Rowan Public Library

This week, Rowan Public Library says farewell to RPL’s Summer Reading 2024 “Adventure Begins at Your Library.” Oh, what an adventure it has been! Packed full of spectacular performances, exciting programs, a visit from Bigfoot, and lots of fun, this year has been one for the books. Before we get to the RPL Summer Reading Finale, there are a few more fun things to enjoy this week at RPL.

On Tuesday, July 30, at 2 p.m., fifth through eighth graders are invited to join us at RPL Headquarters (Salisbury) for a watch party of RPL’s Virtual Author Talk featuring Dan Santat. Although this watch party is geared towards fifth through eighth graders, all are welcome. Santat is this year’s winner of the National Book Award for Young People’s Literature. He is a Caldecott Medal winner and a New York Times bestselling author and illustrator. His artwork is featured in numerous picture books, chapter books, middle-grade novels, and he also created the animated television show, “The Replacements.” Santat’s work sets out to inspire tweens and teens to tell their own stories through graphic novels. At this author talk, he will discuss his award-winning book, “A First Time for Everything,” which is  a graphic memoir based on his own awkward middle school years and the trip to Europe that changed his life.

Not able to attend the live and in-person watch party? This free virtual program can also be viewed at your own convenience online at bit.ly/RPLVirtualAuthorTalks. Rowan Public Library’s Virtual Author Talk series is part of the Library Speakers Consortium. Registration is optional and library card numbers are not required. To learn more, call 704-216-8248.

Also on Tuesday, July 30, at 6 p.m., adults 18+ are invited to RPL Headquarters (Salisbury) for Book Bites Book Club. This hybrid adult program meets in person and online via Zoom. July’s book club title is “Atlas of the Heart” by Brené Brown. Light refreshments will be provided for in-person attendees. To learn more, obtain a copy of the book, or get the Zoom meeting information, email Paulette.Stiles@rowancountync.gov.

Though it is sad to see RPL’s summer fun end, this means that grand prize winners will be announced soon. On Friday, Aug. 2, at 3 p.m., the RPL Summer Reading Finale video will be available for viewers via YouTube (Rowan Public Library) and Facebook (@rowanpubliclibrary). This prerecorded video will announce the grand prize winners for each age category: babies and toddlers (0-35 months), preschoolers (3-5 years), school age (6-10 years), teens (11-17), and adults (18+). All prizes must be picked up by Friday, Aug. 30. For more information, contact Wendy (ages 10 and under) at 704-216-8258, Amanda (ages 11 to 17) at 704-216-8268, or Lyndsey (ages 18 and up) at 704-216-8248.

Rowan Public Library’s Summer Reading programs and events are sponsored by the Friends of Rowan Public Library. For information about the Friends of RPL, go to www.friendsofrpl.org. To learn more about RPL’s 2024 Summer Reading, stop by your nearest RPL location, visit us online at www.rowanpubliclibrary.org, or call 980-432-8670. For assistance with ADA accommodations, call 704-216-8240.