Draw with Marvel artist John Czop at Asheboro library

Self portrait by John Czop

ASHEBORO -- Join Marvel Comics artist John Czop for a free demonstration on how to draw comics at 7 p.m. Thursday, January 15, in the Asheboro Public Library TeenZone.

The demonstration, sponsored by the Friends of the Library, is free and the public is invited.

Czop will talk about his work while drawing various styles of comic book characters and other art. Pencils and paper will be provided so participants can follow along.

Czop has created work for comic books including Spider Woman, X-Men and Iron Man, and animated television series such as Star Trek, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Family Guy.

A Chicago native, Czop studied art at the Kubert School in New Jersey and now lives in Asheboro.

The library is located at 201 Worth Street.

City students invited to join library ‘Reading League’

ASHEBORO – Elementary students in the Asheboro City Schools are invited to read books of their choosing for school reading logs in the quiet of the Asheboro Public Library meeting room.

Children are invited to drop in to read from 3:30-5 p.m. every Monday. Library staff are authorized to sign the logs, and library materials are available for reading.

A parent/caregiver must accompany children age 6 or younger; children 7-10 must have a parent/caregiver present in the building.

The library is located at 201 Worth Street.

Randolph library to host more ‘Polar Play Days’

Don’t let the cold weather keep you inside!

Children age 0-5 and their parents/caregivers are invited to more Every Child Ready to Read Polar Play Days at libraries around the county in January, featuring fun outdoor activities, games and crafts that demonstrate the five keys to reading readiness.

The schedule is as follows:

• Archdale Public Library, 10433 S. Main St., 10:30 a.m. January 8;
• Asheboro Public Library, 201 Worth St., 10:30 a.m. January 20;
• Liberty Public Library, 239 S. Fayetteville St., 11 a.m. January 6;
• Ramseur Public Library, 1512 S. Main St., 10:30 a.m. January 22;
• Seagrove Public Library,530 Old Plank Road, 1:30 p.m. January 15.

The Polar Play Days are free and the public is invited. For more information, call 318-6804

Get e-reader help on Asheboro library’s ‘Un-Boxing Day’

ASHEBORO -- Have you unwrapped a shiny new tablet or e-reader this Christmas? Excited to download free ebooks, audiobooks or magazines in seconds?

Visit the Asheboro Public Library Reference Desk anytime on Saturday, December 27. Librarians will be on hand to help you get started. No appointment is necessary.

Can’t drop in on Un-Boxing Day? No worries: more sessions are on tap in the library meeting room:

• Tuesday, January 6, 10 a.m.
• Thursday, January 8, 6:30 p.m.
• Saturday, January 10, 10 a.m.

If you prefer a private session, call 318-6803 for an appointment, and informal assistance is available at the Reference Desk anytime the library is open.

The library is located at 201 Worth Street in Asheboro.

Asheboro library invites kids, families for ‘Winter Break Bash’

ASHEBORO – Children and their families are invited to a “Winter Break Bash” at the Asheboro Public Library, for some family fun during the week of December 29 while school is out.

All activities are free and no sign-up is required. Events include:

•  Science Exploratorium: 2 p.m. Monday, December 29. Drop in and experiment with science related activities that are great for families to enjoy.
• Family Gaming: 2 p.m. Tuesday, December 30. Play tabletop board games and card games with your family and friends.
• Pop Up Bookmaking: 2 p.m. Wednesday, December 31. Learn how to make pop-up books using both basic and complex design templates.  Create a story related to your pop up and take it home to share.

The library is located at 201 Worth Street in Asheboro. Call 318-6804 for further information.

Library’s ‘Every Child Ready to Read’ goes polar

ASHEBORO -- Bundle up — don’t let the cold weather keep you inside!

The Asheboro Public Library will host an Every Child Ready to Read Polar Play Day at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, December 18, for children up to age 5 and their parents/caregivers.

The free event will feature fun outdoor activities, games and crafts while demonstrating the five keys to reading readiness.

Each of the other Randolph County libraries will host a Polar Play Day in January; a schedule will be announced soon.

The Asheboro library is located at 201 Worth Street. Call 318-6804 for further information.

