Dare County Library July 2026 Newsletter

Dare County Library’s transition to NC Cardinal is underway, bringing exciting new opportunities for library patrons. NC Cardinal is a statewide consortium that allows participating libraries to share materials, greatly expanding the number of books and other items available to local readers.

As part of the transition, there will be no movement of books between Camden, Currituck, Dare, and Pasquotank counties through July 7 while systems and processes are finalized. Beginning July 13, statewide resource sharing will officially start, allowing Dare County Library patrons to request and borrow physical materials from NC Cardinal libraries across North Carolina.

We appreciate your patience during this transition and look forward to offering access to millions of additional items through our partnership with NC Cardinal. For more information, visit DareNC.gov/Library or contact your local Dare County Library branch.

There’s still plenty of summer fun ahead at the Dare County Library! Keep reading for more chances to earn prizes and join us throughout July for special programs inspired by this year’s theme, "Unearth a Story."

Highlights include visits from The Lost Colony and the Museum of the Albemarle, both bringing hands-on history and storytelling experiences to all three library branches. Families can also enjoy storytimes, crafts, special guests, and more.

Visit your local Dare County Library branch or check DareNC.gov/SummerReading for program dates and details. Remember, our Summer Reading Program concludes on Friday, July 31, 2026! 

Congratulations to the winners of the annual Dare County Library Bookmark Contest! We want to thank all the young artists who participated this year. We had so many imaginative entries!

The winning bookmarks created by Ruby, Amelia, Hattie, and Paxton are available at all Dare County Library locations. Be sure to pick up one of these creative designs the next time you visit the library (while supplies last).

Children and teens are invited to Mindful Movers: Kids Yoga & Emotional Wellness with Mary Whitaker at the Hatteras Library this summer. This free program helps young participants build confidence, practice calming breathing techniques, develop mindfulness skills, and channel energy through movement.

Upcoming sessions will be held on Friday, July 10 and Friday, August 21:

• Little Kids Yoga (ages 0-9): 9 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
• Bigger Kids Yoga (ages 10-18): 9:45 a.m. to 10:15 a.m.

No registration is required. For more information and upcoming library events, visit our online calendar.

Keep reading this summer and enjoy unlimited access to thousands of age-appropriate digital graphic novels, manga, and picture books — 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on the Comic Plus app with your Dare County Library card. 

Click one of the links below to get started with Comics Plus! 

• Comics Plus for Adults (full collection)
• Comics Plus for Teens (ages 14-18)
• Comics Plus for Children (ages 0-13)

There's still time to join the Adult Summer Reading Challenge! Complete activities to earn a small prize and entries into our grand prize drawing. Three winners will receive a Summer Fun Prize Package featuring a cooler, beach towel, sun hat, and pickleball set. Submit entries online or in person through Saturday, August 15, 2026.

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

Whether you write stories, poetry, songs, or simply enjoy putting ideas on paper, you're invited to help launch a new writing group at the Manteo Library. Save the date to meet with fellow writers on Thursday, September 3, 2026 from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. to help shape the group's future and participate in a fun writing prompt.

Join fellow community members to create, write, and discuss 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!

Hatteras True Crime Club meets on Friday, July 10, 2026 from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.

The Manteo Mystery Book Club meets on Thursday, July 16, 2026 from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Manteo Library Meeting Room to discuss "Come to Grief" by Dick Francis.

KDH Library Scribblers’ Society resumes regular meetings on Tuesday, September 22, 2026. In the meantime, bring a writing project and enjoy some dedicated writing time in community with fellow writers on Tuesday, July 28, 2026 and  Tuesday, August 25, 2026 at the Kill Devil Hills Library. 

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.

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.