The Last Word: A Love Letter to the Judy S. Agner Memorial Lending Library

Tucked along Bald Head Island’s waterfront between the marina dockside and the barge landing, the Judy S. Agner Memorial Lending Library is small in size but big in heart. Recently featured as the “Last Word” in Haven magazine, this beloved little library perfectly captures Bald Head Island’s quiet charm and sense of community.

Open year round, the library operates on a simple, time-honored principle: Take one, leave one. Inside, you’ll find an ever-changing collection of donated books, games, and puzzles — everything from bestselling hardbacks and paperbacks to the kind of easy beach reads you’ll finish before sunset. Visitors can grab their next novel on the way to the sand, and homeowners often drop off titles they’ve enjoyed to keep the shelves full and interesting.

The library is thoughtfully managed by volunteers from the Bald Head Island Book Club, who keep the space tidy and the inventory rotating. Donations are always welcome — current books in good condition only, please. Gently used puzzles and games are also appreciated.

In a place where life moves at a slower pace, the Judy S. Agner Memorial Lending Library reminds us that a good book still brings joy. And on Bald Head Island, there’s always room for one more story.

Published by Teri Kelly
Wednesday, February 25, 2026