Barbershop quartet The Adequates to present holiday concert at library

ASHEBORO – The Adequates – with five members, “the world’s largest barbershop quartet” – will sing Christmas tunes and barbershop favorites at 7 p.m. Thursday, December 18, at the Asheboro Public Library.

The concert, sponsored by the Friends of the Library, is free and the public is invited.

The Adequates are Allen Holt, Charles Loggins, Don Monroe, Philip Shore III and Tom White. Formed in 2010, they have won top honors in two Senior Games talent shows and are much in demand for performances in the area.

The library is located at 201 Worth Street in Asheboro. For further information, call 318-6814.

PHOTO: The Adequates: (l-r) Allen Holt, Charles Loggins, Don Monroe, Tom White and Philip Shore III.

Teens invited to make cards for homebound library patrons

ASHEBORO – Join the Asheboro library’s TeenZone and the Friends of the Library to create handmade Christmas cards for people who are homebound and served by the library’s Extension Services department.

A fun way to spread cheer for the holiday season, the card-making session will take place from 6-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, December 16, at the Asheboro Public Library.

The event is free, and all materials will be provided.

The Extension Services department provides delivery of library material to adults who are homebound and in care institutions, and takes books and storytimes to children in daycares and preschools.

The library is located at 201 Worth Street in Asheboro.

‘Amazing Teacher’ brings Arctic Express to Liberty library

LIBERTY – The Amazing Teacher, a.k.a. Steve Somers, will bring his “Arctic Express” to the Liberty Public Library at 6 p.m. Tuesday, December 16.

Join “Conductor Steve” as he takes kids and their families on a magical holiday train ride to learn about winter festivals around the world, while encouraging the spirit of giving and sharing.

The event is free, and children are invited to wear their PJs. The library also will be accepting non-perishable food donations for the Liberty Association of Churches at the program.

Somers is a veteran educator, entertainer, motivational speaker and children’s author. Using magic, drama, puppetry, stories and music, he makes learning fun wherever he goes.

The library is located at 239 S. Fayetteville Street in Liberty. Contact the library at 622-4605 for further information.

Dog eat your library card? Get a new one for free in December

ASHEBORO -- Replace a lost or damaged Randolph County Public Library card, or simply trade for a new one, at no cost in December.

Usually, library card replacements cost $1 the first time and $5 for subsequent replacements. These fees will be waived at all seven libraries for December only.

Only library card replacement fees will be waived; overdue fines and lost/damaged material fees will continue to be collected.

For further information, call the library at 318-6801.

Kids can learn crochet basics at Asheboro library

Children can learn the basics of crocheting with hands-on instruction at 4 p.m. Thursday, December 11, at the Asheboro Public Library.

The program is free; needles and yarn will be provided and participants can take home what they make. The suggested age range is six and up.

The library is located at 201 Worth Street in Asheboro.

Asheboro, Randleman libraries get visits from St. Nick

The Jolly Old Elf himself will greet children at the Asheboro and Randleman libraries before Christmas.

At the Asheboro library, St. Nick will drop in for “Breakfast with Santa” at 9 a.m. Saturday, December 6. Children and families are invited to listen to stories and enjoy some breakfast treats with Santa and friends, and have their pictures snapped with Santa.

No registration is required; call the Children’s Room at 318-6804 for more information.

It’s “Milk and Cookies with Santa” for all ages at the Randleman library, 3:30 p.m. Thursday, December 18; bring your cameras for a photo with St. Nick. Call the library at 498-3141 for further information.

Both events are free. The Asheboro library is located at 201 Worth Street; the Randleman library is located at 122 Commerce Square.

Friends of the Library Bookshop to offer children’s books at half-price

ASHEBORO – All children’s books will be half price during an end-of-November sale at the Friends of the Library Bookshop in downtown Asheboro.

Dates of the sale are Saturday, November 22; Tuesday, November 25; and Saturday, November 29.

The bookshop is open 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays (but will be closed for Thanksgiving on Thursday, November 27). It’s located at 226 Sunset Avenue.

All proceeds from the sale of used books go to support Randolph County Public Library book budgets.

For further information, contact the bookshop at 629-1536.

Asheboro library to host Teacher Appreciation Night

ASHEBORO – Teachers and staff of the Asheboro City and Randolph County school systems, and the county’s charter and private schools, are invited to a ‘Teacher Appreciation Night’ from 3-7 p.m. Monday, November 17, at the Asheboro Public Library.

