Halcyon Club holds November meeting
Christie Starnes, Director of the Hocutt Ellington Memorial Library, was guest speaker at the November meeting of the Halcyon Club. She is a graduate of both UNC-Charlotte and N.C. Central University.
Starnes began her program by reading a story she wrote about books. She asked members if they could recall the first book they ever read, the place they read it and how it made them feel. She spoke of how books can change lives, and recited the story of St. Augustine’s conversion to Christianity and how it likely would not have happened had he not heard a voice telling him to pick up the Bible and read it.
Starnes also spoke of the distress some people feel in this modern age of e-books. Some fear the written word will change forever, but she cautioned there is no need to fear and indeed we should all be optimistic. Folks in the sixth century were also probably distressed to learn bound pages would replace scrolls. Reading, according to Starnes, has a profound sense of place. Library attendance in the United States is increasing and the Clayton library is thriving.
Starnes also spoke of new and recent happenings at the library. The J. Club, a book club for juvenile readers 7-12-years-old is gaining popularity. Story Time is also a popular weekly activity for youngsters and includes a craft and guest speaker. The Adult Book Club meets the third Thursday each month from 6:30 p.m. until closing. A bake sale is set for February. Proceeds will be used for visiting authors. Starnes is currently working on a new program called “Clayton Reads Together.” Several hundred residents will read the same book and then attend a gathering with the book’s author. Town residents should also be on the lookout for a new website for the library. Starnes concluded her program by saying she is pleased with the children’s programs the library offers and hopes now to aim additional focus at the teen reader, implementing programs that will garner their interests.
Debbie Ragland was hostess for the meeting and Pam Marvel was program chairman. The next meeting is Dec. 5 at the Woman’s Club and is a joint gathering with the Debonnaire and Felicia Clubs.
