When the weather turns cold and conditions call for snow and ice, the functionality of your home heating device comes into play. What will you do if the power goes out? How will you heat your home? If you do not have a good backup plan, it might be worth your while to stop by the library investigate a few books on the subject.
The “Book of Successful Fireplaces” by R.J. Lytle and Marie-Jeanne Lytle explores ideas for both heat and fuel savings in different fireplace settings. Fireplaces offer all the occupants of a room the warmth of direct radiation. In this way the entire room could be warmed from one central fire.
Historically speaking, wood burns cleaner than coal, which produces sooty conditions in the home. The fireplace has been a central fixture in homes since the first days of human history. This book will help provide ideas to builders and remodelers of fireplace structures.
Another resource for home heat is called “The Book of Heat: a Four Season Guide to Wood and Coal Heating” by William Busha and Stephen Morris. This book is a collective effort from the Vermont Castings Co. in Vermont.
The book tackles every matter dealing with fireplaces, woodstoves and fireplace inserts from how to tune your chainsaw so you can cut wood to making repairs on any part of the fireplace structure. The book tells the history of fireplace structures used in America and how to care for them. If you have an existing fireplace, this is the book that can help you to make repairs to make it usable once again.
Another book on the subject of repairs and improvements to fireplaces is the Time Life Book “Fireplaces and Wood Stoves.” This text recommends you check your home insurance policy and local building code to see if your repairs require a licensed professional. If not, the book is a step-by-step manual for repairs.
Had I known about this book, I could have been educated to make a needed repair to my chimney and saved more than $1,000. Here’s hoping you won’t make my mistake.
A final suggestion for your consideration is directed to those homeowners who want to invest in earth’s free energy for heating and cooling. A source book to consider is “The Smart Guide to Geothermal” by Donal Blaise Lloyd. The book explains the premise that it is more efficient to transfer energy than it is to burn anything.
This book will require a re-do of your home heating system to accommodate a new plan for extracting heat from the ground in winter, and cooling in the summer. Don’t take my word for it, check out this book and learn what companies and individuals can assist you.
Living in the South requires residents to have a backup plan for many weather-related incidents. Emergency heating is just one situation that each of us should be ready to deploy plan B. Rowan Public Library resources that can help you investigate and design your backup plan to keep warm. Happy reading.

Children’s Storytime: Weekly Story Time through May 2. For more information call 704-216-8234.
Toddler Time (18- to 35-month olds) — 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays, headquarters; 11 a.m. Mondays, East.
Baby Time (6- to 23-month olds) — 10 a.m. Wednesdays, headquarters; 10 a.m. Mondays, East.
Preschool Time (3- to 5-year-olds) — 10:30 a.m. Thursdays, headquarters; 1:30 p.m. Tuesdays, South; 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., Thursdays, East.
Noodlehead (4- to 8-year-olds) — 4 p.m. Thursdays, headquarters; 4 p.m. Mondays, South.
Tiny Tumblers (6- to 35-month-olds) — Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10:30 a.m., South.
Children’s art programs: Learn different art techniques and start a new art project; runs weekly during storytime. Art in the Afternoon, headquarters, Thursdays, 4:30 p.m.; Art Party, South, Wednesdays, 4 p.m.; Art with Char, East, Thursdays, 4 p.m.
Book Chats for children at South branch: Feb. 20, 4:15 p.m., “Mercy Watson to the Rescue,” by Kate DeCamillo, grade 2. Children in grades 2-5 are invited to participate in Book Chats at South Rowan Regional Library in China Grove. Registration is required and space is limited. Call 704-216-7728 for more information.
Chocolate festival for teens: All 5:30-7 p.m. Chocolate trivia, chocolate games and a chocolate fountain. For more information call 704-216-8234. East, Feb. 24; headquarters, Fab. 25.
Classic chicks film festival and spa night: 6-8 p.m.; Monday at South. The second annual festival and spa night will begin with light refreshments, followed by a series of short musical and comedy films. In between films, there will be foot soaks, facials and more. Admission is free, but space is limited. Ensure your spot by registering online at www.rowanpubliclibrary.org or by calling 704-216-8229.
Computer classes: Monday, 7 p.m., South; Tuesday, 1 p.m., East (registration required for East only, call 704-216-8242); Feb. 20, 9:30 a.m., Headquarters. If you’re new to computers or if you’ve just never felt comfortable with them, this is the class for you. We’ll go over the very basics of computers, from discussing computer components to how programs are opened and closed. Classes are free. Sessions are about 90 minutes long. Class size is limited and on a first-come, first-serve basis. Dates and times at all locations are subject to change without notice.
Book Bites Club: South (only), Feb. 25, 6:30 p.m., “Catch Me If You Can,” by Frank Abagnale. Book discussion groups for adults and children meet the last Tuesday of each month. The group is open to the public and 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.
Displays for February: headquarters, log cabins, North Hills Christian School; South, student art, Corriher Lipe Middle School; East, 4-H by Ann Furr.
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.