The drop-in style event is an opportunity for teachers and school staff to get reacquainted with the library, and enjoy some down-time during American Education Week, which runs from November 16-22.

Homemade treats will be provided by the Friends of the Library, and participants can register for door prizes. Lost, damaged or worn library cards will be replaced free of charge for anyone with a school ID.

For more information, call 318-6804.The library is located at 201 Worth Street.

Asheboro library invites school-age kids for Readers’ Theater

ASHEBORO -- Make reading come to life in a Readers’ Theater for school-age kids during November at the Asheboro Public Library.

This fun and interactive activity will take place from 2-3:30 p.m. on four Saturdays beginning November 1. Children participating will pick a play script and practice it for three Saturdays, and perform it for family and friends on the fourth, November 22.

In readers’ theater, actors perform using the script, so no memorization is required. No theatrical background is necessary, and all children of reading age are invited.

Parents are encouraged to stay and assist.

The library is located at 201 Worth Street in Asheboro. Call 318-6804 for more information.

Friends of the Library Bookshop to hold ‘Big Fall Sale’

ASHEBORO – All books are 50% off during the Big Fall Sale end-of-the-month special at the Friends of the Library Bookshop in downtown Asheboro.

Dates of the sale are Saturday, October 25, Tuesday, October 28, and Thursday, October 30.

The bookshop is open 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. It’s located at 226 Sunset Avenue.

All proceeds from the sale of used books go to support Randolph County Public Library book budgets.

For further information, contact the bookshop at 629-1536.

Libraries to host Halloween events for kids, teens

ASHEBORO – Children and families are invited to have some ghoulish fun at the Asheboro and Archdale libraries for Halloween.

The Asheboro Public Library Children’s Room will host a Halloween Monster Mash at 4 p.m. Wednesday, October 29. It’s free and the public is invited.

Hear silly stories, make a monster mask and have a monster roar contest. Children are invited to wear their costumes for a costume parade around the library.

Afterwards, stay for pictures in the Halloween photo booth and sample some tasty treats.  

Children of all ages and their families are invited to the Archdale Public Library’s annual Halloween Party at 7 p.m. Tuesday, October 28. Costumes are optional. Slightly spooky stories and goody bags will be offered, and refreshments will be served.

No registration required; call 431-3811 for more information.

Teens: Photo Booth, Scary Book Chat

Teens at Asheboro can dress as their favorite book character or scary creature and have their pictures snapped in the “Scary Photo Booth Cosplay” at 5 p.m. Wednesday, October 29. The photos will be posted to the library’s Facebook page.

A Halloween party and Scary Book Chat will follow.

The Asheboro library is located at 201 Worth Street in Asheboro. The Archdale library is located at 10433 S. Main Street in Archdale. 

Storyteller Ron Jones to bring ghostly tales to Asheboro library

ASHEBORO – Storyteller Ron Jones will present a Halloween-themed “Ghostly Stories for Families” at 6 p.m. Thursday, October 23, at the Asheboro Public Library.

Jones’s appearance, sponsored by the Friends of the library, is free and the public is invited.  Refreshments will be provided.

Jones, a former children’s librarian, library administrator and consultant, has been a professional storyteller for ten years. But he has been sharing stories and songs with audiences of all ages for more than 30 years, and has performed throughout the southeast, in Canada and in Mexico.

He is a founding member and past-president of the North Carolina Storytelling Guild, and has been awarded the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, North Carolina’s highest civilian honor.

Contact the Children’s Room at 318-6804 for more information. The library is located at 201 Worth Street in Asheboro.

Community discussion to conclude Randolph Reads: Invisible Man

ASHEBORO – A community discussion will wrap up Randolph Reads: Invisible Man at 5 p.m. Thursday, October 9, at the Asheboro Public Library.

It’s free and the public is invited to talk about the book, the Randolph Reads project and opportunities for ongoing discussions. Refreshments will be provided.

Copies of the book are available for checkout at all Randolph County Public Library locations. Ebook and audiobook formats also are available.

