By Gretchen B. Witt
Rowan Public Library
The Rowan Public Library History Room, partnering with Rowan Museum and Fine Frame Gallery, will offer a workshop on basic preservation methods and techniques at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 26, at the library headquarters in Salisbury.
Presentations and discussions will center on how to best store old family papers, photos, linens and other heirlooms. Participants will also see a display of supplies used for preservation.
If you’re interested in attending, call 704-216-8253 to register. The workshop is free and open to all, but space is limited, so register early.
The library also has books available if you would like to learn more on the subject.
“Saving Stuff,” by Don Williams, the senior conservator of the Smithsonian Institution, provides information on how to care for and preserve your collectibles, heirlooms and other prized possessions. Witty, straightforward and immensely informative, this book will give the reader information on how to keep the things important to you in great condition.
“An Ounce of Preservation: A Guide to the Care of Papers and Photographs,” by Craig A. Tuttle presents help for those wishing to provide preservation and conservation for their papers and photographs. Booklist describes Tuttle’s guide as “a tidy guide (which) prepares users for undertaking remedial measures” and “a valuable resource.”
“Organizing and Preserving Your Heirloom Documents” by Katherine Sturdevant provides tips and guidelines on organizing precious family documents. The author offers a treasure trove of practical information.
“The Care and Feeding of Books Old and New” by Margot Rosenberg gently introduces readers to the pleasures and intricacies of book TLC. Carefully, the authors detail both friends of books (no direct sunlight, clean cloths and sturdy level shelves) and foes (dust, insects and the like) as well as simple cleaning and repairing. Everything here is absolutely dedicated to an enduring love of the printed page, accompanied by reflections on collecting, borrowing/lending and enjoying the society around books.Whether you want hands-on experience or the best of information, Rowan Public Library is the place to go. Come to our workshop (or to our shelves) and start preserving.
Friends of RPL: Friends of Rowan Public Library will have their annual meeting Thursday at 7 p.m. at headquarters. N.C. authors Alice E. Sink and Nickie Doyal will be part of this year’s program.
They are the authors of “Boarding House Reach: North Carolina’s Entrepreneurial Women,” which tells the stories of women across North Carolina who opened their homes to strangers out of necessity, and in the process created a kind of family for people who were of no blood relations.
Featuring boarding houses from the colonial period through modern times, stretching across the state, it’s illustrated with photos and has recipes that would have been on the boarding house table.
Children’s programs: Call 704-216-8256 for headquarter programs; 704-216-7839 for East branch; and 704-216-7727 for South Regional programs.
Tuesday movies: April is Foreign Films Movie Month. Come to headquarters at 6:30 p.m. to see movies awarded Oscars. Tuesday, “Day for Night”; “Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie,” April 22; and “Closely Watched Trains,” April 29. Free refreshments will be served.
Computer classes: South ó Basic Windows, Thursday, April 24, 11 a.m.
Displays: Headquarters ó art by Janie Allen and giraffes by Jan McCanless. East ó horses by Ann Furr. South ó wearable arts by Patti Schmid.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 locations, www.rowanpubliclibrary.org.