Learn Something New in 2016

by April Everett Rowan Public Library

The early Roman calendar designated March 1 as the “New Year”.  In fact, the month of January did not exist until around 700 B.C., and the first time the new year was celebrated on January 1 was in 153 B.C.  It is believed the Babylonians were the first to make New Year’s resolutions.  Early Christians believed the first day of year should be spent reflecting on past mistakes and resolving to make improvements in the coming year.  

Whether your resolution is to eat healthier, learn to play the guitar, or try your hand at web design, Rowan Public Library has a course for you!  We offer more than 300 courses that are accessible anywhere online, 24/7 through our subscription to Gale Courses, a premium online learning program with well-crafted lessons and expert online instruction--free to anyone with a library card!       

Gain valuable knowledge you can immediately apply to your life or on the job.  There are hundreds of courses designed to improve skills in the workplace including:

· Computer Skills for the Workplace

· Introduction to Microsoft Word, Excel... (intermediate courses available)

· Project Management Fundamentals

· Effective Business Writing

· Administrative Assistant Fundamentals

· Fundamentals of Supervision and Management

· Introduction to Windows 7

· Keys to Effective Communication

· Mastering Public Speaking

· Creating Web Pages

There are also a number of courses for personal enrichment including:

· Luscious, Low-Fat, Lightning-Quick Meals

· Secrets of Better Photography

· Write Your Life Story (memoir writing)

· Marriage and Relationships: Keys to Success

· Assisting Aging Parents

· Introduction to Photoshop

· Drawing for the Absolute Beginner

· Start Your Own Edible Garden

· Introduction to Guitar

· Discover Sign Language

To get started visit www.rowanpubliclibrary.org and click on Gale Courses. You will need your Rowan Public Library card and PIN to register.  If you don’t know your PIN, call or stop by your local library branch and we can reset it for you.

RPL Headquarters, 201 W. Fisher St, Salisbury

704-216-8228

South Rowan Regional, 920 Kimball Rd, China Grove

704-216-7727

RPL East Branch, 110 Broad St, Rockwell

704-216-7838

Fast Facts about Gale Courses

·         Each course lasts six weeks and has twelve lessons total 

·         Two lessons are released each week, and you have two weeks to complete each one

·         Courses are asynchronous, meaning that you can complete lessons on your own time at your own pace

·         If you complete the test at the end of the course, you will receive a certificate of completion certifying that you completed 24.0 contact hours of continuing education

·         There is no formal college credit for taking a course

·         You may take multiple courses at one time

·         You may demo any course before enrolling, which will allow you to see the online classroom and sample the first lesson.

·         Instructors are professionals working in the field, and are responsive to students.

Upcoming course start dates:

January 13

February 10

March 16

April 13

Dr. Seuss Books at the Library

 by Melissa Oleen  Rowan Public Library               

                I recently had the fun of assessing our Dr. Seuss collection and it is obvious Dr. Seuss is still a much loved author and all of his books experience heavy circulation. This past fall we replaced worn titles, restocked favorites that had disappeared from our shelves and doubled our holding of the ever popular How the Grinch Stole Christmas just in time for December.

                The motivation for this was the publication this year of a never before seen Dr. Seuss book, What Pet Should I Get.  Dr. Seuss passed away in 1991. A box containing the manuscript and finished line art for this book was discovered by a friend of Dr. Seuss and his long time secretary in 2013.  They took it to Random House where Dr. Seuss’s longtime art director, Cathy Goldsmith, was convinced that the work dated to between 1958 and 1962.  Goldsmith also believes that the children in this book are the same children depicted in One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish. One Fish is about a boy and girl who meet all kind of unique creatures with special talents.  What Pet Should I Get is about two siblings who are allowed to pick out a pet.  They visit a pet store and discuss all the different types of pets they see and try to narrow their choice down to just one.  This Dr. Seuss book leaves the reader guessing as to just which pet they picked which can easily lead to a fun discussion between the reader and the listeners.

                While updating the Seuss collection, I came across some less well-known Dr. Seuss titles.  You’re Only Old Once: A Book for Obsolete Children is a title that anyone who has ever experienced “stethoscope row” and being “properly pilled” and “properly billed” will appreciate.  This book is written for a much older audience than Dr. Seuss’ other titles and showcases his adult wit. If medical appointments make up 70% of your social calendar, this book will help you find some humor in it all.

