Programs in Numbers

Friendly Fiber Fridays Meet-Up | First and fourth Fridays of the month from 9am to 10:30am 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 morning coffee and snacks along.

Lovers of journaling, stationery, and creative organization, come work together and socialize every two weeks on Friday evenings! Note that the library will be closed on June 19th and July 3rd for holidays, so there will not be meetings on those dates.

More about Carolina Cozy Journaling Club:

This is a cozy community for all journal enthusiasts living in North Carolina. Whether you’re into daily journaling, collage spreads, or love talking pens and planners, you’ve found your people. Bring your notebooks, stickers, or just yourself; everyone’s welcome!

Who can join: Anyone living in NC with a love for journaling, planning, or creativity.

Join us, get inspired, and connect with other journalers who understand the joy of the journal. 🌿

Join us at Southern Branch library for storytime!

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

These events are free and require no registration.

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

Location: Library is on the first floor of the Drakeford Library Complex building--information desk inside can direct you.

Town of Carrboro's Toddler Playtime partnership will resume in the fall of 2026.

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.

Get messy and creative at Teen Finger Painting! Ditch the brushes and use your hands to create bold, colorful works of art. Whether you’re making abstract designs or painting a masterpiece, this relaxed program is all about having fun and expressing yourself. All supplies provided—just bring your creativity (and maybe wear something you don’t mind getting a little paint on)!

Registration for this program is encouraged but not required

Rising 6th graders can join teen programming after September 1, 2026.

Join us for a night of music and storytelling about songs that are significant to us.

At the program, we'll queue up a playlist of the songs everyone submitted and give people the chance to tell what their song means to them.

Share your song in the registration form and get ready to listen and reminisce.

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!

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. A 30-minute Stay-and-Play follows Storytime. Registration is not required.

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.

Stick around after Babytime to hear information about common topics for parents of newborns and toddlers from local post-partum doula, Andrea Fowler, with Gift of Love Postpartum Care. These chat sessions are a preview before a FREE workshop with her at the library in July!

Meditation

Mindfulness meditation can help you achieve greater focus, clarity, balance, and inner calm. Join us for an hour of gentle and inspiring guidance as we explore basic mindfulness meditation techniques. These classes are suitable for beginners and experienced meditators alike who would like to refresh their practice.

All are welcome! You can attend any session without committing to all of them. Registration is required for each session.

Dates and topics are listed below:

Tuesday, March 3rd, from 12:00-1:00pm: Focus

Tuesday, April 7th, from 12:00-1:00pm: Calm

Tuesday, May 5th, from 12:00-1:00pm: Well Being

Tuesday, June 2nd, from 12:00-1:00pm: Joy

About the Instructor
Valorie Hallinan is a mindfulness meditation teacher certified by the UC Berkeley Greater Good Science Center and the Awareness Training Institute. Her teaching is informed by ancient wisdom practices combined with psychology, neuroscience, and trauma sensitivity.

Valorie has been a medical librarian, a corporate media producer, and an editor of nonfiction books for young people.

Invitamos a las personas que están aprendiendo inglés o español a que vengan y practiquen conversando entre ellas en este evento. Los bibliotecarios ofrecerán formas divertidas de iniciar conversaciones en ambos idiomas para que nadie tenga que ponerse nervioso por elegir un tema de conversación. Es necesario registrarse. Si necesita ayuda para registrarse, envíe un correo electrónico a swaugh@orangecountync.gov.

We invite people who are learning Spanish or English to come practice speaking with each other at this program. Librarians will provide fun conversation starters in both languages, so no one feels awkward trying to choose what to talk about. Registration required.

Learn computer basics and earn a computer!

Thanks to grant funding from NCDIT, we’ll be able to give away a laptop computer to each patron who attend all four sessions. Classes will include basic computer and internet lessons.

Some of what we will discuss:

Computer basics

Digital Identity

Digital Well-being (including internet safety and scam awareness)

Using Email

Digital Relationships

Digital Safety

Using the internet to access important real life information (banking, medical records, etc)

Social Media

Computers are provided for the class! You do not need to bring your own.

If you need transportation to participate in this program, call Orange County Public Transportation at (919) 245-2008 at least 48 hours before to book a Demand Response ride. There is no fee associated with this service.

You must attend all four sessions to receive a computer. If you are going to have a conflict with one of these sessions, please contact Andrew, the instructor (contact info is in the sidebar).

This class can accommodate 10 students. The instructor will alert people on the waitlist when the class is offered again in the future.

This class will be June offered again in June. Sign up for the June class here!

The sessions are Mondays at 1pm:
May 4
May 11
May 18
NO CLASS ON MAY 25 - CLOSED FOR MEMORIAL DAY
June 1

Discussing Home to Harlem by Claude McKay | Monday, June 1st, 6:30pm at Main Library in Hillsborough | As part of Orange County Public Library's Black Literature, Arts, & Culture Festival (BLAC Fest), First Monday Classics Book Club and local author, James Maxey is discussing Home to Harlem by Black, queer author, Claude McKay. The work gives voice to the alienation of Black people in 1920's Harlem when it became a fashionable place to live. The full text of the book is available free online in a number of places including Hathi Trust. Click here to view or download Home to Harlem. Click here for additional BLAC Fest event information.

