Fontana Regional Library serving Jackson, Macon and Swain counties with six public libraries in Western North Carolina

Hudson Library
554 Main St.
P.O. Box 430
Highlands, NC 28741

828-526-3031
Fax: 828-526-5278

Librarian: Mary Lou Worley

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Web of Life Display

Many of our local birds are in trouble, and you can help! A fascinating display at the Hudson Library shows how: the food web that connects the plants blooming in our front yards to the birds singing in our trees.

Our native plants, insects, and birds have all coevolved and depend on each other for survival. Many birds depend on a high-protein insect diet, especially when feeding their young. Most insects depend on plants for food.

Loss of habitat from development and agriculture decreases insects' preferred plants. People plant non-native species in their gardens which are not edible to native insects, and use pesticides to prevent insects from feeding on their plants. As a consequence of this decrease in native plants and insects, many birds, even "common" species, are in dramatic decline while other species face imminent extinction.

Native plants have been shown to support three times as many native insects as alien plants, and as many as thirty times the insects most often used for feeding baby birds. So to feed the birds, first you must feed the bugs!

We can all make a difference in preserving our beautiful mountain ecosystem. What we put in and what we take out of our gardens can make an important contribution to preserving our shared environment.

The display is a joint effort of the Land Stewards of the Highlands Plateau, the local chapter of the Audubon Society, and the Highlands Biological Station. Jim Costa, the Director of the Highlands Biological Station and an entomologist, brought some interesting specimens from the Highlands Nature Center of some of our native insects – the Luna moth and the Eastern Hercules Beetle are must-sees.

In addition, the library staff has put together a collection of books, many of which can be checked out, on gardening with native plants and field guides to insects and birds.

This display was inspired by a talk given by Doug Tallamy, Chair of the Department of Entomology & Wildlife Ecology at the University of Delaware, at last year’s Native Plant Conference. He has written a book entitled "Bringing Nature Home: How Native Plants Sustain Wildlife in our Gardens.

Take Charge of Your Health

Dr. Sue Aery of Mountain Air Wellness Centers, will present the popular "Take Charge of Your Health" programs on the 2nd Tuesday of every month through October. Programs will begin at 6 pm.

July 14 - Hip, Knee & Ankle Health
August 11 - pH Balance and Eating Well
September 8 - Blood Nutrition
October 13 - Arthritis & Joint Inflammation

Summer Reading Program
"Be Creative @ Your Library"

Two 30 minute story times will be held this summer, one from 10-10:30 am. and one from 10:30-11:00 am. Our first Summer Reading Program story time will be on Thursday, June 18. Going with the theme, story time will focus on imagination, colors, and music.

We will have a special visit from the "Tooth Fairy", Mary McClean, dental health educator, on June 18. Other special story time events are a visit from "Fiddlin' Granny", Pam Dengler, on July 16 and a visit from Cyndi Bohner, Kindermusik educator, on Thursday, July 30.

Model Ship Donated
To Hudson Library
"Our ship has finally come in!"

The Hudson Library recently received a beautiful shop model, built by Nolen Bryant Reynolds and donated by his daughter Deborah.

The ship is a model of the HMS Portsmouth, a 38-gun Phoenix Class frigate of the English Royal Navy, originally built and launched in 1650. She was blown up in action in 1689.
 

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.

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.

LIBRARY CATALOG
Use it at the Library or search from your home computer. Use it now.

Preschool Story Time
Thursdays: 10:30 am. More info.

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