it out correctly, or just need to know what to do, then this session is for you.
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Digital Library 101 (Central Library – Dudley Rm.) Every third Thurs. starting Jan. 20 at 10 a.m. Join us on the third floor of Forsyth County Central Library for help using NC Digital Library and your e-reader device. Space is limited. Email Tory at komljevl@forsyth.cc to register. Patrons 18+ are welcome.
Locations and Hours Limited Browsing and Borrowing Monday-Thursday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. To-Go Service Hours Monday-Thursday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Branches Carver School Road Branch 4915 Lansing Dr. Winston-Salem, N.C. 27105 336-703-2910 Central Library 660 W. Fifth St. Winston-Salem, N.C. 27101 336-703-2665 Clemmons Branch 6365 James Street Clemmons, N.C. 27012 336-703-2920
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Reynolda Manor Branch 2839 Fairlawn Dr. Winston-Salem, N.C. 27106 336-703-2960 Rural Hall Branch 7125 Broad St. Rural Hall, N.C. 27045 336-703-2970 Southside Branch 3185 Buchanan St. Winston-Salem, N.C. 27127 336-703-2980 Walkertown Branch 2969 Main St. Walkertown, N.C. 27051 336-703-2990
Youth Mini-Libraries
Paddison Memorial Branch in Kernersville 248 Harmon Lane Kernersville, N.C. 27284 336-703-2930 Lewisville Branch 6490 Shallowford Rd. Lewisville, N.C. 27023 Phone: 336-703-2940
Malloy/Jordan East Winston Heritage Center 1110 E. Seventh St. Winston-Salem, N.C. 27101 336-703-2950
Ken Carlson Salvation Army Boys & Girls Club 2100 Reynolds Park Rd. Winston-Salem, N.C. 27107 336-788-6563 YWCA Best Choice Center 1031 E. 11th St. Winston-Salem, N.C. 27101 336-722-0597
Chef Floyd Cooking Techniques for Kids (Central – Servery) Jan. 21 at 3 p.m., Feb. 18 at 3 p.m., March 18 at 3 p.m., April 15 at 3 p.m. Chef Floyd will provide classes that feature simple food preparation and cooking techniques for children (ages 8-12). Registration required: call 336-703-2822.
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Share and Teach at Paddison (Paddison Memorial Branch) Fourth Mon. of each month starting Jan. 24 at 6 p.m. Do you collect something such as stamps, ornaments, etc. that has special meaning to you? Do you have a family heirloom with an interesting story? Join us for Share and Teach — the adult twist on the classic show and tell, held in the library’s auditorium. Please email Emily at emersoem@forsyth.cc or Lara at goldstlb@ forsyth.cc or call us at 336-703-2930. If you would like to join as a participant, please email us as well so we can register you and update you on the month’s discussion topics.
Continues on inside back cover.
INTER SECTIONS
WINTER/SPRING 2022
C O N N E CT I N G P E O P L E & P U R P O S E T H R O U G H L I B R A RY S E R V I C E
CONTENTS
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DEPARTMENTS
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FEATURES 4
Redlining Exhibit Promotes Understanding Undesign the Redline library exhibit
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Local Women Offer Perspectives on Hope and Healing Four local women share insights about how we can come together and thrive
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Q&A with Phoebe Zerwick, author of “Beyond Innocence: The Life Sentence of Darryl Hunt” Local journalist continues story begun in 2003
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From the Director Brian Hart discusses highlights of 2021
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What’s Current Behind the stacks: tips and tricks for your library account
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People & Purpose Library friends groups channel creativity to raise money; author Brendan Wenzel
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From the Bookshelf Window on women; Black History Month book recommendations
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Library Re-Imagined Unexpected books on the shelves; three staff members talk about what they love about their specialized library work
Intersections is printed three times a year. Please direct comments or suggestions to Mary Giunca, public information officer, at 336-703-3019, or giuncams@forsyth.cc. DESIGN: Amanda King | PHOTOGRAPHY: Library Staff, Amanda King | Writers: Yolanda Bolden, Mary Giunca, Brian Hart, Lara Luck, Jamie Stroble, Shannon Page, Jacquelyn White On the cover: A section of the Redlining Exhibit.
FROM THE DIRECTOR
Farewell 2021, Hello 2022 THANK YOU FOR ALL of the support and feedback regarding our programs, services and facilities over the course of 2021. We appreciate the interest and investment you’ve made in the Forsyth County Public Library. And since we know that you both share in and are largely responsible for our success, I want to use this space to share some of our highlights from the past year with you. The highlights were both plentiful and varied and include the opening of the new Clemmons Branch, the successful provision of both virtual and in-person events, the continued availability of the contactless To-Go Library, increased weekend and evening hours, an expansion of our outreach services with additional visits to park and recreation sites, homebound customers and assisted living centers, and the launching of the now award-winning publication, “Intersections.” Additionally, as of November 30, 2021, our service and support of the community “by the numbers” includes: > 174,485 new or renewed library cards > Circulation of 1,075,885 print materials > Hosting 22,073 customers at programs and events across the county > Responding to 316,591 general and directional reference questions via phone, email and social media > 1,667,180 uses of various online resources and databases.
“We appreciate the interest and investment you’ve made in the Forsyth County Public Library.”
