By Lynn A. Denison
Rowan Public Library
Salisbury, NC — An intriguing title caught my eye recently as I was browsing the section in the library for new nonfiction. The title is “How to Get Things Really Flat.” Reading the subtitle piqued my interest even more: “Enlightenment for Every Man on Ironing, Vacuuming and Other Household Arts.”
I found myself reading and laughing out loud at some of the ridiculously funny anecdotes the British author Andrew Martin describes. Although the target audience is men, the tips are helpful for women as well. This is not a dry guide to doing household chores. Some of the chapter headings will give you an idea of the book’s tone: Chapter 3 on ironing includes sections such as “Do I Need to Bother with the Controls on the Iron?” and “What Is the Worst Thing That Can Happen During Ironing?” Chapter 6 on dusting includes a section on “During Dusting, Where Does the Dust Go?” Chapter 7 on cleaning includes a section on “How to Impress People with Bicarbonate of Soda.”
This book set me on the trail of similar “How To” books that we might have on our shelves. The trail led to two books written by Erien Bried, “How to Sew a Button and Other Nifty Things Your Grandmother Knew” and “How to Build a Fire and Other Handy Things Your Grandfather Knew.”
The author, a senior staff writer at SELF magazine for the last nine years, gives hope to the domestically challenged among us in a practical, useful, yet humorous manner. Some of my favorite topics in “How to Sew a Button” include “How to Properly Fold a Fitted Sheet,” “How to Use Vinegar to Clean Almost Anything,” “How to Rid Your House of Mice” and “How to Polish Your Image by Shining Your Own Shoes.”
Written for men but with women still in mind is the wonderfully helpful, back-to-basics, you can do anything guide, “How to Build a Fire.” Whereas “How to Sew a Button” deals with home-ec type things, this book offers a number of lessons on being a grown up.
Some of my favorite tips include: “How to Keep a Secret,” “How to Make a Good Cup of Coffee,” “How to Buy a Car” and even “How to Make Toast.”
The explanations in each book are short but helpful and most importantly, fun. After reading these books from the library, you may even decide to purchase two or three to keep on hand. They make wonderfully impromptu gifts for friends and family. As a librarian, I always feel that a book you have read and then care enough to share with a friend is a pretty special gift.
Of course, Rowan Public Library is your headquarters for all kinds of “how to” books. Come by to check out our wide selection on books of all topics and experience the friendly and helpful service we always strive to provide for our patrons.
Computer classes: Classes are free. Sessions are approximately 90 minutes. Class size is limited and on a first-come, first-serve basis. Dates and times at all locations are subject to change without notice.
Headquarters — Monday, 7 p.m., Microsoft Excel 2003 Part 1; March 28, 7 p.m., Microsoft Excel 2003 Part 2.
South — March 31, 11 a.m., Introduction to Publisher.
Children’s Storytime: Now through April 29, weekly story time. For more information, call 704-216-8234.
Headquarters — Toddler Time (18-35-month-olds), Tuesdays, 10:30 a.m.; Baby Time (6-23-month-olds), Wednesdays, 11 a.m. Preschool Time (3-5-year-olds), Thursdays, 10:30 a.m.; Noodlehead (4-8 years), Thursdays, 4 p.m.
South — Noodlehead, Mondays, 4 p.m.; Baby Time, Tuesdays, 10:30 a.m.; Preschool Time, Tuesdays, 1:30 p.m.; Toddler Time, Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m.
East — Preschool Time, Tuesdays, 10:30 a.m.; Toddler Time, Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m.; Baby Time, Thursdays, 10:30 a.m.
Book Bites Club: South only; March 29, 6:30 p.m., “The Forgotten Garden” by Kate Morton. Book discussion groups for both adults and children will meet the last Tuesday of each month. The group is open to the public; anyone is free to join at any time. There is a discussion of the book, as well as light refreshments at each meeting. For more information please call 704-216-8229.
Book chats for children: South (only) — Thursday, 4:15 p.m., “Stink & the World’s Worst Super-Stinky Sneakers,” by Megan McDonald; grades three and four.
Children in grades 2-5 (different grade each month) are invited to participate in “Book Chats,” a program at South Rowan Regional Library in China Grove. Registration is required and space is limited. Please call 704-216-7728 for more information.
American Girl Club: Headquarters, March 19, 11 a.m., a book discussion group about the life and times of the American Girls characters.
JR’s Adventure Club: Headquarters, March 26, 11 a.m. The club will choose a project to build, and have books from the library and recommended websites that go along with the project. The club is open to all school age children. Light refreshments will be served. Call 704-216-8234 to learn more.
Teen program: Digital Illusions — using Photoshop or Paint.net discover how to mix and mash images together.
East — Monday, 5:30-7 p.m.
Headquarters —Tuesday, 5:30-7 p.m.
South — March 29, 5:30-7 p.m.
Displays: Headquarters — Red Cross; South — bobbin lace by Pat Rigsby; East — Ann Furr 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.