By Sara Grajek
Rowan Public Library
This February we all got an extra day ó Leap Day. In the same spirit, the children’s room at Rowan Public Library offers something extra in books that are more than just your average book.
These are chock full of information, pictures and sometimes gross facts. These are the kinds of books that kids (and boys especially) will grab off the shelf and devour, even if they don’t like to read.
“Guinness World Records” has more information crammed into one volume than the average person might be aware of. There are records for amazing things like the thickest piece of ice on earth (15,699 feet and equal to 10 Empire State buildings) and the record holder for the most push-ups in an hour (Roy Berger of Canada with 3,416).
There are also gross records such as the longest fingernails: 28 feet 10 inches for a man and 24 feet 7.8 inches for a woman. These even come with a picture, just in case you can’t imagine what that might look like. There are also sports records, scientific records and many, many more. You won’t believe what you find in the “Guinness World Records” book.
Another book that is more than a book is called, “Do Not Open.” Despite the title, this book is well worth opening and taking home. Called an encyclopedia of the world’s best-kept secrets, this book can definitely live up to that description.
Have you ever wondered how bar codes on products work? I mean, really work? This book explains what each line of the code means.
Did you know there is a secret world underneath the city of Paris, France? There is one layer for the subways that are used today, another layer for tunnels used during World War II, and even another for mines that date all the way back to the ancient Romans.
“The World Almanac for Kids” is published each year and is similar in some ways to the adult’s almanac. It is full of facts about country and state populations, land area, currency and flags. It also has fun facts like Odd Holidays (Bubble Gum Day ó Feb 1; and Talk Like a Pirate Day óSept. 19) and how to say “Happy Birthday” in five different languages.
With one quick glance through the book you can find out which quarterback won the Super Bowl last year; the world’s smallest animal; a biography of children’s book author Roald Dahl; how to read a map; and even jokes and riddles ó that’s all within the first 100 pages. There are still 240 to go.With all of these books in the library filled with extras, you’ll be glad you’ve been given an extra day this year to read them.
The Big Read: Book discussion on “A Lesson Before Dying” by Ernest Gaines, Mondays, 7 p.m., along with Tuesday Night Movies and luncheon discussion Wednesdays, noon-1 p.m. Bring a lunch; drinks and dessert will be provided. The program is in partnership with Livingstone College. Call East and South branches to learn about their Big Read programs.
Let’s Talk About It: The book discussion program on Southern fiction will continue until March 27 at 7 p.m. in the Hurley Room at headquarters every other Thursday. The remaining titles are “Wolf Whistle” and “Song of Solomon.” Call 704-216-8230 to register.
Computer classes: Headquarters ó PowerPoint Part 1, Monday, 7 p.m.; PowerPoint Part 2, Monday, March 10, 7 p.m.; Excel Part 1, Thursday, March 13, 1:30 p.m.; NCLive Resource: HeritageQuest, Monday, March 17, 7 p.m.; Excel Part 2, Thursday, March 20, 1:30 p.m. South branch ó Trip Planning, Thursday, 11 a.m.; Basic Publisher, Monday, March 17, 7 p.m.Children’s programs: Call 704-216-8256 for headquarter programs; 704-216-7839 for East branch; and 704-216-7727 for South branch programs beginning this month.
Tuesday movies: Shown at headquarters, Tuesday, 6:30 p.m., March is Bogart Movies Month, with “Casablanca,” “Key Largo,” “The Maltese Falcon” and “Treasure of Sierra Madre.” Free refreshments.
Displays: Martin Luther King Jr. display by RPL staff members, corridor by meeting rooms. Headquarters ó clothing and accessories by Maia Smith. East ó horses by Ann Furr. South ó Dolls by Rowan Doll Club.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.
Web site: For a listing of all library programs at all library locations, www.rowanpubliclibrary.org.