Rowan Public Library

The Summer Reading adventure continues at Rowan Public Library this week. Registered users are reminded to log their reading hours; to qualify for prizes, teens are required to submit hours by July 20, and adults and children by July 27. For more information about tracking reading hour and how to win prizes, visit bit.ly/RPLSRP or visit your nearest RPL branch.

Summer Reading for Children’s weekly storytimes conclude July 11. Mark your calendar so you don’t miss the special summertime versions of “Books and Babies” (infants to 12 months), “Toddler Time” (infants to 35 months), and “Spectacular Storytime” (preschool to first grade):

• Monday, July 8, RPL West (Cleveland)

9:30 a.m. “Books and Babies”

10 a.m. “Toddler Time”

10:30 a.m. “Spectacular Storytime”

• Tuesday, July 9, RPL Headquarters (Salisbury)

9:30 a.m. “Books and Babies”

10 a.m. “Toddler Time”

10:30 a.m. & Noon “Spectacular Storytime”

• Wednesday, July 10, RPL South (China Grove)

9:30 a.m. “Books and Babies”

10 a.m. “Toddler Time”

10:30 a.m. “Spectacular Storytime”

• Thursday, July 11, RPL East (Rockwell)

9:30 a.m. “Books and Babies”

10 a.m. “Toddler Time”

10:30 a.m. “Spectacular Storytime”

This week, the Carolina Raptor Center closes out the 2024 Big Show series designed for rising first through fifth graders. As part of this popular program that features birds of prey, participants will meet some feathered ambassadors at these live animal shows: RPL Headquarters (Salisbury) on Monday, July 8, at 11 a.m. and Noon; RPL South (China Grove) on Tuesday, July 9, at 11 a.m.; RPL East (Rockwell) on Wednesday, July 10, at 11 a.m. and noon; and RPL West (Cleveland) on Thursday, July 11, at 11 a.m. To learn more about these performers, go to carolinaraptorcenter.org.

From July 10-16, children are invited to exercise their geography skills and learn more about North Carolina by visiting RPL South (China Grove) and exploring a giant map on loan from the State Library of N.C. On Saturday, July 13, at 11 a.m., RPL East (Rockwell) hosts a special Arctic Adventure Storytime. Children are invited to escape the heat of summer with a chilly, arctic-themed adventure that includes storytime, crafts and snacks.

For all children’s programs and events, a responsible caretaker (age 16+) must accompany children 8 and under. For more information about RPL’s Summer Reading for Children, contact Youth Services Supervisor Wendy Campbell at 704-216-8258 or Wendy.Campbell@rowancountync.gov.

RPL continues to offer several activities and programs as part of Summer Reading for All Ages. Your Adventure Starts Here: Digital Scavenger Hunt takes place at all four library branches. And while you are visiting each library branch, get your Pizza Passport stamped for a chance to win a pizza party. (If you don’t have a Pizza Passport already, ask for one at the circulation desk.) Also, check out the Where Have You Been? community travel maps that are located at each library branch and mark your favorite adventure spots. Finally, a limited supply of Moments in Time: Time Capsule Take Away Kits are still available at each library branch.

On Tuesday, July 9, at 2 p.m., join RPL Headquarters’ live watch party of the first of four Virtual Children’s & Young Adult Author Talks. Enjoy light refreshments and participate in activities themed around the spotlighted authors’ books while listening to the virtual presentation. This week features Kate DiCamillo, award-winning author of children’s books, including “Because of Winn-Dixie,” “The Tale of Despereaux” and many others. Whether at the watch party or attending virtually at home, listen and learn as DiCamillo shares stories behind the creation of her popular Mercy Watson series. Learn more about the watch parties or the year-round Virtual Author Talks by calling 704-216-8248 or visiting bit.ly/RPLVirtualAuthorTalks. RPL’s Virtual Author Talks series are sponsored by Friends of Rowan Public Library.

Summer Reading for Teens is for ages 11-17. At this week’s program, teens will practice tactile crafting and make bracelets out of paracord rope, an important tool for adventurers, hikers and mountain climbers. Teen programs are held each week from 3-4:30 p.m. on Mondays at RPL South (China Grove), Tuesdays at RPL Headquarters (Salisbury), Wednesdays at RPL West (Cleveland), and Thursdays at RPL East (Rockwell). For more details, call 704-216-8268 or email Amanda.Brill@rowancountync.gov.

Summer Reading for Adults is for ages 18 and up. On Monday, July 8, at 6 p.m., RPL East (Rockwell) will host a Pinterest Club program, “Watercolor Mosaic Paintings.” Learn basic watercolor techniques and create a mosaic-style work of art. All supplies and snacks will be provided. To register, call 704-216-7838.

Time is running out to “Share Your Greatest Adventure.” To participate in this fun activity, record a short, spoken, autobiographical story about your greatest adventure. Submissions are due July 13, and selections may be shared via RPL’s SoundCloud public channel. Recording sessions can be scheduled at RPL Headquarters (Salisbury) or recorded on your own. Stories must run under 2 minutes. For more details, technical assistance, or to schedule a recording session, call 704-216-8229 or email David.Lamanno@rowancountync.gov. Stream RPL Podcast’s “Come Gather ‘Round Good People” at bit.ly/RPLSoundCloud.

Rowan Public Library’s Summer Reading programs and events are sponsored by the Friends of Rowan Public Library. For information about the Friends of RPL, visit www.friendsofrpl.org. To learn more about RPL’s Summer Reading 2024, stop by your nearest RPL location, visit online at www.rowanpubliclibrary.org, or call 980-432-8670. For assistance with ADA accommodations, call 704-216-8240.