In 2022, we look forward to continuing to build and improve upon the success of this past year. The Undesign the Redline exhibit, which debuted in our Central Library Auditorium in September 2021, will remain on display through February 2022. And, for this upcoming Women’s History Month, we look forward to sharing the varied ways in which women across Forsyth County continue to impact community and improve lives. With collections, services and events such as these that bring us together on the path to purpose, our hope is that each experience you share with FCPL and our staff will leave your heart and mind satisfied and your curiosity sparked. I | S Have a happy and successful new year! BRIAN HART, director
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WHAT’S CURRENT
Behind the Stacks TIPS AND TRICKS FOR YOUR LIBRARY ACCOUNT WE KNOW FROM THE MASSIVE amount of library materials traveling through our Central Library hub every day that a lot of our customers like to place holds. It’s great to just type something into a search box and have your items pop up a few days later. But sometimes things happen and holds don’t get picked up. Maybe your pet lizard escaped, or you had to make an unscheduled trip to Vegas where shenanigans ensued ... really, all kinds of real-life woes can get in the way of your reading. Wouldn’t it be great to have some more control over your online library Evergreen account? Actually, there are a lot of tools in your account to manage your reading life: > Choose notification preferences (text and email are best), including having your checkout receipts emailed to you instead of printed out. This is perfect if your dog keeps eating all of your receipts, or if you just want to save some paper. > Turn on your checkout and hold history so you can start keeping track of what you’ve read, watched or listened to. By default, your history is set to “off” in your account, but you can switch it on and start keeping track of your holds and checkouts going forward. “Did I read the 86th book in that sweeping historical fan-
tasy series?” Turn on your checkout history, so that when your future self asks that question, your future self will have the answer. > Make lists to share with other people — like your magic realism flash fiction book club. There’s not a lot of members, but they sure are enthusiastic, so why not send them an email directly from the library catalog with a book suggestion? > If you need more time, you can renew your materials. If you’re having trouble doing so, there are a few possible reasons. Someone else may be waiting for that item, in which case it can’t be renewed. The item may not allow renewals, or may have run out of renewals (you get a total of four renewals on most books, which is enough to last you three months!). If you have more than 15 overdue items, they can’t be renewed. And if you have library fees, those need to be taken care of before anything can be renewed. Remember, we don’t charge late fines, so if you do have fees on your library account, there might be an issue with a damaged item or missing piece. If you have questions, contact your local branch and our library sleuths will get to the bottom of it. > Suspend your holds — this is perfect if you’re going out of town, or if you
just have too much going on to get to all of your books right now. If you choose to suspend some or all of your holds, you can decide what day you’d like them to activate again. The system holds your place in line, and if your turn comes on a waiting list, that item will go to the next person while you stay put. You can suspend holds for as long as you want, and it helps when you have a pile of stuff you want to read. As always, feel free to contact staff at your local branch if you need assistance with your Evergreen account — being in control of your reading life is the best, and we’re here to help. I | S — JAMIE STROBLE, audiovisual librarian
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REDLINING EXHIBIT PROMOTES UNDERSTANDING
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“UNDESIGN THE REDLINE,” an interactive exhibit sponsored by The Winston-Salem Foundation, looks at the history of racism and inequality as it played out in neighborhoods, across the country, and in Winston-Salem. The exhibit is on display through Monday, Feb. 28 during Central Library’s operating hours. “Undesign the Redline” was created by Designing the We and involved a number of local community partners. Two of those partners offer their perspectives on the exhibit.
Wanda Allen-Abraha, JD, SHRM-SCP is the director of the city of WinstonSalem’s human relations/ diversity, equity and inclusion team, a community partner for the “Undesign the Redline” exhibit.
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HE “UNDESIGN THE REDLINE” exhibit has been the talk of the town. As a community, we were quite fortunate that The Winston-Salem Foundation had the foresight to bring such an important exhibit to our city. We were also fortunate to have the Forsyth County Public Library as the first host site for the exhibit. The community’s interest in the “Undesign the Redline” exhibit has been noteworthy and important in many ways. First, it would be remiss not to note that redlining was the precursor to fair housing law protections in that it was legally-protected housing discrimination. I have conversed with some people who walked away from the exhibit in disbelief that federal and local government ever sanctioned housing discrimination. Yet, I have also heard many in Winston-Salem clearly recall when it was perfectly legal and governmentrequired to determine mortgage lending based on skin color and the overall racial composition of neighborhoods; however, what is often, inadvertently, missed is the fact that we are still feeling and living with the reverberations of this government-sanctioned form of housing discrimination.
The exhibit has spurred many overdue and pivotal community considerations and conversations that will, hopefully, raise awareness and encourage action. I am hearing that we must “connect the dots” between redlining, which resulted in the decimation of and disinvestment of formerly vibrant and thriving historically African American neighborhoods and businesses, in contrast with the poverty, blight, versus gentrification that we are witnessing today. I am hearing that we must connect the dots between predatory lending practices, that have plagued mainly African American potential homeowners, and the higher rate of foreclosures among this group due to the astronomically high interest rates that were designed to exploit versus empower them. Finally, I am hearing that we must also connect the dots to understand that housing discrimination still continues in our present day in more subtle forms, such as through substandard housing and a lack of neighborhood accessibility to basic life resources (such as grocery stores, public transportation, and banks). Redlining is a legacy of federal, state, and local government that can neither be ignored, nor forgotten. Fair housing laws, such as those enforced by our city of Winston-Salem human relations/diversity, equity, and inclusion department, serve as the vehicle to address housing discrimination in the purchase or rental of residential housing. It also is a shining example of the government’s attempts to right the wrongs of a sad and destructive past practice.
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Dr. Mike Wakeford is a historian and associate professor in the division of liberal arts at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, as well as executive director of MUSE Winston-Salem, a community partner to “Undesign the Redline.”
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“The more one learns about this history, the more one recognizes that unbuilding the structural manifestations of racism will be a daunting and multigenerational task.”
AIT A MINUTE,” she said, “let me call my husband … ” And so, she did. A moment later, she was peppering him with questions about the Winston-Salem streets, neighborhoods, and businesses he Winston-Salem. My colleagues, Billy Rich and Linda Dark, had known as a younger man, describing historical who work closely with the Winston-Salem African Amerphotographs and maps on the wall in front of us. ican Archive, were key contributors to that section, which A faculty member in nursing at Winston-Salem State is the one I find most powerful, too. University, she was the only person to arrive for a tour of Moreover, I think there’s an important truth tied to this the “Undesign the Redline” exhibit that October evening. memory of my visitor ringing her husband on the phone, We chatted our way through the introductory panels, which putting him on speaker, and letting his experiences and help visitors learn about the history of urban redlining historical knowledge enrich our time together. practices and place them within larger narratives of racial It is difficult to avoid feeling overwhelmed, if not downinequity and dispossession. right pessimistic, after visiting “Undesign the Redline.” But when we got to the place where the story localizes, The more one learns about this history, the more one where snippets of firsthand accounts of Winston-Salemites recognizes that unbuilding the structural manifestations who had experienced the consequences of redlining and of racism will be a daunting and multigenerational task. related discrimination, and imagery of Black businesses But in the personal sharing of knowledge and experience and neighborhoods that vanished under waves of so-called between community members — something the exhibit “urban renewal” in the 1950s and ’60s, she thought to call is sparking — I spy hope. I | S home. For the remainder of our time together, there were three of us in conversation. As executive director of MUSE WinstonSalem, a community partner to “Undesign the Redline,” I’ve given tours to varied audiences. I’ve been encouraged by the curiosity and appetites for learning and understanding that visitors have brought to the exhibit, the questions they’ve asked, and the candor many have shown in acknowledging that the history of redlining is something they knew nothing about. That Tuesday evening “tour for two” (which became three), however, captures what I value most about the exhibit’s visit to our city. Time and again I’ve seen viewers gravitate to the portion of the exhibit that zooms in on personal testimonies about redlining’s impact on Library employees Nicole Gemmer and Kenneth Pettigrew view the exhibit.
