‘Build a Better World’ with Rowan Public Library

SALISBURY — Looking for summer activities that encourage curiosity and foster a love of learning? If so, then check out Rowan Public Library’s 2017 Summer Reading Program.

The theme this year is “Build a Better World,” and RPL has planned a variety of activities that emphasize the benefits of putting knowledge into action.

Summer Reading Registration opens Monday, May 15, for all ages. Participants can register at any RPL branch: Headquarters (Salisbury), East Branch (Rockwell), and South Rowan Regional (China Grove).

The “Build a Better World” Summer Reading Kick-off will be held Saturday, June 3, at Dan Nicholas Park. This free celebration is open to the public, and all ages are welcome.

From 11 a.m. until 1 p.m., explore the park’s sports field and enjoy the Summer Reading Festival, which features crafts and activities from a variety of vendors and participants.

Then, at 1:30 p.m., the Billy Jonas Band will perform in the Stanback Outdoor Theater. Bring a picnic or enjoy the concessions at Dan Nicholas Park.

“Build a Better World” programs and activities are organized by age. Please read below for a preview of the events suitable for you and your family and friends. Contact your nearest RPL branch for additional information.

Children’s Summer Reading is coordinated by Jennifer Nicholson (Headquarters), Tammie Foster (East Branch), and Amber Covington (South Rowan Regional) and is designed to include children from birth to rising fifth graders.

Children who haven’t yet learned to read can still participate with their parents’ help, and several of the activities are designed for non-readers.

Children’s reading hours may be tracked June 12 through Aug. 7. Prizes are awarded when children complete various activities on their summer activity logs. Children who complete 20 activities will receive a special certificate and be entered in the Super Reader Raffle held Aug. 10.

Weekly children’s programs begin June 12 and run through July 28. These programs, designed for babies, toddlers and preschoolers, are highly interactive programs run by RPL children’s staff.

The school-aged children’s programs, geared for kindergarteners through rising fifth graders, feature professional performers. The performer line-up is varied and ranges from science-oriented demonstrations to mini-theatre productions.

June 12-16, Mad Science sparks imagination and curiosity in children with fun and interactive science experiments.

Then, June 19-23, Down to Earth Aerials defy gravity and explain the physics involved to perform acrobatic movement and aerial skills.

The Piedmont Players bring theatre to life June 26-30. Ro & Mo-Stories come to life when Mr. Robert and Mary Ann perform live-action stories July 3-7.

Dan Nicholas Wildlife brings the wonder of animals and nature to children July 10-14.

The pirate Captain Jim offers a treasure-filled program July 17-21, and the stage is set for Lee Street Theatre’s annual summer reading productions July 24-28.

Door prizes are raffled off weekly at the school-aged children’s events. To enter the raffles, children must write and submit a “Reader Book Review” before the day’s program begins. “Reader Book Review” forms are available in the Children’s Department of each RPL branch. RPL staff will review instructions for completing and submitting the form at each scheduled event.

This summer, family programs will again be offered at Cleveland Town Hall, located at 302 E. Main St. in Cleveland. Patrons frequenting the Cleveland site can report their reading hours during those programs. For details, contact the Children’s Department at RPL Headquarters at 704-216-8234.

RPL also offers special summer reading programs for camps and day cares; however, those events are by reservation only. Call 704-216-8229 for more information.

Children’s schedule

Babies (0-23 months)

This RPL-staffed, highly interactive, 30-minute program is for children 0-23 months old and their adult caregivers. Program runs four weeks, June 12 through July 7.

Headquarters (Salisbury) • Wednesdays • 10 a.m.

East (Rockwell)  • Mondays • 10 a.m.

South (China Grove)  • Thursdays • 10:30 a.m.

Toddlers (18-35 months)

This RPL-staffed, highly interactive, 30-minute program is for children 18-35 months and their adult caregivers. Program runs four weeks, June 12 through July 7.

Headquarters (Salisbury) • Thursdays • 10:30 a.m.

East (Rockwell)  • Tuesdays • 10:30 a.m.

South (China Grove) • • Wednesdays • 10:30 a.m.

Preschoolers (3-5 years)

Each program lasts 30-45 minutes; doors close at 10:40 a.m. These RPL-staffed programs are geared for children 3 to 5 years old. Program runs seven weeks, June 12-July 28.

Headquarters (Salisbury) • Tuesdays • 10:30 a.m.

East (Rockwell)  • Thursdays • 10:30 a.m.

South (China Grove)  • Mondays • 10:30 a.m.

School Age (rising first-fifth graders)

Each program lasts 45-60 minutes. Storytellers, educators and entertainers provide different fun-filled programs each week for seven weeks. To enter the weekly prize drawing, “Reader Book Reviews” should be turned in before the program begins.

Headquarters (Salisbury) • Thursdays • 2 p.m.

Mad Science program will be on Friday, June 16, at 2 p.m.

East (Rockwell)  • Wednesdays • 2 p.m.

Down to Earth Aerials program will be Wednesday, June 21, at 10:30 a.m.

South (China Grove)  • Tuesdays • 2:00 pm

Cleveland  • Thursdays • 10 a.m.

