|
|
Second Saturday Bookshop Hours of Operation Changing
Visit the Friends of Rowan Public Library's Second Saturday Bookshop on Saturday, October 14 for phenomenal deals on fiction, nonfiction, children's, and young adult titles. The Bookshop also offers some specialty items, gift baskets, DVDs, books on CD, and more.
In October 2023, the Second Saturday Bookshop will adopt new hours of operation. The Bookshop will now open at 10 am and close at 3 pm. To learn more about the Second Saturday Bookshop or the Friends of RPL, visit www.friendsofrpl.org or call 704-216-8240.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Friends of Libraries Week Coming Soon
Rowan Public Library will be spending the week of October 15-21, 2023 celebrating its Friends of the Library group as part of the 16th annual celebration of National Friends of Libraries Week.
The Friends of Rowan Public Library were established in 1969 and work hard to raise funds for the RPL system. The group’s efforts resulted in a complete renovation of the library in the early 1970s, plus a variety of other projects, programming seasons, equipment purchases, and beyond in the years following.
Friends groups exist nationwide in public libraries everywhere. Their members step in and help local libraries raise funds and offer their support for various events and programs. Often, Friends members are working behind the scenes to ensure public libraries have adequate funding and support for a variety of activities, such as Summer Reading Programs, storytimes, and beyond.
Members of the Friends of Rowan Public Library Board include Jennifer Hubbard (Friends of RPL President), Barbara Corriher (vice president), Cyndii Owen (treasurer), April Everett (secretary), Melissa Oleen (ex officio), Gary Freeze (ex officio), Duane DeBerry, Mary Frances Edens, Robert Jones, Melody Moxley, and Susan Waller.
To learn more about becoming a Friend of Rowan Public Library, visit www.friendsofrpl.org to sign up online, visit your most convenient RPL location, or call 704-216-8240.
National Friends of Libraries Week is coordinated by United for Libraries, a division of the American Library Association with approximately 4,000 personal and group members representing hundreds of thousands of library supporters. United for Libraries supports those who govern, promote, advocate, and fundraise for libraries, and brings together library trustees, advocates, friends, and foundations into a partnership that creates a powerful force for libraries in the 21st century. For more information, visit www.ala.org/united. |
|
|
|
 Groups of children walked through Sloan Park to visit their storytelling sites. |
Stories by the Millstream Makes a Return to RPL, Sloan Park A sight that has been absent from Sloan Park since 2019 made a much-anticipated reappearance on Thursday, September 21. Stories by the Millstream, a large storytelling festival designed for all Rowan County second graders and their teachers, went on hiatus during the pandemic. After three years without the festival, the Friends of Rowan Public Library and Rowan Public Library were excited to have the festival return for its official 21st year.
|
|
|
|
 Local storyteller Jonathan Wallace captivates a young crowd with a fun tale. |
Stories by the Millstream originated in 1999 as a partnership between Rowan Public Library and Rowan County Parks and Recreation. Generously sponsored by the Friends of Rowan Public Library, the event invites all second grade students and their teachers from Rowan County's public, private, home school, and charter school groups to experience the joy and magic of live storytelling performances. All students get the chance to hear two regional master storytellers and one featured, nationally-known storyteller during the experience.
|
|
|
|
 Milbre Burch performs for a large group of students and teachers in Sloan Park's outdoor amphitheater. |
This year, the festival hosted a total of eighteen regional storytellers, who took turns telling tales to students and teachers. Throughout the park, classes were able to visit different storytelling stations to hear all sorts of tales, from fairytales to folklore, stories through song, myths, tall tales, and more. After hearing the regional storytellers perform, students gathered in Sloan Park’s outdoor amphitheater to hear this year’s featured storyteller, Milbre Burch. Burch is a Grammy award-nominated spoken word recording artist who holds a Ph.D. in theater and performance studies from the University of Missouri. Besides teaching and leading workshops, Burch spends her time as a freelance educator and performer who has been featured at folk music, storytelling and theater festivals in 36 states, and eighteen cities in Austria, Spain, Ireland, England and Taiwan.
|
|
|
|
 Children make their way to the amphitheater to hear Milbre Burch perform. |
This long-standing tradition serves as an opportunity to introduce many students to the art of live storytelling for the first time. Hearing professional storytellers spin exciting tales is an excellent way to get young students excited about reading, and hearing the squeals of delight, roars of laughter, and gasps of surprise emanating from all corners of the park was a deeply missed experience for all. "Hearing young students get so excited about the stories they were experiencing is truly the best part," said Stories by the Millstream event coordinator Sydney Smith Hamrick. "It really makes all the hard work worthwhile, to know that live storytelling will get kids excited about reading."