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FEATURED EVENT: Women’s History Month Panel Discussion (Virtual) March 24, Time TBD The 2022 Women’s History Month theme is providing healing, promoting hope. Join us as women in Forsyth County discuss what this means locally.
Suzanne C. Danhauer
Magalie Yacinthe
Shontell Robinson
Katherine Perry
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LOCAL WOMEN OFFER PERSPECTIVES ON HOPE AND HEALING
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WAS RAISED BY A SINGLE MOTHER … who also happened to be both a social worker and family attorney. Despite her professional accomplishments, she is as much of an inspiration for me now as a retiree as she has ever been.
Her love for knowledge, people and community greatly influenced me and my decision to pursue a career in libraries. How she has lived her life has taught me, my siblings and others to “hope for the best and heal instead of stress.” As we prepare to celebrate Women’s History Month 2022, for which the theme is Providing Healing, Promoting Hope, I am honored that these four local women have agreed to share their perspective and insights about how we as people and community can continue to come together and thrive, particularly as we seek to put the greatest and deadliest pandemic of our lifetimes in our rearview mirror. My hope is that as you read their responses in this Q&A, you will find inspiration and perspective that helps you find hope and healing in your life. Please also consider joining us as these women and other participants gather for a Women’s History Month Celebration and panel discussion on Thursday, March 24.
— BRIAN HART, library director
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SUZANNE C. DANHAUER, PH.D
Suzanne C. Danhauer
DIRECTOR, FACULTY WELL-BEING & RESILIENCE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SCIENCES & HEALTH POLICY, WAKE FOREST SCHOOL OF MEDICINE
How long have you been with your current organization and what do you enjoy most about what you do? I have worked for the Wake Forest School of Medicine (WFSM) since 2003. I came here directly from my fellowship at Stanford. I have appreciated the collaborative environment working in the WFSM. I have had the opportunity to do many different things over the past 18 years. One of my favorite parts of my work is the opportunity to mentor faculty (both physicians and researchers), fellows, and students.
How long have you been a resident of the WinstonSalem/Forsyth County community? Eighteen-and-a half years. I moved here from the West Coast with my husband. All four of our sons were born here.
In what ways have you seen the community evolve during your time here? More locally-owned restaurants and coffee shops. A much more vibrant downtown. The development and growth of the Innovation Quarter. My office is in the 525@Vine building. I feel so lucky that I work in this beautiful space and have Bailey Park right outside the front door and a greenway outside the back door.
How do you think the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted life here in Forsyth County? How has it specifically impacted your organization and work?
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One of the major impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic here in Forsyth County (and across our whole country) has been high levels of stress and rising levels of mental health issues. COVID-19 has impacted healthcare organizations in profound ways as our physicians, nurses, and other healthcare providers have worked tirelessly to care for patients in the midst of such high need. COVID-19 has contributed to rising levels of stress and burnout in healthcare providers. The pandemic has impacted my work by creating opportunities to provide resources and offer presentations around stress, mental health, wellbeing, and self-care.
What does health and wellness look like for you? I’ll start by saying that much of my work focuses in this area and I really prefer the term well-being to wellness as it implies a broader sense of how well we are doing in the multiple facets of our lives. Personally, I love to walk and be out in nature (often with my hound dog), practice yoga, ride my bike around Salem Lake, connect with close friends, and cook. I tend to recharge with time and space for quiet and solitude.
How can we encourage healthy environments in our workspaces and our lives? No 24-hour “on” culture. We need to be able to set down our phones and our e-mail to let our brains shut off. I think a key part of encouraging a healthy environment is to appreciate people. Taking time to notice the good that people contribute in so many ways fuels all of our ability to keep going and to do a great job. We can encourage movement breaks. These movement breaks can take place anywhere, though — inside or outside. I think the combination of moving and taking a break from our work is a great reset.
As the theme for Women’s History Month is promoting healing and hope, are there words of encouragement or wisdom that you have for our readers? We live in polarized times where sometimes people are quick to make judgements or voice their opinions freely. I think that we need to consider that just about everyone is facing (or will face) challenges that others do not know about, and that we need to treat one another with greater compassion, kindness, patience, and empathy.
How can we help make the community here in WinstonSalem/ Forsyth County a healthier place for women? Support and mentor one another. Build one another up and show off each other’s accomplishments. There is room for all of us to succeed.
MAGALIE YACINTHE
As the theme for Women’s History Month is promoting healing and hope, are there words of encouragement or wisdom that you have for our readers?
How long have you been with your current organization and what do you enjoy most about what you do? As one of the founders, I’ve been with HUSTLE since our inception in 2016. This is when we were still in the planning and development phase. What I enjoy most is advocating to change systems that ultimately impact people that look like me, be that a person of color and/or a woman.
Women carry society on our backs. Women of color, in particular, do this with a double edge sword. Black women, specifically, continue to do this while being unprotected and disrespected. I put this reminder on the mind of readers to encourage each of you to check the data. The data shows Black women, women of color, and women in general leading [everything], all while carrying society on our backs. Respect the data. Respect women.
How long have you been a resident of the Winston-Salem/ Forsyth County community?
How can we help make the community here in WinstonSalem/Forsyth County a healthier place for women?
FOUNDER, HUSTLE
Eleven years.
In what ways have you seen the community evolve during your time here? There are more people willing to have the hard conversations to move our community towards progress. This is an evolution that I noticed post-George Floyd.
Women’s health is typically centered around maternal and reproductive health, with good reason. However, we can make WSFC a healthier place for women by understanding and responding to ideas from rural health care to transportation that also impact women’s health.
Magalie Yacinthe
How do you think the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted life here in Forsyth County? How has it specifically impacted your organization and work? The social life has slowed down even more, especially for minority millennial populations. This can be seen by the lack of social activity from groups like Millennial Night during the pandemic in an effort to keep everyone safe. Like many others, we were forced to move to virtual with our programming which has allowed us to serve more people, even beyond Winston-Salem.
