Dr. Betty Middleton
Rowan Public Library
After the hectic holiday season we all need a little relaxation. According to several sources found in Google, one of the best ways to relax is to spend more time involved with a hobby.
If that hobby is one that you put on the shelf and had forgotten or perhaps one that you were interested in learning more about, then you will be amazed at the Rowan Public Library’s collection of titles from simple arts and crafts ideas to learning how to design a stained glasses window and everything in between.
If you already have a passion for one of the handicrafts or if you would like to develop a new skill, you will find many titles in more than 20 areas.
For children and teens, begin with the simple arts and craft ideas such as “Crafts from Recyclables,” edited by Colleen Van Blaricom, or Judith Corwin’s “Papercrafts: Origami, Papier-Mâché, and Collage,” and then progress to books like “The Kid’s Encyclopedia of Things to Make and Do” by Richard and Ronda Rasmussen and Helen Bradley’s “Print Magic: Creating Crafts Using Digital Photos and Art.”
Various topics for adults include the following titles:
“Woodworking ó How to Make Wooden Toys and Games” by Walter Schutz, and “Outdoor Décor: Decorative Projects for the Porch, Patio and Yard,” by Home Decorating Institute; “Woodcarving ó The Art and Craft of Woodcarving” by Anthony Denning, and “Carving Folk Art Figures” by Shawn Cipa; “Stained Glass Art ó Decorative Doorways Stained Glass Pattern Book” by Carolyn Relei, and “How to Work in Stained Glass” by Anita and Seymour Isenberg; “Scrapbooking ó The Amazing Page: 650 New Scrapbook Page Ideas, Tips and Techniques” by Memory Makers Books, “Digital Scrapbooking: Using Your Computer to Create Exciting Scrapbook Pages” by Maria Given Nerius, and “The Ultimate Scrapbooking Book” by Rebecca Carter;
“Quilting ó Creative Quilting” by Sandra Meech, and Leslie Beck’s “Best of the Best Quilts”; “Ceramics: From Clay to Kiln” by Harvey Weiss.
Whether you are a beginner or an expert in any given area, you will find many titles to entice and inform you. Even more compelling is the satisfaction you receive when you complete a project and share it with others.
Computer classes: Classes are free. Sessions are 90 minutes long. Class size is limited and on a first-come, first-serve basis. Dates and times are subject to change without notice.
Headquarters ó Introduction to E-mail; Monday, 7 p.m., Introduction to Open Office; Thursday, 2:30 p.m., Introduction to Publisher; Jan. 26, 7 p.m., Introduction to E-mail; Jan. 29, 2:30 p.m., Introduction to Open Office.
South ó Tuesday, 11 a.m., E-mail Part II; Jan. 27, 11 a.m., Introduction to Online Genealogy.
Tuesday Night at the Movies: All movies are at 6:30 p.m. All movies are rated G, PG or PG 13; some movies are inappropriate for younger audiences. Children should be accompanied by an adult. Free popcorn and lemonade.
Movies feature China this month.
Tuesday, “Endless Way”; Jan. 20, “The Story of Qiu ju”; Jan. 27, “The King of Masks.”
Displays: Headquarters ó Human Relations Council-Elizabeth Duncan Koontz; South ó watercolors by Caroline Marshall; East ó scrapbooking by Stacey Shaver.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 library locations, www.rowanpubliclibrary.org.