Programs in Numbers

Main Library's Local History Help Drop-In Hours are most Mondays from 10am-1pm. Help by appointment at other times and on other days of the week can be requested. Help hours take place in the Local History Area on the second floor of Main Library located at 137 West Margaret Lane, Hillsborough, North Carolina 27278

Need help navigating the resources in our local history collection? The local history liaison can assist! Stop by on Mondays between 10am and 1pm or make an appointment using this form. Whether you're just browsing the section or you're wading through our materials for specific information, the local history liaison can help lead you to resources you need to further your research.

6th-12th Graders,

come to Southern Branch library and sew a frog bookmark out of felt!

In this program we will practice hand sewing techniques, like threading the needle and tying knots in embroidery thread, blanket stitch, and running stitch to make this cute frog project. All supplies will be provided. Please arrive on time to be able to complete the activity.

Location is in the "flex space" program room inside the library on the 1st floor of the Drakeford building.

Registration Required. Program is for students currently in 6th-12th grade only. Parents should plan to drop-off and pick-up participants.

Do you have a young reader at home who might want practice reading aloud, but is reluctant to do it with other people? Tales & Tails gives young readers the opportunity to read to a trained therapy dog at the library, building confidence and improving reading skills in a calm, non-judgmental environment.

To maintain a safe and comfortable space for both the reader and the therapy dog, each registered reader will be assigned a 15-minute time slot within the event window. During that time, they'll be able to read one-on-one with one of our therapy dog.

More about our therapy dogs:

Magnolia: I was named after a tree near the spot where my mom and dad found me and my two sisters when we were little puppies. I'm still pretty small, but I have long legs and can run fast! I passed my Therapy Dog test a few months ago when I turned one, which is very young, so I'm still learning. I love riding in the car, all kinds of doggie cookies, toys, and especially kids! I hope a lot of children will come to the library to read to me, and maybe I will learn some new words!

Izzy: I am a 6 year old female Bernese Mountain Dog. My mom and dad adopted me at just 7 weeks old! My breed started over 100 years ago in the cold, snowy mountains of Bern, Switzerland, as a constant, loving companion to farming families, as well as driving cattle and pulling wagons from the farm to the dairy. Now my job is to comfort people and make them happy. I am big and strong, but also calm, gentle, cuddly, friendly, and sweet. I love large and small humans, and belly rubs! I am excited to meet children who want to read to me at the library!

Join us for Grow Fresh Storytime!

Bring the kids for a fun, interactive read-along and a fresh local food tasting! We’ll explore the joy of seasonal eating together with activities for the kids and helpful resources for parents about food and exposing kids to nature.

Registration not required. This program is designed for children in grades K - 5.

Hallo, Kinder!

Join UNC German Language students for a 25 minute storytime program for children and their families. Stories will be in German with simple vocabulary. No prior knowledge of German is needed. All are welcome!

Location: inside Southern Branch Library in Kid's Area. Library is on the first floor of the Drakeford building.

Children must be supervised by an adult caretaker at all times.

Instructors with UNC’s Community Workshop Series will teach topics needed in many workplaces, but that can be helpful to anyone, not just job-seekers. Meets on the 2nd floor, in Classroom 217 (the computer lab of the Skills Development Center/NC Works).

You are welcome to register for whichever topics interest you (no requirement to attend them all).

Class Topics:

October 3: Microsoft Word

October 10: Microsoft Excel

October 24: Troubleshooting (get more help on what you've practiced since previous classes, or bring other questions).

October 31: Internet Basics

November 7: Email Basics

November 14: Troubleshooting (get more help on what you've practiced since previous classes, or bring other questions).

Is the book always better than the movie? Come join us for an ongoing movie series based on book-to-film adaptations. Share your thoughts with others and find inspiration for your next read. Movie snacks will be offered for attendees. No reading is required, but always encouraged!

Please join us for Wes Anderson's adaptation of Fantastic Mr. Fox for November's film.

You Can Ukulele is a community music program for adults designed to bring people together through music, learning, and social connection.

At 1:45pm, join Mickey Reed, the "Ukulele Lady of North Carolina", for an introductory ukulele lesson! Participants will learn basic chords, strumming techniques, and simple songs in an accessible and welcoming environment. Up to 12 loaner ukuleles will be available, or feel free to bring your own.

At 2:30pm, Mickey will lead a cozy community sing-along for all skill levels with lyrics and chords provided. Bring your ukulele or other instruments and play, sing, or just listen and enjoy! (Use this link to register for the strum-along.)

