guides

Library Guide

December 21, 2023

Between Catawba County Library System and Hickory Public Library there are 9 libraries plus a to-go library in and around the Hickory area. We have them listed below, as well as libraries from Burke, Caldwell, Iredell and Alexander Counties. These Libraries offer SO MANY events, activities, and resources for families. 

What to know: 

  • Library events are FREE and open to the public.
  • Some events will require pre-registration.
  • Dates change and things get cancelled: Please double check with your library before heading out, especially if you have a long drive! 

Below we've listed out as some great information on our local libraries, including story-time programing and repeat events. You can find these events and more on our calendar. 

Jump to:
Hickory Public Library
Catawba County Library Systems
Caldwell County Public Library
Burke County Libraries
Iredell County Libraries
Alexander County Libraries



Hickory Public Library
Website Facebook




Patrick Beaver Memorial Library
375 3rd St. NE, Hickory
828-304-0500
Monday - Thursday 9 am - 8 pm
Friday & Saturday 9 am - 5 pm

Storytime Events

  • Tales for Preschoolers - weekly 
    Tuesdays 10:00 am - 10:30 am
    Interactive Storytime that explores stories, dancing, and singing
    Geared for ages 3-5 (all ages welcome).
  • Tiny Tales Storytime - weekly
    Wednesdays 10:00 am - 10:30 am
    Your little one will explore the world around them through movement, songs, stories, and play
    Designed specifically for babies to age 2 (all ages welcome).

Ridgeview Branch Library
706 1st St SW, Hickory
828-345-6037
Monday - Thursday 9 am - 8 pm
Friday & Saturday 9 am - 5 pm

Upcoming Events




 Catawba County Library Systems
Website Facebook




Main Library in Newton
115 West C St, Newton
828-465-8664

Monday - Thursday 9 am - 8 pm
Friday & Saturday 9 am - 6 pm

Storytime Events

  • Tiny to Two: Ready to Learn Storytime
    Mondays 10:00 – 11:00am
    20-minute Storytime featuring rhymes, bounces, sensory play, and singing. Playtime follows.
    Ideal for newborns to age 2, but all are welcome.
  • Preschool: Ready to Learn Storytime
    Wednesdays & Fridays 10:00 – 11:00 am
    Songs, sensory play, crafts, and stories are designed to prepare your preschooler to learn.
    Ideal for children 3-5, but all are welcome.

Other Events

  • Zumba with Honey & Jossiah 
    Mondays 6:00 – 7:00pm
    Kick off your week with a burst of Zumba, a dance and movement activity that's too much fun to call exercise. It's appropriate for every skill and ability level and open to anyone 14+ (parental signature required for teens under 18). Please check Facebook for possible location adjustments or call 828-465-8665. 
  • Paws to Read
    Practice reading aloud to a licensed therapy dog!
    828-465-8665 To Register
  • Teen Tuesdays
    Tuesdays 5 PM
  • Zumba Mondays!
    Mondays at 6 pm
    Open to anyone 14+ 

Claremont Branch Library 
3288 East Main St, Claremont
828-466-6817
Tuesday - Friday Noon - 6pm
Saturday 9 am - 2 pm



Conover Branch Library 
403 Conover Station SE
828-466-5108
Tuesday Noon - 8 pm
Wednesday - Friday 9 am - 6 pm
Saturday 9 am - 2 pm



Maiden Branch Library 
11 South A Ave, Maiden
828-428-2712

Tuesday Noon - 8 pm
Wednesday - Friday 9 am - 6 pm
Saturday 9 am - 2 pm

Storytime Events

  • Preschool: Ready to Learn Storytime
    Thursdays 10:00 – 11:00 am
    Songs, sensory play, crafts, and stories are designed to prepare your preschooler to learn.
    Ideal for children 3-5, but all are welcome.
  • Paws to Read
    Practice reading aloud to a licensed therapy dog!


Sherrills Ford-Terrell Branch Library 
9154 Sherrills Ford Road
828-465-8664
Monday & Tuesday Noon - 8 pm
Wednesday - Saturday 9 am - 6 pm

Storytime Events


Southwest Branch Library 
2944 Highway 127 S, Hickory
828-466-6818
Monday & Tuesday Noon - 8 pm
Wednesday - Friday 9 am - 6 pm
Saturday 9 am - 2 pm

Storytime Events

  • Preschool: Ready to Learn Storytime 
    Wednesdays 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
    Songs, sensory play, crafts, and stories designed to prepare your preschooler to learn
    Ideal for children 3-5, but all are welcome
  • Preschool Ready to Learn Storytime 
    Thursdays 10:00 – 11:00am
    Songs, sensory play, crafts, and stories designed to prepare your preschooler to learn.
    Ideal for children 3-5, but all are welcome.

