By Chelsea Rhae Childers

Rowan Public Library

Looking for the end of the rainbow to find a pot of gold this holiday? Look no further than discovering a new book, as the Rowan Public Library wishes you a happy St. Patrick’s Day!

We aim to provide as many free services as possible to the residents of Rowan County and beyond. The best service, of course, is the availability of free books to check out.

Our programs are aimed at educating, encouraging and nourishing the individual needs of our patrons. Whether you wear green on this day, or get pinched, here is your opportunity to expand your knowledge of this festivity.

Here is a little history:  St. Patrick’s Day is a global celebration of Irish culture. On or around March 17, in the 17th century, St. Patrick’s Day was made an official Christian feast day. The holiday particularly remembers St. Patrick, one of Ireland’s patron saints, who ministered Christianity in Ireland throughout the fifth century. The holiday started as a religious celebration to honor the life of Saint Patrick and the onset of Christianity in Ireland. 

So, why do we wear green on this day? St. Patrick’s celebrators thought that fairy creatures called leprechauns would pinch anyone they could see. Since wearing green made one invisible to leprechauns, people began pinching those who didn’t wear green as a reminder that leprechauns would sneak up and pinch those who weren’t wearing green.

While green is now the usual national color of Ireland, the original St. Patrick’s blue is still found in symbols of both the state and the island. British tradition refers to a sky blue used by the Order of St. Patrick, whereas in Irish usage it is often a dark, rich blue. 

Who else enjoys St. Patrick’s Day? It is celebrated in more countries than any other national holiday. Modern celebrations have been greatly influenced by those of the Irish dispersion, predominantly in the United Sates of America.

Nonetheless, there has been condemnation of modern St. Patrick’s Day festivities for having become too commercialized and for fostering undesirable labels of the Irish.

Form your own opinion of St. Patrick and his holiday by asking for these titles at the library. Also included are titles from the children’s collection. Make it a fun adventure with your child to uncover the myths, read narratives, and create some enjoyable crafts for St. Patrick’s Day. 

“Merry St. Patrick of Ireland: A Biography,” by Philip Freeman, 
“St. Patrick’s Day.” by Gail Gibbons,

Children’s selections:
“St. Patrick’s Day,” by Carmen Bredeson;
“St. Patrick’s Day,” By Anne Rockwell;
“Jeremy Bean’s St. Patrick’s Day,” by Alice Shertle;
“St. Patrick’s Day in the Morning,” by Eve Bunting;
“The St. Patrick’s Day Shillelagh,” by Susan Wojciechowski;
“A Fine St. Patrick’s Day,” by Carmen Bredeson;
“Tim O’Toole and the Wee Folk,” by Gerald McDermott;
“St. Patrick’s Day” (non-fiction), by Gail Gibbons;
“Leprechauns Never Lie,” by Lorna & Lecia Balian;
“Crafts for St. Patrick’s Day,” by Kathy Ross;
“It’s St. Patrick’s Day,” by Richard Sebra;
“Shamrocks, Harps, & Shillelaghs,” by Edna Barth. 

All library programs are canceled through April 14.