By Paul Birkhead

Rowan Public Library

When you browse the non-fiction shelves at your local library, you may notice the same thing as I have on a few occasions. There are many books whose titles include a number in them. Whether an author is giving you a top-ten list about a particular subject or is extoling 100 things to know, it seems quite popular these days to quantify advice.

A book recently updated and republished in time for spring, “101 Baseball Places to See Before You Strike Out,” is a must-read for any baseball fan. Author Josh Pahigian trekked across North America to guide the reader in discovering or revisiting baseball landmarks. Some places are well-known (the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y.) and others are not (the Bob Uecker statue in Milwaukeeís Miller Park). There are many illustrations, so if you never make it in person to the Babe Ruth Birthplace in Baltimore or McCovey Cove in San Francisco Bay, it will at least feel like you have.

Speaking of Milwaukee and if beer is your thing, you might want to check out “Wisdom for Home Brewers: 500 Tips & Recipes for Making Great Beer” by Ted Bruning. Brewing beer at home has been practiced for thousands of years. In America, it took several decades after the repeal of Prohibition for the practice to become popular and legal again in all 50 states.

In the last few years, the number of people brewing beer at home has climbed to over a million, and the popularity of the hobby shows no signs of slowing down. Books like “Wisdom for Home Brewers” do an excellent job explaining just how easy it is to make beer and adjust recipes to suit individual tastes. Even those readers with a little more brewing experience will discover helpful tips and advice.

Need a snack with that beer? “The Homemade Pantry: 101 Foods You Can Stop Buying & Start Making” shows how to create grocery store staples from scratch. Granola bars, Pop-Tarts, cake mix, pasta sauce and soup are just a few of the delights described. Great photos, amusing anecdotes and helpful recipes are sure to please those wishing to eat healthier and cheaper, reduce packaging waste and have fun in the kitchen.

If you have children, chances are you’ve sought out advice on one parenting aspect or another. There’s no shortage of books in the library to help you with many of the challenges you might face. “Parenting Children with ADHD: 10 Lessons That Medicine Cannot Teach” is a good resource for families struggling with that particular disorder.

“Zero to Five: 70 Essential Parenting Tips Based on Science” is aimed at folks raising young children. Parents of older children might appreciate what they can learn in “Teenagers 101: What a Top Teacher Wishes You Knew About Helping Your Kid Succeed.”

No matter what stage in life you are in, it’s always good to read and learn about new things. Rowan Public Library’s mission is to support the lifelong pursuit of knowledge and one way that’s encouraged is by providing access to thousands of items on a wide variety of subjects. Wondering if the library’s shelves contain tips, tricks and advice for whatever interests you? You can count on it.

Computer classes: Headquarters, Getting to Know Your iPad, May 19, 7 p.m. Registration required. Discussion of components, navigation and use of apps. Must bring own iPad, charged, and have an updated iOS (operating system). Bring current, valid Apple ID. For more info or to register, call Paul Birkhead at 704-216-8242.

If you’re new to computers or never felt comfortable, Computer Basics is for you. Classes are free. Sessions: 90 minutes. Class size limited and on a first come, first served basis. Dates and times subject to change without notice. Call 704-216-8242 for more information. Headquarters, May 21, 9:30 a.m. To register, call Paul Birkhead 704-216-8242.

Summer reading registration:  Every Hero Has a Story! Registration opens May 18. RPL celebrates the many types of heroes and encourages children to discover the heroes within themselves.  Registered participants may log reading hours between June 10 and Aug. 8 to earn prizes, complete weekly book reviews to enter weekly program raffles, and attend special weekly reading programs for their age group between June 15 and July 30. Registration is free and can be done at any library location.

Teen summer reading: Registration begins May 18 at all library locations for rising sixth- to 12th-graders. Teens are invited to participate in Unmask! summer reading program where they will explore the world of super and everyday heroes through fun programs and reading.  Teens can begin tracking reading hours June 10.

All programs starting June 16 and running through July 23 will be held from 3:30-5 p.m. Programs will take place on Tuesdays at RPL Headquarters in Salisbury, Wednesdays at the East Branch in Rockwell, and Thursdays at South Rowan Regional Library in China Grove.

Every teen who registers gets a booklet for keeping track of the library dollars they earn. Those library dollars will be used to enter various raffles for prizes provided by the Friends of RPL and other local sponsors. Winners will be announced at the end of the summer at the National Teen Lock-in to be held at headquarters on July 3 from 6:30-10:30 p.m.  For more information or questions please contact Jennifer Nicholson at Jennifer.Nicholson@rowancountync.gov or at 704-216-8229.

Book Bites Club: May 19, 6:30 p.m., “Elegy for Eddie,“ by Jacqueline Winspear. Book discussion groups for adults and children at South Rowan Regional Library meet the last Tuesday of each month. Open and anyone is free to join at any time. There is a discussion of the book, as well as light refreshments. For more information, call 704-216-7841.

Library closing: May 23-25, all locations closed for Memorial Day.

Displays: Headquarters, Older American Month, Jo Kearns; South, student art by South Rowan High School art class; East, seashells by Glenda Hunsucker.

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.