Teen’s Summer Reading is coordinated by Hope Loman (Headquarters), Bethany Hollifield (East Branch), and Amber Covington (South Rowan Regional) and is designed for rising sixth through 12th graders.

From June 12 through July 28, teens can participate in events that “Build a Better World.” After registering for summer reading, teens receive booklets to keep track of points earned by reading, attending teen library programs and completing activity challenges.

These points can be used to earn raffle tickets for prizes. Drawings for the prizes will take place at the end-of-summer teen lock-in.

The teen programs kick off June 12-15 with “Welcome to the Team.” Since the summer is all about teamwork, on that day, teens will meet with their groups and get to know them by playing high-energy games.

June 19-22, teams compete in an international treasure hunt and complete exciting challenges on the “Amazing Race Scavenger Hunt.”

Then, June 26-29, “Water Balloon Catapults” lets teens build catapults, play water games and have a water balloon war.

Brittany Gaddis presents “Coloring with my Community” July 3-6, and teens are invited to learn about art and its impact on others through hands-on demonstration.

July 10-13, teens are “Building a Better Bridge,” using their best architectural skills and working together to complete the bridge and tower challenge.

July 17-20 brings “Mini MUNs (Model United Nations)” as the world finds itself under attack from a zombie pandemic — the mission is to become an expert on the deadly zombie virus and find a way to stop the next outbreak!

After saving the world, July 24-27, “Quiz Bowl” lets teens show off their smarts and score big for their team in a fast-paced game show that features topics like history, geography, art and architecture.

The Teen’s Summer Reading Program culminates with the annual National Teen Lock-in, which will be held on Friday, July 28, from 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. at RPL Headquarters (Salisbury). A permission slip signed by a parent or guardian is required for teens to participate in this event.

Teens’ schedule

Headquarters (Salisbury) •  Tuesdays • 3:30 p.m.

East (Rockwell) • Mondays • 3:30 p.m.

South Rowan Regional (China Grove) • Thursdays • 3:30 p.m.

Adult’s Summer Reading is coordinated by Abigail Hardison (Headquarters), Gretchen Witt (Headquarters), and Amy Notarius (South) and is designed for all adults ages 18 and older.

Adults can report their participation in reading and programs online or by calling one of the coordinators. Hardison and Witt can be reached via 704-216-8228 and Notarius via 704-216-7731.

Participants earn reading hours; the number of hours earned determine eligibility for prize drawings. Door prizes are awarded at each of the Adult Summer Reading programs.

Grand prizes, awarded at the final program on Aug. 7, include Amazon gift cards totaling $250.

The adult’s programs begin with “Breath of Fresh Air: Air Quality & Climate in N.C.” on June 12 at 6:30 p.m. at South Rowan Regional (China Grove). The featured speaker will be Dr. Brian Magi, assistant professor at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

The other Adult Summer Reading programs will be hosted by RPL Headquarters in Salisbury. On July 10 at 6:30 p.m., local beekeeper Marcel Renn will discuss the importance of bees and what we can do to safeguard them in “Bee Supportive!”

Marie Theriault, a registered yoga teacher and certified Qigong instructor, will offer two wellness programs on July 25: “Chair Yoga” from 2:15-3:15 p.m. and “Qigong” from 6-7 p.m. Both programs will be held in the Stanback Auditorium.

The Adult Summer Reading series culminates with Danelle Cutting’s “Water Smart.” Cutting, a Rowan County Cooperative Extension Service horticulture agent, will discuss how we can conserve water and care for our earth locally. At this final event, held Aug. 7 at 6:30 p.m. in the Stanback Auditorium, grand prizes — which include Amazon gift cards totaling $250 — will also be awarded.

Adult’s schedule

South Rowan Regional (China Grove) • Monday, June 12 • “Breath of Fresh Air”

Headquarters (Salisbury) • Monday, July 10 •  “Bee Supportive!”

Headquarters (Salisbury) • Tuesday, July 25 • “Chair Yoga”

Headquarters (Salisbury) • Tuesday, July 25 • “Qigong”

Headquarters (Salisbury) • Monday, Aug. 7 • “Water Smart”

The Summer Reading Film Series showcases films that connect to the 2017 theme, “Build a Better World.”

Films to be shown include “The Lorax” (PG), “Spare Parts” (PG-13), “The Blind Side” (PG-13), “BFG” (PG), “Dolphin Tale” (PG), “Dear Dumb Diary” (PG), “Pay it Forward” (PG-13), “How to Train Your Dragon 2” (PG), “Pursuit of Happyness” (PG), and “Hidden Figures” (PG).

As with any RPL event, an adult must accompany children under 9. For films rated PG-13, an adult must accompany children 13 and under. Light refreshments will be served at the films. The showings are open to the public, and all ages are welcome. For specific showtimes, dates, and locations, visit RPL’s website.

For more information about RPL’s summer reading programs, visit www.rowanpubliclibrary.org or contact your nearest RPL branch:

South Rowan Regional (China Grove)

920 Kimball Road, China Grove, 704-216-7727

East Branch (Rockwell)

110 Broad St., Rockwell, 704-216-7838

Headquarters (Salisbury)

201 W. Fisher St., Salisbury, 704-216-8228