All Randolph County has been invited to read and talk about Invisible Man by a partnership of community groups including The Courier-Tribune, the Friends of the Randolph Public Library, the Asheboro City Schools, the City of Asheboro, the George Washington Carver Community Enrichment Center, the Randolph County Public Library and the Randolph County Schools.

The purpose of the project is to allow people from all walks of life to have a common literary and artistic experience around the novel, and to be able to share their views on the themes and issues of being invisible in Randolph County.

For more information, visit www.randolphreads.org or contact Assistant Library Director George Taylor, 318-6814.

Friends of the Library bookshop offers deals on Nora Roberts, Cliffs Notes

ASHEBORO – Books by Nora Roberts and Cliffs Notes will be 50% off during an end-of-month sale at Friends of the Library bookshop in downtown Asheboro.

Dates of the sale are Thursday, September 25, Saturday, September 27 and Tuesday, September 30.

The bookshop is open 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. It’s located at 226 Sunset Avenue.

All proceeds from the sale of used books go to support Randolph County Public Library book budgets.

For further information, contact the bookshop at 629-1536.

Original play ‘Black Blue & Invisible’ to cap Randolph Reads: Invisible Man

ASHEBORO – Stories of those who feel invisible in the community will inform Black Blue & Invisible, an original play created for Randolph Reads: Invisible Man by actor/playwright Mike Wiley. 

The show, sponsored by the City of Asheboro, will take the stage at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, September 27, and 3 p.m. Sunday, September 28, at the Sunset Theatre, 234 Sunset Avenue. The performance is free and the public is invited.

Black Blue & Invisible interweaves three elements: Chip Womick’s interviews for his series of articles in The Courier-Tribune on invisibility in the community; Wiley’s own personal narrative; and parts of another play, Sketches of a Man by Dr. Kashif Powell, which explores Ellison’s work.

Wiley says Black, Blue & Invisible proceeds from Ellison’s question, “Why am I so black and blue?” He calls the play a thoughtful investigation of what shared experiences evoke the feeling of invisibility.

“Black Blue & Invisible is a look back and a look ahead,” Wiley says. “Where have we come from as a society and how much further do we have to go to understand the multitude of cultures that walk beside us today?”

Wiley will be joined in the production by Powell, a post-doctoral performance studies student at Northwestern University; Aya “Hope” Shabu, a professional dancer, choreographer, teaching artist and arts administrator living in Durham; and Rasool Jahan, an actress with many stage, film and TV credits including Midsummer Night’s Dream, Cold Mountain, I Know What You Did Last Summer, Freedom Song and One Tree Hill.

Wiley holds a masters in fine arts from UNC-Chapel Hill. He has created several of one-man shows including The Parchman Hour, about the Freedom Riders, and A Game Apart, about Jackie Robinson.

In DAR HE, his play about Emmett Till, he performs more than 30 characters. A film version of the play garnered major film and acting awards at numerous festivals, including Best Actor at the Harlem International Film Festival.

All Randolph County has been invited to read and talk about Invisible Man by a partnership of community groups including The Courier-Tribune, the Friends of the Randolph Public Library, the Asheboro City Schools, the City of Asheboro, the George Washington Carver Community Enrichment Center, the Randolph County Public Library and the Randolph County Schools.

The purpose of the project is to allow people from all walks of life to have a common literary and artistic experience around the novel, and to be able to share their views on the themes and issues of being invisible in Randolph County.

For more information, visit www.randolphreads.org or contact Assistant Library Director George Taylor, 318-6814.

Randolph Reads: Invisible Man brings Ellison documentary to Sunset Theatre

ASHEBORO – Randolph Reads: Invisible Man will screen the PBS American Masters documentary “Ralph Ellison, An American Journey” at 7 p.m. Thursday, September 18, at the Sunset Theatre.

The showing is free and the public is invited. The theatre is located at 234 Sunset Ave. in Asheboro.

Narrated by actor Andre Braugher, the film is a powerful look at the man behind one of the 20^th Century’s most important literary works, and shows through interviews with scholars, critics and authors how Ellison was shaped by and shaped the landscape of American culture.

The thought-provoking, feature-length documentary will open viewers’ eyes to the historical relevance of Invisible Man and offer ideas for discussion and study.

