Programs in Numbers

Join us for special readings with the Hillsborough Police Department!

Once a month, local police officers will visit the Main Library in downtown Hillsborough to share some of their favorite children’s stories. Families can choose the 30-minute session that works best for their schedule. Sessions are offered from 3:30–4:00 or 4:00–4:30 PM, and each session includes up to six children for a small, cozy storytime experience. Please check in at the children's desk when you arrive.

After the stories, children will have a chance to ask questions and learn what it’s like to be a police officer in our community. It’s a great way to enjoy books, meet local helpers, and have a fun, interactive library experience!

Registration for this program is preferred. Please register each child who will attend.

Parents are welcome to join in the storytime or remain close by during the program.

Join us for special readings with the Hillsborough Police Department!

Once a month, local police officers will visit the Main Library in downtown Hillsborough to share some of their favorite children’s stories. Families can choose the 30-minute session that works best for their schedule. Sessions are offered from 3:30–4:00 or 4:00–4:30 PM, and each session includes up to six children for a small, cozy storytime experience. Please check in at the children's desk when you arrive.

After the stories, children will have a chance to ask questions and learn what it’s like to be a police officer in our community. It’s a great way to enjoy books, meet local helpers, and have a fun, interactive library experience!

Registration for this program is preferred. Please register each child who will attend.

Parents are welcome to join in the storytime or remain close by during the program.

This Hispanic Heritage Month, make your own Talavera style tile coasters and learn about the traditional craft from Puebla, Mexico.

Please try to arrive around 5, but no worries if traffic prevents you from arriving on the dot.

Registration required so we can ensure we have enough supplies!

Love dessert but not baking? Join us for a hands-on no-bake dessert workshop! We'll whip up a tasty sweet treat—no oven required. The recipe is a surprise, but all supplies will be provided.

Registration for this program is encouraged but not required

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 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.

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. Please do not sign up for this class if you have already taken it.

The sessions are Tuesday at 1pm at the Southern Branch Library in Carrboro:
September 8
September 15
September 22
September 29

Calling all curious kids! The Curiosity Crew is a program where Kindergarten–2nd graders can build, create, and discover through fun projects in art, science, and beyond. This week we'll discover the amazing power of wind through a story, hands-on experiments, creative projects, and weather-themed fun! We'll explore how wind shapes the world around us while learning about breezes, gusts, and storms in this interactive program for curious young learners.

Children may participate in this program independently or with their caregivers. Caregivers must remain inside the library for the duration of the program.

Break out of perfectionism and old habits with prompts to spark random, creative ideas! Experienced artists and complete novices are all welcome. (If you consider yourself bad at visual art, now you can join the club...literally.)

Supplies provided. Don’t stress over the outcome: we'll focus on having fun and enjoying the process.

This is an Artember program celebrating and displaying community-made art all September long at Main Library in Hillsborough. Click here to view all Artember events and register.

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 September selection is The Henna Artist by Alka Joshi. Book club copies can be checked out starting the night of the August book club until we run out. Click here or go to each date to see the other books for the year.

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.

WonderKids is an exciting and engaging program designed to spark curiosity in older preschoolers through interactive, hands-on activities that explore the wonders of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics. Each month we will read a story together and then dive into themed STEAM activities inspired by the book.

This month, we will learn about different kinds of reptiles, with an experiment that shows how snakes shed and other reptile-themed crafts and activities. For children ages 4 & 5 with their caregivers. Siblings welcome.

It's fall book sale time! Join the Friends of the Orange County Public Library at the Main Library in Hillsborough on Thursday, September 18th through Sunday, September 21st to find discounted books for all ages! The event schedule follows below.

Thursday, September 17th, 5-7pm | FOCPL Members Only Book Sale Preview - Friends of the Library Members enjoy first access to the book sale's goodies. Not a member? Pop by and become a member at the door! An individual membership is $25, a family membership is $40, and a lifetime membership is $300. Thank you for your support!

Friday & Saturday, September 18th & 19th, 9am-5pm | General Public Book Sale - Beginning Friday morning, the book sale is open to everyone whether you have an Orange County Public Library card or not. Stop by and see what treasures you can find!

Sunday, September 20th, 12-4pm | Bag Day Sale - Get all the books you can fit into a bag for just $7, two for $10! Bring your own large bag to make the most out of this deal!

