Friends of RPL, Foundation Selected for Matching Funds
Happy news! The local non-profit Friends of Rowan has selected the Friends of Rowan Public Library and Rowan Public Library Foundation to be included in its matching-fund program. We'll tell you how to double your donation in our next newsletter, and keep an eye on your "real mail" delivery for the Friends annual membership letter, which will also provide the details. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
March Specials at the Second Saturday Bookshop
Spring has sprung at the Second Saturday Bookshop! Visit the Second Saturday Bookshop for its monthly sale on Saturday, March 11 from 10 am — 4 pm. Most items are priced at $2 or less. The Bookshop sells a variety of items including fiction, nonfiction, children's titles, books on CD, DVDs, specialty items, literary gift baskets, and more. During the March sale, shoppers who visit between 1 — 4 pm can enjoy a Spring Cleaning Sale and take 50% off their total purchases.
All sales made at the Second Saturday Bookshop benefit the Rowan Public Library. To learn more about the Second Saturday Bookshop or the Friends of Rowan Public Library, visit www.friendsofrpl.org or call 704-216-8240.
|
|
|
|
Second Saturday Bookshop Closed in April The Second Saturday Bookshop will be closed Saturday, April 8, 2023 due to the second Saturday of the month falling between Good Friday and Easter Sunday. Bookshop staff will be using the month of April to get the shop properly "spring cleaned" and ready for future book sales. Don't worry — the Bookshop will be open again for its normal May sale date on Saturday, May 13. For more information, call 704-216-8240 or visit www.friendsofrpl.org. |
|
|
|
|
|
 This gift basket sold at RPL East during the 2022 holiday season. |
Donations Needed for Gift Baskets
The Friends of Rowan Public Library want to extend a big thank you to all who have donated books and other knick-knacks for their literary gift baskets. The gift basket sales were especially impressive over the course of the 2022 holiday season.
As the "spring cleaning" season commences, the Friends of RPL request that folks set aside any items that would make good donations for gift baskets as they organize and downsize within their homes. Some examples of donate-able items include mugs, knick-knacks, scarves, small toys, stuffed animals, trinkets, crafting items, and more. These items can be donated directly to the Friends of RPL during the Second Saturday Bookshop's monthly sales, which are held on the second Saturday of each month. Please note that the Bookshop will not be open Saturday, April 8, 2023 due to the Easter weekend holiday. All sales from literary gift baskets benefit RPL programming and activities such as the annual Summer Reading Program. To learn more about the Friends of RPL, gift baskets, and more, visit www.friendsofrpl.org or call 704-216-8240.
|
|
|
|
 "All Together Now," the 2023 Summer Reading theme, encourages the spirit of teamwork and friendship.
|
|
|
|
Friends of RPL Seek Donors for Summer Reading 2023
While many folks are hunkering down for the coldest part of the year, the Friends of RPL are already thinking ahead to the summer of 2023! Planning for Rowan Public Library's Summer Reading Program requires a lot of time, effort, and coordination, and the Friends of RPL need assistance to make this year's Summer Reading Program great for library customers.
Any amount a member of the public would like to give will help, and every donation is appreciated. To make a donation toward supporting the Summer Reading Program or to learn more, visit www.friendsofrpl.org. Folks interested in becoming Summer Reading donors at the $250, $500, or $1000 level can email Friends of RPL President Jennifer Hubbard at jen4hubbard@gmail.com for more information.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Annual Statewide Star Party Returning to RPL South
RPL South (China Grove) invites people of all ages to an evening of "Celebrating the Night Sky." This free night sky watching event runs from 7 — 10 pm on Friday, April 21 and includes activities for library customers to enjoy, such as outside storytelling, hands-on STEAM activities, yoga under the stars, face painting, and more. Members of local astronomy groups will be present to guide the night sky viewing. In case of inclement weather, the event will move indoors. For more information, contact Brooke Taylor at 704-216-7732. The NC Science Festival's annual Statewide Star Party is made possible through the generous support of the NC Space Grant. |
|
|
|
AAPI Survey Available
The Organization of Chinese Americans - Asian Pacific American Advocates is currently hosting a survey seeking input from Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) people concerning digital access among this subgroup of American citizens.
All people who identify as AAPI are encouraged to take the online survey, which only takes three to five minutes to complete. Participants who take the survey will be entered for a chance to win a $100 Amazon gift card.
To learn more about the OCA - Asian Pacific American Advocates or take the digital access survey, visit bit.ly/aapiDAS.
|
|
|
|
 The popular LegoPalooza-themed putt-putt hole was one of six themed holes spread throughout RPL South. |
Mini Golfing Fun at RPL South
Mini golf and the library are one of the greatest combinations to exist since peanut butter and jelly! Librarians Stephanie Reister and Paul Birkhead were pleased to host the 2nd Annual Mini-Golf in the Library event at RPL South on Saturday, February 4. At the event, participants were able to play a round of putt-putt all throughout the library.
