By Brooke K. Taylor

Rowan Public Library

Want to take a trip, but don’t have the money right now? Consider your library card a free round-trip ticket to anywhere on this planet and beyond. Rowan Public Library has a vast assortment of travel guides that can accompany the armchair tourist to any destination they desire.

Non-fiction readers can travel with Rick Steves to Italy, Switzerland and Rome via his handy guidebooks printed by Avalon Travel. Author Bill Bryson takes readers on trips to Australia in “A Sun-burned Country” and England in “The Road to Little Dribbling.”

The library also carries an assortment of DVDs that will take viewers “On the Road” with Charles Kuralt, and Egypt, Iceland and Central America with Globe Trekker. “Travel with Kids” is a DVD series made especially for younger travelers and explores countries like Costa Rica and Ireland. Many more travel guides can be found at the East Branch in Rockwell.

Fiction lovers can take flight with Alexander McCall Smith to”44 Scotland Street.” These humorous novels are filled with the anecdotes and descriptions of daily life lived Edinburgh and other parts of the United Kingdom.

Or better yet, book a trip to Botswana, South Africa, to help out crime solver Precious Ramotswe in Smith’s “No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency” series. This popular series was also made into a television program and is available at library headquarters in Salisbury.

Maybe your travels are not confined to this world and you yearn for fantastical nations filled with wizards and magical creatures. Terry Pratchett’s legendary Discworld novels are just the thing. Readers will enjoy this comic view of the life and characters found in this magical realm. Pratchett’s series spans over 40 novels and the library has them all. Books, eBooks and audiobooks are can be found on Discworld and its inhabitants at the South Branch in China Grove.

Are you ready to travel? What are you waiting for? Rowan Public Library cards are free, and your “travel agents” are standing by. Visit your local library today.

Holiday closing: All branches will be closed Monday, Jan. 20 for Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Regular hours resume Tuesday.

January Scavenger Hunt: Snow Animals at headquarters and South, through Jan. 31. Can you find these snow animals hidden throughout the children’s room? Complete the challenge and get a prize. For more information, call 704-216-8234 or 704-216-7728.

Scavenger Hunt: Whiteout! at East, through Jan. 31. Missing! Answer clues and riddles to solve the mystery of where two Siberian tigers are hiding after they escaped from a nearby zoo. Discover their hiding place and be entered into a raffle contest for a literary-themed prize. For more information, call 704-216-7842.

Baby-Toddler Tea Party: South, Jan. 22, 10:30 a.m. This special storytime guarantees fun for every child. Refreshments will be served. A responsible caretaker (age 16+) must accompany children 8 and under. Questions? Call 704-216-7729.

Char’s Stars: Beaded Snowflake, Headquarters, Jan 25, 11 a.m. Learn how to make a beaded snowflake using pipe cleaners and small beads. This activity enhances eye and hand coordination and creating simple patterns. A responsible caretaker (age 16+) must accompany children 8 and under. For more information, call 704-216-8234.

Bullet Journaling 101: Headquarters, Jan. 21, 4-5 p.m.; East, Jan. 23, 4-5 p.m. Learn how to create a bullet journal that is uniquely suited to your interests and needs. All supplies will be provided, but feel free to bring your own notebook, pens, markers and other supplies as desired. This program is designed for teens in sixth-12th grade. Questions? Call 704-216-8229.

Sensory Storytime: Jan. 17, 10:30 a.m., headquarters. Attendees will experience storytime through tactile stimulation as they touch, see, smell and hear different interactive elements. This 30-minute storytime involves books, songs and movement and is designed for those with autism and/or sensory challenges. All ages and those of all abilities are welcome. A responsible caretaker (age 16+) must accompany children 8 and under. For questions or to make accessibility arrangements, call 704-216-8234.

Adventures with Mr. Robert: Snow globe construction, headquarters, Jan. 18, 11 a.m.-noon. Children will build their own snow globe out of a glass jar. A responsible caretaker (age 16+) must accompany children 8 and under. For more information, contact 704-216-8234.

Shad-N-ator Fishing Program: Headquarters, today, 6 p.m. Did you know January is a good time to start thinking about fishing? At this special program, retired N.C. Wildlife Officer Tony Sharum – known to his fans as the Shad-N-ator – will present an introduction to fishing, including how and where one can fish in Salisbury and Rowan County, tips and tricks, legal requirements and more. All ages are welcome. For more information, call 704-216-8233.

Job Resource Fair: Headquarters, Jan. 17, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. This inclusive job fair will feature local employers and other resources for job seekers, including resume and job search assistance. Contact Hannah at 704-216-8259 for more information.

Gardening Party Saturdays: Farm Dreams/Farm Connections, South, Jan. 25, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. This is a small farm and farming networking event that will feature a workshop on farming technology, its use in sustainability, including a drone demonstration from Ashlyn Ozment and information from Agriprenuer Academy. Learn about farm funding, grants, farming resources and more. Come share farming enthusiasm, make new friends at a fun-filled experience, and maybe even win a raffle. Questions? Call 704-216-7731.

Displays: Headquarters, YSAP Rowan (Youth Substance Abuse Prevention), and Salisbury Symphony; East, Disney memorabilia by Cathy Woods; South, South Rowan High School first semester student art presented by Jackie Elliot.

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.