IT'S HERE! Time to sign up for Summer Reading and help us unearth a story as we delve into history, exploring everything from notable Rowan County events all the way back to the dinosaurs! Check out our Summer Reading page and register for FREE online, by phone, or in person to get started. 🦖

National Library Week is nearly over, so it's time for some big news: We've received a new ALA grant to continue improving services and offering new ones! Our first Libraries Transforming Communities grant shaped our sensory room; to be part of what comes next, join us Wednesday (4/29) at 1pm.

Shoutout to the MSU students fundraising for library resources! There's no better time than during National Library Week to say how grateful we are to have a supportive community that's always behind us, and all the ways you say "we love you" make us that much prouder to be your public library. 💙

It's National Library Week AND Earth Week! We've got all kinds of things planned for y'all, from nature-themed storytimes to our first-ever repair cafe, new how-to videos and other continuing improvements to our website, and more. Stay tuned or drop in and tell us what brings you joy at the library!

Tomorrow's regularly scheduled (TOTALLY PRETEND DON'T WORRY) murder has been cancelled. Megan will have a new case for you to solve on May 16!

Looking for something to read? Emory recommends "The Darkness Outside Us" by Eliot Schrefer: If you want a romantic sci-fi story with a twist you won't see coming, check it out! Try it and share what you think! Check our staff picks shelf and blackboard for more suggestions like this one. 💙

Earth Week's not quite here yet...but our trees are! We've got saplings available to good homes while supplies last, so if you'd like to plant an oak or pine, swing by the library starting this Monday (4/13).

Earth Week and National Library Week are the same week this year! We've got tons planned, and some friends from MSU are helping us kick things off with a program on light pollution, next Friday 4/17 at 6pm. Come by after hours to learn about what it means, how it affects us, and what you can do!

Looking for something to read? Megan recommends "Black Night Parade" by Nakamura Hikaru! This eerie comedy manga takes you to Santa's workshop for naughty kids. 😬 Try it and share what you think! Check our staff picks shelf and blackboard for more suggestions like this one. 💙

Hey, folks! Our first new e-newsletter just went out 4/1. Sign up for library news, sent straight to you on any device once a month! Manage your subscriptions on our website: rowancountylibrary.org This is new, so if you signed up for the newsletter and DIDN'T get it, tell us so we can fix that!

So much goes on here at your library, we've decided to branch out and share our story! Do you think NBC will pick up our pilot? rowancountylibrary.org/videos/libra... 🥳April Fools!🥳 Enjoy our shenanigans and let us know if you laughed. 💙

Looking for something to read? Savannah recommends Lois Lowry's "The Giver!" This classic explores the need for human connection and our interdependence with each other and the earth. Try it and share what you think! Check our staff picks shelf and blackboard for more suggestions like this one. 💙

There's a new book at our StoryWalk, just in time for spring! Head out to Rodburn Hollow Park and take a stroll with "Worm Weather" by Jean Taft and Matt Hunt. If your little readers love rainy days, this is the StoryWalk for them!

Looking for something to read? Aaron recommends "Absolute Batman Vol. 2" by Scott Snyder and Nick Dragotta; he read it on Hoopla, and so can you! Try it and share what you think! Check our staff picks shelf and blackboard for more suggestions like this one. 💙

Y'all. We just added a GUITAR to our Library of Things. That's historically, like, one of the coolest instruments. If you've been thinking about learning to play and the expense of buying an instrument has been holding you back, now's your chance to try for free and see how it goes!

2 days and counting till this year's Carnival of Characters! Miss Atlanta has the whole library ready to go from 5–7pm Friday with games, snacks, arts and crafts, face painting, and stories featuring our littlest readers' favorite literary faces, both classic and new. Don't miss out!

Looking for something to read? Harley recommends "The One Hundred Nights of Hero" by Isabel Greenberg, a beautiful tapestry of tales about the secret legacy of women storytellers. Try it and share what you think! Check our staff picks shelf and blackboard for more suggestions like this one. 💙

Miss Atlanta's annual Carnival of Characters is next Friday at 5pm! You don't want to miss out: We've got all kinds of crafts, games, and activities themed around your favorite literary characters, and we're ngl it's all pretty awesome. Bring your little readers ages 3–12 and have some fun!

Heads up: Tomorrow's Family Yoga Storytime is canceled. 😞

🔔Y'ALL'S ATTENTION, PLEASE!🔔 We have a new independent reader: Fletcher read "Dick & Jane: We Play Outside" (by Grosset & Dunlap) all by himself! 💙 Thanks to Fletcher, parents Jesse, Monique, and Beccy, and grandparents Dave, Ruth, and Pattie for supporting early literacy. Who's our next reader? 🤔

Looking for something to read? Ronnie recommends "Buddha, Socrates, and Us" by Stephen Batchelor, an exploration of 2 philosophies, how they intersect, and what that can teach us. Try it and share what you think! Check our staff picks shelf and blackboard for more suggestions like this one. 💙

Looking for something to read? Missy recommends "The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, and the Horse" by Charles Mackesy, a heartwarming tale of friendship, vulnerability, hope, and love. Try it and share what you think! Check our staff picks shelf and blackboard for more suggestions like this one. 💙

Our annual seed library is back March 2! We've got dozens of varieties and thousands of seeds ready. First come, first served (please take no more than 20 packs total, 2 of the same kind). And don't forget to enter our seed raffle! A set of Celtic Farms gardening tools awaits the lucky winner.

Winter Reading ends TOMORROW! If you participated, come see us to pick up any prizes you may have earned, have a snack, and enjoy the moment as we bid a temporary farewell until next winter. www.rowancountylibrary.org/event/winter...