Randolph Reads to present the John Brown ‘little’ Big Band at Sunset Theatre

ASHEBORO – The John Brown “little” Big Band will bring the jazz sounds that influenced Invisible Man author Ralph Ellison’s writing style to the Sunset Theatre at 7 p.m. Saturday, September 13.

The concert, part of the Randolph Reads: Invisible Man community reading project and sponsored by the City of Asheboro, is free and the public is invited. The theater is located at 234 Sunset Avenue in Asheboro.

Bassist and Grammy nominee Brown will front his 11-piece (12 if you count the vocalist) band to present an eclectic mix of music from the time period of Invisible Man, as well as songs influenced by the spirit of the age.

Though smaller than Brown’s full jazz orchestra, the “little” group still packs a punch and has that big band sound.

Brown is a composer, educator and actor who currently serves as director of the Jazz Program at Duke University, where he is an associate professor of the practice of music. A Fayetteville native, he has performed professionally since his teens, at home and abroad, with artists including Wynton Marsalis, Diahann Carroll, Rosemary Clooney and many more.

He earned a Grammy nomination in 1996 for co-writing Nnenna Freelon’s album Shaking Free. He fronts jazz groups ranging from a trio to a big band. His latest album, with his quintet, is called Quiet Time.

Ellison studied music at the Tuskegee Institute before turning to writing. Jazz, blues and gospel music heavily influenced the use of language in Invisible Man, and Ellison wrote extensively about jazz during his career.

All Randolph County has been invited to read and talk about Invisible Man by a partnership of community groups including The Courier-Tribune, the Friends of the Randolph Public Library, the Asheboro City Schools, the City of Asheboro, the George Washington Carver Community Enrichment Center, the Randolph County Public Library and the Randolph County Schools.

The purpose of the project is to allow people from all walks of life to have a common literary and artistic experience around the novel, and to be able to share their views on the themes and issues of being invisible in Randolph County.

For more information, visit www.randolphreads.org or contact Assistant Library Director George Taylor, 318-6814.

Libraries host Every Child Ready to Read carnival

ASHEBORO – A Pre-Literacy Carnival travels to six Randolph County libraries, and the Archdale library offers a “Dino-Mite” time, as fall Every Child Ready to Read events for kids age 0-5 and their parents/caregivers get underway.

The Pre-Literacy Carnival will feature stories, carnival games and snacks. “Join us as we explore the many ways  that getting ready to read can be easy and a lot of fun,” says Head of Children’s Services Amy Matthews.

The carnival will visit the libraries as follows:

· Archdale (10433 S. Main Street): 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 30;

· Asheboro (201 Worth Street): 10:30 a.m. Friday, Sept. 5;

· Liberty (239 S. Fayetteville St.): 11  a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 9;

· Ramseur (1512 S. Main St.): 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 2

· Randleman (122 Commerce Sq.): 4 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 24;

· Seagrove (530 Old Plank Road): 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 25.

The Archdale library will host an Every Child event of its own: a “Dino-Mite Family Night” at 7 p.m. Tuesday, September 9. Stories, crafts and refreshments will be offered, along with a drawing for four children’s admission tickets to the NC Aviation Museum and Hall of Fame.

All events are free.

Randolph Reads: Invisible Man to feature art exhibit

ASHEBORO – “Revealing the Invisible,” an exhibition of artwork keyed to the theme of invisibility, will be on display in Gallery 101 of the Randolph Arts Guild from September 2 through October 17.

An opening reception will be held from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, September 2. The opening, which coincides with an exhibit in the Guild’s Sara Smith Self Gallery by artist Cat Collier, is free and the public is invited.

The show is part of Randolph Reads: Invisible Man, a community reading initiative exploring Ralph Ellison’s classic novel. All interested artists, including students in the Asheboro City and Randolph County school systems, were asked to create 2-dimensional, 12”x12” work on the theme.

The work will be displayed as a mosaic to celebrate the community, the individual and the value of diversity.

More Randolph Reads: Invisible Man activities are planned in September, including a jazz band at the Sunset Theatre, a screening of the PBS American Experience documentary on Ralph Ellison, a forum on banned books, a stage presentation based on Chip Womick’s series of articles on invisibility in the community now running in The Courier Tribune, and discussions at libraries throughout the county. For schedules and more information visit www.randolphreads.org.

The Randolph Arts Guild is located at 123 Sunset Avenue in Asheboro.

