By Edward Hirst

Rowan Public Library

Have you seen the Featured Collections on the NC Digital Library website? Featured Collections revolve around a theme and are generally available for a limited amount of time.

These collections can contain downloadable audiobooks, ebooks and magazines. They are available for checkout by anyone with a library card number and PIN from Rowan Public Library at this web address: ncdigital.lib.overdrive.com/

Spring is in the Air is made up of 221 titles that cover subjects such as travel, nature, gardening and home design and décor. In the book “The Backyard Homestead Book of Building Projects,” by Spike Carlsen, you will find 76 simple, illustrated instructions to a build a variety of projects including plant supports, a greenhouse or a chicken coop. All of the projects are written for novices using basic hand tools.

N.C. Middle School Battle of the Books contains 40 titles in audio and ebook formats. All of the titles for the 2016 edition are available except “Schooled” by Gordon Korman and “A Night Divided” by Jennifer Nielsen. Most titles can be checked out in either eBook or audiobook format. While it is a shared collection with other libraries, we also have some titles only available for our users through the library’s Advantage account. Logging in with your Rowan Public Library card number automatically makes these titles available for you, no special login is required.

Reading “Hamilton: The Musical” is another Featured Collection on the NCDL website. “Alexander Hamilton” by Ron Chernow is the inspiration for the hit Broadway musical “Hamilton!” and is available in both audio and eBook formats. Other titles in this collection include “Duel with the Devil,” the story of how political rivals Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr teamed up to take on America’s first sensational murder mystery and “The Quartet: Orchestrating the Second American Revolution, 1783-1789,” by Joseph J. Ellis.

All of these titles are available for reading and listening on a wide variety of personal devices such as phones, tablets and mp3 players. Remember there are never any lost items or late fees with digital checkouts.

Summer reading registration: Registration is underway. On Your Mark, Get Set, READ! Registered participants may log reading hours June 12 through Aug. 6 to earn prizes, complete weekly book reviews to enter weekly program raffles, and attend special weekly reading programs for their age group (12 months to rising fifth-graders). Registration is free and can be done at any library location or online. Join us for “sportastic” celebrations to kick off a summer of great reads and programs. Weekly programs begin June 13 and run through July 28.

Thursday, June 9, 3:30-5 p.m. — South Rowan Regional Library, 920 Kimball Road, China Grove;

Friday, June 10, 1:30-3 p.m. — East Branch, 110 Broad St, Rockwell;

Saturday, June 11, 10 a.m.-noon — RPL Headquarters, 201 W. Fisher St.

Summer movie series — Tuesday, headquarters, starting at 6:30 p.m. Free popcorn and lemonade served. June 7, “Remember the Titans,” PG. Based on a true story, a popular white high school football coach is demoted and replaced by a black coach and the two must work together to unite a team divided by the school’s recent integration.

Book Bites Book Club: South (China Grove), Tuesday, May 31, 6-7 p.m. Free, open to the public. We discuss a different book each month and serve refreshments loosely related to the theme. “The Book Thief,” by Markus Zusak. Need a copy? Call 704-216-7841.

Learn.Act.Grow.: Monday, 5:30-7 p.m., East branch, Rockwell. Learn how to preserve fresh fruits and vegetables by canning, freezing or dehydrating. Local experts will discuss how to choose freezer-friendly foods, how to know when to keep and when to toss, and techniques for preserving. Participants with their own dial-gauge canners may bring the lid for Toi Degree, Rowan County Cooperative Extension Agent, to test for safety. Register online or by calling 704-216-7734 to ensure your spot.

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., May 23.

Displays: Headquarters, Washington Day and photos from Spring photowalk; South, student art, South Rowan High School; East, kick-off display for Children’s Summer Reading Program – On Your Mark, Get Set, READ!

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.