Besides the pandemic, are there other challenges that you’ve observed our community overcome? If so, how? I’m not sure that overcome is the word I would use. I think there are challenges we are still working through — living wage, benefits cliff, gun violence in and out of schools, salary increase for educators, to name a few.
What does health and wellness look like for you? Vacation and resting.
How can we encourage healthy environments in our workspaces and our lives? A true work/life balance encouraged and provided by employers. Prioritizing mental health and acknowledging that trauma shows up differently for everyone in our community, as well as providing affordable resources to address this.
“The data shows Black women, women of color, and women in general leading [everything], all while carrying society on our backs. Respect the data. Respect women.”
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SHONTELL ROBINSON
DEPUTY COUNTY MANAGER FORSYTH COUNTY GOVERNMENT How long have you been with your current organization and what do you enjoy most about what you do? I have worked for Forsyth County Government since February 2014. I started as the human resources director and was promoted to assistant county manager in January 2020 and quickly promoted again to deputy county manager. In this role, I also serve as the county’s health and human services director. I started my new role two months before a global pandemic, so it has certainly been a whirlwind. What I enjoy the most is being hands-on in serving the community and having the ability to influence and oversee programs and initiatives that can have a profound impact on improving the community in which I live, work, and play.
Overall, how long have you been a member/resident of the Winston-Salem, Forsyth County community? I moved to Winston-Salem in January 2014 after my husband retired from the U.S. Marines. I am excited to finally put roots down after our family’s many military moves. Winston-Salem is our forever home.
In what ways have you seen the community evolve during your time here?
Shontell Robinson
Since 2014 I’ve witnessed lots of growth. I’ve seen the evolution of Innovation Quarter, the housing market booming, many libraries built, Salem Parkway and the Beltway expansions, a new courthouse coming to fruition, Kaleideum groundbreaking, new schools, etc.
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How do you think the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted life here in Forsyth County? How has it specifically impacted your organization and work? COVID-19 has consumed Forsyth County Government. First and foremost, the county is responsible for the Department of Public Health. The public health team oversees the COVID-19 response for the community, which has been a huge undertaking. I am proud of the team for their hard work and perseverance through these unprecedented times. I am also proud of our many other county departments that have continued to serve the community. Forsyth County Government never closed. We remained nimble and flexible in an effort to continue providing necessary services to the community. Somse examples include: social services, the tax office, emergency services, the sheriff’s office, elections, libraries, parks and recreation, just to name a few.
What does health and wellness look like for you? Health and wellness require diligent efforts and can include being more responsible about food choices, exercising (which I admittedly need to do more of!), keeping up with annual health examinations, and taking care of my mental health. Both physical and mental health are equally important and can affect how I handle stress as well as how I relate to and interact with others.
As the theme for Women’s History Month is promoting healing and hope, are there words of encouragement or wisdom that you have for our readers? I think it’s important to take care of YOU. As women, we sometimes carry the burdens of the world and forget about ourselves. Put yourself first and be unapologetic about it. If we don’t take care of ourselves then we can’t be healthy and well for our friends, family, and coworkers.
How can we help make the community here in WinstonSalem/Forsyth County a healthier place for women? Winston-Salem is full of resources for women. It’s important to ensure that everyone is aware of those resources and that quality care is accessible throughout the community. At each stage of a woman’s life, there are preventive healthcare steps that should be followed which can serve as early detection of medical problems. It is vital to make yourself a priority and don’t put off taking care of yourself.
Katherine Perry
KATHERINE PERRY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
LEADERSHIP WINSTON-SALEM How long have you been with your current organization and what do you enjoy most about what you do? I have been with Leadership Winston-Salem since February 2017, first as a program director and more recently as the executive director. I thoroughly enjoy the opportunity I have to connect people with opportunities in our community.
How long have you been a resident of the Winston-Salem/ Forsyth County community? I was born in Winston-Salem and have lived most of my life here. I have ventured outside the city to live in Kernersville, Greensboro, Chapel Hill, Cary, Raleigh, Wilmington, Charlotte and Bristol, Tenn./Va. But with each move, I found myself returning to Winston-Salem. After three returns, I opted to unpack my boxes for the last time.
In what ways have you seen the community evolve during your time here? There is life in our downtown community that didn’t exist when I was growing up. In the past 15 years or so, there has been new life breathed into our downtown. We seem to be actively competing with other metropolitan areas to attract young professionals and entrepreneurs, and to keep them here. As far as we may have come, we still have a long way to go to see our entire community thrive. It is shameful that we can claim an economic mobility rate that is among the worst in the nation. Collaborative efforts that were once an anomaly in our community have become a regular part of successful strategies among health and human service agencies. We are more well-poised than ever to effect significant and meaningful change.
How do you think the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted life here in Forsyth County? How has it specifically impacted your organization and work? Some professionals chose this time to re-evaluate professional objectives and seek new career paths. Parents have been provided with opportunities to choose different academic paths for their children. Businesses are adapting their service models to be more consumer and employee friendly. Those that have been the most significantly impacted were the most vulnerable in our community — people struggling with mental health issues; our socio-economically disadvantaged population; the children of Forsyth County; and our senior citizens. Leadership Winston-Salem was able to pivot its programming from an in-person to a virtual model during the height of the pandemic. The leaders who went through
LWS programming during the pandemic were bridgebuilders, more determined than before to engage. To that end, the pandemic made our work more impactful.
What does health and wellness look like for you? The old adage, “If you don’t have your health, you don’t have anything,” is an absolute truth. I lost my brother in the prime of his life to cancer — he was just getting started on what was to be an amazing life journey when he died at 40 years of age. With his loss in mind, I try to make good choices about my mental health as well as my physical well-being.
How can we encourage healthy environments in our workspaces and our lives? A healthy work environment includes showing acknowledgement and appreciation to each team member so that they feel valued. Leveraging these talents in yourself at work and in life helps us to be and feel more successful.
As the theme for Women’s History Month is promoting healing and hope, are there words of encouragement or wisdom that you have for our readers? This is a community dedicated to change. We have the resources and the ability to make a difference in the lives of all people in Forsyth County. Through my work I have seen a cornucopia of talented, dedicated and compassionate leaders roll up their sleeves and dive headfirst into the issues in our community.
