Adult Book Clubs

Reading becomes an even richer experience when it is shared. Book clubs are a great way to meet new people, discover new genres or titles, have good conversations, and get to know your local library each month.

Jacksonville: 1pm

Mar 24: The Dutch House by Ann Patchett
Apr 28: The Saturday Evening Girls Club by Jane Healey
May 26: A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles

Richlands: 5pm

Mar 26: I’ll Be Gone In the Dark by Michelle McNamara
Apr 23: Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
May 28: The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris

Sneads Ferry: 1pm

Mar 20: Conan Doyle for the Defense by Margalit Fox
Apr 17: Call Me American by Abdi Nor Iftin
May 15: The Nest by Cynthia D’Aprix Sweeney

Books at the Bistro: Swansboro

Mix and mingle at the White Oak River Bistro in Swansboro, socialize with book talks and food for thought. 11:30am, White Oak River Bistro, 206 W Corbett Ave, Swansboro
Mar 10: Call Me American by Abdi Nor Iftin
Apr 14: The Library Book by Susan Orlean
May 12: Chances Are... by Richard Russo

Online Book Club: Paging All Readers

Find our Facebook group, read at your own pace, and discuss the book at your convenience. A live discussion with staff and other members is every fourth Sunday at 7pm. Find Us on Facebook: OCPL Online Book Club
Mar: When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi
Apr: The Martian by Andy Weir
May: The Mother-in-Law by Sally Hepworth

GENEALOGY MEETINGS

Valuable info, ideas, and tips to successfully research your roots!
Jacksonville:
Open Forum: Mar 9; 10am
Trekking Through NC History: Apr 13; 10am
North Carolina Textile Heritage: May 11; 10am

LIFECARE 101

Questions about aging? Hospice? Services? Lower Cape Fear LifeCare, a non-profit agency, can answer many questions about services available to you and your loved ones facing medical issues due to illness, accidents or aging.
Swansboro: Mar 18; 5pm

FRONT PORCH ROLL CALL!

Join the JPD for ‘Front Porch Roll Call’! Get to know your local JPD officers and neighbors. This is a unique opportunity to discuss any issues that might be occurring in your neighborhood. Help us make our city a safe place to live, work and visit.
Jacksonville: Mar 26; 2:45pm

BLOOD DRIVE

Not all heroes wear capes. Donate blood and become an everyday hero! Walk-ins welcome, appointments preferred. Visit the American Red Cross website or call the library for details.
Jacksonville: Apr 20; 2-6pm

SENIOR SERVICES WORKSHOP

Find out about the many services Onslow County Senior Services offers. It’s not just for Seniors; tt’s for Caregivers too!
Swansboro: Apr 27; 2pm

SENIOR HEALTH SCREENINGS

In partnership with Onslow County Senior Services, Swansboro branch library will be offering Senior Health Screenings in May. Come by for a basic health screening of blood pressure, blood glucose, vital signs, lipid panels, nutrition, and more!
Swansboro: May 8; 10am

TRIVIA NIGHT

Enjoy competition, teamwork, and brain games? Join us for interactive Trivial Pursuit-type fun complete with challenges for points and prizes. Sign-up as an individual or team!
Richlands: Mar 5, Apr 2 & May 7; 6-8pm

APPY HOUR

Drop by the Jacksonville library during “appy” hour for help with the digital book app Libby!
Jacksonville: Every Wednesday; 12-1pm

Cooking & Nutrition

CHOPPED! LUCK OF THE IRISH COMPETITION

Come compete to be the ”King or Queen of the Kitchen”! Contestants will be creating an appetizer and dessert based on Irish cuisine. Ingredients will be revealed at the opening of the event! Registration is required.
Richlands: Mar 17; 6-8pm

COOKIE DECORATING TECHNIQUES

Join us for a cookie decorating demonstration. Practice techniques and get all your questions answered! Registration is required.
Swansboro: May 28; 4pm

SMORGASBOOK

Looking for some fun new recipes? Join us for our cookbook club. Register in person to pick a recipe then bring your completed dish for everyone to taste!
Swansboro: Thursdays; 5pm
Mar 26: Hack Your Cupboard
Apr 23: Eat to Beat Illness
May 28: 5 Ingredient Recipes
Richlands: 11:30-12:30pm;
Mar 13: Sweet & Savory Desserts
May 8: Fruit or Veggie Dish, Your Choice!