Senior Advisor Warren Coble to talk about Medicare Part D at library

ASHEBORO – Join local Senior Advisor Warren Coble for "Understanding Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Coverage," 2:30 p.m. Friday, September 12, at the Asheboro Public Library.

Coble will explain options available to local seniors. Topics to be covered will include basic eligibility, how the plans work, choosing the best plan, extra help, and more.

Annual Open Enrollment for Medicare Part D begins on October 15.  Centers for Medicare/Medicaid Services (CMS) and Seniors Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) recommend that every individual eligible for Part D review their options during the upcoming open enrollment period.  Formularies, premiums, deductibles, and co-pays can all change each year, and participants need to understand how those changes affect their coverage.

The program, sponsored by the Friends of the library, is free and the public is invited. The library is located at 201 Worth Street in Asheboro.

Go tech free in Asheboro library event for families

ASHEBORO – Get your family unplugged as the  Asheboro Public Library Children’s Room hosts a “Tech Free Family Night”, 5-8 p.m. Tuesday, September 9. Family-friendly board games and card games will be provided. The event is free and all families are invited.

The library is located at 201 Worth Street.

New children’s book club at library focuses on Battle of Books titles

ASHEBORO – A second book club is coming to the Asheboro Public Library Children’s Room beginning in September.

The BOB (Battle of the Books) Book Club is for fourth and fifth graders who either participate or are interested in the Elementary Battle of the Books. The intent is enjoyment of BOB titles outside of the competition.

The club will meet at 4 p.m. on the first Wednesday of each month beginning September 3. Participants at each meeting will consider one of the books from this year’s list, and the meetings will incorporate thematic, engaging activities related to the book.

All interested fourth and fifth graders are invited, and encouraged to bring their own copies of the books or check out an available library copy.

Titles up for discussion are:

· September 3: Hatchet by Gary Paulsen;

· October 1: How Tia Local Came to Stay by Julia Alvarez;

· November 5: Extra Credit by Andrew Clements;

· December 3: Among the Hidden by Margaret Peterson Haddix.

The Children’s Room’s “Max and Imaginary Friends Book Club” for children in grades 2-5 continues on the third Wednesday of each month.

Contact Head of Children’s Services Amy Matthews at 318-6804 for more information. The library is located at 201 Worth Street in Asheboro.

Friends of the Library bookshop offers deal on King, Cornwell

ASHEBORO – Books by Stephen King and Patricia Cornwell will be 50% off during an end-of-month sale at Friends of the Library bookshop in downtown Asheboro.

Dates of the sale are Tuesday, August 26, Thursday, August 28 and Saturday, August 30.

The bookshop is open 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. It’s located at 226 Sunset Avenue.

All proceeds from the sale of used books go to support Randolph County Public Library book budgets.

For further information, contact the bookshop at 629-1536.

ASHEBORO – Randolph Reads: Invisible Man, the community reading initiative exploring Ralph Ellison’s classic novel, culminates in September with art, jazz, a stage presentation about invisibility in the community, discussions of the book, and more.

All events are free and the public is invited. They include:

Discuss-As-You-Read #3, 5:30 p.m. Thursday, August 28, at the Asheboro Public Library, 201 Worth Street. This is the last in a series of discussions that have considered Invisible Man in portions.

“Revealing the Invisible,” an exhibit  of work by local artists on the theme of invisibility, runs September 2-October 17 in Gallery 101 of the Randolph Arts Guild, 123 Sunset Avenue. An opening reception will be held from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, September 2.

John Brown’s “Little” Big Band will perform an eclectic mix of jazz music that heavily influenced Ralph Ellison’s writing style, 7 p.m. Saturday, September 13, at the Sunset Theatre, 234 Sunset Avenue.  Brown, a Duke University music professor, fronts several jazz combos including this 11-piece ensemble.

“Ralph Ellison: An American Journey,” a PBS American Experience documentary, will screen at 7 p.m. Thursday, September 18, at the Sunset Theatre.

A Forum on Banned Books with author Jerry Bledsoe will take place at 7 p.m. Thursday, September 25, at Randolph Community College.

Invisibility in the Community, a stage presentation based on Chip Womick’s series of articles in The Courier-Tribune about individuals in the community who feel invisible, is tentatively scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, September 26-27, at the Sunset Theatre.