St. Stephens Branch Library 
3225 Springs Road NE, Hickory
828-466-6821
Monday & Tuesday Noon - 8 pm
Wednesday - Saturday 9 am - 6 pm

Storytime Events

  • Preschool: Ready to Learn Bilingual English-Spanish Storytime
    Wednesdays 10:00 – 11:00 am | Miercoles a la 10am
    Join us for an exciting bilingual Storytime featuring stories, songs, movement, learning and more for children up to 5 years of age.
    Únase a nosotros para escuchar historias, canciones, movimiento, aprendizaje y más los miércoles por la mañana a las 10 a.m. Nos encantaría ver a sus pequeños en etapa pre-escolar para una hora de cuentos verdaderamente emocionante.
    Preschool: Ready to Learn Storytime
    Thursdays,10:00 – 11:00am
    Join us for songs, sensory play, crafts, and stories
    Designed to prepare your preschooler to learn. 

Catawba County Library To-Go

This mobile branch of the Catawba County Library System makes stops at various locations around the county, including community centers, schools, senior centers, daycares, and local festivals and events. Its hours are variable. To request a stop by the Library to Go, please fill out and submit the request form.



Caldwell County Public Library
Website Facebook




Lenoir Branch Library
120 Hospital Avenue, Lenoir 
828-757-1270
Monday & Thursday, 9 am - 7 pm
Tue., Wed. & Fri. 9 am - 5:30 pm
Sat. 9 am - 1:30 pm

Storytime Events

  • Storytime
    Tuesdays, 10 - 10:30AM
    Stories, Music, and games to encourage language, social development, and early learning
    Ages 3-5
  • Toddler Storytime
    Wednesdays 10 - 10:30 am
    Interactive Storytime with music, movement, games and crafts
    Ages 2-4
  • Family Storytime
    Thursdays, 5:30 - 6:00 PM

    The whole family will benefit from this interactive storytime! Stories, songs, movement, and play designed to encourage language, early learning, and social skills
    Ages 8 & under.

Other Events

  • Family Game Time
    Thursdays at 2 PM
  • Dungeons and Dragons
    Thursdays 1 PM - 5 PM
    Teens
  • Crafternoon
    Thursdays 4 PM
  • LEGO Play
    Fridays  

Hudson Branch Library
530 Central St, Hudson
828-728-4207
Monday - Friday, 9 am - 5:30 pm

  • Storytime
    Mondays at 10AM
    Stories, music, and games to encourage language, social development, and early literacy.
    For 3 to 5 year olds.

Southern Branch Library
63 N Main St, Granite Falls
828-396-7703
Monday 9 am - 5:30 pm
Tuesday 9 - 7pm
Wed. - Fri. 9 am - 5:30 pm
Sat. 9 am - 1:30 pm

  • Storytime
    Wednesdays at 10AM
    Stories, music, and games to encourage language, social development, and early literacy.
    For 3 to 5-year-olds.


Burke County Public Library

Website Facebook




Morganton Branch Library
204 S King St, Morganton
828-764-9260

Mon. & Wed: 9:00am - 8:00pm
Tues., Thurs. & Fri. 9:00am - 6:00pm
Sat. 9:00am - 5:00pm

Storytime Events

  • Baby Bookworms
    Mondays at 10:30 am
    Rhymes, songs, movement activities, short stories, crafts and art activities
    Birth - 2 years
    Pre-registration required
  • Terrific Tots
    Tuesdays 10:30 am
    Stories, flannel board activities, songs, crafts and more
    Pre-registration Required
  • Preschool Pals
    Thursdays at 10:30 am
    Storytime that introduces preschoolers to the joy of reading and early literacy skills through stories, fingerplays, songs and crafts.
    Pre-registration Required
  • Library Explorers
    Tuesdays at 4pm
    Storytime Designed for children in grades K-2. Club times may vary depending on activities planned.
    Pre-Registration is required.
  • Cool Kids Club
    Mondays at 3:30pm
    Art Projects, STEAM activities, games and more.
    Designed for children in grades 3-5.
    Pre-Registration is required. 



Valdese Branch Library
213 St. Germain Ave. SE, Valdese
(828) 874-2421

Mon., Wed: & Fri. 9:00am - 6:00pm
Tues. & Thurs. 9:00am - 8:00pm
Sat. 9:00am - 5:00pm

Storytime Events

  • Baby Bookworms
    Thursdays at 10 am
    Introduce baby to new sights, sounds, interactions and activities through books, music and play.
    Birth - 24 Months
  • Terrific Tots Storytime
    Mondays at 10am
    Stories, flannel board activities, songs, crafts and more
    For Those 2-3 Years Old
    Pre-registration Required
  • Preschool Pals
    Wednesdays at 10 am
    Storytime that introduces preschoolers to the joy of reading and early literacy skills through stories, fingerplays, songs and crafts.
    Pre-registration Required 

Other Events

  • Cool Kids Club
    Tuesdays at 3:30pm
    Art Projects, STEAM activities, games and more.
    Designed for children in grades 3-5.
    Pre-Registration is required.
  • Library Explorers
    Mondays at 3:30pm
    Storytime Designed for children in grades K-2. Club times may vary depending on activities planned.
    Pre-Registration is required.