                Sneetches and other Stories contains four short tales.  If you need a shorter Dr. Seuss story to read aloud before bedtime or to a group of children, one of these stories might be just the thing.  My favorite is Too Many Daves in which Mrs. McCave names all 23 of her children Dave!

                Horton and the Kwuggerbug and More Lost Stories is a collection of stories by Dr. Seuss that were first published in Redbook magazine between 1950 and 1955.  One of the titles in this collection is How Officer Pat Saved the Whole Town.  The plan was to publish this story as a stand alone book in 1957.  This never happened because two little titles, The Cat in the Hat and How the Grinch Stole Christmas came out first that year and dramatically changed things for Dr. Seuss and his publisher both of who never got back around to the Officer Pat story.  It you are tired of reading How the Grinch Stole Christmas, this collection includes The Hoobub and the Grinch.  This is not the same grinch character but your young listener will see the similarities as this Grinch works to sell a piece of green string by convincing the Hoobub it is better than the sun.  Not being one to spoil an ending, I will leave it to you to come to the library and find out if he succeeded.

                For more information on Dr. Seuss, his books and the characters that appear in them, visit the website, www.seussville.com.  This interactive site is part of Random House, LLC and has a lot of fun games, activities and videos as well as information on each book.  Dr. Seuss wrote and illustrated 44 books for children and you can find them all at Rowan Public Library.

               

May the Reading Force be With You

by Dara L. Cain Rowan Public Library

The saga continues this December as the whole galaxy anticipates the release of the new Star Wars movie Star Wars Episode VII:  The Force Awakens December 18th.  While waiting for the movie’s arrival, visit Rowan Public Library where you will discover several engaging and exciting books for acquainting the younger generation with the ever-expanding star wars universe.

Get ready to go on an exciting adventure through space as you and your child explore the DK Star Wars Readers.  Learn all about Luke Skywalker’s amazing story as he becomes a Jedi Knight in the book Luke Skywalker’s Amazing Story by Simon Beecroft.  Here’s your chance to meet some brave individuals and find out who really saved the galaxy in the book Who Saved the Galaxy? by Catherine Saunders.  Join R2-D2 and his friends on their adventures through space in R2-D2 and Friends by Simon Beecroft.  In Journey Through Space by Ryder Windham explore many different planets and moons, from the ice planet Hoth to the swampy land of Dagobah.  DK Readers provide engaging stories and fun, interactive pages to build reading skills. You choose the level to match your child’s ability.

Author Tony DiTerlizzi introduces the original Star Wars trilogy to a new generation with a picture book titled Star Wars:  The Adventures of Luke Skywalker, Jedi Knight.  This retelling focuses on Luke’s journey from farm boy to Jedi Knight and is illustrated with spectacular sketches and gouache paintings. DiTerlizzi researched the Lucasfilm archives to select artwork that captures the most memorable locations, from the dreadful hive of Mos Eisley spaceport to the simple interiors of the Death Star. Illustrator Ralph McQuarrie does an exceptional job with the layout by alternating between small panels and large full page illustrations that are quite exceptional.  DiTerlizzi's lively text creatively condenses the saga into an efficient 64 pages without losing the exemplary moments that have delighted generations of fans. Blasters, explosions, and light sabers abound making this book the ideal initiation for young Padawans five to eight years of age. 
Wish you could predict the future?  A lot of people do, but for the kids at McQuarrie Middle it’s a reality with a little bit of help from an origami finger puppet in The Strange Case of Origami Yoda by Tom Angleberger.  A sixth grader named Dwight folds an origami finger puppet of Yoda who turns out to be mysteriously wise and intuitive.  While wearing origami Yoda on his hand Yoda can communicate through the voice of Dwight to predict the date of a pop quiz, surmise who stole the classroom Shakespeare bust, and with some well-timed advice save a classmate from popularity-crushing embarrassment.  Dwight’s classmate Tommy ponders how Yoda can be so smart when Dwight himself is always so confused and misguided. With support from his puzzled classmates, Tommy assembles this first case file in the blockbuster bestselling Origami Yoda series.  Middle school kids will become entranced with the series and will have the opportunity to follow the instructions at the end of each book in the series to make their own origami Star War characters, including of course the famous Yoda. 