To learn more about Stories by the Millstream, contact event coordinator and RPL East Branch Supervisor Sydney Smith Hamrick at 704-216-7841.
|
|
|
|
Join RPL All October Long for Fall Fun for the Whole Family! Throughout the month of October, all RPL locations will host a variety of fun, educational, and engaging fall-themed events for library customers of all ages! Check out these fun and free opportunities to enjoy some fall fun this month at RPL. Find out which programs are happening at your most convenient RPL location by calling 980-432-8670 or visiting www.rowanpubliclibrary.org. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Sellers' and Cochran's book, Carolina Haints, shares the same name as their podcast. |
Popular Podcasters to Speak at RPL West
Fans of North Carolina ghost tales, legends, and lore rejoice! Dan Sellers and Jeffrey Cochran, the hosts of the popular Carolina Haints podcast, are coming to speak and tell some local ghost stories at RPL West on Monday, October 30 at 6 pm. This Fall Fun at RPL storytelling program is geared toward adults. Get yourself in a proper "spooky season" mood by enjoying some of Sellers' and Cochran's masterful storytelling celebrating some Rowan County haunts. Besides hosting the Carolina Haints podcast, Sellers and Cochran are also the authors of Carolina Haints: Ghosts, Folklore, and Mysteries of the Old North State. Copies of their book will be available for purchase at the event, and light refreshments will be served. To learn more, call 704-216-8290.
|
|
|
|
 A young Noodlehead Art participant cracks his cascarone over RPL East Children's Associate Elizabeth Snelbaker's head, covering her in confetti. |
RPL Celebrates National Hispanic Heritage Month
National Hispanic Heritage Month is here! Celebrate the many contributions made to American society by great Hispanic writers, inventors, leaders, scientists, and more!
Officially celebrated September 15 — October 15, National Hispanic Heritage Month started in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period starting on September 15 and ending on October 15. It was enacted into law on August 17, 1988, on the approval of Public Law 100-402.
The day of September 15 is significant because it is the anniversary of independence for Latin American countries Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on September 16 and September 18, respectively. Also, Columbus Day or Día de la Raza, which is October 12, falls within this 30-day period.
To celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month, RPL will have multiple displays across its different branches celebrating the written works of great Hispanic-American authors. RPL East Children's Associate Elizabeth Snelbaker and Service Associate Jailene Aguilar Valdovinos collaborated to host a special Noodlehead Art session for school-aged children on Tuesday, September 26 in which they they taught the children all about the Mexican tradition of making cascarones. Afterward, everyone created their own cascarones and broke them in celebration together.
Stop by any RPL location, pick up a great novel written by a Hispanic-American author, and learn more about the wonderful ways Hispanic-American people have contributed to society. To learn more about National Hispanic Heritage Month, visit hispanicheritagemonth.gov.
|
|
|
|
Cards for a Cause Returns to RPL for the 2023 Holiday Season
For many, October is the time for pumpkin spice and autumn festivals. Did you know it’s also the time for Rowan Public Library’s annual “Cards for a Cause”? Now in its eighth year, this campaign has returned for the 2023 holiday season and runs from Monday, Oct. 2, through Saturday, Dec. 16. “Cards for a Cause” collects holiday cards that are then delivered to active service members and veterans of the United States Armed Forces. All four RPL branches — RPL Headquarters (Salisbury), RPL East (Rockwell), RPL South (China Grove), and RPL West (Cleveland) — will offer stations featuring blank greeting cards and other card-decorating supplies so customers can create cards to send. Once customers have finished creating and decorating their cards, the completed cards can be submitted or returned to any RPL branch service desk or via curbside drop-off. They may also be returned via the branches’ outdoor book drop receptacles; it’s encouraged that the envelopes of cards submitted via book drop be secured or that multiple cards be bound together by rubber band to help avoid damage from other items. There are different submission deadlines during the campaign to accommodate international and Stateside deliveries. Nov. 15 is the deadline for submitted cards to be delivered to active service members abroad and Dec. 5 for delivery to active service members Stateside. All cards submitted after Dec. 5 will be delivered to the W.G. (Bill) Hefner Salisbury Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC). Community participation in this annual holiday campaign is encouraged and celebrated. In the past, individuals, families, businesses, and organizations have participated. “Community organizations and schools have even created their own original cards to contribute,” said Kim Dinkins, “Cards for a Cause” coordinator. “Participation is a fun, easy way to give back during the holidays.” Dinkins encourages anyone with questions about how to participate to contact her at Kim.Dinkins@rowancountync.gov or 704-216-7842. The cards submitted make a real impact in the lives of active and veteran service members, and past cards have been delivered as far away as Afghanistan. “We’ve been told by the service members who deliver the cards that, especially for those away from home during the holidays, they really make a positive impact,” said Dinkins. All types of cards are welcome: store bought, handmade or hand drawn (from crayon sketches to professional artistry), self-printed, and all those in-between. The library’s in-house “Cards for a Cause” stations will feature a variety of cards, stickers, markers, and more for customers to use. “It’s such a good feeling seeing people create a card with the intention of brightening someone else’s day,” said Dinkins. “Sometimes, cards are submitted without envelopes, and I have witnessed some of the cutest, heartfelt messages included by all ages.” While participants are encouraged to write brief notes of appreciation or greeting and to sign their cards, they are asked to not give full names or addresses. In 2022, “Cards for a Cause” collected and distributed over 5,200 cards to active service members and veterans. The program began in 2015, collecting approximately 230 cards that first year. This year, Dinkins and other RPL staff are hoping to collect at least 5,500 cards to send out in the holiday mail. For more information about “Cards for a Cause” and other RPL programs and services, visit www.rowanpubliclibrary.org.
