Sheppard Memorial Library

Wow! It's the first week of Summer Reading and you guys have kept us busy! This is the first year the summer program is available for ALL ages at ALL SML locations! Pick up your game board, read, and win prizes through August 7.🥳

Children's Programs start back up next week! 🤩

Teen Programs will be happening every Thursday at 3 pm in the Teen Zone. Today we're playing Nintendo Switch Games! 🎮

In observance of Juneteenth, all SML libraries will be closed Friday, June 19, 2026.

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On Saturday, we learned how to Plant with Purpose! Andrea Pike, VP of ReLeaf, did a presentation on native plants that support pollinators. Did you know that Black Eyed Susans support 16 different moths and butterflies and Blueberries support 223?! Carol from the Central Coastal Plain chapter spoke about what Native Plant Societies can do in the community, such as plant and seed swaps! So many exciting possibilities to come with a local Native Plant chapter.

A key takeaway from master gardener, Dell Hagwood, is to start where you’re at! You don’t need to overhaul your garden to welcome pollinators. Just start incorporating natives where you can! 🌱🪴🪻

The results are in! 🎨✨We asked for designs to inspire readers using the theme Unearth a Story and/or related to books, libraries, and reading— and wow did you deliver! 📖🦖 A huge thank you to everyone who entered the Bookmark Contest! We're thrilled to announce the winners from each category:

🏆 Grades K–2: Mabel D.
🏆 Grades 3–5: Camila J.
🏆 Grades 6–8: Taylor S.
🏆 Grades 9–12: Alexandra U.
🏆 Adults: Qufu L.

There were SO many incredible designs to choose from that we had to add Runners-up and a “Staff Pick”

Runners-up:
🏆Grades K–2: Silas S.
🏆Grades 3–5: Lydian B.
🏆Grades 6–8: Sophia T.
🏆Grades 9–12: Jeremy J.
🏆Adults: Tatum T.

Staff Pick:
🏆 Adult: AK B.

Honorable Mention(This multi-media design was a favorite among staff but unfortunately our scanner doesn't do it justice! )
✨ Adult: Hannah S.

These designs will be available at SML for Summer Reading beginning June 15! Stop by to pick up a bookmark and celebrate the talented artists in our community.

The Friends of SML have sponsored the printing of the winning bookmarks and also judged the submissions!

Hey, Plant Lovers!🌱🪻🌿 Are you interested in Native Plants and want to learn more? Join the NCNPS and Central and Northeastern Coastal Plain Chapters at a gathering featuring Andrea Pike. This program will be at SML on Saturday, June 6th at 10 am. For more information email [email protected].

The Summer Reading Program begins Monday, June 15th! Join us for the fun-packed summer we have planned while we "Unearth A Story!" This year's program is for everyone: kids, teens, and adults. Read books and win prizes!📖

In observance of Memorial Day, SML will be closed Saturday - Monday, May 23 - 25, 2026.

We are so incredibly grateful to Master Gardener, Dell Hagwood, for donating these native plants to SML straight from her garden and for the time the master gardeners from Pitt County Arboretum took to plant them! Stay tuned for more native plants coming to SML grounds as we work on making a pollinator friendly space. 🌱🌼🦋

Worked with these amazing Master Gardeners to plant a small pollinator garden at Sheppard Memorial Library. We planted 22 native plants. Grateful for Kerrine Melton, Librarian for facilitating this!