By Laurel Rymer
Rowan Public Library
Are you a reader who enjoys a well told story?
Imagine having an author read his/her own story to you. Rowan Public Library has several audiobooks read by the author that truly make the words come alive.
Madeline Albright’s “Memo to the President Elect: How We Can Restore America’s Reputation and Leadership” is an 8 1/2 hour long memo to the incoming president. Former Secretary of State Albright advises our new president on hot spots in the upcoming years and what to expect during his presidency.
In “Stirring It Up: How to Make Money and Save the World,” Gary Hirshberg discusses several companies that are not just altruistic, but also truly “put their money where their mouths are.” In other words, they truly believe and demonstrate that employees are important, are driven by the need to save the planet and are mindful of carbon footprints. And they are able to accomplish all of these lofty goals while being responsible to their shareholders and turning a profit. Hirschberg is practically an expert in this. As CEO of Stonyfield Farms, he was able to build an environmentally conscious company that earns $300 million per year.
Maria Shriver gives the graduation speech she made for her godson’s graduating class in the audiobook, “Just Who Will You Be.” Unsure of what direction her speech should take, she describes her own journey of self seeking after she was asked to quit her job when her famous husband became governor of California.
Andy Stanton uses his loony sense of humor and his awesome voice as he performs “You’re a Bad Man Mr. Gum.” Stanton’s talents as a standup comedian, artist, TV script writer and cartoonist serve him well in the telling of his debut children’s book.”The Girl Who Stopped Swimming” is told by the author in her own Alabama accent. Seemingly perfect Laurel Hawthorne is living a seemingly perfect life, until a questionable death occurs in her own backyard. Everyone is a suspect: the neighborhood gigolo, an overnight guest and even Laurel’s own daughter.
Faced with this turmoil, Laurel enlists the help of her estranged sister, Thalia, who whips into town with her own unique brand of chaos. The two sisters delve into the mystery which ultimately causes several family secrets to resurface.
These audiobooks and other titles read by the author are available at Rowan Public Library.
Computer classes: Classes are free. Sessions are 90 minutes long. Class size is limited and on a first-come, first-served basis. Dates and times are subject to change without notice.
Headquarters ó Monday, 7 p.m., Absolute Beginners Computer Class; Thursday, 2:30 p.m., Introduction to Internet Searching; April 13, 7 p.m., Introduction to Learning Express Library; April 16, 2:30 p.m., Introduction to Yahoo e-mail; April 20, 7 p.m., Introduction to Career Library; April 23, 2:30 p.m., Open Office Up Close-Calc.
South ó April 16, 11 a.m., Basic Windows; April 27, 7 p.m., Intermediate Excel.
Children’s Storytime: February-April, weekly story time. For more information, call 704-216-8234.
Headquarters ó Monday or Wednesday, 11 a.m., Tiny Tots and Moms (infants-18 months); Tuesday, 10 a.m., Toddlers and Kinfolks (18-24 months), and 11 a.m., Toddlers and Kinfolks (24-36 months); Thursday, 10:30 a.m., Three through Five; 4 p.m., Noodlehead (4-8 years).
South ó Monday, 10:30 a.m., Preschool Time (3-5 years), 4 p.m., Noodlehead (4-8 years); Wednesday, 10:30 a.m., Toddlers and Twos (12-36 months); Thursday, 10:30 a.m., Baby Time (0-12 months).
East ó Tuesday or Wednesday, 10:30 a.m., Preschool (2-5 years); Thursday, 11 a.m., Baby Time (6 months-2 years).
Teen program: South, April 21, 3:30-5:30 p.m.; East, April 23, 5:30-7 p.m.; Headquarters, April 27, 5:30-7 p.m. Come to Rowan Public Library for a day of recycled crafts. Make picture frames out of old CDs and DVDs to created an altered book ó let imagination be your guide.
Tuesday Night at the Movies: All movies are at 6:30 p.m. and 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.April movies have Rowan connections.
Tuesday, “Leathernecks”; April 14, “Coffee Therapy”; April 21, “College Swing”; April 28, “High Society.”
Displays: Headquarters ó artwork by Delores Medlin, history room by RPL; South ó student art show by South Rowan High School art class; East ó 4-H.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.