By Amy Notarius

Rowan Public Library

With so many apps for portable devices out there, it can be hard to know which ones to choose from. Here are just a few that stand out.

Do you enjoy taking photos with your phone or other device? Pic Collage lets you create fabulous collages using your own photos. Choose from one of their colorful templates or make your own design, drop your photos into the spaces shown, and voila! It’s that simple to create a great-looking photo collage. Pic Collage is available for Apple/iOS, Android, or visit the website pic-collage.com .

Zensong is a free app for Apple/iOS. Choose from a variety of sounds designed to help you relax and wind down, such as soothing rain and ocean waves. You can set an alarm or a sleep timer to shut the program off at a specified time. Similar programs for Android are Relax Night and Water Sounds.

If you just want to have some fun, what could be better than spending time with Tom the Cat? My Talking Tom is available for Apple/iOS or Android. You can pet Tom and he purrs, feed him, dress him in different outfits, and put him to bed. You can also talk to Tom and he repeats what you’ve said. Young people will enjoy watching Tom go through his daily routines.

All the apps discussed are free to download. For help getting started with your device, check out “iPad for Dummies” by Edward Baig, “My iPad” by Gary Rosenzweig, and “Android Tablets for Dummies” by Dan Gookin. They’re available at Rowan Public Library.

Learn.Act.Grow.: Monday, 6-7 p.m., headquarters. David Freeze will discuss the psychological and physiological benefits to adding adventure to your life while offering encouragement and planning tips for adventures, local and beyond. Register online or by calling 704-216-7734 to ensure your spot.

Book Bites Book Club: South (China Grove), Tuesday, 6-7 p.m. Free, open to the public. We discuss a different book each month and serve refreshments loosely related to the theme. “The Watch that Ends the Night,” by Allan Wolf. Need a copy? Call 704-216-7841.

Friends of Rowan Public Library Annual Meeting: Tuesday, 7 p.m., headquarters. Free and open to the public. Willie Nelms will present America’s Music Down to Its Roots. His presentation looks at the past, present and future of what has become known as Roots Music in the United States. The historical origins of blues, folk, country and bluegrass are examined, along with key figures in their development.

Rowan Public Library annual book sale: Friday, May 6; Saturday, May 7, and Monday, May 9, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., headquarters. There will be a large selection of fiction, nonfiction and children’s books available for purchase. Come find a great bargain in withdrawn library books, DVDs, CDs and more. Items priced $2 or less.

Fancy Nancy Tea Party: April 30, 10:30 a.m.-noon, East branch, Rockwell. Wear a feather boa, tutu, shiny slippers or fairy wings and enjoy an extraordinary time at the library. Light refreshments. Program is intended for girls ages 4-8. Call 704-216-7842 to reserve your spot at the table.

Summer reading registration: Begins May 16, all locations. On Your Mark, Get Set, READ! Registered participants may log reading hours June 12 through Aug. 6 to earn prizes, complete weekly book reviews to enter weekly program raffles, and attend special weekly reading programs for their age group. Registration is free and can be done at any library location or online.

Teen Advisory Board: Teens who join this board provide input on the library’s teen programming and book selection and discuss current events and issues in Rowan County. TAB meets once a month at each library location from 4:30-5:30 p.m.; May 3, headquarters.

Chapter Chats Book Club: A weekly book club for teens ages 14-17 primarily for participants with developmental or intellectual disabilities, but all are welcome. Meets at Yosties, 202 N. Main St, Faith, Tuesdays, 4 p.m., through May 24.

Tail Waggin’ Tutors: Children 7 to 9 can practice reading skills in a relaxed, dog-friendly atmosphere. Reading therapy dogs registered through Therapy Dogs International are available for beginning and struggling readers to read aloud to them. Reservations are recommended but not required. Headquarters, Tuesdays, 4:30 p.m. East, Mondays, 3:30 p.m., April 25, May 9 and 23.

Displays: Headquarters, Family Crisis Council of Rowan County and Lyra: Russian vocal ensemble of St. Petersburg, Russia. Concert May 1 at St. John’s Lutheran Church; South, Golden Bobbins, Marge Harbaugh; East, photography, Shane Tolliver.

Literacy: Call the Rowan County Literacy Council at 704-216-8266 for more information on teaching or receiving literacy tutoring for English speakers or for those for whom English is a second  language.

Weekly events for children through April 30:

Baby Time —  Headquarters, Wednesdays, 10 a.m.; East, Mondays,  10 a.m.

Toddler Time — Headquarters, Tuesdays, 10:30 a.m.; East, Mondays, 11 a.m.

Tiny Tumblers —  South, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10:30 a.m.

Preschool time —  Headquarters, Thursdays, 10:30 a.m.; East, Thursdays, 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.

Noodle Head storytime — Headquarters, Thursdays, 4 p.m.; South, Mondays, 4 p.m.

Art programs — Headquarters, Art in the Afternoon, Thursdays, 4:30 p.m.; East, Emma’s Easel, Thursdays, 4 p.m.; South, Art with Char, Wednesdays, 4 p.m.