How can we help make the community here in WinstonSalem/Forsyth County a healthier place for women? The number of single-parent, female head-of-households in our community is significant, and addressing issues like affordable housing and affordable childcare would go a long way to positively affecting our overall economic mobility rate in Forsyth County. Couple this with better accessibility to pre-natal care, better corporate maternity leave benefits, better healthcare options for our community’s un- and under-insured women in our community and we might significantly impact overall family health and well-being. I | S
WINTER/SPRING 2022 13
PEOPLE & PURPOSE
Friends Indeed
LIBRARY FRIENDS GROUPS CHANNEL CREATIVITY TO RAISE MONEY
IN 2012, HESTA ANDERSON, a volunteer with the Reynolda Manor Friends of the Library group, noticed that increasingly expensive books were being donated to her group for resale to benefit the Reynolda Manor branch. She also noticed that prices for used books were rising on the Amazon website. The Reynolda Manor Friends group had run ongoing sales of donated books out of that branch for many years, but Anderson decided to aim higher than what the group could bring in from local sales, where books were usually priced from 50 cents to $2. Anderson began offering some of the donated books on Amazon’s website. When she sold a textbook for lawyers Hesta Anderson about how to select a jury for $649, she knew she had hit on a winning formula. Not only are law books hot sellers, but Anderson said that she’s found books on such subjects as wars, the military, classic fiction and textbooks on psychology sell well on Amazon too. She estimates that her Friends group has raised about $14,000 to benefit the Reynolda Manor branch, between its ongoing book sales at the branch, and its Amazon sales, since 2012. Anderson handles the research on a book’s value and another member of the group oversees the details of packing and mailing the books. “It takes a lot of people,” she said. “If you sell the book, you’ve got to get it out the next day.” Each of the 10 branches in the Forsyth County Public Library system has a Friends of the Library group
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to provide support. Traditionally, Friends groups raised money through book sales to pay for special library programs. Friends groups can also contribute money toward technological equipment offered at libraries, special performers fees and supplies for programs. Increasingly, Friends groups are becoming more sophisticated in the activities that they pursue in order to support libraries. They’re drawing on talents within the group or looking at needs in their communities. The Lewisville Friends of the Library group has been selling themed gift baskets based on particular books for over 10 years. Marie Sessoms, president of the group, said that the baskets are fun for the group to put together. For example, a recent Regency-themed basket contained Regency romances, a teacup and teabags and some crotcheted doilies. For a basket with a seafood cookbook, the group added a scarf with a lobster design. “It’s hard work, but it’s fun,” Sessoms said. “The baskets are an accumulation of all of us who make them.” The group often solicits household knickknacks that people might want to donate. Sometimes they buy inexpensive items from discount stores or they contribute something of their own to round out a particular basket’s theme. During the holiday season, the group put together 59 different baskets. Two weeks after they offered the baskets for sale, they had only a dozen baskets left, Sessoms said. The baskets are priced at $20 and less. “They’re great Christmas presents,” Sessoms said. “We have people who come in and buy five or six for everyone in their family.” I | S — MARY GIUNCA, public information officer
One of the gift baskets made by the Lewisville Friends of the Library group.
PEOPLE & PURPOSE
FEATURED EVENT: Brenden Wenzel, author of “They All Saw A Cat” (Virtual) April 5 at 6:30 p.m. Join us for a virtual author visit from Brenden Wenzel, author of the Caldecott Honor book “They All Saw a Cat,” who will share the details about his writing and illustrating career.
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Picture Books Lead to New Perspectives AUTHOR BRENDAN WENZEL’S picture books are popular not only with children, but with adults, for their ability to teach empathy in subtle and humorous ways. “They All Saw a Cat” tells how different animals see a cat, based on their experiences with cats, but it’s also about science, art and perception. Wenzel recently delivered the keynote address at the Forsyth County Public Library’s Staff Engagement Day. Here he answers questions from Yolanda Bolden, assistant library director.
When did you realize that you wanted to create books for children?
Since I was a kid I’ve loved drawing, and this has led naturally to storytelling, and storytelling has led to making books. I’ve always really enjoyed following a character or an idea, and finding out where things go. Over the years I have explored a handful of creative outlets, but picture books, and the unique opportunities they offer for telling a story, have felt like a perfect way to explore and share. I try to make books people of all ages will enjoy, but nothing makes my day more than finding out a book has resonated with a young reader.
Q
What was your process in writing and illustrating “They All Saw a Cat”?
Like most of my books, “They All Saw a Cat” started in my sketchbook. I would create an image, then experiment with a line of text, and then jump back to another sketch and see how the image changed once I considered the words I had just written. After the framework of the book was ready to go, the process of making “They All Saw a Cat” got very fun. I basically would wake up every day in my studio and pretend to be a different animal looking at a cat.
Q
What do you enjoy most about illustrating and creating books for young readers?
I am, of course, not the first person to say this, but the way that young people think about the world is unique and fascinating. That perspective has felt harder and harder to hang onto as I’ve gotten older. One of the best parts about making books for young readers is the opportunity to connect with kids all over the place and also the chance to spend time con-
necting with a younger version of myself. It’s great to talk to anyone about animals, or perspective or books, but my favorite conversations always seem to be with first and second graders. Hearing what kids think about the world around them, particularly the natural world, is an enormous privilege. It keeps me connected to things in a different way and reminds me of how much my older eyes are usually missing. It also keeps that younger voice in myself talking.
Q
What’s next for you?
