By Dara L. Cain
Rowan Public Library

Rowan Public Library has a variety of fun and educational resources online for children to explore. Visit the library’s website with your child by going to www.rowanpubliclibrary.org and selecting the Kids Space link found on the home page where you will find great reading resources and more.

If your child has a homework assignment to complete, don’t fret, visit the Online Tools link, which will lead you to a variety of databases full of information.

The Kids Space link has excellent reading resources for preschoolers up to eighth-graders to discover. ABC Mouse for Kids is a website designed to help children learn to read through phonics, and teaches lessons in math, social studies, art, music and more.

Another great website is Starfall, which teaches your child to learn phonics in a fun and interactive way. Every word, when tapped or clicked, will be read aloud, enabling your child’s speaking, reading and writing vocabulary.

For free animated talking books, visit Tumble Books Library. This is a great program to help teach kids the joy of reading in a different format and includes storybooks, videos, puzzles and games, language learning (books in Spanish), chapter books and non-fiction books.

You will also want to check out the Book Adventure site. This site provides a free, motivational reading program. Children can search for books, read them offline, come back to take a quiz on what they’ve read, and earn prizes for their reading achievements. For some more fun, visit the ABCya.com link, which offers free educational kids’ computer games and activities for elementary students. All children’s educational computer games were created or approved by certified school teachers.

For children who have a thirst for knowledge and/or are working on school assignments, you can find invaluable information by selecting the Online Tools link. To access Online Tools, all you will need is your free library card and a four digit PIN which we can help set up for you the next time you visit the library. If you would like to check out these resources but do not want to wait, you can register online for a Digital Library Card which will allow you to access the information immediately. Just remember that you will still need to visit the library with a physical card to check out books at the library.

NC Live database provides North Carolina residents and students with access to high quality information. This is the place where you can search magazine collections, newspapers, journal articles, electronic books, historical materials, maps and much more. The resources available cover a wide range of topics and will benefit students completing homework assignments.

If your child is interested in learning a language or wants to practice what they are learning in school, we have two great resources. Rocket Languages is an award winning interactive online language learning system where children, as well as adults, can learn conversational language skills at their own pace. Languages offered include Spanish, Arabic, French, German, Chinese (Mandarin), Hindi, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Ingles (English for Spanish speakers) and American Sign Language. Once you have created an account, the next time you log in as a returning user, Rocket Languages will remember where you left off so you can continue your lessons.

Pronunciator is another great language resource that provides interactive, self-paced language learning for 80 languages and ESL for 50 non-English languages. It includes audio lessons, interactive textbooks, quizzes, intelligent flashcards, phrasebooks and pronunciation analysis for children and adults. Users create their own login to access the resource and track their progress.

Check out rowanpubliclibrary.org to explore these exciting online resources and more with your children.

Sharpie tie-dye for teens: All programs 5:30-7 p.m. Free and open to middle and high school teens. Light refreshments served. For more information call 704-216-8234. Headquarters,  Jan. 20;  East,  Jan. 27.

Computer classes: Computer Basics: If you’re new to computers – or if you’ve never felt comfortable – Computer Basics is for you.  We’ll go over the very basics, 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 served basis. Dates and times at all locations are subject to change without notice. Call 704-216-8242 for more information. Headquarters, Jan. 29, 9:30 a.m.

Lego day: For years, Legos have been one of the top children’s toys for developing creativity, imagination, systematic reasoning and problem solving skills. The library’s Lego collection will be available for children’s free play at 10 a.m. on Saturdays in January. Headquarters, Jan. 31; South, Jan. 24. 

Lego movie matinee: Free family friendly PG rated movie. Free popcorn and lemonade. Children must be accompanied by a parent or caregiver. The movie is 1 hour and 40 minutes long. East, Jan. 24, 10:30 a.m.; South, Jan. 24, 12:30 p.m.

“Got Plans?” workshop: South Branch, Jan.  26, 5:45 p.m. Free and open to the public.  Learn about essential documents such as power of attorney, living wills and other important papers families should have access to at time of need.  Notebooks and forms will be provided to help you get started. Led by Don Timmons. To register or learn more about this program, call 704-216-7841.

Richard Smith concert: Headquarters, (Stanback Auditorium) — Jan. 27, 7 p.m.A special concert featuring guitarist Richard Smith, who has toured around the world surprising audiences with his incredible range of musical styles from country, bluegrass, mainstream jazz, modern pop and rock, to classical guitar.  Admission is free, and all are welcome. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Show sponsored by Friends of Rowan Public Library.

Book Bites Club: South (only),  Jan. 27, 6:30 p.m.,  “The Saturday Big Tent Wedding Party” by Alexander McCall Smith. Book discussion groups for both adults and children at South Rowan Regional Library meet the last Tuesday of each month. The group is openand 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.

Special RPL Book Sale: South Rowan Regional Library.  Come find a bargain in a special sale featuring mostly children’s and adult nonfiction books. Prices range from 50 cents to $2, and books will be priced to move toward the end of the sale. Friday, Jan. 30, Saturday, Jan. 31 and Monday, Feb.  2,  9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Library closings: Jan. 19, all RPL locations closed for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

Displays: Headquarters, altered books by West Rowan High School; South, student art by South Rowan High School Art Class; East, photographs by Shane Tolliver.

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.

Children’s Storytime: Weekly events for children Feb. 2-April 30. For more information call 704-216-8234.

Baby Time — A loosely interactive program introducing simple stories and songs to 6-23 month-olds with a parent or caregiver.  Program lasts about one hour. 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 18-35 months old with a parent or caregiver. Program lasts 30 minutes. Headquarters, Tuesdays, 10:30 a.m.; East, Mondays, 11 a.m.

Tiny Tumblers — A loosely interactive program introducing simple stories, musical scarves and instruments for ages 6-23 months with a parent or caregiver. The same program is offered twice a week. Program lasts 30 minutes. South, Tuesday and Thursdays, 10:30 a.m.

Preschool time — Encourages the exploration of books and builds reading readiness skills for children 3-5 years old 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.

Noodle Head storytime — For children 4 years and up 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 — Art activities and instruction based on various themes and media. Activities vary by branch.  Children 8 and under must be accompanied by an adult.  Programs last 30-45 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.