WHAT’S CURRENT
UPCOMING PROGRAMS Advanced Care Planning Workshop June 1 at 1 p.m., Southside Branch Don Timmons from Trellis Supportive Care will discuss how to create a living will and establish healthcare power of attorney. Call 336-703-2985 to register or for more information.
READ (Reading for Empathy, Advocacy, and Discourse) Book Club June 7 at 5:30 p.m., Walkertown Branch The goal of the R.E.A.D. Book Club is to create space for community members to broaden their perspectives on social issues through reading and discussion with others. Visit forsyth.cc/library/Walkertown to see what book we’re reading this month.
Behind the Stacks ALL THE FORMATS IT USED TO BE THAT LIBRARIES just had books. Over time, offerings evolved as technology and people’s needs evolved. We got cassette audiobooks, then CDs. We still have the CDs (and yes, people still check them out) but we also have downloadable and streaming audiobooks, as well as ebooks that offer a wide range of accessibility options. You can change the text size, font, background and lighting, as well as create notes and highlights and define words. On audio, you can speed up or slow down the narration. If you need some in-depth, current information and have mobility problems, we have dozens of databases available for free on our website — no need to be physically present in the library. As our population ages, having options that expand accessibility is more important than ever. My boss’s father was a physician with dyslexia. That in itself must have been pretty challenging. Then think about adding recreational reading to his to-do list ... it just wasn’t happening for him. But then his daughter introduced him to cassette audiobooks that she checked out while working at the library. It was the 1990s, and they took a father/daughter cross country road trip. While my boss doesn’t remember what books they listened to (except for the one he didn’t like — Harry Potter), he fell in love with audiobooks and continued to be an avid book listener for the rest of his life.
We have large print books, too, that make reading easier for folks with vision impairments. One library patron, Lisa, emailed us to ask this question: "Will there be more large print books available now that the boomers are having eyesight issues?" It’s true that as the population ages, there comes a greater need for alternative formats for books. However, it has not led to an increase in large print circulation. In fact, we have seen it decrease because many people are choosing to listen to digital audiobooks or read ebooks, where they can change the size of the texts. We do understand that not everyone wants to read on a screen, so we will continue to offer large print as a format. Folks may not know about our adult outreach services — we can actually bring library materials to your door, and you can keep them for longer than the usual three-week checkout period, so you can stock up without worrying about due dates. Of course, we still have plenty of stuff to do, both in the library and out in the community. Don’t think we’ve gone 100% digital — we have in-person events for all ages and interests, in addition to meeting rooms, and of course, books. You might even catch our W.O.W. (Web on Wheels) bus out at a community event. I | S — JAMIE STROBLE, audiovisual librarian
How Old is Beer? A History of Hops June 25 at 2 p.m., Paddison Memorial Branch Tina Smith, educator for the Lam Museum of Anthropology, will talk about the history and traditions associated with beer worldwide. Then after the program, feel free to join us at Gypsy Road Brewing for our Books & Brews book club. To register, email GoldstLB@forsyth.cc or call 336-703-2932.
Black Music Month Panel Displays June 28 at 5:30 p.m., Malloy/Jordan East Winston Heritage Center In celebration of Black Music Month, view panel exhibits featuring key musicians and significant figures in the history of African American music.
Men, Do You Know Your Numbers Series Wednesdays, July 6-August 10 at 12:30 p.m., Malloy/Jordan East Winston Heritage Center The men’s coordinator for the Forsyth County Department of Public Health will talk about a variety of men’s health issues. Register by calling 336-703-2950.
Fraud and Identity Theft July 21 at 10 a.m., Clemmons Branch Representatives from Summit Credit Union will discuss fraud and identity theft. Learn how to avoid the latest tricks and traps set by fraudsters. Visit the branch or call 336-703-2920.
Creating Musical Instruments July 21 at 3 p.m., Walkertown Branch Have you ever wondered how different musical instruments make sounds? Or how are they made? This is your chance to learn about the various instruments and make them for yourself. SUMMER 2022 3