C.B. Hildebrand Public Library
101B Main Avenue West, Hildebrand
(828) 764-9283

Mon. 9:00am - 8:00pm
Tues. - Fri. 9:00am - 6:00pm
Sat. 9:00am - 5:00pm.

Storytime Events

  • Baby Bookworms
    Wednesday at 10:45 am
    Introduce baby to new sights, sounds, interactions and activities through books, music and play.
    Birth - 24 Months
  • Terrific Tots Storytime
    Wednesday at 10:45 am
    Stories, flannel board activities, songs, crafts and more
    For Those 2-3 Years Old
    Pre-registration Required
  • Preschool Pals
    Tuesdays at 10:45 am
    Storytime that introduces preschoolers to the joy of reading and early literacy skills through stories, fingerplays, songs and crafts.
    Pre-registration Required

Other Events

  • Cool Kids Club
    Tuesdays at 3:30pm
    Art Projects, STEAM activities, games and more.
    Designed for children in grades 3-5.
    Pre-Registration is required.
  • Library Explorers
    Thursdays at 3:30pm
    Storytime Designed for children in grades K-2. Club times may vary depending on activities planned.
    Pre-Registration is required.


Iredell County Public Library

Website Facebook







Statesville Main Library

201 N Tradd Street, Statesville
704-878-3090
Monday -  Thursday 8:00am - 8:00pm
Friday & Saturday 9am - 6:00pm

Storytime Events

  • Preschool Storytime 
    Wednesdays at 10 am
    This Storytime focuses on early literacy practices for children ages 36 to 60 months and kindergarten readiness skills. We will share stories, songs and activities that allow young children to practice school readiness and early reading skills.

  • Toddler Storytime
    Thursdays at 10 am
    This Storytime focuses on early literacy practices appropriate for children ages 18 to 36 months and their adult caregivers. We will share stories, songs, and activities that help young children build pre-reading skills and encourage caregivers to support early learning.

  • Saturday Storytime
    Monthly- Enjoy stories, songs, and activities to help set your child up for success!
    This program is geared towards children under the age of 5, but all are welcome.

    (March 4th, April 1st, May 27th)

Other Events

  • Discovery Club
    Tuesdays at 3 PM
    Explores various areas of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math).
    Ages 8 - 11 (No Registration Required)



Harmony Branch Library
3393 Harmony Highway, Harmony
704-546-7086
Monday - Saturday 9am - 6:00pm

Storytime Events

  • Preschool and Toddler Storytime
    Wednesdays at 10:30 AM
    Engage in early literacy practices through stories, songs and activities that allow young children to practice school readiness and early reading skills.
    Ages 36 to 60 months and kindergarten readiness skills. 

Other Events

  • Discovery Club
    Tuesdays at 3 PM
    Explore various areas of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math).
    Ages 8 -11
    No registration Required

Troutman Branch Library
215 W Church Street, Troutman
704-528-2682:30
Monday - Saturday 9am - 6:00pm

Storytime Events

  • Toddler Storytime
    Tuesdays at 11 am
    Stories, songs, and activities that help young children build pre-reading skills and encourage caregivers to support early learning.

    ages 18 to 36 months and their adult caregivers.
    Register Online

  • Preschool Storytime 
    Fridays at 11 am
    Learn early literacy practices through stories, songs and activities.

    Ages 36 to 60 months and kindergarten readiness skills.

Other Events

  • Discovery Club
    Tuesdays at 3 PM
    Explore various areas of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math).
    Ages 8 -11
    No registration Required

Alexander County Library

Website Facebook




Taylorsville Branch
77 1st Ave. SW, Taylorsville
828-632-4058

Monday 9:00am – 7:00pm
Tuesday 9:00am – 6:00pm
Wednesday 9:00am – 6:00pm
Thursday 9:00am – 7:00pm
Friday 9:00am – 6:00pm
Saturday 9:00am – 3:00pm

Storytime Events

  • Preschool Story Time
    Thursdays and Fridays from 10:00 am - 11:00 am
    Join us for story time. We'll sing, dance, read stories, and more!
    5 and Under

Bethlehem Branch
45 Rink Dam Rd., Hickory
828-495-8753

Monday  9:00am – 2:00pm
Tuesday  12:00pm – 7:00pm
Wednesday  9:00am – 2:00pm
Thursday  12:00pm – 7:00pm
Friday  12:00pm – 5:00pm

Storytime Events

  • Preschool Story Time
    Mondays from 10:00 am - 11:00 am
    Join us for story time. We'll sing, dance, read stories, and more!
    5 and under

Stony Point Branch
431 Ruritan Park Rd., Stony Point
828-632-4058

Monday  9:00am – 1:00pm
Tuesday 3:00pm – 7:00pm
Wednesday  9:00am – 1:00pm
Thursday  3:00pm – 7:00pm

Storytime Events

  • Preschool Story Time
    Mondays from 10:00 am - 11:00 am
    Join us for story time. We'll sing, dance, read stories, and more!
    5 and Under