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If you've ever picked up one of those sepia-colored pictorial history books at a local bookstore or museum gift shop, the ones packed with vintage photos of your hometown's Main Street, mill, or lighthouse, you already know Arcadia Publishing. Now, thanks to a new partnership with NC LIVE, those North Carolina titles are available online for free to our library cardholders. What's New? NC LIVE has added 330 Arcadia Publishing eBooks to its HomeGrown eBooks Collection, covering local history in 130 cities, towns, and regions across North Carolina, from Building the Blue Ridge Parkway in the mountains to the Outer Banks on the coast. Like the rest of HomeGrown, these titles are unlimited and simultaneous-use, so there's no waitlist or checkout limit. As many patrons who want to read about their community's history can do it at the same time. The addition was funded through an Institute of Museum and Library Services (ILMS) grant tied to the nation's semiquincentennial, alongside three new Gale Archives Unbound collections on the American Revolution, slavery in America, and the Civil War (also free through NC LIVE). Why It's Worth a Look Arcadia's Images of America series is packed with real photographs, like old storefronts, mills, schools, and neighborhoods, that bring your town's past to life in a way a textbook never could. With 130 communities covered, there's a good chance that your hometown, or a place you've always wondered about, is in the collection. This addition comes as the country marks its 250th anniversary, so it's also a great way to dig into how North Carolina's local stories connect to the bigger America story. How to Access the Collection Go to the library's website at pljcs.org Find the "Collection" menu at the top of the pages and open it. Under the heading "Download & Stream" select "eBooks & Audiobooks" In the list of resources, find "NC LIVE's Homegrown eBook" Collection and select it. You may be prompted to type in your library card n umber and PIN. Use the search box in the top left corner to search by city, town, university, or region. Search for Arcadia Publishing to browse all 330 titles in alphabetical order. Use the following link to access the collection now: 330 Arcadia Publishing eBooks via NC LIVE HomeGrown eBooks Collection. Try It Yourself Search your own hometown, or a place you've always been curious about, and see what turns up. Read instantly in the browser. No downloads, no holds, no due dates. Which title are you most excited to read?

From the mountains to the coast, North Carolina has inspired generations of unforgettable writers. We've made it easier to explore stories written by authors with ties to the Tar Heel State with our newly designed North Carolina author label, appearing on the spines of books in our collection written by NC authors . When you're browsing the shelves, the NC author label is your shortcut to stories rooted right here in our state. North Carolina has produced an incredible range of voices, and we want to be sure those voices are easy to find. To celebrate, we're displaying a curated collection of books by NC authors on the book display near the Patron Services Desk. You'll find a variety of adult fiction novels, all from writers who call North Carolina home. Stop by and browse our display, and take home a story shaped by the same landscapes, communities, and histories that surround us every day. If you have a favorite NC author you think we should feature, let us know at the Patron Services Desk or you can drop it in the comments below here. We'd love to hear your suggestions. Happy reading!

Get ready to dig into adventure this summer! Our 2026 Summer Reading theme, "Unearth a Story," invites readers of all ages to explore the past, uncover hidden tales, and discover worlds buried beneath the surface. This year's theme celebrates curiosity, discovery, and the thrill of finding something new. As in the past, we will be offering families in our community the Collaborative Summer Library Program (CSLP). CSLP is a consortium of state libraries and public library systems working together to provide high-quality summer reading program materials for children, teens, adults, and families. Our Summer Reading Program will kick off on June 1 and run through July 31. Summer reading bags will be available starting on June 1st for children ages 3 to 12 and for teens ages 13 to 18. Reading logs will be available all summer and participants can earn rewards and a chance to win a grand prize drawing. See all details on our Summer Reading webpage at www.pljcs.org/2026-summer-reading. We'll offer programs, activities, and reading challenges that are sure to make this a dino-mite summer for all kids, teens, and adults! Download, view, and print our 2026 Summer Reading Guide here: 2026 PLJCS Summer Reading Guide

Celebrate the valuable role libraries and library professionals play in transforming lives and strengthening our communities ! We'll be observing both NC Library Week and National Library Week from April 19-24, 2026. For National Library Week, libraries across the country are asking their community, "What brings you library joy?" We're  highlight the innumerable ways people can find joy in the library, whether through books, community, library resources, or all of the above.  Stop by and discover some library joy by seeing what your library has to offer, or check out our website for more! Along with other libraries across NC, we will be sharing about the following daily themes for NC Library Week, so be sure to follow along on social media:  Monday, April 20 - NC Accessibility Day: Highlighting the many ways libraries increase accessibility to information through services, programs and resources.  Tuesday, April 21 - NC Library Workers Day: Showcasing the contributions library workers in NC make every day to serve their communities.  Wednesday, April 22nd - NC Library Outreach Day: Celebrating community outreach programs and events that bring library services directly to users.  Thursday, April 23rd - Celebrating Libraries Day: Highlighting the role libraries play in strengthening North Carolina communities. Friday, April 24th - Thanking Supporters Day: Thanking library users by highlighting how frequently users utilize library services and programs. Stop by this week and check out all that we have to offer (and pick up some cool library swag while supplies last)! Stop by for a visit - there's something for everyone at PLJCS!

