By April Everett

Rowan Public Library

LEGOs, twice-named “Toy of the Century,” are undeniably one of the most iconic toys on the market.   The name LEGO is a conjunction of two Danish words, “leg godt,” meaning “play well.” Aptly enough in Latin, the word means “I put together.”

The LEGO Group was founded in 1932 by Ole Kirk Kristiansen, master carpenter and joiner. In the early years, the business manufactured stepladders, ironing boards, stools and wooden toys. It was not until 1934 that Kristiansen and his products adopted the name LEGO. About a decade later, the LEGO Group was the first in Denmark to buy a plastic injection-molding machine, which allowed for the production of Automatic Binding Bricks, a forerunner to the LEGO bricks we know today.

LEGOs are such ageless, timeless and universal toys in large part due to the product characteristics the company established in the mid-1960s. They wanted LEGO products to provide unlimited play potential; appeal for girls and boys; fun for every age; year-round play; healthy, quiet play; long hours of play; development, imagination, creativity; and quality in every detail. With no batteries required, unlimited construction possibilities and exceptional durability, the LEGO Group clearly exceeded their expectations with the modern LEGO brick, patented in 1958.

Today, LEGO products are sold in more than 140 countries. In 2015, Jørgen Vig Knudstorp, current president and chief executive officer, estimates that approximately 100 million children “had a LEGO experience – be it through playing with great LEGO products, in schools via LEGO Education materials or by participating in local community activities or receiving product donations driven by the LEGO Foundation across the world,” according to www.lego.com/en-us/aboutus.

Locally, hundreds of children have participated in LEGO Saturdays at Rowan Public Library, monthly programs where children of all ages are invited to free play time with the library’s LEGOs. Our next round of LEGO Saturdays are scheduled for April 9 at RPL East Branch (Rockwell) and April 16 at RPL headquarters and South Rowan Regional, China Grove. Free play begins at 10 a.m., and all ages are welcome.

In addition to creative programs offered in the spring and fall, Rowan Public Library has more than 50 LEGO books, ebooks and DVDs in our collection, including “LEGO Adventure” books (step-by-step breakdowns of how to build anything from cars to dragons), the “LEGO Mindstorms EV3 Idea Book” (how to build mechanical gadgets), and “The LEGO Movie.” Stop by your local library or visit www.rowanpubliclibrary.org and “LEg GOdt.”

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. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Spring Photowalk: April 16, 10:30 a.m.-noon, headquarters. Join us on another adventure capturing the hidden treasures of downtown Salisbury on camera. Register online or by calling Paul at 704-216-8242 to ensure your spot.

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 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 Annual Poetry Slam: Tuesday, April 5, 5:30-7 p.m., headquarters. Each teen may perform three original poems in three rounds, and each round will be judged by a panel of judges and the audience. All middle and high school students are eligible. Visit www.rowanpubliclibrary.org for contest rules.

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. April 12, East, Rockwell; April 7, South Rowan Regional, China Grove; April 19, headquarters.

Anime Club (for teens): April 12, 4:30-5:30 p.m., headquarters. Celebrate and learn all things Anime. Programs are the second Tuesday of the month.

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 28, April 11 and 25. South, Saturday, 10 a.m., April 16.

Explorer Club: Headquarters, April 2, 11 a.m. Investigate different genres through activities based on books. Programs for children in third-fifth grades; lasts one hour. This program’s theme is: Sky’s the Limit.

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. April 9 at East; April 16 at South and at headquarters.

Adventure Club: Headquarters, April 9, 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 through 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.