By Amber Covington

Rowan Public Library

Staff at Rowan Public Library are available to help with any technology questions you may have about your mobile devices such as a laptop, cell phone, tablet or e-reader.

During operating hours, community members of Rowan County can schedule a 30-minute, one-on-one session called a Tech Stop to have any questions answered with the help of a library staff member. These 30-minute sessions are free and available to the public. Tech Stops have been available since early spring 2018 and are a great way to learn about a new cell phone or tablet and ways to interact with the device.

The Information Desk reference staff assists the public daily on computers and tablets and are ready to help with questions or directions for completing a task on mobile devices. Often, library staff receive questions from customers needing assistance downloading a mobile app to a device or creating an online account for a service.

Our staff is knowledgeable and can assist with basic computing, creating a website or blog, locating and using e-resources, creating an email, using social media sites, demonstrating ways to use Microsoft Office, and demonstrating how to navigate Windows or Apple operating systems.

The library also offers free online Gale Courses that are available to library cardholders seeking technology assistance with assigned weekly coursework and activities to help increase their skills and abilities with Microsoft software, web design, game development, web development and Adobe products.

Our library collection has several books available for checkout related to computer and technology tools including on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Microsoft Office products and web development.

Rowan Public Library provides free services for information seekers and continues to grow its computer and technology services to the community by offering a monthly technology club, online Gale courses, and one-on- one Tech Stop sessions. To learn more about these services, contact your RPL branch for more information.

Friends of Rowan Public Library Annual Book Sale: Continues today, 1-4 p.m.; and Monday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Proceeds from the sale help contribute to the Friends of RPL’s support of library events and programs.

China Grove Roller Mill Display: South, through Oct. 30. Like many roller mills built during the late 1800s through early 1900s, the China Grove Roller Mill was central to its community. This display, in South Rowan Regional’s foyer, presented by Rowan Museum and China Grove Roller Mill, shares insights about this period of history.

Traveling exhibit: The Story of BBQ in North Carolina by the N.C. Department of Natural & Cultural Resources, headquarters; open Oct. 26-Nov. 30. The exhibit teaches how growing and cultivating hogs emerged in the state and examines the East versus West debate about the best recipes for sauces and condiments. View the exhibit in headquarters’ lobby during business hours.

Night-sky Theatre: South Rowan Regional, Nov. 2, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Horizons Unlimited staff share their expertise, teaching participants how to spot planets, stars and other night-sky objects and sharing the stories of famous constellations. A limited number of binoculars and spotting scopes will be available; participants are welcome to bring their own gear. During this special after-hours program, the foyer will be open for restroom access. This event is open to the public; all ages welcome. In the case of inclement weather, Night-sky Theatre will be held in South’s meeting room and will feature an online exploration of the stars. For more information, call 704-216-7730.

Mystery Machine: East, through Nov. 30. Scoooooby Dooby Doo! A monster scared away Scooby’s best friends. Find them all and be entered into a raffle contest for a literary-themed prize. This Scavenger Hunt will run through Nov. 30. For more information, contact Tammie at 704-216-7842.

Cards for a Cause: All branches. Now-Dec. 18. Create holiday cards that will be delivered to active service members in the U.S. Armed Forces and to veterans at the Hefner VAMC in Salisbury. Patrons can specify their card(s) is delivered to a certain branch of the armed forces or to the VA. Cards submitted for a branch do have specific deadlines: Nov. 7 for cards distributed internationally, Dec. 10 for cards distributed stateside. Cards submitted Dec. 11-18 will only be delivered to the VA. Questions? Call Tammie at 704-216-7842.

Pumpkin Party: South, Monday, 4-6 p.m. Prepare fun fall decorations and enjoy classic Halloween-themed cartoons. Craft supplies will be provided for paper decorations; a limited number of small, real pumpkins will be available for painting and decorating. Light refreshments. Free, open to the public, all ages welcome. For more information, call 704-216-7728.

Bookmark contest: All branches. Through Nov. 3. This annual contest is sponsored by Friends of Rowan Public Library, and will award first-, second- and third-place prizes in three categories: 4 to 6, 7 to 9, and 10 to 11. Rules and entry forms available online or at any RPL locations. For more information, call 704-216-8234.

Spooky Tales Storytime: East, Monday, 6-7 p.m. Come out and enjoy a night of spooky tales told around a camp “fire.” Light refreshments will be served. Free, open to the public, all ages welcome. For more details, call 704-216-7842.

Lego Day: Headquarters, Nov. 3, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Legos are available for creative free play. For children of all ages. For more details, call 704-216-7842.

Chapter Chats: Oct. 30, 5:15-6 p.m. Weekly book club for teens 14-17, intended primarily for participants with developmental or intellectual disabilities, though all are welcome. For more details, contact Tammie at 704-216-7842.

So Bad It’s Scary B-Movie: Headquarters, Halloween night, 5-8:30 p.m. Watch classic bad horror movies and feel free to yell your comments at the screen. For more information, contact Hope at 704-216-8258 or Hope.Loman@rowancountync.gov.

Teen Throwback Night: East, Nov. 1, 4-5 p.m. Relive your favorite childhood games and TV shows. For more information, contact Hope at 704-216-8258 or Hope.Loman@rowancountync.gov.

Book Bites Club: Tuesday, 6 p.m. “One Hundred Years of Solitude” by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. Refreshments will be served, and new members are welcome. Questions? Contact Paulette at Paulette.Stiles@rowancountync.gov.

Lunch at the library: East, Nov. 2, 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Enjoy a clean, air-conditioned, Wi-Fi-accessible and peaceful place to enjoy your lunch. Every Friday this fall, the East Branch meeting room will be open to all between 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. Lunch not provided, but tables, chairs and ambiance supplied. While in the library, check out upcoming programs and free resources. For more details, call 704-216-7841.

Displays: Headquarters, the Purple Shoe Display presented by Rowan Crisis Council and Lee St. theatre (2018-2019 season); East, artwork by Miranda Foster; South, China Grove Roller Mill by Rowan Museum.

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.