More animals! When I am not making books, I have been honored to collaborate with groups working to protect wild places and creatures. Working on these projects and the conversations with wildlife conservationists that have grown from them, has really opened my eyes to just how dire things are for so many threatened species around the world. I, like many others, believe that we need to change our relationship to the natural world and the creatures we share it with. I feel really fortunate that by making picture books, I have a way to both exBrendan Wenzel plore my own fascination with the world around me, and also a platform to share many of the species and places that will need our help to survive in the coming years. I | S — YOLANDA BOLDEN, assistant library director WINTER/SPRING 2022 15
FROM THE BOOKSHELF
NONFICTION
Window on Women
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1. “The Power of Women: A Doctor’s
Journey of Hope and Healing” by Denis Mukwege (2021) From a Nobel laureate, world-renowned doctor, and noted human rights activist, comes an inspiring clarion call-to-action to confront the scourge of sexual violence and better learn from women’s resilience, strength and power. 2. “Black Widow: A Sad-Funny Journey Through Grief for People who Normally Avoid Books with Words Like ‘Journey’ in the Title” by Leslie Gray Streeter (2020) Tender, true, and endearingly hilarious, “Black Widow” is a story about the power of love, and how the only guide book for recovery is the one you write yourself. 3. “Smile: The Story of a Face” by Sarah
Ruhl (2021) A playwright with Bell’s palsy begins an intense decade-long search for a cure while simultaneously grappling with the reality of her new face; one that, while recognizably her own, is incapable of accurately communicating feelings or intentions. 4. “Every Day is a Gift” by Tammy Duck-
worth (2021) The Iraq War veteran and U.S. Senator traces her impoverished childhood, her decision to join the Army, the months spent recovering from the attack that 16 INTERSECTIONS MAGAZINE
shot down her helicopter and nearly took her life, and her subsequent mission of serving in elected office. 5. “Saving Us: A Climate Scientist’s Case for Hope and Healing in a Divided World” by Katharine Hayhoe (2021) The chief scientist of the Nature Conservancy argues that when it comes to changing hearts and minds about climate change, facts are only one part of the equation. We need to find shared values in order to connect our unique identities to collective action. This is not another doomsday narrative about a planet on fire. It is a multilayered look at science, faith, and human psychology.
FICTION 6. “A Lowcountry Bride” by Preslaysa
Equal parts beauty and terror, “The Sweetness of Water” is an epic whose grandeur locates humanity and love amid the most harrowing circumstances. 8. “The Heirloom Garden” by Viola Shipman (2020) After moving to Grand Haven, Mich., with her traumatized veteran husband, Abby bonds with her reclusive next-door neighbor over a shared love of flowers that they cultivate together, discovering hope and healing along the way. 9. “The Happy Ever After Playlist” by Abby Jimenez (2020) After adopting a rescue puppy to help her get her life back on track two years after losing her fiancé, Sloan clashes with the mischievous pup’s original owner, Jason, a rising musician who challenges Sloan to make difficult choices.
Williams (2021) A talented dress designer leaves New York 10. “Everyday Madness” by Susan Midalia to care for her father in Charleston, S.C., (2021) and accepts a job at a local wedding gown “Everyday Madness” occurs when you are shop only to find herself falling for the a vacuum cleaner-salesman facing redunstore’s owner. dancy, and your wife of nearly 40 years fills your days and nights with incessant 7. “The Sweetness of Water” by Nathan chatter. But when Gloria suddenly and Harris (2021) alarmingly stops talking, the silence is With candor and sympathy, debut novelist more than 59-year-old Bernard can bear. Nathan Harris creates an unforgettable Is there still hope for Bernard and Gloria cast of characters, depicting Georgia in | the violent crucible of Reconstruction. on the other side of silence? I S — LARA LUCK, collection development supervisor
FROM THE BOOKSHELF
Beyond Innocence: Q&A with Phoebe Zerwick You’ve followed Mr. Hunt’s case essentially from the beginning, why are you so vested in telling/sharing his story? I started investigating Darryl Hunt’s case in 2003, after he’d been wrongly incarcerated for nearly 20 years. The series, published in the Winston-Salem Journal that November, led to the DNA match that eventually exonerated Hunt. When he died in 2016, his story pulled at me once again. Driven partly by grief and partly by a journalist’s curiosity, I set out to learn the full story of Hunt the man, a story I had missed in my earlier reporting. His story reveals so much about our deeply flawed criminal justice system, from systemic racism, to our overreliance on prison, to the difficulty of reentry, but above all I was drawn to the story because of the strength of Hunt’s character — the resilience and humility that inspired nearly anyone with whom he came in contact.
This case hits home for many Winston-Salem residents. What do you hope to accomplish with the release of “Beyond Innocence, the Life Sentence of Darryl Hunt”? Readers in Winston-Salem have known about Darryl Hunt since he was arrested at 19 nearly 40 years ago, but none of us knew the full story — the tragedies he endured as a child, the trauma of a wrongful conviction, and finally the challenges he faced with reentry. Hunt left a legacy that I hope the book honors — reforms such as the Racial Justice Act, North Carolina’s Innocence Inquiry Commission, and his work with people coming home from prison. For readers in the rest of the country, who don’t know Hunt’s story, I hope the book contributes to the national discussion around mass incarceration, the “civil death” nearly everyone coming home from prison faces as they try to rebuild their lives, and the systemic racism that infects our criminal justice system. — SHANNON PAGE, outreach, diversity & inclusion manager
Phoebe Zerwick, author of “Beyond Innocence: The Life Sentence of Darryl Hunt” (Central Library) Sunday, April 24 at 4 p.m.
Black History Month Book Recommendations
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1. “She Who Would Be King” by Wayétu
Moore “She Would Be King,” reimagines the dramatic story of Liberia’s early years through three unforgettable characters who share an uncommon bond. When the three meet in the settlement of Monrovia, their gifts help them salvage the tense relationship between the African American settlers and the Indigenous tribes, as a new nation forms around them. 2. “Legendborn” by Tracy Deonn
Wanting to escape her previous life after the accidental death of her mother, 16-year-old Bree enrolls in a program for high school students at the local university before her witness to a magical attack reveals her undiscovered powers as well as sinister truths about her mother’s death.
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3. “Take the Mic: Fictional Stories of
Everyday Resistance” An anthology of young adult stories and poems conveys acts of resistance by people marginalized by racism, discrimination and hatred, offering contributions by diverse literary masters ranging from Jason Reynolds and Samira Ahmed to Laura Silverman and Sofia Quintero. NONFICTION 4. “African Samurai: The True Story of Yasuke, a Legendary Black Warrior in Feudal Japan” by Thomas Lockley Traces the remarkable life story of history’s first foreign-born samurai, detailing his near-mythical journey from a boy soldier in late 16th-century Northern Africa to the heights of Japanese society, where his presence triggered cultural riots.
