By Stephanie Reister

Rowan Public Library

September is all about reading literacy and getting your library card at Rowan Public Library. Along with this type of literacy, there is another one that RPL supports – financial literacy.

We are in an economic shift where money is becoming more of an ethereal concept. Paying with a card, online/mobile banking, electronic billing/payment, and direct deposits have replaced many transactions that involved a form of physical currency. We can easily lose track of what we’re spending and saving when these exchanges are going on in cyberspace.

Adults need to be educated in the basics of personal finance so they can pass along good monetary habits to younger generations. If children and teens do not know the fiscal choices and consequences, they can’t be expected to make informed decisions.

Kids have traditionally been taught about money through understanding the concept of cash – paper bills and metal coins. I think it is more difficult now to teach children how money works without having cash as an example they see regularly.

To promote financial literacy for kids, RPL is hosting storytimes with the State Employees Credit Union and their mascot Fat Cat. One more storytime will be held at headquarters on Sept. 26 at 10:30 a.m.

For adults, I found a couple of books at the library with advice to consider for their own financial routines and goals. While much about personal finances is common sense, it is a broad topic with something always to be learned.

Jill Schlesinger does not sugarcoat fiscal matters in her book “The Dumb Things Smart People Do With Their Money.” She is a CBS News business analyst and certified financial planner who gives clear, honest information.

Schlesinger gives advice on handling 13 “dumb things,” from making money more important than it is to not having a will. About the former she says, “An excessive emphasis on money leads not only to unhappiness, but ironically, to financial losses.” On the latter she is blunt, “Of all the off-the-hook stupid mistakes you can make with your money, failing to have a will is indisputably the worst.” She’s definitely clear and honest.

In “Playing with FIRE (Financial Independence Retire Early)” Scott Reickens chronicles his yearlong journey with his wife to cut back their expensive lifestyle while getting away from hyper-consumerism and its superficial expectations. They overhauled a pricey California beach life to eventually live a modest existence in Oregon where they spend more time relaxing with their daughter and less time stressing about their jobs and money.

Reickens provides their disciplined financial plan, advice from FIRE gurus, and personal stories from others who wanted a simpler life. He is also using his experience in videography to release a documentary this year that complements the book.

Most of us are not reality TV stars rolling in cyber cash, so keeping track of personal finances is an important chore we must do. Sometimes I wonder if it would be easier to live in a utopian world where we didn’t have to worry about money at all.

Library Card Sign-Up Month: Library cards are priceless – do you have yours? At RPL, cards are free and, when kept in good standing, offer access to RPL’s circulating collection, computer labs and online resources and materials. Contact your nearest branch for more details or visit RPL’s website, www.rowanpubliclibrary.org.

Scavenger Hunt: U.S. Presidents, Headquarters, South, through Sept. 30. Can you find the pictures of the United States presidents that are hidden throughout the children’s room? Complete the challenge and get a prize. For more information, call 704-216-8234.

Scavenger Hunt: Past Presidents, East, through Sept. 30. Discover little known facts about our past presidents! Find them all and be entered into a raffle contest for a literary-themed prize. For more information, call 704-216-7842.

PJ Storytime: Headquarters, Sept. 23, 6:30 p.m. Children ages 12 and under may bring their favorite stuffed animal and listen to bedtime stories with Ms. Char. A responsible caretaker (age 16+) must accompany children 8 and under. Questions? Call 704-216-8234.

Crafty Kids: Headquarters, Sept. 25, 6 p.m. Children ages 12 and under may explore their crafty side using a variety of materials and techniques to create art. This program will be in the Children’s Room. A responsible caretaker (age 16+) must accompany children 8 and under. For more information, contact Aida at 704-216-8234.

Fat Cat Storytime: East, Sept. 26, 10:30 a.m. At this special storytime, children ages 5 and older are invited to learn new stories, enjoy fun activities and meet FAT CAT. A responsible caretaker (age 16+) must accompany children 8 and under. This program is presented by the State Employees Credit Union. Questions? Call 704-216-8234.