Hobbies & Crafts

COMMUNITY GARDEN

Join us as we plan, plant and nurture a community garden at the Swansboro Branch Library!
Swansboro: Mar 9 & 21; 1pm, Apr 6; 1pm & Apr 25; 2pm

SPRING PLANTING CLASS

Celebrate the first day of spring by getting your hands dirty! Come learn local timetables for planting vegetables and tips for growing in raised beds & containers!
Jacksonville: Mar 19; 2pm

ART WITH EMILY

Come join local artist, Emily Jeffreys to discover your hidden artistic ability. Ages 8 and up. Registration is required.
Jacksonville: Mar 12; 1 & 4pm, Apr 15; 1pm, Apr 18; 1pm, & May 14; 1 & 4pm

COMMON THREADS: A KNIT, CROCHET AND STITCH CLUB

Do you enjoy stitching, knitting or crocheting? Come meet new friends and share tips and ideas at Common Threads!
Richlands: Mar 6, Apr 3 & May 1; 12-1pm

PINTEREST PARTY

Calling all Pinterest Fans, come craft with us. We provide the supplies you bring the creativity! Registration is required.
Jacksonville: Mar 14 (St. Patrick Button Art) & May 9 (Clay Pot People); 1pm
Richlands: Mar 7 (Cactus Rock Garden) & May 2 (Coffee Filter Wreath); 10am
Sneads Ferry: Mar 21 (Chunky Bunny), & May 16 (Polymer Clay Beads); 10am
Swansboro: Mar 13 (Pinecone Succulents) & May 8 (Clothespin Wreath); 10am

Career, Education & Self Help

VISION BOARD WORKSHOP

Create a vision board to put all your dreams, goals, and aspirations directly in front of you. Tips, inspiration and supplies will be provided! This program is being offered to teens and adults. Suitable for patrons of all ability levels. Registration is required.
Jacksonville: Mar 5; 2pm

FOUNDATION CENTER

This class provides an overview for writing a standard grant proposal to a foundation. Learn the basic elements, the do’s & don’ts, and follow up tips! Registration is required.
Jacksonville: Apr 28; 10am & May 7; 2pm

LEGAL AID OF NC DIY CLINICS

Free Legal Aid Video Clinics. Participants will receive paperwork and general legal information via a live webinar. No specific advice is given on individual cases and no lawyers will be physically present. Dates and times vary, please visit legalaidnc.org/clinics to view and register.

VETERANS EMPLOYMENT ASSISTANCE

NCWorks Veterans Career Center is here to help veterans and their families! Visit any OCPL location to consult with an experienced Veterans Employment Assistance representative to learn more about jobs, job fairs, education and training, and resources.
Jacksonville: Every Fri; 10-12pm
Richlands: Every Wed; 1-3pm
Sneads Ferry: Every Wed; 1-3pm
Swansboro: Every Tue; 1-3pm

VA REPRESENTATIVE

A representative from the Jacksonville Vet Center will be available to answer questions on services available and assist with referrals. The Vet Center provides free confidential counseling services to veterans, active duty and families.
Jacksonville: Fourth Fri; 10-12pm
Richlands: First Wed; 1-3pm
Sneads Ferry: Third Wed; 1-3pm
Swansboro: Second Tue; 1-3pm

DIGITAL RESOURCE SHOWCASE

Explore the digital resources available through your library! NCLIVE is an online collection of 1.4 billion full-text articles, eBooks, streaming videos, digitized newspapers, language learning tools, and more. Each month OCPL will showcase just one of the many great NC LIVE resources. Stop by any branch of OCPL to learn more about these great resources!

DigitalNC
Providing online access to historically significant materials pertaining to NC

Fergusons’ Career Guidance Center
The Essential Career Research Database - Job Profiles, Skills, and Resources

Auto Repair Source
Up-to-Date auto repair and service information on more than 38,000 vehicles