On October 1, 1869, an Austrian postal official issued and recognized the postcard as a half-price alternative to a letter. Since then the postcard has steadily connected people across cities, regions, countries, and the world with information, greetings, and personal touches. On October 1, 2026, from 10 AM to 2 PM, Lanier Library will celebrate with others in the world the 157th Anniversary of the little card that has delighted generations. As a celebrant you will get two free postcards featuring the art of Tryon artist Marie King. You just need to bring your sentiments and addresses to write at the Library. There will be pens, free postage, and Library staff will mail your finished cards. Send a smile to someone you love. No registration required.

Beth Brand carries on a tradition that goes back at least as far as Mozart writing music that would be credited and performed under a patron’s name. She is a ghostwriter similar to the uncredited authors of many papal encyclicals, Profiles in Courage, and Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys mysteries The difference from them is Beth focuses on topics such as managing a business, entrepreneurship, economics, neo-natal care, raising a teenager, self-improvement, and similar subjects where she can learn while writing.

Until 15 years ago she was in public relations and writing marketing plans for clients. Then in the midst of the Holiday season, she came to the rescue of a banker friend and enjoyed the challenge of writing to help her meet an unrealistic deadline. That was the beginning of Beth’s ghostwriting career. “Through ghostwriting I can exercise my talents and make friends,” she says.

Her Lanier program reveals the history, business, and personal motivation of the profession.

*Audience size for Lanier Library programs has been steadily increasing. Comfortable capacity is 50. Reserve your seat for the program at 72 Chestnut Street using the link below.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a computer able to learn and mimic human thinking. As early as 1997, AI defeated a world reigning chess champion and has evolved steadily in complexity and power. Speech and image recognition, manipulation and generation, robotics, predictive analytics, and medical diagnostics are a few applications.

Dr. Brandon Schweitzer, Ed. D., Polk County Schools’ Director of Operations and Technology, is meeting the challenges of AI for local education and Polk County students. He says, “Every major technological change has required schools to reconsider what students need to know and how they demonstrate what they have learned. Artificial intelligence is accelerating that conversation. It presents tremendous possibilities, but also important questions about learning, creativity, accuracy, ethics, and the role technology should play in education.” Dr. Schweitzer will discuss the evolution, applications, pros, cons, and conundrums of AI, Wednesday, 11/18, 1 PM.

*Audience size for Lanier Library programs has been steadily increasing. Comfortable capacity is 50. Reserve your seat for the program at 72 Chestnut Street using the link below.

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THURSDAY, 12/10

Greenery Workshop