By Chelsea Childers

Rowan Public Library

What is your first memory of a library? Do you remember? Picture it. Remember how it smelled. Embrace that memory of the first excitement and wonder that the library held when we were little. It’s funny what an impact my childhood library had on me. Some part of that fresh enthusiasm has stuck with me over the years. In some aspects, I feel like that is still what drives my eagerness to learn.

Who remembers the red train car in the children’s room at the old location of the library in Landis? This was my favorite place as a child. I used to love it when my mother read to me there. I would climb into the car and cuddle with the “Where the Wild Things Are” stuffed toys. Mom read “Frog and Toad” to me. She did all the voices! Thanks, Mom.

I am a new employee at the Rowan Public Library. I was encouraged to apply to the library by a friend, Maria Hall. She used to work at my childhood library, before it became something else. Maria loved “The Little Prince” and considered one of the basic themes in the story to be truly profound. The idea was that grown ups are too serious and should remember to appreciate the simple things. She would say to me, “Growing up is not the problem, forgetting is.”

Just before coming onboard as the Children’s Outreach Program Supervisor, I was the music teacher at Partners in Learning, a local preschool. I love singing and playing my guitar with the children. It makes my heart soar to see their little faces light up when I walk into the room and hear them scream, “Miss Chelsea!” The children know it is music time.

When I transitioned into my current position, I knew I wanted to carry my music time over to the Books To Grow program for the public school NC Pre-K classes I now serve. Incorporating early literacy skills into my music is something I have been doing for half of a decade now, so the opportunity to do this for the public school system has been idyllic. I was a little nervous when I started. I am not exactly the silent type. The idea of a loud-mouthed, extroverted, kart-wheeling ME is a bit intense for working in a library. This would have been somewhat of a challenge if I weren’t in the children’s department. I enjoy the silly and whimsical energy of my patrons!

We have to realize how impressionable these children are by remembering what it was like to discover things when we were small. The memory alone of my first library experience is enough to bring a smile to my face, filling my heart with joy. Promoting early literacy is like giving our children’s future a warm embrace. It is so important to read to, verbally interact, and mentally challenge kids. Don’t rely on technology and iPads to do it.

The Rowan Public Library is such an amazing place for our youth to experience community involvement and be inspired to always thirst for knowledge. Parents, take your children to the library. They’ll thank you!

Rowan Public Library Branches

www.RowanPublicLibrary.org • Headquarters HQ, 201 West Fisher St. Salisbury, NC 28144, 704-216-8228 • East Branch East, 110 Broad St. Rockwell, NC 28138, 704-216-7838 • South Rowan Regional South, 920 Kimball Rd. China Grove, NC 28023, 704-216-7727

Weekly Events for Children
Baby Time birth to 23 mo
A highly interactive, 30-minute program is for children birth to 23 months old and their adult caregivers.
Headquarters Salisbury . 10 am
East Rockwell . 10 am
South China Grove . 10:30 am

Toddler Time 18 to 35 mo
A highly interactive, 30-minute program is for children 18 to 35 months old and their adult caregivers.
Headquarters Salisbury . 10:30 am
East Rockwell . 11 am
South China Grove . 10:30 am

Preschoolers 3 to 5 years
A highly interactive, 30-minute program is for children 3 to 5 years old and their adult caregivers.
Headquarters Salisbury . 10:30 am
East Rockwell . 10:30 am
South China Grove . 10 am

Noodlehead Storytime Pre-K to 5th grade
An interactive storytime geared for children Pre-K to 5th grade, though all are welcomed.
Headquarters Salisbury . 4 pm
East Rockwell . 3:30 pm
South China Grove . 3:30 pm

Art Programs Pre-K to 5th grade
For Pre-K to 5th graders to learn art terms, techniques and work on art projects. 30-45 minutes.
Art in the Afternoon Headquarters Thurs. 4:30 pm
Bethany’s Brushes East Tues. 4 pm
Canvas Kids South Wed. 4 pm

Tail Waggin’ Tutors 7 to 9 years
Children ages 7 to 9 can practice their reading skills in a relaxed “dog friendly” atmosphere. Canine listeners provided by Therapy Dogs International.
Headquarters, Selected Tuesdays 4 pm, Call 704-216-8234 for details
East Selected Mondays 3:30 pm Call 704-216-7842 for details

Weekly Events for Teens
Teen programs are open to 6th through 12th graders who are 11-18 years old.
Adulting 101
When you’re a kid, you think the grown ups have it all figured out, but now you’re almost a grown up and you have no idea what you’re doing. Come join us for this new program series that will teach you about how to become a functioning adult without having to call your parents for help! March’s program will focus on finance, and April’s program will focus on food.
Headquarters Salisbury March 13 @ 4:30 pm
East Rockwell March 12, April 9 @ 6:30 pm

