By Amber Covington
Rowan Public Library

Visiting Isenberg Elementary School was a great pleasure last week. Rowan Public Library shared a glimpse of the life of a librarian with eager second graders.

The students were all familiar with the main activities of the library, such as checking out books and making sure they are properly arranged on the shelves, but many were unsure of the things that happen while they are not present.

At Rowan Public Library, we offer storytime for children of all ages, art classes, and special topic programs throughout the year.

While talking about student visits to the library, they expressed their gratitude and interest in the Summer Reading performances, attending storytime with family members and playing with the computers or toys in the children’s area.

It seems the traditional library stereotype sticks in children’s minds until their eyes are opened to notice the small things that happened around them or they have taken part in.

As students shared their stories of visiting the library and the many things they can do there, which centered on playing on the computer, I explained the various jobs that my fellow coworkers and I complete each day.

Telling students that each person working in the library does not check out books was quite mind boggling to them. It showed that our public persona as bookkeepers needs a bit of assistance to increase awareness within the community and expand our mission to align with its needs.

Inevitably, speaking about current technology and the ways we use it at the library lead to a huge discussion of social media. The teachers were apprehensive in letting the students discuss their skills and usage with various applications, but I assured the teachers that part of my job is to ensure our library has a digital presence. It is important to have people on staff who are skilled in working with social media.

Overall, it is important to express, during a career day, the importance of education and completing milestones that will help youth reach any goal.

Following through with educating yourself will ensure that you will ultimately reach the goal of becoming a doctor, a business owner or professional baker.

The library is a great place to start educating yourself on topics you’re passionate about, planning life goals, and preparing for your future.

The library strives to connect people to information they seek. Whether that’s a child needing a Dr. Seuss book, a professional needing help researching a complex issue, or a person wanting to find that perfect recipe, the library is here to help. Stop by and see us.

Ramble Through Rowan: May 15, on Tuesday mornings at 10, an episode of the “Ramble Through Rowan” films will be shown at Rufty-Holmes Senior Center, 1120 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. S. in Salisbury. There will be exhibit and discussion time after each screening. Series ends June 19. Open to the public.

Movie Night: May 14, 5:30 p.m., “Star Wars: The Last Jedi,” East. It is impossible to enjoy May without watching the Force used by a Jedi. This 2017 movie runs 152 minutes and is rated PG-13. All ages are welcome; however, an adult must accompany children under 13. Light refreshments. For more details, call 704-216-7842.

Learn. Act. Grow: The Buzz about N.C. Pollinators, May 14, 6:30 p.m., South Regional, China Grove. Learn all about pollinators from Jamie Watkins, a local environmental educator. Then build a small pollinator project (or two) to take home. Questions? Call Paul at 704-216-7737.

Cheerwine History exhibit: Headquarters. Created by L.D. Peeler in 1917 in Salisbury, Cheerwine celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2017 with the first Cheerwine Festival. This year, during the now-annual event, RPL will host an exclusive exhibit commemorating the company’s history and featuring artifacts from the Carolina Beverage Corporation archives. The exhibit will be on display in the gallery and front lobby during business hours May 9-19.

RPL celebrates Cheerwine: May 19, headquarters. RPL is an official Cheerwine Festival participant. Learn the history of Cheerwine with the exhibit from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and an exclusive digital presentation in Stanback Auditorium from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The historical Henderson Law Office, located at the corner of West Fisher and South Church streets, will be open for free tours from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Festival-goers may participate in a Cheerwine bookmark contest judged by Cheerwine personnel. There are three age categories: Adult (18 and up), Teen (11 to 17), and Children (0 to 10). Winners will be announced at 4 p.m. and will receive a $50 gift card. Participants need not be present to win.

Summer Reading Preview: May 19, 12:30-5 p.m., headquarters. Get a special look at the teen and adult programs that will be offered as part of the “Libraries Rock!” summer reading program, then register using the new-to-RPL READsquared program to begin logging reading minutes and qualifying to win prizes.

Silent Disco: May 19, 1-4 p.m. Popular at music festivals, wedding receptions and even United Nations conferences, now you can experience the new Silent Disco trend at RPL. Grab a pair of special wireless headphones and dance (or just sing along) to the songs being broadcast directly to you, no live DJ necessary.  Listen to just one channel or switch between three different stations, with a variety of genres and music styles to choose from. The Silent Disco is sponsored by the Friends of RPL. This event is free, and up to 50 may participate in the disco at a time. For ages 10 and up.

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.

Rowan Arts and AG film: “Farmers for America,” 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.

Friends of RPL and Cheerwine Concert Series: Headquarters, May 22, 7 p.m. Neil Cribbs. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. A blues and soul-soaked Americana musician, Cribbs’ songs present an eclectic mix of Americana, blues, soul, rock, folk and swing. Born in Wilmington, Cribbs recently returned to N.C. after 10 years in Atlanta. He is touring with his recently released fifth album, “The Moss and the Stone.” This event is free, open to the public, and all ages are welcome. The concert series will be on hiatus until the fall after this performance.

Displays: Headquarters, quilt display by Three Friends Quilting and Cheerwine History by Cheerwine and RPL; East,vintage lunchbox collection by Sharon Ross; South, student art exhibit by South Rowan High School Art Classes.

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.