Washington County Public Library System

Sunday with Friends: Homer Hickam, Jr.
2026-05-17 15:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York) | Abingdon Library, 205 Oak Hill Street, Abingdon, VA, 24210, United States
Meet Homer Hickam Jr., the author of one of the most famous contemporary American memoirs, “Rocket Boys,” will be the featured speaker on Sunday, May 17 at 3:00 p.m. at the Abingdon Public Library as part of the “Sunday with Friends” literary series.
After education at Virginia Tech and service in Vietnam, Hickam was employed first as an engineer for the U.S. Army Missile Command in Huntsville, Alabama, and then as an aerospace engineer with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) where he worked in spacecraft design and crew training.
During his military and NASA career he found time to write histories, fiction, and memoirs. In “Rocket Boys,” Hickam looks back at his youth and formative years after a distinguished NASA career. He takes readers into the life of the little mining town of Coalwood, West Virginia, and the boys who would come to embody its dreams.
Step by step, with the help of a collection of unforgettable characters, the boys learn not only how to turn scrap into sophisticated rockets that fly miles into the sky, but how to sustain their dreams as they dared to imagine a life beyond its borders in a town that the postwar boom was passing by.
“Rocket Boys” was made into a very successful film, retitled “October Sky,” which starred Jake Gyllenhaal (as Homer), Chris Cooper, and Laura Dern.
Hickam has written four other books about Coalwood, a series of novels about a Coast Guard officer during World War II, a series of young adult novels. and recently a thriller set in Montana, “The Dinosaur Hunter.”

Hiker Crafternoon
2026-05-16 15:00 - 17:00 | Damascus Library, 310 Water Street, Damascus, VA, 24236, United States
Visit the Damascus Library for a relaxing afternoon of crafting. Make yourself a small keepsake to take with you on the trail!

Ukelele Crash Course
2026-05-16 15:00 - 16:00, 2026-05-09 15:00 - 16:00 | Glade Spring Library, 305 N. Glade St., Glade Spring, VA, 24340, United States
Join retired music teacher Carol Raedy for a ukulele class where you will learn basic chords, strumming patterns, and how to transpose any song into a ukulele-friendly key. The class is free, but you must register to ensure we have enough songbooks and ukuleles for everyone.
You can borrow one of the 8 available loaner ukuleles or bring your own. Come out and enjoy making music with others!
This is a free 3-class series.
Call the library to pre-register at 276-429-5626.

Foraging for Edibles with Lee Borg
2026-05-16 12:00 - 13:00 | Damascus Library, 310 Water Street, Damascus, VA, 24236, United States
Join Master Naturalist Lee Borg on a foraging walk-and-talk. Learn how to spot edible plants on the Trail, and how to identify those to avoid.

Movies for Grown-Ups
2026-05-15 14:00 - 16:00 | Abingdon Library, 205 Oak Hill Street, Abingdon, VA, 24210, United States
Join us for a free movie! We’re showing “October Sky.”

Trick Your Stick
2026-05-15 14:00 - 15:00 | Damascus Library, 310 Water Street, Damascus, VA, 24236, United States
Join Hungry Mother State Park staff to design and decorate your own unique hiking stick. Take your new stick on your favorite trail or embark on a brand new one! All materials are provided.

Nature's Hidden Details
2026-05-15 10:30 - 13:30 | Damascus Library, 310 Water Street, Damascus, VA, 24236, United States
Join us during Trail Days for Nature’s Hidden Details: Pelts, Bones, & Taxidermy. Visit Gracie Billings, Parks Interpreter/Education Support Specialist from Hungry Mother State Park, at a hands-on information table. Discover how these materials help us identify wildlife, and learn how taxidermy plays a role in education and conservation. Photos with taxidermy animals are encouraged!

Pop-Up Library – Blackwell Chapel Store
2026-05-15 10:30 - 13:00 | Blackwell Chapel Store, 29351 Rich Valley Road, Meadowview, VA, United States
Stop by the Blackwell Chapel Store for library materials including books, magazines and movies, other free materials, and complimentary notary service.
This program is for all ages.

Art & Audio
2026-05-14 16:00 - 17:00 | Hayters Gap Library, 7720 Hayters Gap Rd, Abingdon, VA, 24210, United States
Looking for your next great read? Let’s make a masterpiece while we enjoy the first chapters of recent audiobook releases for tweens and teens.

Trail Days Jigsaw Puzzle Competition
2026-05-14 14:00 - 17:00 | Damascus Library, 310 Water Street, Damascus, VA, 24236, United States
Teams of 2-4 people will compete to finish identical 300 piece puzzles in the least amount of time. Call 276-475-3820 to reserve a puzzle.

Crochet Club
2026-05-14 14:00 - 15:00 | Abingdon Library, 205 Oak Hill Street, Abingdon, VA, 24210, United States
Join our crochet guru, Penny, to learn to crochet. We supply needles and yarn and you supply a willingness to learn.
Already know crochet? Bring your current project and spend an hour visiting and share tips and ideas with other crocheters.

Damascus Homeschoolers
2026-05-14 11:00 - 12:00 | Damascus Library, 310 Water Street, Damascus, VA, 24236, United States
Homeschooling families, come and gather for education and play at the library.
Today’s Activity: TBD

Morning Mingle
2026-05-14 10:30 - 11:30 | Hayters Gap Library, 7720 Hayters Gap Rd, Abingdon, VA, 24210, United States
All ages and abilities are welcome to join us for an accessible activity that promotes social connection.
Hayters Gap library every second Thursday.