Adventures with Mr. Robert: Headquarters, Sept. 28, 11 a.m. Cartoons. Enjoy watching some classic Saturday morning cartoons in the HQ Children’s Room. A responsible caretaker (age 16+) must accompany children 8 and under. Questions? Call 704-216-8234.

Live Action Choose Your Own Adventure: Headquarters, Sept. 24, 4 p.m.; East, Sept. 26, 4 p.m. Explore the library through a self-guided choose-your-own-adventure-style game involving the Titanic. This teen program is designed for rising sixth- through 12th-graders. For more information, call Sydney at 704-216-8229.

Triple P — Positive Parent Program: Headquarters, Sept. 23, 6:30 p.m. Triple P’s Positive Parenting Program helps all parents handle everyday issues that can make family life stressful. Learn parenting strategies that have been proven to work for over 30 years in 25 countries worldwide. Margaret Stridick of the Terrie Hess House with Prevent Child Abuse Rowan will present. This workshop is free and open to the public. Registration is required. Contact Chelsea at 704-216-8269 or Chelsea.Childers@rowancountync.gov to reserve your seat.

Book Bites Book Club: South, September 24, 6 p.m. Refreshments will be served, and new members are welcome. This month’s selection is “The Professor and the Madman” by Simon Winchester.  Contact Paulette at 704-216-7731 or at Paulette.Stiles@rowancountync.gov for details.

Toy Story Escape Room: East, Sept. 23, 6 p.m. Celebrate Library Card Sign-up Month with a Toy Story Escape Room. Work through the clues to help Woody and Buzz escape. A responsible caretaker (age 16+) must accompany children 8 and under. Questions? Call 704-216-7840.

Chapter Chats: Sensory storytime, East, Sept. 25, 10 a.m. This weekly program is designed for those with autism and/or sensory challenges and is coordinated in collaboration with Rowan-Cabarrus Community College’s Skills, Opportunity, Awareness, Readiness (SOAR) program and Rowan County’s Therapeutic Recreation Division. To learn more about how to participate in this program series, call Tammie at 704-216-7842.

Sensory Storytime: Headquarters, Sept. 27, 10:30 a.m. Experience storytime through tactile stimulation using leaves and trees as the theme. Attendees will be able to touch, see, smell and hear leaves. Low lighting and low music will also be used. This interactive, 30-minute storytime involves books, songs and movement and is designed for those with autism and/or sensory challenges. All ages and those of all abilities are welcome. A responsible caretaker (age 16+) must accompany children 8 and under. For questions or to make accessibility arrangements, call 704-216-8234.

Friends of RPL Free Concert Series: Headquarters, Sept. 26, 7 p.m. Statesville’s Sons of the South, a bluegrass band with over 50 years of experience, will perform. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. This free concert is open to the public; all ages welcome. For more information, call 704-216-8243.

Manhattan Short Film Festival: Sept. 30, 6:30 p.m., South; Oct. 1, 6:30 p.m., headquarters; Oct. 2, 5 p.m., East; Oct. 5, 2 p.m., headquarters. Participate in the world’s only global film festival. This event is free and open to the public. The Manhattan Short Film Festival invites everyone to participate in a one-week, global event. Vote for your favorite short film and actor. Each RPL branch will show all of the films up for consideration. As the selections include adult themes, this event is for ages 18 and up. Visit ManhattanShort.com for full details. For more information, please contact Gretchen at 704-216-8232 or Gretchen.Witt@rowancountync.gov or visit www.rowanpubliclibrary.org.

Displays: Headquarters, DAR Constitution Week, Lee Street theatre and Trinity Living Center On the Grids; East, German heritage, Old Stone House by Kevin Sloop; South, German heritage of Southern Rowan County by Kevin Sloop.

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.