Due to limited supply, attendees who register in advance will have first priority for loaner ukuleles. Register today if you'd like to secure an instrument!

You Can Ukulele is a community music program for adults designed to bring people together through music, learning, and social connection.

At 1:45pm, join Mickey Reed, the "Ukulele Lady of North Carolina", for an introductory ukulele lesson! Participants will learn basic chords, strumming techniques, and simple songs in an accessible and welcoming environment. Up to 12 loaner ukuleles will be available, or feel free to bring your own. (Use this link to register for the learn-along.)

At 2:30pm, Mickey will lead a cozy community sing-along for all skill levels with lyrics and chords provided. Bring your ukulele or other instruments and play, sing, or just listen and enjoy!

Due to limited supply, attendees who register in advance will have first priority for loaner ukuleles. Register today if you'd like to secure an instrument!

Celebrate the joy of sharing stories across generations! Join us for a storytime featuring books, songs, rhymes, and movement activities designed to bring children and the special grown-ups in their lives together. Grandparents, families, and caregivers of all kinds are welcome.

Friendly Fiber Fridays Meet-Up - Added Time! | First and fourth Fridays of the month from 9am to 10:30am and Second Fridays from 1-3pm at Main Library located at 137 West Margaret Lane, Hillsborough, North Carolina 27278.

Do you knit, crochet, or do other fiber work? Bring your project and join us at Main Library in Hillsborough for a Friendly Fiber Fridays. This is a fun meet up for fibercrafty folks with space for you to spread out, work, and chat with other crafters. The library has yarn available for anyone to take if they like, and patterns are available in the fibercraft section of adult nonfiction (in the 746s). Feel free to bring your coffee and snacks along.

This fall from September to November, the Main Library in Hillsborough is offering a beginning-level English class for adult speakers of other languages. Students will practice listening, speaking, reading, and writing in an interactive group environment.

Classes meet twice a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:30 to 11:00 a.m., starting Tuesday, September 1st. All classes are free, but registration is required. To sign up, please fill out our online registration form or call the library at 919-245-2525.

Location: Main Meeting Room (Room 116), 137 W Margaret Ln, Hillsborough NC 27278

If you have any questions, please contact Daniel Lawrence at dlawrence@orangecountync.gov.

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Desde septiembre hasta finales de noviembre, la biblioteca principal en Hillsborough ofrecerá una clase de inglés (nivel principiante) para hablantes de otros idiomas. Los estudiantes practicarán escuchar, hablar, leer, y escribir en un ambiente interactivo.

Las clases se reunen dos veces a la semana, martes y jueves de 9:30 a 11:00 de la mañana, empezando el 1 de septiembre. Las clases son gratuitas, pero se requiere inscribirse. Para apuntarse, rellene nuestro formulario en línea o llame la biblioteca al numero 919-245-2525.

Lugar: Sala de reuniones principal (Main Meeting Room, 116), 137 W Margaret Ln, Hillsborough NC 27278

Si tiene preguntas, escríbale a Daniel Lawrence (correo: dlawrence@orangecountync.gov)

Join us at The Drakeford Library Complex for storytime and playtime!

Starting at 10:30am, Southern Branch librarians will lead a 25 minute program with stories, songs, and movement for toddlers-preschoolers and their caregivers!

From 11am-12pm, continue the fun with Carrboro Rec and Park's playtime with lots of provided toys!

These events are free and require no registration.

Children must be supervised by their adult caretakers at all times.

Location: Various rooms on first floor of the Drakeford Library Complex--information desks can direct you!

Put down the screens and play! Join us for a fun-filled hour of board games, card games, puzzles, and other unplugged activities. Come play, try something new, and challenge your friends! For children in grades 3 to 5. Registration not Required.

Increased access to addictive media technology has impacted many people’s wellbeing and relationships.

With mental health professional Joseph "Joey" Thomas, learn how to manage your media use and help prevent related mental health issues.

Joey's presentation will be 30 to 40 minutes, with the remaining time open for your questions.

Joseph Thomas, MA, LCMHCA, is a counselor and therapist in private practice in Carrboro, NC. He has worked in the mental health field since 2020, after completing his master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Xavier University. Before that, he spent nearly a decade in media production and software development, after earning a degree in Electronic Media from the University of Cincinnati in 2011.

In his practice, Joseph works with relationship stress, men's issues, and behavioral challenges and addictions connected to the internet, social media, video games, and gambling. He draws on his background in media and technology to help people understand the biology and psychology behind how they use digital media, and to find concrete ways to change it. Beyond his clinical work, he writes and speaks about technology's effect on mental health, and how people can build a healthier relationship with it.

