Summer is almost over! By the time my next column comes out, kids will be back in school, Labor Day weekend will have come and gone, and fall will be quickly approaching. August is the month when we have more special events at the library, since a lot of our regular programs don’t start back until September. So don’t miss out on these awesome activities! (Note: All of the following programs are at the Columbus Library unless otherwise indicated.)

Tonight is a rock painting party for all ages. If you haven’t heard about the rock painting and hiding craze, you might be living under a rock. (See what I did there?) I myself have become addicted and even started a Facebook group: Polk County NC Rocks. If you’re already into it like I am or if you want to see what the hype is all about, come join us at 5 p.m. to paint rocks. Then you can hide them around the community for others to find!

We have Cookbook Club every month, on the third Thursday at noon. However, tomorrow is a particularly good time to join, as we will be selecting future themes. We will also share and enjoy delicious Middle Eastern dishes! Don’t miss out.

To celebrate (or mourn) the end of summer, Team Trivia Night at Black Coffee on Friday will have a summer theme. Gather your friends and family and meet us there at 6 p.m. for a fun-filled evening. Prizes are awarded to the top three teams!

My last column was all about the eclipse, but in case you forgot, the Polk County Solar Eclipse Party is on Monday, August 21 from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. at Harmon Field. The celebration will include crafts and activities themed around the solar system. Enjoy the 99.77 percent obscuration of totality as the sun and moon cross paths. Foothills BBQ will be open for lunch and snack purchases during the party. Free sun-viewing glasses will be available for the first 200 people who arrive.

It’s almost time for our third annual Stuffed Animal Storytime! Kids can drop their stuffed animals off before 5 p.m. on Tuesday, August 22 and then come back the next day at 10:30 a.m. for storytime and breakfast. We’ll have a photo slideshow so they can see all the adventures their fuzzy friends got into overnight!

We have a new interactive adult book club and discussion group that starts on Tuesday, August 22 at 6 p.m. Discuss Land of the Painted Caves by Jean Auel and learn about foraging and wild foods with Todd Elliott, biologist and primitive skills specialist. Todd has been at the library before and is so knowledgeable in this area! A free book will be given to the first 15 participants to sign up. Email ahill@polklibrary.org or call 828-894-8721 ext. 226 to register.

Saturday, August 26 will be our last showing of Movies in the Park for this year. Come watch “The Wizard of Oz” at sundown in Stearns Park. You can also come dressed up as your favorite  Wizard of Oz character and enter the costume contest! This program is made possible by a grant from the Polk County Community Foundation.

Teens, we haven’t forgotten about you! Our back-to-school party this year is called Grill n’ Chill and is on Tuesday, August 29 at 4 p.m. There will be food, music, games, and more on the deck. Come ready to get wet with water balloons! On Thursday, August 31, local College Foundation Inc. representative Skip Watts will hold a Preparing for College workshop here at 5 p.m. He can answer all of your questions about applying for scholarships and financial aid. Light snacks and drinks will be provided.

Whew! I told you there was a lot going on at the library in August. I better get back to work!

Jen Pace Dickenson is the Youth Services Librarian for Polk County Public Libraries. For information about the library’s resources, programs, and other services, visit www.polklibrary.org or call 828-894-8721.