By Amanda Bosch

Rowan Public Library

Imagine yourself on a Friday afternoon wondering what to do for the weekend. You know you want to relax and enjoy yourself with time away from the grueling weekday demands of work or school but movie tickets are expensive and you want to save your cash for a vacation, college or even an Amazon shopping spree.

A movie night is a great way to have a low cost, fun evening in, whether alone or with family and friends. Did you know you can check out movies from your local branch of the Rowan Public Library for free? There are a wide variety of DVDs available at your local branch.

You can search for new DVD titles in the library catalog from your smart phone, tablet or computer or if you prefer the personal experience, stop by and browse the shelves. Your friendly librarian will be happy to point you in the direction of the movie titles.

There are plenty of titles that will appeal to all ages. Whether you like adventures like “Jumanji” or superhero flicks such as “Justice League,” you are sure to find a DVD that will appeal to your tastes. Add some buttered popcorn and a Cheerwine and enjoy hosting your very own movie night without forking over your hard-earned dollars.

But wait …. I don’t have a DVD player anymore. What do I do? Never fear, you can still check out movies for free from the North Carolina Digital Library. You can browse titles and download available titles using your Rowan County Public Library card and PIN.

If you don’t have a PIN, just stop by the circulation desk at your local branch and they can set one up for you. Your library card is the passport to all the resources available at the North Carolina Digital Library and they have a variety of movie titles to peruse.

Once you make your selection, it’s a simple download to begin streaming the movie you check out to your laptop, tablet or even your smartphone. If the title you want is already checked out, you can put it on hold and receive an email when it is available and checked out to you.

There’s no excuse not to enjoy movies at home now. Hmm, The Rock stars in “Jumanji.” I know what my weekend plans are. Can somebody pass the popcorn?

Book sale: The annual book sale will be in the Stanback Auditorium at the headquarters library, May 1-5 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. each day. When inventory is gone, the sale ends; a closing notice will be posted on www.RowanPublicLibrary.org or call 704-216-8243 for more information.

Family Game Night: East, Monday, 6:30 p.m. Challenge your family in an exciting round of The Silent Library. Then, see how long you can go without laughing at our Dad Jokes. This event is open to the public, all ages  welcome. For more details, call 704-216-7842

Technology Club: May 1, 7 p.m., South Rowan Regional, China Grove. Do you enjoy learning about technology in a friendly, casual atmosphere? East month, learn, discuss and experiment with technology. All ages and experience levels welcome. Light refreshment will be serve. Contact Paul at paul.birkhead@rowancountync.gov or 704-216-7737.

Family STEAM Night: Cleveland Elementary School, May 3, 5:30-7 p.m. Participate in special activities, including playing with robots and learn about the library. Limited to Cleveland Elementary students and family.

Rowan Arts & Ag film: “Farmers for America,” May 5, 10:30 a.m., South Regional and May 22, 5:30 p.m., East. The documentary traces the extraordinary changes coming to America’s food system as more and more consumers flock to farmers’ markets and embrace farm-to-table lifestyles. With the average age of today’s farmer at 60, and rural America losing population as the cost of land and equipment soars, farms in America face a crisis. At the center of the film are the farmers, young and old, who provide the spirit and energy to bring urban and rural America together over what both share in common: food. This screening is part of the Rowan Arts & AG program. The film will be shown on South’s outdoor, covered balcony.

Technology Club: South, May 1, 7 p.m. Do you enjoy learning about technology in a friendly, casual atmosphere?  Each month, learn, discuss and experiment with technology. All ages and experience levels welcome. Light refreshments served. Need more information? Call Paul at 704-216-7737.

Star Wars Scavenger Hunt: East, May 1-31. The galaxy is in need of a team of heroes one more time — but the heroes and heroines are nowhere to be found. Use clues to find and assemble the perfect team to save the galaxy once again. Need more information? Call Bethany at 704-216-7842.

Tooth Fairy Storytime: East, May 5, 10:30 a.m. Show your toothy grin during a storytime about the Tooth Fairy. Learn valuable facts about dental hygiene while enjoying stories, crafts, snacks and games. All ages welcome. Need more information? Call Tammie 704-216-7842.

NC Department of Natural & Cultural Resources Traveling Exhibit: North Carolina in World War I (HQ). In honor of the centennial of World War I, 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 in headquarters’ lobby, during business hours through May 20.

Chapter Chats: Weekly book club for teens 14-17, primarily for participants with developmental or intellectual disabilities, though all are welcome. Mondays, 5 p.m. at East Branch, Rockwell. Contact Tammie Foster at 704-216-7842.

Displays: Headquarters, Sexual Assault Awareness Month presented by Rowan Crisis Council and Robotics – Found Art presented by John Michael Deal; East, the Process of Making Honey presented by Lee Williams; South, Anyone out there? Looking for life in the universe, 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.