These great titles are available at Rowan Public Library.  May the reading force be with you!

Children's Room Suggestions

by Pam Everhardt Bloom Rowan Public Library

As December approaches, the Children’s Room at Rowan Public Library has more and more requests from our patrons for suggestions for the perfect book for a child. We are always happy to suggest a favorite. Be forewarned, this isn’t a simple question to answer and may involve a conversation based on our regular interaction with children as we search daily for the “just right” book for each child. In addition to the child’s reading level, questions I often ask grades K-5 children include the following. Do you like facts or stories? Do you prefer a quick read or do you like a big fat book? Are your favorite characters animals or people? These are just a few of many; however, this next question is particularly insightful. Do you prefer books with pictures? Many children want illustrations, regardless of age or reading level. Don’t be surprised if we steer you to our “Easy Fiction” section.

 Recently, two conscientious moms were both looking for chapter books (our Juvenile Fiction section) on their child’s particular reading level. Mom 1’s second grade son kept asking for a book from the “Froggy” series by Jonathan London.  She reluctantly agreed to “just one” and as he ran toward our “Easy Fiction” area of picture books, she commented, “He loves those books and has read almost every one in the series. I just wish I could get him as interested in chapter books.” Mom 2 came in with a carefully researched list that matched her 5^th grader’s reading level and interest in dogs. Like Mom 1, she was surprised to find those particular books in the picture book section. Don’t be fooled by the category “Easy Fiction” – the “Froggy” reading level is right on target for second graders. Mom 2 also found the “just right” book for her older child and while shorter than expected, included sophisticated vocabulary and humor for an older child with an added bonus of great illustrations.   

Another factor to consider, particularly for a young reader, is a good story. Many beginner’s books are so focused on sight words and limited vocabulary, children may find the storyline not particularly interesting. Illustrations can make a simple story fun. In addition, not all children reading at advanced levels want long books. The right picture book can tell a carefully honed story as well as a finely crafted short story. Visit Rowan Public Library and enjoy some of our staff picks and some of our young patron’s favorites. You’re in for a treat and you may find that “just right” book for all ages. 

K-1st suggestions - The Piggy and Elephant series by Mo Willem or Janet Stevens books like The Great Fuzz Frenzy. Other fun titles include Pinkerton Behave! by Steven Kellogg,  Bark George by Jules Feiffer, Chickens to the Rescue by John Himmelman and Do Princesses Wear Hiking Boots? by Carmela LaVigna Coyle.

2^nd-3^rd suggestions – Those with a wacky sense of humor will adore the Walter the Farting Dog series by William Kotzwinkle and Glenn Murray, Creepy Carrots by Aaron Reynolds, Kate and the Beanstalk by Mary Pope Osborne, and The New Small Person by Lauren Child. One Candle, Butterfly House and How Many Days to America by Eve Bunting as well as many of Allen Say’s books such as Grandfather’s Journey and Michael Bandy’s Granddaddy’s Turn, A Journey to the Ballot Box have good history and science connections that are perfect for young inquiring minds. Other books for this age that tell an important story in a fun style are The Deaf Musicians by Pete Seeger and Paul Dubois Jacobs, Pancho Rabbit and the Coyote by Duncan Tonatiuh, How Chipmunk Got His Stripes by Joseph and James Bruchac and Mrs. Chicken and the Hungry Crocodile by Wond-Ldy Paye and Margaret H. Lippert.

 4^th-5^th suggestions - Historical fiction such as Ketzel, the Cat Who Composed by Leslea Newman, One Hen by Katie Smith Milway, Uncle Andy’s by James Warhola and The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind by William Kamkwamba often ring true with this age group.  Books on a lighter note are The Mischievians by William Joyce, The Adventures of Granny Clearwater & Little Critter by Kimberly Willis Holt, The Princess Who Had No Kingdom by Ursula Jones, The Quiltmaker’s Journey by Jeff Brumbeau and Perfect Pancakes If You Please by William Wise.