By Edward Hirst

Rowan Public Library

Rowan Public Library is pleased to offer a new service for our customers: free access to more than 75 digital magazines in full-color and a familiar magazine print layout. This service is made possible through our partnership with Overdrive, our digital ebook supplier, and North Carolina Digital Library.

For those who aren’t familiar with OverDrive, it is the platform used by Rowan Public Library to lend digital books the same way we lend physical books. This can include items like audio books, ebooks, streaming video and will soon include Nook Newsstand titles, one of the leading providers of digital magazines. Rowan Public Library is a member of North Carolina Digital Library, a consortium of libraries from across the state. Membership in this consortium allows the library to offer a wider selection of materials at a lower cost then we could on our own.

Library customers can check out these digital magazines with a valid library card and PIN. Magazines can be read on a Nook tablet or by using the free Nook Reading App available for a multitude of smartphones and tablets. A free Nook account is required and can be created at www.barnesandnoble.com.

Titles that will be available for checkout include the following favorites: Motor Trend, Bloomberg Business Week, Do It Yourself, The Family Handyman, Newsweek, American History, Vanity Fair, Elle, Food Network Magazine, Outside and Wired. The titles never expire and don’t go away until you delete them. There are never any overdue fines associated with electronic titles.

Be sure to check out this great new resource from Rowan Public Library.

Rowan Reading Rendezvous: Saturday, March 12, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. St. John’s Lutheran Church (North Jackson Street entrance). A chance to meet local, regional and national authors. Books for sale with all proceeds benefitting Friends of Rowan Public Library. Authors will speak, meet fans and sign books.

Dollar-a-Day Boys — a musical tribute to the CCC: Thursday, March 17, 2 p.m., headquarters. Bill Jamerson presents a music and storytelling program about the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). The program is free and open to the public. Refreshments, including authentic CCC cookies, will be provided. For more information about Jamerson and his program, visit billjamerson.com.

Darrell Connor and the Country Music Legends Band in Concert: Tuesday, March 29, 7-9 p.m. Headquarters. The band describes their performance as “playing the best of country, bluegrass, Gospel with a little rock & roll and beach.” Admission is free thanks to sponsorship by Friends of Rowan Public Library and Cheerwine. Program starts at 7 p.m.; doors open at 6:30.

Family movie night: “Chicken Little” (G). Tuesday, March 29, 5:30-7 p.m., East branch, Rockwell.  Chicken Little is a little guy who has a difficult time convincing the townspeople of Oakley Oaks that the sky really is falling due to an earlier claim that turned out to be a false alarm. Refreshments will be served. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Computer basics class: Tuesday, March 8, 7-8:30 p.m. at headquarters., 201 W. Fisher St. If you’re new to computers or have never felt comfortable with them, this is the class for you. We’ll go over the very basics of computers, from computer components to how programs are opened and closed. Class on second floor of library. Also Tuesday, March 8, 7-8:30 p.m.

iPad basics: Tuesday, March 22, 7-8 p.m., headquarters. Become a confident iPad user in this free class. Requirements: Pre-registration; bring your own iPad; iPad needs to be charged and have an updated iOS (operating system); bring a current, valid Apple ID.  Free sign-up at:  https://appleid.apple.com/. Space is limited, so call Paul Birkhead at 704-216-8242 to reserve your spot. Class on second floor of library.

Book Bites Book Club: South (China Grove), Tuesday, March 29, 6-7 p.m. Free, open to the public. We discuss a different book each month and serve refreshments loosely related to the theme. “Yes Please” by Amy Poehler. Need a copy? Call 704-216-7841.

Learn.Act.Grow.: DIY Vinaigrette. Monday, March 28, 5:30-7 p.m., South Regional. Free. In celebration of National Nutrition Month, Chef Chris Herron and his crew will to teach you how to make your own inexpensive vinaigrette dressings to spruce up a variety of greens. Samples will be provided. Register online or by calling 704-216-7734 to ensure your spot.

Displays: Headquarters, Carolina Artists and Rowan Doll Society; South, artist Joseph Johnson; East, Community Care Clinic.

Gallery at headquarters: ‘Listening to My Ancestors,” an exhibition of watercolors by Robert Crum, through March 31. Funded, in part, by an Arts and Cultural Development Grant from the Rowan Arts Council.

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.

Teen Advisory Board: Teens who join this board provide input on the library’s teen programming and book selection and discuss current events and issues in Rowan County. TAB meets once a month at each library location from 4:30-5:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 8, East, Rockwell; Thursday, March 24, South Rowan Regional, China Grove.

Anime Club (for teens): Tuesday, March 8, 4:30-5:30 p.m., headquarters. Celebrate and learn all things Anime. Programs are the second Tuesday of the month.

MuVchat Movie: Free movie and snack in pop-up video style. Open to middle- and high-school teens. Tuesday, March 22, 5:30-7 p.m., all branches.

Chapter Chats Book Club: A weekly book club for teens ages 14-17 primarily for participants with developmental or intellectual disabilities, but all are welcome. Meets at Yosties, 202 N. Main St, Faith, Tuesdays, 4 p.m., through May 24.

Tail Waggin’ Tutors: Children ages 7 to 9 can practice reading skills in a relaxed, dog-friendly atmosphere. Reading Therapy dogs registered through Therapy Dogs International are available for beginning and struggling readers to read aloud to them. Reservations are recommended but not required. Headquarters, Tuesdays, 4:30 p.m. East, Mondays, 3:30 p.m., March 14 and 28 and April 11 and 25. South, Saturday, 10 a.m., March 19 and April 16.

Lego free play: Legos help children’s reasoning and problem-solving skills. The library’s Lego collection will be available for free play, or you can bring your own, Saturdays at 10 a.m. March 12 at East; March 19 at South and at headquarters.

Adventure Club: Headquarters, March 12, 11 a.m.-noon. Adventurous hands-on science activities and projects.

Book Chats: Thursday, March 31, 4:15-5 p.m., for children in fourth and fifth grades. A book discussion group. “The Magician’s Elephant,” by Kate DiCamillo. A limited number of books will be available at all library locations, so registration is strongly recommended.

Weekly events for children, Feb. 1-April 30:

Baby Time — 6-23 month-olds with parent or caregiver. Headquarters, Wednesdays, 10 a.m.; East, Mondays,  10 a.m.

Toddler Time — 18-35 months old with parent or caregiver. Headquarters, Tuesdays, 10:30 a.m.; East, Mondays, 11 a.m.

Tiny Tumblers — 6-23 months with parent or caregiver. Same program offered twice a week. South, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10:30 a.m.

Preschool time — 3-5 years old with parent or caregiver. Headquarters, Thursdays, 10:30 a.m.; East, Thursdays, 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.

Noodle Head storytime — For children of all ages. Headquarters, Thursdays, 4 p.m.; South, Mondays, 4 p.m.

Art programs — Art activities appropriate for preK through fifth grade. 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.