Dare County Library May 2026 Newsletter

Now that the word is out about our Dare County Public Library System official "relaunch" on July 1, 2026, we want to share answers to the most common questions we've been receiving: 

 - Your current card number and PIN will not change. 

 - Your online accounts - including Libby - will not change, but how you log in might.

 - Your holds list on "GoLive" Day (June 25, 2026) will move to our new system, NC Cardinal. 

 - If you have your borrowing history turned on, it will not move. Contact us by June 15, 2026 if you would like a copy. 

How to Learn More about Upcoming Changes

• Update your contact information with your home library to ensure you receive any correspondence or updates from us about this transition. 
• Attend one of our Cardinal and Libby Information Sessions in early June, in person or online, to see a demo and ask questions. 

Thank you for your support and patience as we move toward a bigger, better Dare County Library experience.

Join us at the Hatteras Library for a special presentation with Kevin P. Duffus, award-winning historian and author of the book "The Inventor Reginald Fessenden and the Origins of American Radio on North Carolina’s Outer Banks."

Who was Reginald Fessenden?

Reginald Fessenden helped lay the foundation for modern wireless communication and is credited with transmitting the world’s first voice and music over radio waves.

What happened in 1902?

In the spring of 1902, groundbreaking wireless experiments were conducted between Hatteras Island and Roanoke Island—marking one of the earliest milestones in the history of modern communication. Now, new research is challenging long-held beliefs and uncovering surprising truths about this pivotal moment in history. Join Kevin Duffus as he shares his latest findings in this compelling and thought-provoking presentation.

Event: Special Presentation with Kevin P. Duffus
Date: Wednesday, May 13, 2026
Time: 4 p.m. - 6 p.m.
Place: Hatteras Library (57689 N.C. Highway 12, Hatteras, NC)

This event is free and open to the public, and will be hosted by the Hatteras Library and Lee Robinson General Store.

Explore our May Online Author Talks for fresh perspectives and inspiring ideas from a dynamic lineup of speakers. Hear from bestselling novelist Marjan Kamali, neuroscientist and innovator Vivienne Ming, brain performance experts Patrick K. Porter and Ruchika Sikri, and behavioral design expert Nir Eyal.The free, virtual series takes place four times a month and includes the opportunity to ask the author questions.

Select events will be available as in-person watch parties at Dare County Library branches. Visit our online calendar for dates, times, and locations.

Thanks to the Dare County Library Foundation for supporting our Online Author Talks series!

Looking for the purrr-fect reading buddy? Meet adoptable kittens from the Outer Banks SPCA Dare County Animal Shelter and find your new best friend!

Event: Kitten Adoption with the Outer Banks SPCA
Date: Friday, May 1, 2026
Time: 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Place: Manteo Library (700 Highway 64/264, Manteo, NC)

Questions? Contact the Manteo Library at 252-473-2372.

Stay connected with our regular adult programs this May, with several groups continuing to meet before shifting to summer schedules:

• Fiber Arts Groups continue meeting throughout the summer at all three Dare County Library branches.
• Book Clubs at the Kill Devil Hills Library and Manteo Library will meet in May, then pause until September; the Hatteras Book Club continues through the summer months.
• Ink Slingers Writing Club is wrapping up its storytelling program with two special meetings this May—on Thursday, May 7, 2026 and Thursday, May 14, 2026. Come hear original pieces from the Ink Slingers! Everyone is invited to support and celebrate their work. 
• KDH Library Scribblers’ Society will meet on Tuesday, May 26, 2026 and continue through the summer with a modified schedule, including goal-setting and check-ins.
• Hatteras True Crime Club continues meeting on the second Friday of the month at 5:30 p.m.

All programs are free and open to adults. Be sure to visit Adult Programs and our online calendar for full details, meeting dates, and any schedule updates.

Love a good mystery? Enjoy talking with other mystery lovers?  We invite you to join the Manteo Mystery Book Club. The first meeting will be held on Thursday, June 18, 2026 from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Manteo Library Meeting Room, and we plan to meet monthly on the third Thursday of the month moving forward. 

At our first meeting we’ll discuss "And Then There Were None" by Agatha Christie and will also take time to decide the mysteries we’ll read for our next few meetings.  Please come with ideas and suggestions.

For more details, visit the Manteo Mystery Book Club event on our online calendar.

For more information, please contact: 

Kill Devil Hills Library:
Sallie Bowman at 252-441-4331 or Sallie.Bowman@DareNC.gov

Manteo Library and Hatteras Library:
Tammy Batschelet at 252-473-2372 or Tammy.Batschelet@DareNC.gov

Get those creative ideas on paper! All Bookmark Contest entries are due by Saturday, May 2, 2026. Contest forms are available at each Dare County Library branch as well as on our website. We can’t wait to see your designs. Stay tuned, winners will be contacted later in May.

The bookmark contest is sponsored by the Dare County Library Foundation. 

Join the fun literacy challenge to read 1,000 books with your child before they start kindergarten—and it's easier than you think.

Sign up at any Dare County Library location and start logging the books you read. For every 100 books completed, you can turn in your log for a small prize. Reach 1,000 and earn a big reward.

Track your progress with our easy book log. Each time you complete a log, turn it in to the front desk of the library. We will celebrate every 100 books with stickers, prizes, and fun!

Thanks to the Dare County Library Foundation for making the 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten program possible.

Look for your Dare County Library staff at these community events in May:

Coastal Gardening Festival at the Thomas A. Baum Senior Center in Kill Devil Hills on Saturday, May 2, 2026 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

KidsFest on Friday, May 8, 2026 at Roanoke Island Festival Park from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. 

We hope to see you there!

When you sign up for Wowbrary, you will get weekly updates of new items that we’ve ordered for the library. Updates will include both physical items purchased for the library and electronic items available through Libby. Whenever you spot something of interest in the Wowbrary newsletter, you'll be able to click instantly, reserve it, and check it out when it’s ready for you. And, of course, like everything else in the library, this service is free! To find out more, visit Wowbrary explanation and tips.

The Dare County Library Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that was created over 20 years ago by a group of conscientious Dare County community members who were searching for additional funds to support the efforts of the Dare County Library beyond its annual Dare County budget. 

For more information, contact Susan Sawin, Chair, Dare County Library Foundation, at DareCountyLibraryFoundation@gmail.com.