Not a Book Club | The next best thing to reading a good book is talking about it with your fellow readers. Join us online on the 2nd Thursday of the month at 6:30pm for an informal book discussion. We’re "Not a Book Club," so there’s no assigned reading and no pressure. Just grab a cup of coffee or a glass of wine, and let’s talk books! Registration is required for the link to join the discussion.

For more information about this and other book clubs, visit the library's book club page.

#NaBC

Join us for a mid-week break. Mindful Meetups will feature sitting and walking meditation for anyone, whether a new or a longtime practitioner. Take a breath, let go and begin again.

Kids and their families, drop-in for crafting time!

Each week will have a new seasonal craft for families to enjoy together to add more fun to your library visits.

This week's craft: Fall Themed Agamographs.

Program is designed for children to participate with the assistance of their adult family members on a drop-in basis, with instructions provided for self-led activities. Children must be supervised during library visits.

Join the Orange County Public Library for Get Carded: Trivia Nights, a fun and engaging evening of trivia held at The Rookery in downtown Hillsborough. Show off your knowledge, compete for bragging rights, and connect with fellow trivia lovers—all while enjoying a lively atmosphere and local brews.

When: Wednesdays at 7:00 PM
Where: The Rookery, 115 W Margaret Ln, Hillsborough, NC 27278 (right beside the Main Library in Hillsborough!)
Audience: Adults only

No registration required. Come early to grab a seat and a drink!

This fall from September to November, the Main Library in Hillsborough is offering a beginning-level English class for adult speakers of other languages. Students will practice listening, speaking, reading, and writing in an interactive group environment.

Classes meet twice a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:30 to 11:00 a.m., starting Tuesday, September 1st. All classes are free, but registration is required. To sign up, please fill out our online registration form or call the library at 919-245-2525.

Location: Main Meeting Room (Room 116), 137 W Margaret Ln, Hillsborough NC 27278

If you have any questions, please contact Daniel Lawrence at dlawrence@orangecountync.gov.

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Desde septiembre hasta finales de noviembre, la biblioteca principal en Hillsborough ofrecerá una clase de inglés (nivel principiante) para hablantes de otros idiomas. Los estudiantes practicarán escuchar, hablar, leer, y escribir en un ambiente interactivo.

Las clases se reunen dos veces a la semana, martes y jueves de 9:30 a 11:00 de la mañana, empezando el 1 de septiembre. Las clases son gratuitas, pero se requiere inscribirse. Para apuntarse, rellene nuestro formulario en línea o llame la biblioteca al numero 919-245-2525.

Lugar: Sala de reuniones principal (Main Meeting Room, 116), 137 W Margaret Ln, Hillsborough NC 27278

Si tiene preguntas, escríbale a Daniel Lawrence (correo: dlawrence@orangecountync.gov)

Join us in the kid's area of the Southern Branch Library

For a seated 20 minute early literacy program for babies with stories, rhymes, lap-bounces, and songs! For newborns up to walkers with their caregivers.

Please note, there are two sessions of this program, offered back to back to accommodate more attendees and varying nap schedules. The 1st session starts at 9:30am and the 2nd session starts at 11:00am. Choose only one session to attend each week--the programs are the same! The 1st group will be asked to begin leaving the program area at 10:30am to transition in the next group.

Join us for songs and stories at the Farmers' Market Pavilion in downtown Hillsborough, 140 E. Margaret Lane. Children from walkers to age 5 and their caregivers are invited to participate in a 25-minute interactive program that incorporates age-appropriate books, rhymes, music, and movement. Registration is not required.

*Storytime will be cancelled if the temperature is projected to be 32 degrees or below or there is heavy precipitation. Please check the library’s online calendar for up-to-date cancellation information.

Join us in the kid's area of the Southern Branch Library

For a 15-20 minute early literacy program for babies with stories, rhymes, bounces, and songs! For newborns up to walkers with their caregivers and siblings.

Location is inside the Southern Branch Library on the first floor of the Drakeford Library Complex in Carrboro, NC.

Do you want to join a book club but don’t have time to read an entire novel? Join us for a short story or novella discussion, hosted the 2nd Tuesday each month at 1 PM, located at Even Dough Bakery. We will meet to grab coffee, sweets and chat about a rotating selection of stories. Enjoy great reads without a major time commitment. Have your cake and eat it too!

We will discuss Ernest Hemingway's short story, "The Snows of Kilimanjaro" during November's meeting. You can read it in this collection or find it online. Registration is required for this event.