Almost 80 people participated in the event. There were six themed holes spread throughout the branch, including: Computers, Star Wars/Star Trek, Birdhouses, Construction, Dr. Seuss, and Legos. According to an informal poll conducted by Children’s Associate Tammie Foster, the most popular hole by far was Legos. After putt-putting, folks had a chance to stop by the RPL South "clubhouse" for some refreshments.
Special thanks goes out to Dan Nicholas Park for the loan of putters and golf balls for this program. To learn more, call RPL South Librarian Paul Birkhead at 704-216-7737.
|
|
|
|
Learn to Coupon Like a Pro
Take some of the financial pressure off visiting the grocery store by learning how to coupon!
RPL East Associate and couponing aficionado Addison Bevis will lead a "Couponing 101" session geared toward adults on Saturday, March 18 at 11 am. This free session will last approximately one hour at RPL East (Rockwell).
Participants will have an opportunity to learn about shopping the best sales, navigating stores' various coupon policies, using different retailers' coupon apps for their smartphones, using digital coupons versus traditional paper coupons, and more.
Light refreshments will be served, and registration is not required to attend this program. While this program is designed for adults, teens ages 13 — 17 are also welcome to join. All participants will be invited to enter a door prize drawing. To learn more about the Couponing 101 program, call Sydney or Addison at 704-216-7840.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Plant Swap Coming to RPL East
RPL East staff, Rowan County Soil and Water Conservation District, and the Rowan Cooperative Extension are partnering to host a plant swap at RPL East on Saturday, April 1 at 10 am! Register to participate in this free program today. Bring a healthy and pest-free plant, cutting, or propagation to trade with neighbors. Seeds and small gardening equipment are also welcome to be traded, however, anything that is not traded during the swap must be taken back home afterward.
Plants, cuttings, seeds, and/or propagations must be labeled with their proper names and basic care instructions to swap. Besides the plant swap, this event will also feature a seed bomb bookmark making activity, basic tutorials on using plant identification apps, and more. Light refreshments will also be provided. The event will be held outdoors, but in the event of inclement weather, it will move inside.
To learn more, contact RPL East Supervisor Sydney at 704-216-7841. To register for the event, visit bit.ly/EastPlants.
|
|
|
|
 Examples of the pounded flower art Pinterest Club participants can expect to make at West's program. |
Pinterest Club Returns to RPL West
Crafters and creators rejoice! Spring is in the air, the flowers are in bloom, and the Pinterest Club is returning to RPL West for the 2023 spring season.
RPL West invites adults ages 18+ to celebrate the start of springtime with this Pinterest-inspired pounded flower art craft on Tuesday, March 21 at 6 pm. Participants will use flowers in bloom to create cards, pictures for frames, and whatever else they can imagine.
All materials will be provided, and light refreshments will be served. Registration is required to attend this event; space is limited. To reserve a spot or learn more, call Lyndsey at 704-216-8290.
|
|
|
|
RPL Reads: Staff Book Recommendations
Ever wonder what books library staff are reading? Check out some hot reads recommended by RPL staff. This month, recommendations are provided by the Edith M. Clark History Room staff! |
|
|
|
Sandy Collins, Library Associate
As a fan of PBS’s Masterpiece Mystery and similar shows on Britbox and Acorn, I have found that I enjoy reading the books on which these different series were based, especially those that are set in other counties. Lately, I have really enjoyed reading these sorts of mystery titles and can recommend three authors whose works have been adapted for television. First, I want to recommend Donna Leon. Her detective, Commissario Guido Brunetti lives and works in Venice, Italy. I enjoyed experiencing life in Venice through her books. Three titles I would recommend, though I would suggest reading them in order, are Aqua Alta, Blood from a Stone, and Suffer the Little Children. The second author I would recommend is Henning Mankell. His detective is Kurt Wallander of Sweden. Three of his titles are Sidetracked, Firewall, and The Troubled Man. Nothing ever stops this determined detective — not even immense amounts of snow. And lastly, the final author I have enjoyed lately is Ann Cleeves. She has two detectives whose books I have really loved. The first is Detective Jimmy Perez who lives on the Shetland Islands north of Scotland. Some great titles involving Detective Perez include Raven Black, Dead Water, and White Nights. I would love to visit this region of Scotland after reading these stories. The second detective Cleeves uses often in her novels is Vera Stanhope, and she is quite a character. She lives and works in Northumberland County, England. Titles involving Detective Stanhope include The Rising Tide, The Moth Catcher, and The Darkest Evening. In my opinion, James Patterson, David Baldacci, and Michael Connelly simply cannot compare. Give me a detective from Europe any day! Their stories involve less machismo and more thinking, which is right up my alley when I am in the mood for a good mystery story.
