This year marks the 100th anniversary of the public library in Rowan County, and the Rowan Public Library invites the community to celebrate the centennial at many events throughout 2011.
April activities include programs for all ages.
The library continues collecting the stories and photographs of Vietnam veterans with “Through a Soldier’s Eyes: Remembering Vietnam.” This collaborative project between the library and Waterworks Visual Arts Center will honor and illustrate the Vietnam experiences of Rowan County servicemen and women, culminating in a digital archive and an exhibit at Waterworks in August.
Celebrate libraries, books, and children during National Library Week with a Princess Tea Party at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday.
The library and the Rowan Children’s Literature Guild will bring author Stephanie Greene for this special tea party and program at the headquarters library. Greene has written for children of all ages, and her books include the Moose and Hildy series, “The Lucky Ones” and the Sophie Hartley series. Her newest book is “Princess Posey and the Perfect Present.” A book signing will follow the program.
April is also the anniversary of General George Stoneman’s Civil War offensive in Rowan County, an attack which included razing the Salisbury Confederate Prison in 1865.
Chris Hartley, author of “Stoneman’s Raid, 1865,” will lead a visit to the past on April 19 at 7 p.m. at the Salisbury library with a talk about Stoneman, his incursion though six Southern states and his capture of cities including Salisbury and Christiansburg. A reception and book signing will follow the program.
Look for more details about centennial events and programs on the library’s website at www.rowanpubliclibrary.org.