Mendota Storytime
2026-05-13 10:30 - 11:00 | Mendota Library, 2562 Mendota Road, Mendota, VA, 24270, United States
Join us for storytime at our Mendota location. Featuring songs, picture books, rhymes, movement, and so much more!
This program is for children 0-5 and their caregivers.

Hayters Gap Storytime
2026-05-13 10:30 - 11:00 | Hayters Gap Library, 7720 Hayters Gap Rd, Abingdon, VA, 24210, United States
Join us for storytime at our Hayters Gap location. Featuring songs, picture books, rhymes, movement, and so much more!
This program is for children 0-5 and their caregivers.

Glade Spring Storytime
2026-05-13 10:30 - 11:00 | Glade Spring Library, 305 N. Glade St., Glade Spring, VA, 24340, United States
Join us for storytime at our Glade Spring location. Featuring songs, picture books, rhymes, movement, and so much more!
This program is for children 0-5 and their caregivers.

Damascus Storytime
2026-05-13 10:30 - 11:00 | Damascus Library, 310 Water Street, Damascus, VA, 24236, United States
Join us for storytime at our Damascus location. Featuring songs, picture books, rhymes, movement, and so much more!
This program is for children 0-5 and their caregivers.

A Spirited Book Club
2026-05-12 18:15 - 19:15 | Appalachian Heritage Distillery & Brewery, 110 West Laurel Avenue, Damascus, VA, 24236, United States
Join A Spirited Book Club at Appalachian Heritage Distillery & Brewery as we discuss “Atmosphere” by Taylor Jenkins Reid.
Discussions will be led by Damascus Public Library. Call (276) 475-3820 to learn how to reserve a copy.

Homeschool Hangout
2026-05-12 11:00 - 12:00 | Hayters Gap Library, 7720 Hayters Gap Rd, Abingdon, VA, 24210, United States
Homeschooling families can make connections at the library while participating in fun hands-on learning activities.

Abingdon Storytime
2026-05-12 10:30 - 11:00 | Abingdon Library, 205 Oak Hill Street, Abingdon, VA, 24210, United States
Join us for storytime at our main library featuring songs, picture books, rhymes, movement, and so much more!
This program is for children 0-5 and their caregivers.

Pop-Up Library – Clinchburg
2026-05-12 09:00 - 10:00 | Clinchburg Community Center, 31787 Old Saltworks Road, Meadowview, VA, 24361, United States
Stop by the Clinchburg Community Center for library materials including books, magazines and movies, other free materials, and complimentary notary service.
This program is for all ages.

Music and Movement
2026-05-11 10:30 - 11:00 | Abingdon Library, 205 Oak Hill Street, Abingdon, VA, 24210, United States
Let’s sing interactive songs, play instruments, move, groove, and have fun together!
This program is for children 0-5 and their caregivers.

Movies in the Square
2026-05-09 21:00 - 23:00 | Glade Spring Library, 305 N. Glade St., Glade Spring, VA, 24340, United States
Come out with your community and join us for a movie in the Glade Spring town square. We will show the movie on the side of the library. Showtime is at 9 p.m.
Snacks and drinks will be provided. Just bring your chair.
May 9: “Coco.”
June 13: “October Sky.”
July 11: “National Treasure.”
August 8: “Charlotte’s Web.”
September 12: “Field of Dreams.”
October 17: “Night at the Museum.”

Fiesta with Friends
2026-05-09 12:00 - 14:00 | Damascus Library, 310 Water Street, Damascus, VA, 24236, United States
Join us during town-wide yard sale day for food, festivities, and Friends. Celebrate with the Friends of the Library.
New FOL memberships enter a drawing for a gift certificate to The Damascus Old Mill!

Pressure Canner Testing
2026-05-09 11:00 - 14:00 | Abingdon Library, 205 Oak Hill Street, Abingdon, VA, 24210, United States
Canning season is near and it is recommended to have dial gauge pressure canners tested every year for accuracy.
Virginia Cooperative Extension will be offering free pressure canner testing at all Washington County library branches during May and June.
Dial gauges need to be checked every year for two safety reasons: safety in operation and safety in food preservation. Weighted gauges do not need to be checked. High dome canners cannot be tested.
Drop in to have your canner tested. It will take approximately 15 minutes to have your canner lid assessed.

Movies for Grown-Ups
2026-05-08 14:00 - 16:00 | Abingdon Library, 205 Oak Hill Street, Abingdon, VA, 24210, United States
Join us for a free movie! We’re showing “As Good as It Gets.”

Pressure Canner Testing
2026-05-08 13:00 - 16:00 | Mendota Library, 2562 Mendota Road, Mendota, VA, 24270, United States

Pop-Up Library – Benhams
2026-05-08 09:00 - 10:00 | Benhams Community Center, 19864 Benhams Road, Bristol, VA, VA, 24202, United States
Stop by the Benhams Community Center above the Goodson-Kinderhook Fire Department for library materials including books, magazines and movies, other free materials, and complimentary notary service.
This program is for all ages.

Morning Mingle
2026-05-07 10:30 - 11:30 | Damascus Library, 310 Water Street, Damascus, VA, 24236, United States
All ages and abilities are welcome to join us for an accessible activity that promotes social connection.
Damascus library every first Thursday.
