Welcome, Spring! With warmer air and blossoming buds come change and growth outside of the library, while much is growing and changing inside the library this spring as well.

Where new books abound, our shelving is changing places with displays, creating more browsing room and treating your eye to new colors and images popping from our featured book covers to grab your interest.

Stop in on your stroll through downtown to use our computers, as access is now available to all, or power your devices at our newly renovated charging station. Speaking of recharging, our teen area furniture has been reconfigured and our adult seating area has had a makeover, so there’s a space for anyone and everyone to relax and read. While you’re here, be sure to visit our newly created “newsstand” full of the latest magazines and local newspapers, all arranged with the most recent copies on display and ready for consumption.

While visiting our new space, say hello to our new face, Ashley Wilson, serving Stanly County as your reference librarian. Interested in all things literary and full of humor and wit, Ashley will greet you with a welcome and ensure that you have access to all of our resources and collections, many of which she has recently refreshed.

If you’re out and about in the town of Oakboro, be sure to stop by the library to welcome back a familiar face who has served our community in the past, Amanda Poole. Returning in a new role as our Oakboro branch manager, Amanda has been doing some spring cleaning since her return. The shelves are stocked with the newest titles and room has been made to keep the collection fresh and inviting, so let her know what books are at the top of your TBR (To Be Read) pile.

Since I mentioned TBR, I have to share my newest author obsession with you, Colleen Hoover. If I could read all of her books at once I would, because I can’t get enough, and am always impacted when each title ends. If you follow along each month with my column footer which tells my “currently reading” you saw Colleen’s name last month as I was transformed by the plotline of her newest work, “Reminders of Him.” Released in January with a rating of 4.6/5 on Goodreads and 4.9/5 on Barnes & Noble, it seems that others were as impacted by the story of Kenna Rowan as I.

“After serving five years in prison for a tragic mistake, Kenna returns to the town where it all went wrong, hoping to reunite with her four-year-old daughter, but the bridges Kenna burned are proving impossible to rebuild.” This book is available through your library both in regular and large-print and is truly unputdownable, while many other titles by Colleen are available in both print and digital.

Whether on the search for new looks or new books, enjoy this season of growth and change, and stop by any of our five library locations to explore your newest read. Who knows? That shiny new cover that just caught your eye could be the beginning of your new favorite TBR.

Currently Reading: “November 9” by Colleen Hoover.