5 5. “To Turn the Whole World Over: Black Women and Internationalism” by Keisha N. Blain and Tiffany M. Gill Black women undertook an energetic and unprecedented engagement with internationalism from the late 19th century to the 1970s. In many cases, their work reflected a complex effort to merge internationalism with issues of women’s rights and with feminist concerns. A collection of cutting-edge essays on Black women’s internationalism in this pivotal era and beyond. I | S
— JACQUELYN WHITE, teen services supervisor
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LIBRARY RE-IMAGINED
How Did That Book Get on the Shelf? LIBRARIANS ARE FREQUENTLY ASKED, “Why does the library have that book on the shelf?” It’s a fair question. Let’s start with the mission of public libraries. Public libraries have been around for a long time in America. They weren’t always free or “public” though, and many were devoted to specific subjects or types of books. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, industrialist Andrew Carnegie gave a small fortune to establish public libraries throughout America, including one in Winston-Salem, with the mission to “bring books and information to all people.” Public libraries are supported by their community, and we should be serving everyone. A cornerstone of our profession is the belief that for every reader, there is a book, and every book has its reader. Basically, it means that librarians should serve a wide variety of customers, have as much diversity among their collections as possible and refrain from judging what people want to read. All books have a place in a library, even if only a few people choose to read them. When they look at books to add to the library’s collections, librarians choose books using certain criteria. First and foremost, is it a book the library can use? Is it something we don’t have or new information on a subject? Does it have good reviews? We’ll also purchase books that have been specifically requested by a customer and meet our criteria. While public libraries have expanded the scope of information they provide, they still always have to strive to bring diversity, inclusion, and equity to their collections. “Our community is always changing and growing, and the library needs to constantly evaluate the diverse perspectives represented,” said Shannon Page, Forsyth County Public Library’s outreach, diversity and inclusion manager. “Librarians have a duty to provide access to collections that reflect the requests, interests, and information that their customers need and to do so making every effort to put their own biases aside.” Librarians also need to be vigilant to include what has previously been excluded in order to reach those in the community whose interests have been left out or ignored, Page said. These people don’t often use the library because in the past they haven’t found what they wanted or needed there. “We are always going to find materials available in the library’s collection that suit the majority’s interests and needs,” Page said, “but we need to find a balance where we find materials that suit everyone else’s needs.”
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“Librarians have a duty to provide access to collections that reflect the requests, interests and information that their customers need and to do so making every effort to put their own biases aside.” When books like “George” (now retitled by the author as “Melissa’s Story”) by Alex Gino, “Lawn Boy” by Jonathan Evison or “Gender Queer: A Memoir” by Maia Kobabe are challenged for being on a library’s shelf, librarians look at the whole book not just the controversial parts. These particular books have been praised by reviewers and added to recommended reading lists because they are well written, funny, warm, and foster understanding and empathy. “There are people in our community who have lived these experiences,” Page said, “and we should provide them with books that reflect their lives.” One of my favorite ways of explaining this is through a concept that comes from Dr. Rudine Sims Bishop, a professor of children’s literature, who refers to books as “windows, sliding glass doors and mirrors.” A book can provide a window to view the world. This window can look out to the world you know or provide a view of something completely different that can be a step toward understanding those differences. A book that is a sliding glass door allows you to look at a story and then join those in that world. Finally, a book can be a mirror, a reflection of who you are or how you see yourself, not just how others want you to be. For a lot of people, this can be the hardest type of book to find, but libraries are there to help. Unfortunately, it took a long time for “bring books and information to all people” to mean what it does today. We’re still trying hard to achieve our goal. You may not want to read a particular book or agree with what that book says, but keep in mind that someone, somewhere in our community does. The public library gives them a chance to find that book that can be their mirror, window, or door — maybe when they need it the most. I | S — LARA LUCK, collections development supervisor
LIBRARY RE-IMAGINED
You Can Do That at the Library? LIBRARY STAFF HAVE LONG BEEN KNOWN for their ability to provide technology assistance, recommend
books and authors you’ll love and assist with job hunting. They can also help you do a lot of things you probably never thought of – like help you find a book club with members who share your reading interests, track down an old childhood favorite book or give you tips on how to help your child become a better reader. Forsyth County Public Library staff members talk about what they love about their specialized library work.
MICHAEL ACKERMAN
BONITA MURPHY
KATHRYN NESBIT
adult services librarian
library assistant
technical services supervisor
WHAT I HELP PEOPLE DO I provide storytimes, crafts and STEAM and STEM programs for families and childcare providers in the Forsyth County area. I encourage parents, teachers and child care providers to read daily to young children because it helps to foster vocabulary, social and emotional skills, cognitive development, imagination and self-esteem in our children and youth.
WHAT I HELP PEOPLE DO The technical services department is the backbone of the library. We maintain the library catalog, add new materials and ship and receive items from other NC Cardinal libraries. I also work with staff to make sure they have the training to serve their patrons.
WHAT I HELP PEOPLE DO I help people by hosting book clubs. I run several of them, including the Short Story Society and the Bibliofellows Book Club for Men. One of my favorite ongoing programs was the Cookbook Club, where the members and I would all contribute to a potluck each month, based on themes like “brunch” and “Italian cuisine.” We had to hold off during the pandemic, but I’m eager to get that club up and running again.
UNIQUE PROGRAMS
WHY PEOPLE LIKE THE SERVICES I OFFER Folks like these programs because they enjoy learning about great novels and authors. And because of the snacks provided! But most importantly, they appreciate the fellowship.
WHY PEOPLE LIKE THE SERVICES I OFFER People like my programs because they empower young children from birth to adults to be leaders who are confident, creative, curious and adventurous participants in our society. Teachers enjoy the service because the library is a place where they can get materials and books to support their efforts in teaching young children.
Southside Cookbook Club (Southside Branch) Feb. 2 at 1 p.m. Also March 2 and April 6.
Discuss delicious homemade food and culinary advice with your fellow library patrons. The club meets the first Wednesday of each month.
WHY PEOPLE LIKE THE SERVICES I OFFER Patrons enjoy being able to find that childhood favorite or the current bestseller. They know that when they place a hold on an item, they will receive what they wanted because of staff working in the background making sure records contain all the information about the material. Patrons love having access to 46 library systems across the state through the Cardinal system. I | S
Crafters Club (Malloy Jordan/East Winston Heritage Center) Feb. 11 from noon to 1 p.m.
Learn to make a felt freedom quilt block in honor of Black History Month. This is part of our continuing Crafters Club series that meets on the second Friday of each month.