Discussions of the book are slated at the Randolph County’s public libraries as follows: Archdale, 7 p.m. Tuesday, September 23; Asheboro, 5 p.m. Thursday, October 9; Liberty, 6 p.m. Tuesday. September 30; Ramseur, 1 p.m. Thursday, September 18; and Randleman, 4 p.m. Thursday, September 25.

All Randolph County has been invited to read and talk about Invisible Man by a partnership of community groups including The Courier-Tribune, the Friends of the Randolph Public Library, the Asheboro City Schools, the City of Asheboro, the George Washington Carver Community Enrichment Center, the Randolph County Public Library and the Randolph County Schools.

The purpose of the project is to allow people from all walks of life to have a common literary and artistic experience around the novel, and to be able to share their views on the themes and issues of being invisible in Randolph County.

For more information, visit www.randolphreads.org or contact Assistant Library Director George Taylor, 318-6814.

Asheboro library offers free Windows 8 class

Confused by Windows 8?

Librarians at the Asheboro Public Library will offer a “Navigating Windows 8” class at 10 a.m. Saturday, August 23 and at 10 a.m. Thursday, August 28.

The class is free but registration is required; call the Reference Desk at 318-6803 to sign up.

The library is located at 201 Worth Street in Asheboro.

Teens invited to join economics simulation at Asheboro library

ASHEBORO – Teens can learn about both sides of the economic coin by joining in one of three Economy, Jr. simulations at the Asheboro Public Library on Saturdays, August 16, 23, and 30.

The simulations, offered by Rebuildup, LLC, will take place from 1-3 p.m. each day. They are free and all teens are invited.

In Economy, Jr., participants choose whether they want to play as customers spending a month’s paycheck from their chosen career on daily necessities such as groceries and child care, or as merchants selling those products to customers to cover daily overhead and perhaps turn a profit. Halfway through the simulation, the groups switch roles, with customers becoming merchants and vice versa.

Can you make it through without going bankrupt?

Based in Greensboro, Rebuildup, LLC, provides programs and services to help startups rebuild economies. The organization offers events to schools, libraries, congregations, Scout troops and youth groups to inform and inspire the current and next generation of entrepreneurs about economics and business.

For more information, visit rebuildup.com/randolph or call the library at 318-6803.

The library is located at 201 Worth Street in Asheboro.

Handbell choir to perform at Asheboro library

ASHEBORO -- The Monarch “Shakers and Movers” Bell Ringers will perform at  1 p.m. Thursday, August 14, at the Asheboro Public Library.

Sponsored by the Friends of the Library, the concert is free and the public is invited.

The 12-member handbell choir is part of Monarch Vocational Opportunities in the Community (VOC) in Asheboro, which supports adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The choir was started in 2012 and has performed throughout Randolph County. The group also performs a song in sign language.

The group began as a result of a generous donation from a parent who received the “Positive Spirit Award” from Energizer for his enthusiastic and cheerful demeanor.  This donor has a daughter who attends the VOC program and says she is his motivation for his positive attitude. It is with that same positive spirit the handbell choir performs as they continue to show and share optimism with the community.

The library is located at 201 Worth Street in Asheboro.

Second ‘Randolph Reads: Invisible Man’ discussion slated

The second book discussion of the Randolph Reads: Invisible Man community reading initiative will take place at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, July 24, at the Asheboro Public Library.

Led by Assistant Library Director George Taylor and English teacher Mandie Edwards, the discussion will focus on the second section of the book but will cover any aspect that participants wish to consider. Discussions about the final portion of the novel will take place on the fourth Thursday in August.

Randolph Reads: Invisible Man invites the entire community to read, learn about and talk about Ralph Ellison’s classic novel, and will culminate in September with performances, discussions and other events related to the book. For more information, visit www.randolphreads.org.

For more information about the discussion, contact Taylor at 318-6814.

The Asheboro library is located at 201 Worth Street.

Lego Mania returns to Asheboro library August 1

ASHEBORO – The Asheboro Public Library’s raucous and immensely popular Lego Mania competition returns for its sixth year at 2 p.m. Friday, August 1.