Escape! at the Library
RPL now has its own escape room! March’s escape room is the St. Patrick’s Day-themed “Shamrock Shenanigans.” See if you can solve the clues and puzzles to steal the leprechaun’s gold and escape the enchanted forest!
Headquarters Salisbury March 20 @ 4:30 pm
East Rockwell March 19 @ 6:30 pm
South China Grove March 21 @ 6 pm

Random Fandom
Do you have what it takes to be a super sleuth like Sherlock Holmes? We’ll test your detective skills and deductive reasoning with a series of puzzles and challenges, including a Sherlock Escape Room!
Headquarters Salisbury April 3 @ 4:30 pm
East Rockwell April 2 @ 6:30 pm
South China Grove April 4 @ 6 pm

Teen Board
Want to be part of a Teen Advisory Board and make decisions about upcoming teen library programs? Want to earn volunteer hours? Or just want to play some board games? Now you can do it all!
Headquarters Salisbury March 27, April 24 @ 4:30 pm

Special Events for Teens
Teen Tech Week
Learn how to use a variety of cool new gadgets and technology!
Headquarters Salisbury March 6 @ 4:30 pm
East Rockwell March 5 @ 6:30 pm
South China Grove March 7 @ 6 pm

Murder Mystery Night
There’s been a murder at the library! Search the crime scene for clues, interview all of the suspects, and be the first to find out who the culprit is. The murderer could be anyone…including you!
Headquarters Salisbury April 17 @ 4:30 pm
East Rockwell April 16 @ 6:30 pm
South China Grove April 18 @ 6 pm

Teen Makerspace Night
Join us for a teens-only open house, learn about all the technology in our makerspace, and try some hands-on activities! This program is part of the NC Science Festival.
Headquarters Salisbury April 10 @ 4:30 pm

All Ages
Reed Gold Mine HQ Monday, April 2, 5­­­ p.m. – 6 p.m. From this discovery, the first gold rush gradually spread from NC to other southern states. Gold has been used for thousands of years for money, art, jewelry, and science. Come learn about John Reed and his mine, a nugget of gold history, and try to find your fortune by panning for gold! For more details, call 704-216-8242. This program is part of the N.C. Science Festival.

Friends of RPL Annual Meeting: Kristy Woodson Harvey HQ Monday, April 2, 7 p.m. This year’s presenter is Kristy Woodson Harvey. The Salisbury native is the author of Lies and other Acts of Love, Dear Carolina, and Slightly South of Simple. The Secret to Southern Charm debuts April 3 and will be the topic of conversation. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. This free event is open to the public, and all ages are welcome. South Main Book Company will sell Woodson Harvey’s books on site; cash or charge only.

Children’s Programs
Lego Saturday HQ
Saturday, April 7, 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Legos are available for creative free play. This program is for children.

Preschool Robotics Storytime East
Saturday, April 7, 11 a.m.—Noon Beep boop! Love a good story? Love robots? What happens when robots tell the story? Join us for a very special Preschool Robotics storytime and hands-on adventures with wooden robots. Program lasts for one hour. For ages 3-5 years old, though all are welcome. This program is part of the N.C. Science Festival.

Teen Programs
Random Fandom: Sherlock East, HQ, South
Monday, April 2, 6:30 p.m. East • Tuesday, April 3, 4:30 p.m. HQ • Wednesday, April 4, 6 p.m. South • Do you have what it takes to be a super sleuth like Sherlock Holmes? Test your detective skills and deductive reasoning with a series of puzzles and challenges, including a Sherlock Escape Room!

Adult Programs
Technology Club South Tuesday, April 3, 7 p.m.
Do you enjoy learning about technology in a friendly, casual atmosphere? If so, join this new club where every month we’ll learn, discuss, and experiment with technology. All ages and experience levels welcome. Light refreshments will be served. Need more information? Call Paul 704-216-7737.

Special Exhibits
NC Department of Natural & Cultural Resources Traveling Exhibit: North Carolina in World War I HQ Opens April 3
In honor of the Centennial of the First World War, this traveling exhibit contains panels with information on both the soldiers abroad and the home front here in North Carolina. It shares information on the various military installations in the state, discusses U Boat activity off the coast, and seeks to put the war in context. View the exhibit, located in Headquarters’ lobby, during business hours beginning April 3.

April Displays
Headquarters Displays
Sexual Assault Awareness Month presented by Rowan Crisis Council
Robotics – Found Art presented by John Michael Deal

East Branch Display
The Process of Making Honey presented by Lee Williams

South Rowan Regional Display
April 1-15: Family Crisis Center presented by Isela Trujillo
April 16-30: Celebrating the Wonders of Space presented by RPL Staff

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.