Friends of RPL Seeking Summer Reading 2025 Sponsors

Friends of RPL and RPL staff are already hard at work planning for Summer Reading 2025. In their quest to plan quality fun and educational opportunities for library customers of all ages, Friends of RPL are seeking sponsorships for Summer Reading 2025.

Individuals and businesses are invited to become Summer Reading 2025 sponsors. All donation amounts are appreciated. Businesses who donate $500 or more will qualify to have their logo printed inside RPL's Summer Reading Tabloid, which will be distributed in Sunday editions of the Salisbury Post, given to all school age public school children in Rowan County, and posted on RPL's website.

To learn more or become a sponsor, call 704-216-8240 or visit www.friendsofrpl.org. 

Podcast Studio Open at RPL Headquarters

RPL’s podcast studio and instructional space is now open! Made possible with generous grants awarded from the State Library of NC, the Cannon Foundation, and matching Rowan County funds, this state-of-the-art podcasting studio is located inside of RPL Headquarters (Salisbury) and is available to book for customers to use at no cost.

This initiative aims to empower individuals ages 18 and up to create and share their own podcasts. Users must have a valid North Carolina driver’s license or identification card and an RPL account in good standing to use the podcast studio. Additionally, interested 16 and 17-year-olds can participate with parental or guardian consent. The studio is now available for booking. Session reservations can be made by calling 704-216-8229. Interested users must participate in a one-time onsite orientation before using the studio independently.

The standout feature of the studio is the impressive five-foot by seven-foot sonically insulated vocal booth, which is equipped with top-notch audio gear. Highlights include a Rodecaster II multi-channel mixer and digital recorder, a broadcast-grade Shure SM7-B microphone, and four additional high-quality professional microphones. You'll also find a MacBook Pro loaded with cutting-edge software to streamline multi-channel recording and editing. Music enthusiasts will appreciate the M-Audio 61-key MIDI keyboard, perfect for composing beats and musical riffs. The studio also provides headphones, mic stands, and studio monitor speakers to enhance the recording experience.

Podcasts are a powerful medium for storytelling, education, and discussion, and RPL is proud to be at the forefront of this growing trend.  For more information on studio availability, booking procedures, and one-on-one workshops to enhance podcasting skills, contact RPL librarian David Lamanno at David.Lamanno@rowancountync.gov or at 704-216-8229.

Bookshop Volunteers Wanted

The Friends of RPL Second Saturday Bookshop is in need of bookshop sorting room volunteers! To learn more, contact Library Services Manager Laurie Lyda at 704-216-8245.

Location: Friends of RPL Second Saturday Bookshop

Address: West End Plaza, 1935 Jake Alexander Blvd W, Salisbury, NC 28147, Unit C-7

Duties: Volunteers are needed to work shifts on the second Saturday of every month. Shifts are typically 10 am to 1 pm or 1 to 3 pm, though hours may be flexible. Duties include receiving and sorting boxes of donations, loading carts, and shelving books in the store. Shifts will involve standing for extended periods; pushing, pulling, and lifting 30-pound boxes; pushing and pulling carts of books up to 100-pounds; and stooping and bending to pick up materials.

Preferred Skills: Knowledge of broad genres (fiction, non-fiction, juvenile, etc.) preferred.

Teen Friendly?: Yes. This opportunity is open to volunteers ages 17 and older.

Time/Duration: Year-round, second Saturday of each month. Volunteers will be required to arrive at their designated shift time and work the duration of their assigned shift.

Finding Fashion at RPL Headquarters 

Reduce, reuse, recycle, and make it work, designers! Children's associates Duane DeBerry and Jacquelyn Loy were the enthusiastic hosts to the Art Fusion event held at RPL Headquarters on Tuesday, January 28. At the event, school age children were able to act as their own fashion designers, creating original wearable art using found materials.  

Children created paper hats, belts, and garments. They decorated tee shirts, aprons, and other clothing. Children enjoyed the opportunity to think outside of the box and express themselves. Many also took part in a fashion show where they shared their work and their reflections on the experience. 

For more crafting fun, school children are invited to visit RPL Headquarters for Art in the Afternoon (formerly known as Noodlehead Art) on Thursdays at 4 pm. Art in the Afternoon is designed for 1st to 5th grade children, though all are welcome. To learn more about Art in the Afternoon, available at all branches, contact 980-432-8670. Each branch adds a distinctive flair to their after school art program and all include literacy and art components.