Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Library Friends to hold giant inventory clearance book sale

The Friends of the Randolph Public Library Bookshop stock room is stuffed to the gills, and construction on the adjoining Sunset Theatre is expected to start early next year.

So from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, November 5, the Friends will hold a “Big Book Sale” at the Asheboro Public Library, 201 Worth Street. Admission to the sale is free.

There will be a preview sale from 6-9 p.m. Friday, November 4, also at the Asheboro library. Admission to the preview is $5.

The sale will feature over 3,000 used books. Hardbacks will go for $1 and buyers can get two paperbacks for $1 – half the usual prices.

Proceeds go to the library's book budget.

Business at the bookshop, at 226 Sunset Avenue, will go on as usual. Hours are 10-2 Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

But the library sale will help prepare for the Sunset renovation, which will claim a portion of the bookshop’s sorting space and require some remodeling of the bookshop itself.

The bookshop will remain open as long as possible when construction begins, and reopen as soon as possible after it is complete.

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

The Lost Boys to descend on library’s Movie Monday

Long before the teen vampire heartthrobs of Twilight, there were The Lost Boys, the Asheboro Public Library’s monster Movie Monday at 2 p.m. October 24.

After moving to a small coastal town, 1980s icon Corey Haim discovers he must defend his family from a clutch of young vampires led by a pre-Jack Bauer Kiefer Sutherland.

The star-studded cast also includes Jason Patric, Diane Wiest, Edward Hermann, Jamie Gertz and that other 1980s icon, Corey Feldman.

The movie is free and the public is invited; refreshments will be served. Find our more at www.randolphlibrary.org/asheboromovies.html

Archdale Author Breakfast to feature seven writers

Meet celebrated area writers and shop for books at the Archdale Library Friends Author Breakfast, 9 a.m.-noon Saturday, October 29 at the Archdale Public Library.

Breakfast will be served at the event, which is free. Call 431-3811 to reserve a spot.

Participants, whose work spans genres from ranging from children’s books to novels and nonfiction, include:

  • Carol Andrews, author of Speckled Angels and The Giggle Wind;
  • Micki Bare, author of Thurston T. Turtle Moves to Hubbleville and Relative Expressions;
  • Martha Crotty, author of Hong Kong Kitty;
  • Roger Crotty, author of Billy Goodman – Neighborhood PI and Rode to Glory;
  • Jonathan Farlow, author of Stuck in the Middle, Brouhaha and Holy War;
  • Gail Gurley, author of Old Southern Comfort Food and Red Dirt Tracks
  • Clay Harvey, author of A Whisper of Black, Dwelling in the Gray and A Flash of Red.

Thursday, October 13, 2011

Survey shows impact of Randolph library computers, Internet access

Access to computers and the Internet at the Randolph County Public Library enables county residents to get jobs, get healthy and get into school, according to local results of a national survey.

The library asked users of its computers and online resources to take the U.S. Impact Survey during a three-week period in September. The survey measured how people used free computer services at the library in the past year, and the impact the services had on their lives.

“There’s an old slogan, ‘libraries change lives.’ The survey results prove that this is definitely the case in Randolph County,” said Library Director Ross Holt.

Jobseeking was a top concern of the 135 survey respondents. Sixty percent used library computers to search for jobs; 47 percent applied online or sent out resumes, and 22 percent were granted interviews.

Ten percent were hired for new positions.

Health and wellness also was a hot topic, with 43 percent of respondents using library computers to find out about diet and nutrition. Of those, 81 percent made changes to their diet.

Similarly, 38 percent sought information about exercise and fitness, and 87 percent of those who did so made changes in their exercise habits.

People also logged on to meet educational needs, with 33 percent saying they looked up information about a degree or certificate program. Twelve percent used library computers to apply online, and half of those were admitted to degree or certificate programs.

Fourteen percent applied for financial aid on library computers, with just under half of those saying they received it.

Other survey highlight

  • 40 percent of respondents used library computers to pursue a hobby;
  • 38 percent to find recipes;
  • 42 percent to find movie, book or music reviews;
  • 30 percent to meet new friends;
  • 26 percent for help with a do-it-yourself project;
  • 24 percent to find support for a personal issue;
  • 19 percent to research genealogy.

Overall, 83 percent of respondents used library computers for searching online; 82 percent for email ; 70 percent for printing; 52 percent for social networking; and 37 percent for streaming video.

The survey also inquired about library computer use for business, e-government, e-commerce and civic engagement purposes.

Of the respondents, 95 percent said they were satisfied with public access technology at the library, and over 90 percent said that access at the library is important or very important themselves and to the community.

Holt said the library is working to address one of the most frequent suggestions for improvement expressed by respondents: more time online. The standard time limit of one hour per day is necessary to ensure fair access during busy times, Holt said, but automatic time-limit extensions allow as much as two and one-half hours, depending on the library branch, if no one is waiting for a computer.

The survey was created by the University of Washington School of Information with support from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. It was offered to libraries nationally and is part of the first large-scale study of how people use computers in public libraries.

Holt said that though the survey measures the use of relatively recent technology, the results reaffirm a traditional role of the public library. “The founders of the public library movement in the United States, way back in the late 1800s, saw the library as ‘the people’s university’ – a place in the community where everyone could freely and continually educate and improve themselves and their lives. Clearly, this holds true today,” Holt said.

View all the survey results at www.randolphlibrary.org/impactsurvey.pdf.

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Vampirologist, author Theresa Bane to speak at Asheboro library

Author Theresa Bane, whose expertise on all things vampire has landed her on national television programs, will talk about her work at 7 p.m. Thursday, October 27 at the Asheboro library.

The Halloween event, sponsored by the Friends of the Library, is free and the public is invited. Bane will sell and sign copies of her work.

Bane is author of Encyclopedia of Demons in World Religions and Cultures, The Encyclopedia of Vampire Mythology, Actual Factual: Dracula, Haunted Historic Greensboro, Folktales and Ghost Stories of North Carolina’s Piedmont, and more.

She has been featured on Discovery Channels’ “Twisted History: Vampires” as well as E!’s “10 Sexiest Vampires” for her knowledge and expertise on the undead.

She also recently published the darkly humorous The Bloodthirsty Weasels: On the Loose and Buck Wild, and is associate producer of audiobooks for Buzzy Multimedia.

When not writing, Bane travels to educate audiences about the differences between traditional mythology and horror fiction. A diehard gamer originally from the New York/New Jersey area, she resides in North Carolina with her husband, T. Glenn Bane. For more information, visit www.theresabane.net.