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Haywood County libraries report record usage, outline National Library Week plans
Summary
Library director Kathy Walsler told commissioners the county system logged more than 80,000 visitors and 90,000 checkouts in the last half of the fiscal year and described branch improvements, a $14,000 landscaping grant and National Library Week programming April 19–25.
Haywood County library director Kathy Walsler told the Board of Commissioners on April 6 that the county library system logged over 80,000 visitors and more than 90,000 checkouts between June 2025 and January 2026, and added 1,195 new cardholders during that period.
Walsler presented a summary of activities and recovery work following Hurricane Helene, including replacement of worn carpet with vinyl plank at the Canton branch auditorium and completion of a major HVAC project at the Waynesville branch. "Without them, none of this would be possible," Walsler said, thanking county leaders, the library foundation and staff for their support.
Walsler highlighted programming numbers — more than 206 adult programs with about 5,900 attendees and 260 youth programs with roughly 4,300 attendees — and noted the library provided over 700 passes to attractions in 2025 through the Zoom Pass program paid for by the Friends of the Library.
She said the library received a grant of about $14,000 from the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina to improve landscaping at the Waynesville branch, replacing trees lost to Helene with a short walking path, pollinator plantings and benches to support outdoor programming. Walsler said the grant-funded improvements will be reported on next year.
Community engagement librarian Zachary Jones previewed National Library Week (April 19–25) activities, including a bookmark contest, story times, a take-and-make kit and a library food drive; Jones said the library collected 360 pounds of food in 2024 and 520 pounds in 2025 in collaboration with Haywood Christian Ministries.
Commissioners praised staff and trustees for the work described in the presentation. Waynesville- and Canton-branch facility improvements and new meeting booths were described as efforts to expand access and quieter meeting space for patrons.
The commissioners did not take further formal action on the library presentation. The library encouraged residents to visit haywoodlibrary.org for details on National Library Week events and the bookmark contest.
