Just when Discovery Channel’s Shark Week is over and you think it is safe to enter the library…TERROR strikes Rowan Public Library’s shelves.
Discovery Channel launched “Shark Week” nearly 30 years ago. For one week each summer, several shark movies are featured during the week to raise shark awareness.
The classic novel, “Jaws,” by Peter Benchley, started shark terror in the seas when it was published in 1974. A young woman’s body washes up on a Long Island beach shore torn in two. The town elders successfully cover up the grisly incident and avoid bad publicity until there is another shark attack. How will the town survive being an infamous haven for the Great White Shark? Is there anyone with shark expertise that can kill the shark, rid the town of the menace, and allow the town to go back to being a prosperous tourist spot?
This frightening novel was made into a movie with the same name and launched three sequels. Both the book and the movie are available at Rowan Public Library.
Police Officer Andrew Yancey believes the shark is innocent in the fictional story “Bad Monkey” by Carl Hiassen. A human arm stolen from the morgue is in his freezer and he believes the reason for its detachment from the rest of the body has less to do with a boating accident and more to do with murder. If he can prove it, chances are the Miami Police Department might just let him back on the force and out of Roach Patrol AKA Health Inspector.
Classic Hiassen humor abounds in this novel set in Florida with a cast of outrageous characters and hilarious events.
Sharks are not the only dangerous creatures on Earth. In “Deadly! The Truth about the Most Dangerous Creatures on Earth,” by Nicola Davis and pictures by Neal Layton, readers are introduced to some deadly creatures in nature, including sharks. Full page illustrations and comic book panels with conversation bubbles delightfully enhance the information presented on each page.
Shark week may be over for another year, but an interest in sharks can always be satisfied with a trip to Rowan Public Library.
Children’s story time: Weekly story time though Nov. 26. For more information, call 704-216-8234.
• Baby Time — A loosely interactive program introducing simple stories and songs to babies aged 6–23 months with a parent or caregiver. Program lasts 30 minutes. Headquarters, Wednesdays, 10 a.m.; East, Mondays, 10 a.m.
• Toddler Time — A program focused on sharing books, singing songs and encouraging listening skills for children aged 18–35 months with a parent or caregiver. Program lasts 30 minutes. Headquarters, Tuesday, 10:30 a.m.; East, Mondays, 11 a.m.
• Tiny Tumblers — A loosely interactive program introducing simple stories, musical scarves and instruments for babies aged 6-23 months with a parent or caregiver. The same program is offered two times per week. Program lasts 30 minutes. South, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10:30 a.m.
• Preschool Time — A program to encourage the exploration of books and build reading readiness skills for children aged 3-5 with a parent or caregiver. Program lasts 30 minutes. Headquarters, Thursdays, 10:30 a.m.; East, Thursdays, 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.; South, Tuesdays, 1:30 p.m.
• Noodlehead Story Time — A program for children aged 4-8 to enjoy listening to silly books and tales together. Program lasts 30 minutes. Headquarters, Thursdays, 4 p.m.; South, Mondays, 4 p.m.
• Art programs — A program where school-age children can learn different art terms and techniques and work on art projects. Program lasts 30 minutes. Headquarters, Art in the Afternoon, Thursdays, 4:30 p.m.; East, Emma’s Easel, Thursdays, 4 p.m.; South, Art with Char, Wednesdays, 4 p.m.
Explorer club: Headquarters, Sept. 6, 11 a.m. Investigate different genres through fun activities based on books from our collection. This month’s theme is “You Wouldn’t Want to Be a… .” Call 704-216-8234 for more details.
Computer classes: Computer Basics, Sept. 9, 7 p.m., headquarters; Sept. 25, 1 p.m., headquarters. If you’re new to computers or if you’ve just never felt comfortable with them, Computer Basics will cover the very basics of computers, from discussing computer components to how programs are opened and closed. We may get some practice clicking the mouse. Classes are free. Sessions are about 90 minutes long. Class size is limited and on a first come, first served basis. Dates and times at all locations are subject to change without notice.
Southern Banjo Traditions with Bob Carlin: Headquarters, Sept. 11, 7 p.m. Join us for a special evening of toe-tapping music from renowned “clawhammer” banjoist Bob Carlin. This free concert is part of the Cheerwine Music Hour, sponsored by Cheerwine and Friends of Rowan Public Library. Please enter the Stanback Auditorium at the entrance near the historic Henderson Law Office. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the concert begins at 7 p.m. Visit www.rowanpubliclibrary.org or call 704-216-8240 for more information about the concert.
Adventure Club: Headquarters, Sept. 13, 11 a.m. Adventurous hands-on science based activities and projects for all ages. This month’s theme is Candy Construction. Call 704-216-8234 for more details.
Storyteller Timmy Abell: Headquarters, Sept. 18, 7 p.m. Abell’s concerts are an interplay of music and storytelling and have been described as “spellbinding.” His storytelling includes a rich variety of adventure stories, tall tales, fairy tales and mountain Jack Tales often punctuated with music. Call 704-216-7728 for more details.
Teen Program: All programs 5:30-7 p.m. South, Sept. 23; East Sept. 29; Headquarters, Sept. 30. Celebrate the autumnal equinox with a variety of leaf centered crafts. Teen programs are for middle school and high school students. Light refreshments for teens included.
Book Bites Club: South Regional (only), Sept. 30, 6:30 p.m., “A Week in Winter,” by Maeve Binchy. 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 704-216-7841.
Closings: Through Monday, closed for Labor Day. Regular hours resume Sept. 2 at 9 a.m.
Displays for September: headquarters, Daughters of American Revolution, Manga 200th anniversary by Robert Clyde Allen; South, student art by Carson High School; East, Alpha Beta.
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.