Calling gingerbread architects of all ages! Join us for our 13th Annual Gingerbread House Festival, where creativity, community, and a little bit of frosting come together for one sweet competition.   Entries will be accepted for the following age categories:   Family Junior (ages 6-8) Youth (ages 9-12) Teen (ages 13-17) Adult (18+) ​ Here's what you need to know if you plan to participate:​ Festival entries will be accepted Monday, December 1st through Wednesday, December 3rd by 5PM. Presentation of ribbons will be on Thursday, December 4th at 4PM. ​ Entry requirements: Your creation does not have to be a house; any structure is acceptable. ALL components of the structure must be edible, excluding the base. The structure must be attached to a base no larger than 14” x 17”. Entries may be original creations or kits. Additional points will be given for creativity and originality. Entries must be picked up by 4PM on Thursday, December 11th.  Failure to pick up your entry by this deadline will result in disposal of the entry in its entirety by library staff (no exceptions). ​ Contact Ashley at 984-985-BOOK (extension 3) or by email at AWood@pljcs.org with questions. ​

As we welcome the new year, let's set some new reading goals! Aiming to read more fiction? Read more nonfiction? Explore new genres? Challenge yourself with a specific number of books? No matter your goal, we're here to support you!  ​ Stay on track with your reading goal - check out these helpful tips: Set a weekly reading time - even 15 minutes counts! Try audiobooks for commutes or chores. Get started with Libby at www.pljcs.org/libby . Track progress with a reading journal app or notebook. Join a book club.  Join one of our adult book clubs - get more information at www.pljcs.org/adult-programs .​ ​Borrow one of our "Book Club Kits" and host your own book club! Details: www.pljcs.org/lot .​ Get personalized book recommendations from us! Sign up for our "PLJCS Reads" service at www.pljcs.org/pljcs-reads .

Mark your calendars for the Friends of the Library 2026 Spring Book Sale, held on the second floor of the library in the Multipurpose Meeting Room.    Member's Only Preview:   Wednesday, May 6  from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. General Public: Wednesday, May 6  from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Thursday, May 7  from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Friday, May 8  from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Saturday, May 9  from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Prices are per book with the exception of Saturday, which is the Book Sale's $15 bag of books day (FOL will provide the bag). Shoppers can pay with either cash or cards.​ Get all of the details and learn how you can become a Friend of the Library at https://www.pljcs.org/book-sales

Take a look at our new website homepage and features! We're excited to announce that our newly redesigned library website is officially live! Our new website redesign was created with you in mind, making it easier than ever to discover resources, stay informed, and connect with everything the library has to offer. We've also made many important improvements like improved color contrast for better readability across devices, clear, consistent headings to make navigation easier and content more structured, and a more responsive mobile design. What's New? Improved Homepage Experience Our new homepage is cleaner, more intuitive, and designed to help you quickly find what you need. Easy Account Access A convenient account button puts your library information just a click away. Enhanced Search Features Use the new search box to explore both our website and online catalog with ease. Quick Links to Popular Resources Get instant access to some of our most frequently used services and tools. Stay in the Know Keep up with upcoming events, library news, and important updates, all in one place. Curated Book Picks Discover staff-selected recommendations to inspire your next read. User Testimonials Hear directly from our community about what they love most about the library. Newsletter Sign-Up Stay connected by subscribing for the latest updates, programs, and highlights. More Accessible Than Ever! We've made our online resources more visible and easier to navigate, so you can spend less time searching and more time exploring. Take a look for yourself! Head over to our website a www.pljcs.org , explore the new features, and let us know what you think. Welcome to your library's new digital home!

Get ready to dig into adventure this summer! Our 2026 Summer Reading theme, "Unearth a Story," invites readers of all ages to explore the past, uncover hidden tales, and discover worlds buried beneath the surface.    This year's theme celebrates curiosity, discovery, and the thrill of finding something new. As in the past, we will be offering families in our community the Collaborative Summer Library Program (CSLP). CSLP is a consortium of state libraries and public library systems working together to provide high-quality summer reading program materials for children, teens, adults, and families.   Our Summer Reading Program will run from June 1 - July 31, so make plans to join us. Stay tuned for programs, activities, and reading challenges that are sure to make this a dino-mite summer!

Our website is getting a brand new look in April! We've been hard at work redesigning our site to make it easier to navigate, more visually engaging and accessible, and packed with the information you need. Some notable changes include a robust mega menu, quick links of our most used resources, easy access to online resources, news blog, and a community resource guide. Stay tuned - the new site will be launching on April 5, and we can't wait for you to explore it. New look, same URL: www.pljcs.org .

We are thrilled to announce the launch of our beautiful new library card design! The new look features a whimsical watercolor design of books that celebrates the joy of reading. Cards also include the locations of all Johnston County affiliated libraries. Please note: If you currently have an older card design, you do not need to get a new one right away! Your old card remains valid and will continue to work for all library services.

Gardening classes are back at PLJCS! The Johnston County Cooperative Extension Master Gardener Volunteers will return to share insights on a variety of gardening topics. These classes are open for all ages to attend, but please keep in mind that they are lecture style. Classes will be held in the Multipurpose Meeting Room on the second floor of the library. Here is our 2026 Gardening Class Schedule (classes are from 10am to 12pm): Saturday, March 14: Spring Gardening Saturday, May 16: Alternative Composting/Urban Gardening Saturday, June 20: Propagation Saturday, July 18: Alternative Propagation Saturday, September 19: Fall Gardening Saturday, October 17: Houseplants This schedule may be subject to change, so check back on our website calendar or social media for potential updates. Our gardening information can be found at www.pljcs.org/pljcs-gardening