By Laurie Lyda

Rowan Public Library

What card gives you access to a treasure trove of knowledge, computer labs, a 3-D printer, free access to online resources like Ancestry.com – and all without an interest rate or an annual fee?

If you answered “a public library card,” then you are 100 percent correct!

The Rowan Public Library system has three physical branches: Headquarters (Salisbury), East Branch (Rockwell) and South Rowan Regional (China Grove). All three branches offer customers a variety of services, including free WiFi, meeting rooms for community groups, access to books, audiobooks and DVDs, periodicals for in-house perusing and computer lab usage.

All branches provide public use of copiers and fax machines with a nominal fee. RPL’s eBranch provides online 24/7 access to customers’ library accounts and a variety of accurate and reliable resources designed for at home use such as NC Digital Library, Home Grown Ebooks Collection, Gale Courses, Chilton Auto Repair, Tumble Books and NC LIVE databases.

Regular RPL customers are familiar with the array of services and resources on hand, but if you’re new to the community or simply haven’t gotten your library card yet, September is the perfect month to do so. Since 1987, Library Card Sign-up Month has been held each September, when the American Library Association and libraries nationwide join together to ensure everyone signs up for their own library card.

This year, the national campaign has joined forces with the Teen Titans, crime-fighting DC Superheroes with the power, courage and teamwork to rise to any challenge thrown their way.

In honor of the Teen Titans, the ALA is sponsoring a contest to win a VISA gift card worth $100. To enter, consider what special talents, skills or interests you’ve developed thanks to a library. Then, share your superpower by posting a short video or photo to Twitter or Instagram with the hashtag #LibrarySuperpower. Entries can also be posted directly to the “I Love Libraries” Facebook page. The winner will be randomly selected.

Local governments have also gotten involved in the campaign: The city of Salisbury and Rowan County commissioners have each declared September Library Card Sign-up Month.

“Our library would not be the excellent community resource it is today if not for the strong support it has received, both past and present, from the citizens of Rowan County and Salisbury. It is wonderful to have our leaders encourage all citizens to sign up for a library card, recognizing the important role the library plays in providing equal access to the skills and knowledge necessary to fulfill our roles as active citizens,” said Melissa Oleen, library services manager for RPL. Copies of the proclamations are on display at all branches and posted on RPL’s website, www.rowanpubliclibrary.org.

RPL’s celebration of Library Card Sign-Up month includes DC-themed film series at all three branches, a cosplay contest at Headquarters, and a raffle contest to win a Kindle Fire for cardholders. The film series is free, open to the public and all ages are welcome. However, per library policy, an adult must accompany any child under 9; and for PG-13 films, an adult must accompany any child under 13. Free popcorn and lemonade will be served.

Headquarters, located at 201 W. Fisher St. in Salisbury, will show select episodes from season one of “Teen Titans” on Sept. 9; “Lego DC Superheroes: Justice League” on Sept. 16; and “Man of Steel” on Sept. 23; all showings will begin at 2 p.m.

The grand finale takes place on Saturday, Sept. 30, from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. “Batman vs. Superman” kicks off the day at 10 a.m. At 1 p.m., a Cosplay Contest will be held for all who come dressed as their favorite “super” character. Entrants will be categorized by age, and prizes will be awarded. The day culminates with the 2017 “Wonder Woman” at 2 p.m.

East Branch, located at 110 Broad St. in Rockwell, will show “Man of Steel” on Sept. 9; “Batman vs. Superman” on Sept. 16; and “Wonder Woman” on Sept. 30. All showings will begin at 10 a.m.

South Rowan Regional, located at 920 Kimball Road in China Grove, will show select episodes from season one of “Teen Titans” on Sept. 16 from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. On Sept. 18, watch “Batman vs. Superman” and on Sept. 25, “Wonder Woman.” Both films will begin at 6 p.m.

If free films aren’t your thing, know that any customer who checks out materials during the month of September is automatically entered to win a new Kindle Fire in a contest sponsored by the Friends of Rowan Public Library. Ten Kindles will be awarded: one new adult cardholder, one new juvenile cardholder and one existing cardholder (adult or juvenile) at each branch, and one outreach cardholder. There’s a maximum of one entry per customer, and to be eligible to win, accounts must be in good standing. Winners will also receive a technology session with a librarian to set up their Kindles to access RPL’s online resources, which include digital books and audiobooks.

So, what are you waiting for? Visit your nearest RPL branch and join in the Library Card Sign-up Month celebration. In the words of ALA, “the only thing more powerful than a Teen Titan is a library card!” For more information about Rowan Public Library, visit www.RowanPublicLibrary.org. Brochures and other materials are also available at each branch’s service desk.