To learn more about the Friends of the Orange County Public Library and all of the ways they support your library, visit focplnc.org

6th-12th Graders,

come to Southern Branch library and crochet a “pocket” mini chicken.

All skill levels welcome and all supplies will be provided. No crochet experience needed! Please arrive between 2-2:30pm to have enough time to complete the activity.

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

Registration preferred, but not required. Registering will send email reminders about the event.

It's fall book sale time! Join the Friends of the Orange County Public Library at the Main Library in Hillsborough on Thursday, September 18th through Sunday, September 21st to find discounted books for all ages! The event schedule follows below.

Thursday, September 17th, 5-7pm | FOCPL Members Only Book Sale Preview - Friends of the Library Members enjoy first access to the book sale's goodies. Not a member? Pop by and become a member at the door! An individual membership is $25, a family membership is $40, and a lifetime membership is $300. Thank you for your support!

Friday & Saturday, September 18th & 19th, 9am-5pm | General Public Book Sale - Beginning Friday morning, the book sale is open to everyone whether you have an Orange County Public Library card or not. Stop by and see what treasures you can find!

Sunday, September 20th, 12-4pm | Bag Day Sale - Get all the books you can fit into a bag for just $7, two for $10! Bring your own large bag to make the most out of this deal!

To learn more about the Friends of the Orange County Public Library and all of the ways they support your library, visit focplnc.org

Join Sra. Yelitza every 2nd Saturday of the month for storytime in Spanish!

Children from 0 to age 4 and their caregivers are invited to participate in a 25-minute interactive program entirely in Spanish that incorporates books, rhymes, music, and movement.

¡Únete a la Sra. Yelitza cada segundo sábado del mes para la hora del cuento en español! Niños de 0 a 4 años y sus cuidadores están invitados a participar en un programa interactivo de 25 minutos, completamente en español, que incluye libros, rimas, música y movimiento.

It's fall book sale time! Join the Friends of the Orange County Public Library at the Main Library in Hillsborough on Thursday, September 18th through Sunday, September 21st to find discounted books for all ages! The event schedule follows below.

Thursday, September 17th, 5-7pm | FOCPL Members Only Book Sale Preview - Friends of the Library Members enjoy first access to the book sale's goodies. Not a member? Pop by and become a member at the door! An individual membership is $25, a family membership is $40, and a lifetime membership is $300. Thank you for your support!

Friday & Saturday, September 18th & 19th, 9am-5pm | General Public Book Sale - Beginning Friday morning, the book sale is open to everyone whether you have an Orange County Public Library card or not. Stop by and see what treasures you can find!

Sunday, September 20th, 12-4pm | Bag Day Sale - Get all the books you can fit into a bag for just $7, two for $10! Bring your own large bag to make the most out of this deal!

To learn more about the Friends of the Orange County Public Library and all of the ways they support your library, visit focplnc.org

Please note that Friendly Fiber Fridays will be meeting upstairs on Friday, September 18th.

Friendly Fiber Fridays Meet-Up | First and third 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 morning coffee and snacks along.

This is an Artember program celebrating and displaying community-made art all September long at Main Library in Hillsborough. Click here to view all Artember events and register.

Page Turners Book Club takes place on the 3rd Friday of each month from 10-11am at the Seymour Center located at 2551 Homestead Road, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27516. The book club is free, open to the public, and no registration is required. Call Maureen at 919.245.2535 or email msocha@orangecountync.gov with questions.

For reading selections and more information, visit the library's book club page.

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!

Does this sound familiar? You have an idea for a story and start writing, but get stuck when it comes to the larger plot.

In this workshop, local author Melora Fern will break down different types of narrative frameworks and explain the basic structure elements so you can write beyond your story’s premise. You will walk away with a plan of action for leveling up your story and the knowledge to find your way through the writing tunnel.

The workshop includes a practice exercise so please bring your personal writing tools (laptop, iPad, paper, pen, pencil, etc.).

Writers of all experience levels welcome!

Want to learn more from Melora? She is also hosting a workshop next month: click for more information!

Melora Fern moved from Texas to North Carolina to become herself. Growing up as the perpetual “new kid” she persevered by making up stories and recently has learned how to hone that skill into writing fiction. As a recovering CPA, she now counts seashells, colorful stones, or words discovered on her walks. She is the author of Whistling Women and Crowing Hens, a novel inspired by her grandmother's history as a touring whistler in the 1920s.