WINTER/SPRING 2022 19
Library Director and Trail Blazer WE’RE SADDENED TO NOTE the passing of Sylvia SprinkleHamlin, director of the Forsyth County Public Library system from 2000-2019. She was the first African American and first woman to serve in that role. In her 40 years with the library, she oversaw the rebuilding of Central Library and the building of new branches in Kernersville and Clemmons. She also served as the chair of the board of the N.C. Black Repertory Company and the executive producer of the National Black Theatre Festival. She will be missed, but her work and legacy will continue to inspire us at FCPL.
Thanks to the Forsyth County Commissioners for their support of the Forsyth County Public Library.
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JANUARY, CONT.
UPCOMING PROGRAMS, CONT.
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Brittany Wagner, author of “Next Chance You” and featured in the Netflix docuseries with the title, “Last Chance U.”
Container Gardening at Home: Growing Food in an Urban Setting (Central Library – Auditorium) Jan. 29 at 10 a.m., Feb. 2 at 6 p.m., Feb. 9 at 6 p.m., Feb. 19 at 10 a.m., Feb. 23 at 6 p.m. A county collaboration between Forsyth County Public Library and NC Cooperative Extension to inform county residents about container gardens, urban farming, composting, and more.
Feb. 4 at 6:30 pm (Central Library)
Join us for our special guest, Brittany Wagner. A motivational speaker that will share tips on how to overcome obstacles, and how her role as an academic counselor at a community college assisted many athletes to further their dreams of playing the sport they love.
FEBRUARY
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Introduction to Ozobots (Central Library – Auditorium) Feb. 2 at 4 p.m. Children 8-10 are invited to join the Children’s Library in exploring the wonderful world of Ozobots. This is a in-person program in the Forsyth Central auditorium.
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8 African American Genealogy
Feb. 8 at 6 p.m. (Central – Computer Learning Classroom) Feb. 15 at 6 p.m. (Malloy/Jordan East Winston Heritage Center) Feb. 22 at 6 p.m. (Clemmons Branch) March 3 at 6 p.m. (Carver School Road Branch) Would you like to know more about your African American ancestry? Come learn the tips and tricks that will unlock the answers.
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African-American Read-In With Dr. Elwanda Ingram (Central Library – Auditorium) Feb. 12 at 2 p.m. Take part in Black History Month by sharing a work of African American literature with the community. Registration is required: email mcclouad@forsyth.cc.
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MARCH
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Neighborhood Plant Swap (Central Library – Auditorium)
March 21 at 3 p.m. We will read the story “The Water Princess,” have discussions and find ways to filter water and study the differences. This is an in-person program. Due to limited space, registration is required. Call 336-703-3040 to register or email lowerycl@forsyth.cc.
21 The Yadkin Riverkeeper — The Past, Present and Future of the Yadkin (Lewisville Branch)
March 21 at 6 p.m. Edgar Miller, executive director and current riverkeeper, will share how the Yadkin Riverkeeper organization (YRK) educates, advocates, and takes action to keep the water clean. Space is limited. Registration is required. Email Sue at deguzmse@forsyth.cc or call the Lewisville Branch at 336-703-2940 to register.
22 Who’s that Mrs.? Women in Genealogy (Reynolda Manor Branch)
March 22 at 6 p.m. Where did she go? Learn how to find out more about that elusive female ancestor.
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Red Cross: Tornado Preparedness (Lewisville Branch) March 8 (K-2) and March 10 (grades 3-5) at 4:30 p.m. Red Cross volunteers will teach participants and their families how to be prepared and take action in the case of a tornado or other disaster. To register, email Mia Jordan (jordanmc@forsyth.cc). Masks required for those ages 5+.
APRIL
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Nature Notebooks (Lewisville and Paddison Memorial) March 19-May 31 Recommended for ages 5-11. Pick up your Nature Notebook at the Lewisville Branch starting on March 19 (while supplies last) and begin drawing native plants. Return your notebooks by May 31 to earn a prize. Presented by Stormwater Smart of The Piedmont Triad Regional Council. Email Mia Jordan (jordanmc@forsyth.cc) for more information.
Creek Week and Plant Life with the City of WInstonSalem Utilities Department (Southside Branch) March 23 at 10 a.m. Southside Library staff will lead a guided exploration of the creek zone on Salem Creek Trailhead. Learn about the land, water, plants and the diversity of wildlife in the creeks of Winston Salem. Call 336-703-2980 to register.
Second Tues. of every other month (March 8, May 10, July 12, Sept. 13, Nov. 8) at noon. Needing to rehouse a plant? Looking to welcome a new green arrival? Get a plant, give a plant, or both at the Neighborhood Plant Swap.
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March 19-20 at 1 p.m. Meet local authors and find a variety of books for all ages. There will be books available for purchase, book signings, and author talks. On Sunday, March 20, join local authors for a panel discussion and Q&A about writing and publishing.
21 “The Water Princess” (Central Library – Auditorium)
Quilts and the Underground Railroad (Lewisville) Feb. 22 at 4:30 p.m. Learn how enslaved people sent and received Underground Railroad messages through quilts. Participants will make a replica quilt patch out of fabric and glue. Ages 5-11. Presented by the Delta Arts Center. Email Mia Jordan (jordanmc@forsyth.cc) or call 336-703-2940 to register. Masks required for those ages 5+.
Local Author Fair (Central Library – Auditorium)
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Celebrating Poetry (Central Library – Auditorium) Mondays in April at 4 p.m. Forsyth Central Children’s Library celebrates National Poetry Month with an intergenerational poetry series. This is an in-person program that will begin each Monday at 4 p.m. Due to limited space registration is required. Please call 336-703-3040 to register or email lowerycl@forsyth.cc.
An Evening of Ideas, Arts and Innovation (Central Library – Auditorium) April 8, Time TBD Join us for an evening of Ideas, Art and Innovation. In celebration of National Library week, Forsyth County Public Library will host an evening of programs that share ideas that connect us.
Central Library 660 West Fifth Street Winston-Salem, NC 27101
Forsyth County Public Library Customer Survey We appreciate your enthusiastic support during these challenging times. Please scan the QR code to take the survey to help us improve our services.
IN THE NEXT ISSUE Summer Reading June-August On The Same Page Community Read
L.A.F. WITH US LOCAL AUTHOR FAIR
Support Triad authors Saturday, March 19 from 1-4 p.m. at the Central Library. Book talks, author signings, and more!
If you are a Triad area author and would like to participate, contact Lara Luck at 336-703-3047.
