By Alesha Woods
Rowan County Public Library

January is usually the time of year to see some snow and a lot of ice. Such weather conditions can make it difficult to be out and about. These recent cold, icy days have me thinking about how Rowan Public Library continues to serve our community even when the weather keeps us at home. Whether the library is closed, or the weather conditions cause travel to be unsafe, RPL offers online events, activities and resources available to you 24/7 from the comfort of your home!

By visiting RPL’s website (www.RowanPublicLibrary.org), there are many online resources for library users of all ages. At the top of the webpage, there is a menu option for “RPL Online.” With your library card, you have free access to these online resources and services such as eBooks and eAudiobooks through NC Digital Library, Libby, NC Kids Digital Library, and Tumble Book Library. Your library card provides free access to ABCmouse which contains educational games, books, puzzles and songs for young children. Also, through “RPL Online,” you have free access to The New York Times online newspaper where you can read the latest news, follow your favorite sports team, play word games, find delicious recipes and so much more.

Did you know that you can also access some historical and genealogical information through the Rowan Public Library website? When on the “RPL Online” page, just click on the “Edith M. Clark History Room” link to access online records, Ancestry Library Edition, Fold3 and African American Heritage. You can also find some Rowan County Yearbooks online looking back to the 1940s and 1950s, and some even further!

If you are interested in increasing your skills with online classes? Your library card gives you free access to hundreds of online courses that you can do at home or anywhere with an internet connection. Gale Courses offers classes in accounting and finance, business computer applications, healthcare and medical language, personal development, teaching and education and more. These six-week courses allow you to join classes year-round.

Another way to enjoy online perks through Rowan Public Library is by viewing free online Virtual Author Talks in the menu option “Featured” at the top of the webpage. These events do not require a library card to hear your favorite authors share details about themselves and their newest books. On Thursday, Jan. 23, at 2 p.m., New York Times Bestselling Author Amanda Montell who is known for her book “Cultish,” will discuss her latest book, “The Age of Magical Overthinking.” For anyone looking to publish their own novel, on Tuesday, Jan. 28, at 1 p.m. join Seth Fishman for an inside look at working with a literary agent. Don’t have time to join a live conversation? That’s OK. These events are recorded so that you can watch it later. You can even watch archived recordings for authors such as Freida McFadden, Ruth Ware, Fredrik Backman and many others. Virtual Author Talks are brought to you by the Library Speakers Consortium and are sponsored by Friends of Rowan Public Library.

There are so many entertaining and skill building opportunities available through Rowan Public Library’s website that is accessible for free at any time. For more information or questions about any of the online resources that RPL has to offer, visit the website at www.RowanPublicLibrary.org, call 980-432-8670, or when weather conditions allow, visit your nearest RPL branch. Whether you utilize your library resources in person or digitally, Rowan Public Library has got you covered.