This event is also:

An America 250 event, celebrating the country's history all year long. Click here for more A250 events.

A Summer Reading for Adults event, encouraging fun, reading, and community during the summer months. Click here for more Adult Summer Reading events.

A Book Club event. Click here for more about library book clubs.

All ages: Celebrate the start of Summer Reading!

Visit the library for fun activities all day and “Unearth a Story” as we embark on an 8 week reading adventure!

Sunday, May 31st, 12-6pm we will have:

Dino egg hunt

Crafts

Games

Free stuff!

Summer Reading registration for all ages: adults, too!

1st 60 kids who sign up for Summer Reading get a free bag!

What is the summer reading program?

Summer Reading starts May 31st and goes until July 25th. Kids from infants up to rising 6th graders can earn weekly prizes by reading! Every child that signs up also receives a free book to keep. Raffle tickets will be earned throughout the program for a chance to win several grand prizes! Teens in Rising 7th-12th grades can earn tickets for prizes by reading and volunteering in the community. Adults will complete a summer Bingo Card for a raffle ticket.

Summer Reading Kickoff & Community Resource Fair

Join us for the launch of our Summer Reading Program with the roaring theme, "Unearth New Adventures"! Dive into a summer of adventure, creativity, and exploration as we kick off the season with fun activities for all ages.

Event Details:

Time: 10:00 am - 1:00 pm

Location: River Park Grounds, 228 South Churton Street - near the River Park Arch

Come and explore the opportunities that await in our Summer Reading Program. This kickoff event will feature interactive stations, crafts, games, and more! Entertainment will include Poetry Fox, face painters, and balloon artists!

Community Partners:
We are thrilled to welcome community partners who will be onsite to share information about their services and how they can support your summer learning and adventures. Don’t miss this chance to connect with local organizations and discover even more ways to make the most of your summer!

Who Should Attend:
Families, children, teens, and adults of all ages are invited to join the festivities. Whether you're looking to pick up your reading log, learn about our summer activities, or simply enjoy a fun day out, there’s something for everyone!

No Registration Required:
This is a free, drop-in event. Come anytime during the listed hours, bring your blankets or chairs, and stay as long as you'd like to soak up the fun. Hang out with us as we celebrate the start of an amazing summer! We recommend that everyone brings water. There will not be food available for purchase at this event.

The Summer Reading Program is generously funded by the Friends of the Library, whose support helps make our programs possible.

Saturday Serenity Guided Meditation occurring on the last Saturday of the month (February 28th, March 28th, April 25th, May 30th) from 3:00-4:00pm at the Main Library in Hillsborough, located at 137 West Margaret Lane, Hillsborough, NC 27278. Registration is preferred.

Unwind with breathing exercises and guided meditation to rejuvenate the mind, body, and soul. This holistic session, brought to you by The North American Institute of Vihangam Yoga, is designed to guide you through:

Breathing Exercises to calm the mind, reduce stress, and boost energy;
Chanting to cultivate focus and harmony; and
Meditation to connect with your inner self and awaken your spiritual potential.

Join us as we begin a new cycle of seasons by embarking on a journey of self-discovery, peace, and enlightenment.

This winter and spring, 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 March 3rd. 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 marzo hasta finales de mayo, 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 3 de marzo. 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 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 winter and spring, 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 March 3rd. 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.

--

Desde marzo hasta finales de mayo, 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 3 de marzo. 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-person on the 4th Tuesday of the month at the Southern Branch Library in Carrboro for an engaging discussion on a great selection of books. We welcome everybody to come talk with us, even if you didn't finish the whole thing! Register for book club below or in person at either of our Orange County Public Library branch locations.

Our May selection is I Leave It Up To You by Jinwoo Chong. Book club copies will be ready for check-out starting on the night of the April book club, until we run out. Click here or go to each date to see the other books for the year, though September and October have not been purchased yet and are subject to change.

Library After Dark is a librarian-led silent reading club which takes place on 4th Tuesdays of the month from 6:30-7:30pm at Main Library in Hillsborough located at 137 West Margaret Lane, Hillsborough, NC 27278. For more information about this and other book clubs, visit the library's book club page. Registration is preferred.

Wouldn't it be great to have a quiet hour to just sit and read whatever you want (and maybe have a little snack)? You can do that at Library After Dark! We'll gather in the library's Meeting Room starting at 6:30 -- be sure to get here before the library closes at 7! Bring whatever you'd like to read. We'll also have a selection of Lucky Day and New Release books to check out if you like. Coffee, tea, and some light refreshments will be available.

We'll read silently together for an hour. If you'd like to stick around after, we'll chat for a while about what we've been reading lately. If this sounds like fun, be sure to register!

Do you want to try new things, but don't want to spend money on supplies for something you might not like? Like sampling a little of everything at a buffet, try out various hobbies with our free supplies and browse instructional books, to help weigh your options! We'll mostly have arts & crafts related supplies, but we'll have a broader range of books for learning about other hobbies. Stop by for as long or as little as you’d like; register if you want a reminder of the date.

Dance the morning away to our favorite songs and enjoy instructor-led movement activities to really get the wiggles out! For ages 2 - 5, with a caregiver. Siblings are welcome. No registration required.