To help community members get ready for the transition to NC Cardinal and make the most of their digital library services, we will host a series of free public information sessions in June.

These sessions will introduce patrons to both NC Cardinal and Libby, our popular app for e-books and e-audiobooks. Staff will explain what changes patrons can expect, how to place holds and manage accounts, and how access to materials will expand once the Dare County Library joins the consortium. Patrons will also have the opportunity to ask questions and receive help using Libby and other digital resources.

NC Cardinal Session Schedule

• Monday, June 8, 2026 at 5:30 p.m. at  Manteo Library
• Tuesday, June 9, 2026 at 5:30 p.m. at Kill Devil Hills Library
• Wednesday, June 10, 2026 at 12 p.m. at Hatteras Library
• Thursday, June 11, 2026 at 12 p.m. – Online Session via Zoom

The transition to NC Cardinal will temporarily pause some services from June 15-24, including placing holds, renewing materials, and moving books between library branches while library data is moved into the new system. Beginning June 25, patrons will be able to access the NC Cardinal catalog to place holds and access online accounts. Moving requested materials to your home library will be phased-in beginning with Dare County branches June 26, between former EARL counties July 7, and statewide in late July. 

These sessions are free and open to the public. Whether you already use Libby regularly or are curious about what NC Cardinal will mean for Dare County Library patrons, we encourage you to attend a session that is convenient for you to learn more. 

Explore something new with our Adult Summer Reading Challenge! Complete one activity from each level for a small prize and an entry into our prize package drawing. Complete all activities for a bonus entry! Entries may be submitted in person or online from June 1, 2026 through August 15, 2026.

Three “Summer Fun” prize packages will be awarded. Each package includes a cooler, sun hat, beach towel, and pickleball set. Winners will be selected at random from all eligible entries submitted.

Visit DareNC.gov/Enrichment for full details and entry information.

These June author talks are sure to feel like sunshine on your shoulders. The free virtual author talk series typically takes place four times each month and gives participants the opportunity to engage with featured authors through live Q&A sessions. June brings an expanded lineup with five special author talks covering crafts, wellness, fiction, family, and food. Register, submit questions, and view more Online Author Talks at https://libraryc.org/darelibrary

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

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

Keep the conversation and creativity going all summer long with the Dare County Library’s regular gatherings: 

Fiber Arts gatherings at all three branches continue through summer. Each time you attend Fiber Flock, Knit Knights, or Yarn Storming, you can submit an entry for a chance to win prizes in August!

Kill Devil Hills and Manteo Book Clubs take a break until September. Hatteras Book Club will meet in June.

KDH Library Scribblers’ Society will follow an adjusted schedule for the summer. Instead of the fourth Tuesday, join us on Tuesday, June 9, 2026 at 4:30 p.m., when we’ll work on setting summer writing goals. Informal meetings on July 28, 2026 and August 25, 2026 will provide time to check in on your summer goals. Contact Julie Stewart at Julie.Stewart@DareNC.gov or 252-475-5669 for more information.

Hatteras True Crime Club meets on Friday, June 12, 2026 from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.

The new Manteo Mystery Book Club meets on Thursday, June 18, 2026 from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Manteo Library Meeting Room.

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.

Join the fun literacy challenge to read 1,000 books with your child before they start kindergarten—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 books 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.

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.