By Stephanie Reister

Rowan Public Library

Avoid the sweltering temperatures by staying cool indoors with a how-to book to undertake a new craft or revive interest in a hobby.

Rowan Public Library has a wide selection of arts and crafts books from beadwork to woodworking. Browse the catalog or non-fiction shelves to see if there’s a creative activity you can’t resist.

As someone who does beadwork occasionally, I can recommend a couple of books available at RPL. A good overall introduction to the craft is “Teach Yourself Visually Jewelry Making & Beading” by Chris Franchetti Michaels. It covers the tools, materials and basic steps for the various techniques. The projects are labeled for skill level and have detailed instructions.

Michaels also provides many helpful tips and photographs that beaders of all levels can appreciate. Plus, the Teach Yourself Visually series includes other topics like photography, guitar and software programs.

Another useful book for getting started in jewelry making is “Stringing Style: 50+ Fresh Bead Designs for Jewelry” edited by Jamie Hogsett. When she compiled this book, Hogsett was the projects editor at Beadwork magazine. The strength of the publication shows in the solid Stringing 101 section for readers inexperienced in bead stringing.

Hogsett and four fellow editors/designers at Beadwork created the projects in the book, many of which were in issues of the magazine. Their instructions are clearly written and eye-catching photographs are included.

Out of curiosity, I browsed RPL’s catalog for other handicraft books and found the fun “Mason Jar Nation: The Jars that Changed America and 50 Clever Ways to Use Them Today” by JoAnn Moser. If you’ve wondered about the history of these canning must-haves and other uses for the ones sitting in your basement or garage, this book is for you.

Moser’s projects range from super easy to working with a drill and/or bottle cutter. I’ve never canned anything, but this book had me thinking about how versatile these vessels can be.

If you’re hesitant about the skills required for taking on a craft, jump into it like a kid. RPL has a variety of craft books in the juvenile non-fiction section. You can quickly get a feel for a creative pursuit through the easy instructions and color photographs provided in these books.

Don’t sweat your search for creativity. Stop by Rowan Public Library to look for your next hobby or rekindle a stalled one. You could be well on your way to making holiday gifts before the stores set up Christmas displays in October.

Get Lit(erature) Trivia and Social Hour: Tonight, 7:30 p.m. City Tavern, 113 E. Fisher St. First of three special, pop-culture-themed trivia nights hosted by local establishments. Theme is “Dystopias.” Test your knowledge and then discuss your favorite books and movies in the genre. Door prizes. An Adult Summer Reading Program for ages 18 and up. Program lasts 90 minutes. For more details, call 704-216-8248.

Summer Reading

Baby Time (infants to 23 months) Highly interactive program for children and their adult caregivers. Headquarters, Wednesdays, 10 a.m.; East, Mondays, 10 a.m.; South, Thursdays, 10:30 a.m.

Toddler Time (18-35 months) Highly interactive 30-minute program for children and their adult caregivers. Headquarters, Thursdays, 10:30 a.m.; East, Tuesdays, 10:30 a.m.; South, Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m.

Preschoolers (3-5 years) Highly interactive 30-45-minute program for children and their adult caregivers. Heaquarters, Tuesdays, 10:30 a.m.; East, Thursdays, 10:30 a.m.; South Mondays, 10:30 a.m.

Space crafts: June 10, 3:30 p.m., South; June 13, 3:30 p.m., East. Make light sabers and droid mason jars. This is a Teen Summer Reading Program, designed for rising sixth through 12th graders. Program lasts 90 mins. For more details, call 704-216-8269.

Horizons Unlimited: June 11, 2 p.m., South; June 12, 2 p.m., East; June 13, 10 a.m., Cleveland; June 13, 2 p.m., headquarters. Rowan-Salisbury School’s Horizons Unlimited will lead hands-on science experiments. This is a School Age Summer Reading program designed for rising first through fifth graders, though all ages are welcome. A responsible caretaker (age 16+) must accompany children 8 and under. Program lasts 45-60 minutes. For more details, call 704-216-8234.

Meet a video game designer: June 11, 3:30 p.m., headquarters. Teens may hang out and learn about the upcoming summer reading program, including how to use ReadSquared, the Teen Lock-In, and summer reading prizes. Attendees will join the “Meet a Video Game Designer” featuring Ed Hardison, Typhoon Studios’ Lead Character Artist at 4 pm. This is a Teen Summer Reading event, designed for rising sixth through 12th graders. For more details, call 704-216-8269.

June 11, 4 p.m. Typhoon Studios’ Lead Character Artist Ed Hardison will be live on Skype to answer questions and talk about the sci-fi adventure game Journey to the Savage Planet, which will be released later this year.

Get Ready for Father’s Day: June 14, 2-4 p.m., headquarters. Children will be able to make something special for their fathers, grandfathers or other special parental figures in their lives, play games and have a Father’s Day-themed storytime. A responsible caretaker (age 16+) must accompany children 8 and under. This program is geared for ages 3-10. Please register in advance at 704-216-8234.

Displays: Headquarters, Photowalk and RPL Summer Reading, Universe of Stories; East, homemade soap by Rachel Mowry; South, Universe of Stories by Stephanie Reister.

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.