|
|
|
|
Episode Eight of RPL Podcast Set to Stream October 23 As we enter the haunting season of October, Episode 8 of RPL's podcast Come Gather ‘Round Good People will investigate a traditional folk song that involves a ghostly visitation. "Fair Margaret & Sweet William" is a 17th century ballad that tells the tale of Lady Margaret, recently betrothed and even more recently deceased, who appears before the dishonorable William and asks, "how do you like me now?" Find out William’s answer to Margaret’s haunting specter by visiting the RPL Soundcloud channel at bit.ly/RPLSoundCloud on October 23. Come Gather ‘Round Good People is a quarterly podcast dedicated to informing listeners about the stories behind featured folk songs with a local, regional, or state-wide connection. Each episode will conclude with a musical performance. To learn more, contact RPL Reference Librarian David Lamanno at David.Lamanno@rowancountync.gov or 704-216-8229.
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Students, parents, and teachers from Summit Virtual Academy explore the RPL Headquarters Children's Room. |
Summit Virtual Academy Students Visit RPL Headquarters Summit Virtual Academy's kindergarten, first, second, and third grade students enjoyed a field trip to the children's room at RPL Headquarters during the last week of September. They toured the room, enjoyed a storytime with Children's Library Associate Autumn Scott, and learned how to use Libby to access free eBooks and eAudiobooks from home. The field trip served as a wonderful opportunity to help students, teachers, and parents better understand what the public library has to offer them and their families—especially as their students are online learners. For parents who were unable to attend the field trip with their children, RPL staff arranged a virtual meeting to review the information and resources shared. Do you have an online learner in your life? Are you currently enrolled in an online learning program? Do you know any home schooled children who would benefit from extra educational resources for their studies? If so, visit your most convenient RPL location to learn about great, free resources for students of all ages. You can also call 980-432-8670 to connect with your preferred branch.
|
|
|
|
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 staff of RPL Headquarters' Circulation Desk!
|
|
|
|
Julie Gilley, Page
I recently finished reading The Henna Artist by Alka Joshi. The story follows a woman named Lakshmi. After escaping an abusive marriage and extreme poverty, Lakshmi becomes a coveted henna artist to wealthy women in 1950s Jaipur, India. Things begin to change when her estranged husband locates her...and surprises her with a younger sister she never knew she had. Lakshmi must learn a new life with her sister and adapt her talents and cautious nature to achieve the independence she desires. If you like a fast-paced historical fiction read filled with twists and turns, consider grabbing a copy of this book!
|
|
|
|
Leslie Foshee, Circulation Services Supervisor
If you like quirky characters, you will love Bonnie Garmus' Lessons in Chemistry! The main character, her husband, daughter and even their dog are…well, peculiar. While the other characters in the book may find them frustrating, maddening, and exasperating, I found them all quite charming and witty. I laughed out loud so many times while driving down the road listening to the audiobook!
The story's protagonist, Elizabeth Zott, is a chemist who often finds herself in precarious situations. She is married to a generally unliked yet brilliant and famous chemist named Calvin Evans. Together with their dog, Six-Thirty, they navigate through a time and place where women are viewed as less capable. Elizabeth manages to prove she is not less then and that she can excel at anything she sets her mind to. There is a bit of heartbreak along the way as Elizabeth struggles to raise their daughter in a world that is often unkind to brilliant and capable women. But in that heartbreak, strength resides, resiliency sparks to life, and the bonds formed through circumstance guide the characters through their journey. Give this wonderful book a read—you will laugh, cry a little, and you may even learn a little about chemistry!
|
|
|
|
Rowan Public Library recognizes the following donations: A gift in memory of Floyd Burton given by Gale & John Hellard
A gift to the Edith M. Clark History Room given by Lora & Sandra Owen
|
|
|
|
The Friends of Rowan Public Library recognize the following donations:
A gift given by Joyce & Thomas Caddell A gift given by Elizabeth & English Cook A gift given by Susan & Dorlin Kerr A gift given by Sharon McBride A gift given by Mary Ann McCubbin
|
|
|
|
|
|
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
