Are you a fan of Tolkien?

A monthly book club examining the works of J. R. R. Tolkien will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 15, at the Jackson County Public Library in Sylva.

This first meeting will include coming up with the structure of the club, the naming of the club, and a fun discussion of “The Fellowship of the Ring.” The group will meet in the Conference Room of the library, with the option to move outside, weather permitting. 

All are welcome and registration is encouraged by either stopping by the Reference Desk of the library, calling at 828.586.2017 or emailing at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

This event is co-sponsored by the Friends of the Jackson County Public Library. It is free and open to the public.

The Jackson County Public Library is a member of Fontana Regional Library (fontanalib.org).

New monthly book club

The Jackson County Public Library in Sylva is starting a new monthly program. 

Each month, a library staff member will be discussing some of the new book titles that the library has received. Particular attention will be paid to “under the radar” titles and authors, new releases, and other books that the staff is excited about. 

All are welcome and no registration is required. For more information on when the club will meet, please call the library at 828.586.2016.

This club is co-sponsored by the Friends of the Jackson County Public Library. The JCPL is a member of Fontana Regional Library (fontanalib.org).

‘Ethics in Philosophy’ lecture series

The Jackson County Public Library will be presenting a series of lectures/discussions on “Ethics in Philosophy,” which will be led by Clemson professor Todd May, at 6 p.m. Oct. 4, 11, 18 and 25 in the Community Room at the library in Sylva.

May is the Class of 1941 Memorial Professor of the Humanities at Clemson University. He is the author of 16 books of philosophy and was an advisor to the philosophical sitcom “The Good Place.” He is a collaborator with “The Good Place” showrunner Mike Schur on a book of ethics, “How To Be Perfect.” 

“A series of four presentations on classical Western ethical theories. We’ll look at Aristotle’s virtue ethics, utilitarianism, deontology, and then Nietzsche’s critique of morality,” May said. “No background in philosophy is necessary — just come as you are. Discussion will be encouraged and enjoyed.”

The series is free and open to the public. For more information, please call the library at 828.586.2016. This seminar is co-sponsored by the Friends of the Jackson County Public Library.

The Jackson County Public Library is a member of Fontana Regional Library (fontanalib.org).