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Open five days a week, Highlands' Hudson
Library serves the area's full-time and seasonal residents with... |
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• Latest best-sellers |
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• Movies, music, CDs & tapes |
• Free internet access |
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• Comfortable reading area |
• Great children's space |
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• Information center, wireless internet |
• Magazines & newspapers |
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More about
the library |
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Library Receives Grant from Outreach Group
 The Cullasaja Women's Outreach group recently awarded the Hudson Library a grant of $3500 to enlarge the library's collection of books on CD and to start a collection of "playaways" for the Library. Currently only Macon has these items in circulation.
Pictured at the annual awards reception (l-r) Colleen Flinn, a member of the grants committee of Cullasaja Women's Outreach and Mary Lou Worley, Hudson Librarian.
 Four-legged Patrons
We love our library patrons - especially the four-legged variety!
The Hudson Library garden is home to one diligent feline - caught searching for game in the early hours.
Guide dog in training Sweezy - now 7 months - still visits the library with trainer Cheryl Parlato.
Hudson Library To Expand Into Gallery Space
The Hudson Library has shared its building with the Bascom- Louise Gallery for over twenty years, but in the next year the Gallery will be moving to the brand-new Fine Art Center on Oak Street in Highlands. The Hudson Library Board of Trustees has chosen local architect Paul Schmitt of Paul Schmitt Architectural Design Studio, PLLC to design and oversee the renovation of the gallery space and expansion of the library.
Mr. Schmitt plans to make the design of this project an all-Highlands effort, which is in keeping with the special character of the Hudson Library. Landscaping design will be done by James Tate of Tate Landscaping Service, Inc. and interior design will be provided by Jean Macrea of Jean Macrea Interiors, Inc.
 The current library building, completed in 1985, will be updated to comply with current accessibility, lighting, and fire protection standards. The space vacated by the gallery will be used to provide a multi-purpose room for children’s programs, author talks, meetings, lectures, and films; a “library living room” for comfortable reading in front of a gas fireplace; and expanded audio-visual and computer areas.
A new children’s area will be enclosed and have a fairytale theme, with such fun features as a stump table with toadstools and a dragon-shaped puzzle table. The entry will be reminiscent of a castle with a rock-like wall supporting glass partitions painted with medieval standards and castle keeps. And what castle would be complete without a dragon? Young adults will have their own area complete with booths; and in the rear of the library will be a screened reading area, a perfect place to enjoy a book on a summer afternoon.
Mr. Schmitt grew up in Highlands and first learned the craft of building design at his father’s firm, Schmitt Building Contractors. After graduating from Clemson University, Schmitt returned to Highlands and joined with Dennis DeWolf to form the partnership DeWolf and Schmitt Architects. In 1998 Schmitt founded his own firm, Paul Schmitt Architectural Design Studio, PLLC. In addition to private area residences, Mr. Schmitt has designed many familiar Highlands buildings including Wild Thyme restaurant and Regions Bank.
The Hudson Library, established in 1884, is one of the oldest libraries in North Carolina. The library has been nurtured and supported by the Highlands community all through its history. For its first thirty-five years the library occupied a room in Highlands’ school, and when the books became too numerous the town undertook a campaign to raise the funds for a library building. In 1915 the townspeople raised $553 with parties, concerts, benefits, and lectures. The library was built on donated land next to the Episcopal Church (where the church’s new wing is today), and for the next forty-five years the library grew until it once again overflowed its space.
The current library building was completed in 1985, once again with funds obtained through donations and community fund-raisers. The original library building can still be seen—it was moved and is now part of the Highlands Historical Village, housing the museum and archives. (click here for the history of the library)
2009 will bring the 125th anniversary and an exciting new chapter in the history of the Hudson Library.
 A frequent visitor to our library is Swezey, a 3-month old Golden Retriever who is a guide dog for the blind in training. Her foster mother uses computers at the Hudson Library as one of many experiences to which a guide dog must be exposed. The photo shows that Swezey is very well-behaved.
 Just
for Kids — Hudson Library has a kids library that’s
separate from the adult section, with lots of books and
four computers for children through middle-school age.
During the week, there are special programs for pre-schoolers
and home-schoolers.
 Free
Internet access is available on five public access computers
to all library visitors with a current photo ID. Access time is limited on
busy days and is on a first come, first served basis. Printing from
the computer is also available at 25¢ a page.
Ask a Librarian. Do online research. |
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 NC
Knows is a service that allows you to get help from
librarians and use their library resources from your computer.
It's free, helpful and easy. Go to
NC Knows.
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 NC
LIVE gives North Carolina residents and students access
to searchable collections of magazine, newspaper, and journal
articles, electronic books, historical materials, maps, and
more. (Requires access code, available from the library). More
info. Go to NC LIVE!
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LIBRARY HOURS |
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Tue |
10 am |
- 5:30 pm |
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Wed |
10 am |
- 5:30 pm |
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Thu |
10 am |
- 5:30 pm |
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Fri |
10 am |
- 5:30 pm |
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Sat |
10 am |
- 4 pm |
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Sun |
Closed |
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Mon |
Closed |
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