SALISBURY — As part of the 411 events in which Rowan Public Library is participating, the library will host a Wikipedia edit-athon on April 1 at 6:30 p.m. Wikipedia is a widely used Internet resource for all types of knowledge.
In order to facilitate quick but accurate information, Wikipedia encourages those with access to documented information to provide or edit data found in the online encyclopedia. The Wikipedia edit-athon will provide an opportunity to craft paragraphs highlighting the rich history of Rowan’s past full of interesting events and colorful characters.
There are several books that are important in reflecting an accurate picture of Rowan’s past. “Carolina Cradle” by Robert Ramsey describes the first inhabitants of this land, the first white explorers and the pioneers that followed. His work is an attempt to trace the process by which this section of the South was populated and the character of the initial settlers; how they worked with, organized and supervised one another. The book offers genealogies, maps, land grant information, passenger lists and an extensive bibliography.
The first and still widely respected history of Rowan and her prominent families was published in 1881 and written by the pastor of First Presbyterian Church, the Rev. Jethro Rumple. In his nearly five decades in the community, he spoke to the children and grandchildren of those who participated in the colonial formation of the county, the Revolutionary War and the early years of the republic. He began as pastor in 1860 and remained until 1904. As such, he obtained access to family papers, oral histories and the like that are no longer available. In his book, he gives short compiled genealogies, descriptions and locations of homes, businesses and events and notes important community leaders. It is an invaluable resource for Rowan’s past.
In the bicentennial year of Rowan, 1953, a well-respected historian and native Salisburian, James S. Brawley, wrote another history of Rowan County, “The Rowan Story.” It both clarified some of Rumple’s information and included the later history of the county.
He speaks of the activities and people who helped in the recovery of Rowan after the Civil War up to the current (1953) business ventures. He addresses religious development, well known citizens, railroads and distilleries, government members and clubs. Brawley followed this work 20 years later with “A Brief History,” a somewhat condensed but useful book on the important bits of Rowan’s history. With these books and the many other resources, the hope is to expand and enhance the data available in the online encyclopedia during and after our edit-athon.
Speaking of the noteworthy history of Rowan, the library will host the premiere of the next episode of the “Ramble Through Rowan’s History” DVD series. The movie, “Courage & Conflict: Rowan in the Civil War,” is approximately 40 minutes long. The film covers from the pre-war organization of militia groups to the raid of General Stoneman, who razed the Salisbury Confederate Prison in April 1865. The premiere will be April 10 at 7 p.m. in the Stanback Auditorium.
Children’s Storytime: Weekly Story Time through May 2. For more information call 704-216-8234.
Toddler Time (18- to 35-month olds) — 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays, headquarters; 11 a.m. Mondays, East.
Baby Time (6- to 23-month olds) — 10 a.m. Wednesdays, headquarters; 10 a.m. Mondays, East.
Preschool Time (3- to 5-year-olds) — 10:30 a.m. Thursdays, headquarters; 1:30 p.m. Tuesdays, South; 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., Thursdays, East.
Noodlehead (4- to 8-year-olds) — 4 p.m. Thursdays, headquarters; 4 p.m. Mondays, South.
Tiny Tumblers (6- to 35-month-olds) — Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10:30 a.m., South.
Children’s art programs: Learn different art techniques and start a new art project; runs weekly during storytime. Art in the Afternoon, headquarters, Thursdays, 4:30 p.m.; Art Party, South, Wednesdays, 4 p.m.; Art with Char, East, Thursdays, 4 p.m.
Book Chats for children at South branch: March 27, 4:15 p.m., “From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler,” grades 4-5. Children in grades 2-5 are invited to participate in Book Chats at South Rowan Regional Library in China Grove. Registration is required and space is limited. Please call 704-216-7728 for more information.
Teen program: Mr. Penumbra’s Missing Book Scavenger Hunt, all 5:30-7 p.m. East, March 24; headquarters, March 25. Use iPods and other mobile devices to follow QR codes in search of the missing book. For middle and high school teens. For more information, call 704-216-8234.
Computer classes: Monday, 7 p.m., South; Tuesday, 1 p.m., East (registration required for East only, call 704-216-8229); March 20, 9:30 a.m., Headquarters. Blogging for Beginners. Learn what exactly a blog is and how you can create and use one to share anything from recipes to resumes. This class will focus on using Blogger, but other blog-building sites such as Wordpress and Tumblr will be discussed. This program is part of the 411 Community Read partnership with Cabarrus, Stanly, Davidson and Rowan counties. Classes are free. Sessions are about 90 minutes long. Class size is limited and on a first-come, first-serve basis. Dates and times at all locations are subject to change without notice.
Discussion: “Mr. Penumbra’s 24-hour Bookstore,” East, Tuesday, 6:30 p.m.; South, March 25, 6:30 p.m.; headquarters, March 27, 12:30 p.m., brown bag event, drinks and dessert provided; headquarters, March 31, 6:30 p.m. This program is part of the 411 Community Read with Cabarrus, Stanly, Davidson and Rowan counties. Visit www.rowanpubliclibrary.org or call 704-216-8829 for more information.
Lego Mania: South, March 20, 4 p.m., Kids of all ages will build a city out of Legos. This program is part of the 411 Community Read. Call 704-216-7728 for more information.
Going green workshop: South, March 24, 5:45-7:15. Explore the many ways to prepare spinach, kale and other greens with samples and recipes to take home. Led by executive chef Chris Herron and Director of Food & Nutrition Sara Lynch of Morrison Food Services. All ages welcome, but anyone under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Door prizes. Participants who attend four out of five workshops will be entered to win grand prize. Registration is required. Visit www.rowanpubliclibrary.org or call 704-216-7734 to register, or for more information.
Altered book and rubber stamp crafts: South, March 29, 10 a.m. Make crafts out of recycled materials. Supplies will provided by the library at no charge to participants. Anyone under 13 must be accompanied by an adult. Call 704-216-7730 or visit www.rowanpubliclibrary.org for more information.
Displays for March: headquarters, log cabins, North Hills Christian School; South, 2D and 3D art by China Grove Middle School; East, Rockwell Civitans.
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.