We'll never get over Alexandria. #RIP ✊️😔

Days can blur together in winter. 😩 Gabriel recommends "Telling the Time" by Rosie Hore and Shaw Nielsen to keep you sharp! Give it a try and let us know what you think! Be sure to check out our staff picks shelf and the blackboard by our front desk, if you want more suggestions like this one. 💙

Y'all really love Cindy's Historical Photo Fridays, but did you know she has programs on genealogy and local history that you can attend in person every month? Drop in at 5:30 on the first and fourth Thursday to learn something new about something old!

There's still plenty of time to register for Miss Atlanta's family sweethearts dance! If you missed this event last year, don't miss out again—we've got plenty of fun planned for kids and their favorite grownups. Sign up and help us spread the love!

The weekend is here, and so is our readers' advisory! Share your latest read with us and review it for your friends and neighbors so they know to go for it (or avoid it). We'll help you find your next read!

Our seed library returns again this year! We're getting ready, and you should, too: Dozens of seed varieties will be available, including flowers, fruits, vegetables, and herbs. Our spring plant share isn't far behind, so grab your gardening gloves! rowancountylibrary.org/sustainability

Y'all. 😑 Is a used hanky as upsetting—generally and existentially—as a bacon slice? 🥓 No. Is it still a bother to sanitize books, which delays them getting to the next reader? Yes. Grab free bookmarks at our desk or drive-thru! We hear that some are even cute and/or funny. Which this is (s)not. 🤧🗑️🙏

We're revamping our reference section with brand-new encyclopediae (that almost fit on 1 shelf), atlases, a DSM-5, and more on the way. If you've got questions, we'll have answers right at the very front of the building. Have a suggestion? Tell us what you'd like to see on the reference shelf! 👂️🤚

#JustLibraryThings #RIP

🔔Y'ALL'S ATTENTION, PLEASE!🔔 We have a new independent reader! Henry read "The Pigeon Won't Count to 10" (by Mo Willems) all by himself. 💙 Thanks to Henry for sharing this moment with us, and to parents Jared and Lacey for supporting early childhood literacy. Who'll be our next reading superstar? 🤔

Heads up: February's Senior Book Group has been rescheduled for 2/19 due to illness. 🤧 Interested in Joshilyn Jackson's hit novel, Backseat Saints? Drop by then at 3pm to explore and discuss!

If it ain't broke, don't fix it—if it IS broke, you can come to our first-ever repair cafe, 2–5pm April 25! Have an expert look at your stuff and teach you how to repair it. Want to be a vendor at the cafe? Reach out and let us know! Can't make it this time? Don't worry, we're planning more. 😉

Tis the season of looove~💕, and therefore time for one of our favorite library traditions: Teen rom-com night with Megan! Come hang out 2/10 at 5pm for a sappy movie and (somewhat less sappy) crafts, whether you bring a friend or that 🩷~special someone~❤️.

NEW DATE: Don't forget that tonight's Preserving Your Heritage program, featuring special guest Dr. Ben Fitzpatrick, has been rescheduled due to continuing severe weather. 😥 He'll now give his presentation at 5:30pm March 5. (And we're watching you, winter. 🧐)

One of our favorite annual events is coming up at 5pm 2/12: Sweetheart cards! Drop in and hang out with Ronnie and Jess, make a card for your special someone, and make another for someone special at the Life Care Center of Morehead. 💕 Help us spread the love! rowancountylibrary.org/event/sweeth...

Y'all know the first Wednesday every month, we're Craftin' Around! Treat yourself by signing up for free and drop in to hang out with Jess and Ronnie at 1pm. This month, we're making custom magnets to take home, and we want to see you there!

Tomorrow marks the beginning of February, so we're celebrating Black History Month with a special presentation from Dr. Ben Fitzpatrick, Assistant Professor of History at MSU. Check out Cindy's latest (and greatest) program at 5:30pm February 5!

Weather permitting, our friends from T-Mobile are back for next week's Device Advice, 1pm February 5! Join April for an open Q&A session and learn general smartphone and tablet basics for both Android and Apple gadgets.

Winter can't stop us, and it doesn't have to stop y'all, either! Your library card is a free ticket to our services anytime, anywhere. If you've got a phone and a signal, you've got us in your pocket, blizzard or no. 📚️🤜❄️ Just visit www.rowancountylibrary.org/resources or download apps directly!

In addition to Library Yoga, our regular After-School Storytime with Miss Atlanta at 4pm is also canceled for tomorrow, Thursday 1/29, due to the severity of the winter weather. Follow us here or check our website for additional updates!

We hope y'all're staying safe and warm! As of now, we'll be open 9am–7pm tomorrow, but Library Yoga will still be canceled for inclement weather. Remember: Nothing's due while we're closed, and we don't charge late fines! If your area is unsafe, then we'll see you again when things improve. 💙

Due to inclement weather, we're CLOSED TODAY, 1/26! No items are due to be returned today. Stay safe and stay warm, Rowan County!

Don't leave your books out in the cold! 🥶 What are you reading to stay warm? Share your recommendations (or anti-recommendations) with us in the comments for this weekend's readers' advisory!

🔔Y'ALL'S ATTENTION, PLEASE!🔔 We have a new independent reader! Juniper read "David Goes to School" (by David Shannon) all by herself. 💙 Thanks to Juniper for sharing this moment with us, and to parents Luke and Jessica for supporting early childhood literacy. Who'll be our next independent reader?

Ronnie launches a new program 1/28 at 1pm: In partnership with Pathways, we're exploring Infinite Horizons—a space for the autism spectrum, caretakers, family members, and allies. Come check out the resources on hand and meet others in the community!

January's naughty book of the month: "Fourth Wing" by Rebecca Yarros, which has been lost at least 8 times. We're guessing it flew away. Have you read this one? What did you think? Did you enjoy it? Would you please bring it back? 🙏