By Wendy Campbell
Rowan Public Library

Rowan Public Library welcomes the community to participate in library events over the holiday season. The fall programming season has ended, and special events fill the schedule until spring programs resume in February. There are opportunities to participate in systemwide programs or special events at your local branch be that RPL Headquarters (Salisbury), RPL East (Rockwell), RPL South (China Grove), or RPL West (Cleveland). Check out the following family programs available to all library users.

The library welcomes everyone in the community to participate in the ongoing project, Cards for a Cause. Community members are welcome to pick up seasonal cards to complete and return to the library by Dec. 16. This annual community project is one way that Rowan County community members say thank you to active service members in the armed forces and to the veterans at the Hefner Veterans Administration Medical Center here in Salisbury. Participating community members may specify that their card(s) be delivered to a designated service branch of the armed forces or they may choose to send them to our local veterans at Hefner VAMC.

The Twelve Gifts of Reading is a systemwide library sponsored program available to families who want to celebrate the gift of reading as part of their holiday tradition. Families are invited to visit their local branch and request a bundle of 12 pre-wrapped books and enjoy a surprise each day of the season. This spin on the regular checkout is available through December 23.

Families are welcome to participate in RPL’s Holiday Fun celebrations happening at each branch this year. This year, the library is pleased to announce that Mrs. Claus has agreed to visit each branch for a special family storytime. Participating families will ring in the holiday season with storytelling, games, light refreshments and a seasonal craft. Storytimes at each branch are open to all, and are scheduled as follows: Monday, Dec. 4, at 4 p.m. — RPL East (Rockwell); Tuesday, Dec. 5, at 6 p.m. — RPL South (China Grove); and Saturday, Dec. 16, at 11 a.m.—RPL West (Cleveland) and at 2 p.m. — RPL Headquarters (Salisbury).

For a complete calendar of library events for all ages, library users are welcome to view the RPL website at rowanpubliclibrary.org and choose the Learn With Us tab and Current Programs. Library users may also visit the library and take home a calendar of current events for all ages. As always, public library programs are free.

The library is open weekly Monday through Saturday to serve the community. Library hours of operation and program details for each branch are available by calling the main line at 980-432-8670 and choosing a library location. The library will be closed Monday, Dec. 25-Wednesday, Dec. 27, for the holiday break. Regular hours will resume on Thursday, Dec. 26.

Wendy Campbell is youth services supervisor at Rowan Public Library.