|
|
|
|
Gretchen Witt, History Room Supervisor
Currently, I am reading Genevieve Cogman's The Invisible Library, and it was quite the adventure. Enter the strange world of Irene and Kai who work for "The Library." They are off on adventures in parallel realities where they are sent to retrieve specific books by any means possible. In these alternate worlds, there is all sorts of chaos which creates a variety of magical, supernatural creatures such as werewolves, fae, and more. Protecting the right book in a chaotic world by whisking it away to the Invisible Library may keep that world from descending into mayhem. I haven’t made if very far into the book yet, but I am intrigued by the vivid world building, the choices of which titles are deemed important books, and the mystery of Irene’s companion, Kai. My daughter recommended this series to me and has been reading them voraciously, so I thought I’d give them a whirl. I’m very interested to see what happens to the particular reality where Irene and Kai have been sent.
|
|
|
|
Anne Morgan, Library Associate
I am currently reading two different titles! The first book is Leo Africanus by Amin Maalouf, which covers the adventures of a Muslim man in the late 1400s through the early 1500s. He has many great adventures including traveling by caravan as a merchant and an envoy to other countries, being captured by pirates, serving as a slave to Pope Leo X, being forced to convert to Christianity, and dealing with the chaos caused by Martin Luther. Anyone who prefers their history enriched with personal backstories will enjoy this title. The second book I am enjoying is from the Temeraire Series. I have read (in order) His Magesty's Dragon, Throne of Jade, and Black Powder War. I am currently on hold for Empire of Ivory. This alternate historical reality takes place in the early 1800s during the time of Napoleon's conquest of Europe and features dragons. These are not just any dragons, however, but dragons who speak, think, and serve as ships of the air, complete with crews, cargo and guns. The hero, Temeraire, is a Celestial Dragon from China who was on his way to Napoleon as an unhatched egg, but was captured by Captain Will Lawrence and the two bonded. This begins a wonderful journey of service and discovery, including a great many adventures. It is very hard to stop reading once you start.
|
|
|
|
Jeffery Cockerl, Library Associate
I am happy to say that this is my final semester in the Master of Library and Information Science program at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Since I have been working diligently on my capstone, my reading has been very limited to schoolwork. One book that I recently read for an instructional project was Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens. The book is historical fiction and takes place along the North Carolina Coast in the 1950s through the 1970s. The story revolves around character Kya Clark, who lives in the marshlands along the fictional town of Barkley Cove with her parents and siblings. Her mother eventually leaves her abusive father along with her brother and sisters. Kya remains with her father until he abandons her at the age of 10. Kya’s older brother, Jodie, helps her to learn about the animals and plants in the marsh, until he leaves to be with their mother. Her friend, Tate Walker, teaches her to read and the two remain close until he leaves for college. Kya develops a relationship with Chase Andrews, a member of Barkley Cove’s wealthiest family. When Chase is found dead, Kya is accused of the crime and placed on trial after a necklace that she had given him is discovered missing from his body. I would recommend the book to anyone that enjoys reading historical fiction and the study of geography, animals, and plants. The surprise ending will leave the reader questioning if Kya is guilty or innocent of the murder of Chase Andrews.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rowan Public Library recognizes the following donations to the Rowan Public Library Foundation:
A gift in memory of Frances McGarity to the Francis McGarity Endowment by Anne Corriher
Gifts in honor of Doris Yost on her birthday to the Frances McGarity Endowment by Mary Corriher and Michelle Hunter
A gift in memory of Jim Whalen to the RPL Staff Endowment by the Friends of RPL
A gift to the McGuffey Graduates Book Club Endowment by the McGuffey Graduates Book Club
A gift in memory of June & Bruce Evens to the June W. Evans and son, David B. Evans Endowment by Diana Evans Ricketts
|
|
|
|
The Friends of Rowan Public Library recognize the following donations: A gift by Gavine Pitner A gift by Frank Ramsey
|
|
|
|
Rowan Public Library recognizes the following donations:
A gift by Tim Nussman
A gift to the West Branch Library by Michael Shadroui
A gift to the Edith M. Clark History Room collection by Rickard Yokley
|
|
|
|
|
|
RPL Headquarters
201 W. Fisher Street
Salisbury, NC 28144
RPL East
110 Broad Sreet
Rockwell, NC 28138
RPL South
920 Kimball Road
China Grove, NC 28023
RPL West
201 School Street
Cleveland, NC 27013
rowanpubliclibrary.org
980-432-8670
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Share on Facebook
Share on Twitter
Share via Email
