2026 Calendar of Events

Every Second Tues. 4:15 p.m. | Book Discussion Group  

Every Third Tuesday 3:15-4:45 (with noted exceptions) | Explorers Club, ages 7-11 

Last Thursday each Month (with noted exceptions) | Writers' Group 

10 Tuesday 4:15 p.m. | Book Discussion Group: Hamnet (Maggie O’Farrell)

17 Tuesday 3:15 p.m. | Explorers Club (Ages 7-11)

26 Thursday 7 p.m. | Writers' Group

14 Tuesday 4:15 p.m. | Book Discussion Group: The Frozen River (Ariel Lawhon)

21 Tuesday 3:15 p.m. | Explorers Club (Ages 7-11)

30 Thursday 7 p.m. | Writers' Group

12 Tuesday 4:15 p.m. | Book Discussion Group: My Friends (Fredrick Backman)

19 Tuesday 3:15 p.m. | Explorers Club (Ages 7-11)

28 Thursday 7 p.m. | Writers' Group

9 Tuesday 4:15 p.m. | Book Discussion Group: Three Days in June (Anne Tyler)

23 Tuesday 3:15 p.m. | Explorers Club (Ages 7-11)

25 Thursday 7 p.m. | Writers' Group

14 Tues. 4:15 p.m. | Book Discussion Group: The Sound of a Wild Snail Eating (Elisabeth Tova Bailey )

21 Tues. 3:15 p.m. | Explorers Club (Ages 7-11)

30 Thurs. 7 p.m. | Writers' Group

11 Tuesday 4:15 | Book Discussion Group: The English Patient (Michael Ondaatje)

18 Tues. 3:15 p.m. | Explorers Club (Ages 7-11)

27 Thurs. 7 p.m. | Writers' Group

8 Tuesday 4:15 | Book Discussion Group: The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife (Anna Johnston)

15 Tues. 3:15 p.m. | Explorers Club (Ages 7-11)

24 Thurs. 7 p.m. | Writers' Group

13 Tuesday 4:15 p.m. | Book Discussion Group: American Dirt (Jeanne Cummins)

20 Tuesday 3:15 p.m. | Explorers Club (Ages 7-11)

29 Thursday 7 p.m. | Writers' Group

10 Tuesday 4:15 p.m. | Book Discussion Group: The Irish Goodbye (Heather A. O’Neill)

17 Tuesday 3:15 p.m. | Explorers Club (Ages 7-11)

TBD Thursday 7 p.m. | Writers' Group

Book Discussion Groups:

The discussion group is open to anyone  interested in participating and discussing literature.  No need to sign  up – just come!  2026 Book list (PDF) posted below 

BE NOW (Banner Elk Night Owl Writers) Writers' Group:

Welcome POETS, short story WRITERS and NOVELISTS! Participants meet on the last Thursday of every month (dates are contingent on at least 4 people expressing interest).

The goal of our time together is to share and enjoy our written works, as well as to kindly offer constructive feedback at the writer's discretion. If interested in a date listed on the above calendar, please email Nikki at  zigjoy@zoho.com and include your name in the email. 

Explorers Club: 

The Explorers Club is a fun and free after-school program that invites children ages 7 to 11 (2nd-6th grade) to "bring your curiosity" to the NEW Explorers' Room at the Book Exchange. Certified NC Environmental Educator and Blue Ridge Naturalist Tamara Randolph leads participants in exploring a variety of topics related to geography, ecosystems, plants, animals, fungi, rocks, weather and other cool things that make our planet so much fun to explore! Children will also build literacy skills. The Explorers Club is held one Tuesday a month from 3:15-4:45. To learn more, email tamara@ncexplorers.com.

Volunteer at the Book Exchange!

Volunteer for a future slot, or to be a substitute. Being a substitute is an easy way to see if you like it!  Direct volunteer questions to Dusty Ross, dkross77@gmail.com.  

It's a small town, but there's lots to do!  You may enjoy these other organizations' offerings also:

• Mayland Community College: Continuing Education Schedule for Spring 2026
• Ensemble Stage Theatre at the Historic Banner Elk School
• BE Artists Gallery at the Historic Banner Elk School
• Playful Heart Studio (Yoga and more) at the Historic Banner Elk School 
• Greater Banner Elk Heritage Foundation
• Lees-McRae Summer Theatre