Teens and younger kids ages 10-18 are invited to create ingenious Lego structures for fun and prizes. The event is free but registration is required; call 318-6803 to sign up.

Participants will be divided into teams and age-appropriate groups to compete for prizes to be awarded by community judges.

Lego Mania is sponsored by the Friends of the Library and is part of “Spark a Reaction,” the library’s Teen Summer Reading Program. For more information about the library’s Summer Reading programs and a complete schedule of events, visit www.randolphlibrary.org/summer.

The library is located at 201 Worth Street in Asheboro.

Friends bookshop offers deal on cookbooks

ASHEBORO – Get cooking during an end-of-month sale on cookbooks at the Friends of the Library bookshop in downtown Asheboro.

All cookbooks will be 50% off already low prices on Saturday, July 26; Tuesday, July 29; and Thursday, July 31.

The bookshop is open 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. It’s located at 226 Sunset Avenue.

All proceeds from the sale of used books go to support Randolph County Public Library book budgets.

For further information, contact the bookshop at 629-1536.

Get ‘weather wise’ with Van Denton at Asheboro library

ASHEBORO – Fox8 Meteorologist Van Denton will present a talk called “Weather Wise” at noon Thursday, July 17, at the Asheboro Public Library.

He will talk about his experiences as a meteorologist and the weather in North Carolina, and open the floor for audience questions.

Denton’s appearance is free and family-oriented; all ages are invited.

The event, sponsored by the Friends of the Library, is part of “Literary Elements,” the library’s Summer Reading Program for adults. For complete Summer Reading details, visit www.randolphlibrary.org/summer.

The library is located at 201 Worth Street.

Mad Science to conclude library Summer Reading with a bang

ASHEBORO – Finish the summer with a bang as Mad Science of the Piedmont brings its highly interactive, action-oriented science demonstrations to all seven libraries during the last two weeks in July.

Mad Science’s visit, part of “Fizz, Boom Read!”, the library’s Summer Reading Program, is free and the public is invited.

The group will present at the libraries as follows: 

• Archdale, 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, July 30 (at Archdale Parks & Recreation)
• Asheboro, 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, July 23
• Franklinville, 2 p.m. Thursday, July 31
• Liberty, 11 a.m. Tuesday, July 29
• Ramseur, 10:30 a.m. Thursday, July 31 (at the Ramseur Municipal Building)
• Randleman, 10:30 a.m. Thursday, July 24;
• Seagrove, 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 29.

Mad Science is an international group with local chapters that bring science education to children and encourage science literacy through fun, eye-popping science activities.

More Summer Reading events are going on weekly at all the libraries. Visit www.randolphlibrary.org/summer for complete schedules and information.

The Summer Reading Program is primarily sponsored by Friends of the Library with support from the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Cultural Resources, with funding from the National Endowment for the Arts, through the Randolph Arts Guild. It’s part of a national effort to keep children reading during the break from school; research shows that kids who read during the summer do better in school the next year.

Team to present robotics demo at Asheboro library

ASHEBORO – NC FIRST Robotics Team Triple Strange will present a robotics demonstration at 2 p.m. Tuesday, July 15, at the Asheboro Public Library.

Part of “Spark A Reaction,” the Teen Summer Reading Program, the demo is free and the public is invited. It’s sponsored by the Friends of the Library.

Team Triple Strange, a talented group of high schoolers, will bring the robot that they built and used in competition for the NC FIRST Robotics Challenges. Team members will show off all of their ‘bot’s abilities, and discuss how to join robotics competition teams.

The library is located at 201 Worth Street in Asheboro.

‘Virals’ co-author Brendan Reichs to visit Asheboro library

ASHEBORO – Author Brendan Reichs will talk about his “Virals” series of teen novels at 5 p.m. Tuesday, July 22, at the Asheboro library.

His visit, part of “Spark A Reaction,” the Teen Summer Reading Program, is free and the public is invited. It’s sponsored by the Friends of the Library.

Reichs co-authors the series with his mom, famed “Bones” novelist Kathy Reichs. The Virals are a group of teens led by Tory Brennan, niece of forensic anthropologist Temperance “Bones” Brennan. Their exposure to a canine virus at an animal research facility has left them with heightened senses and animal-quick reflexes — leading them into all sorts of dangerous situations.

Books in the series to date are Virals, Seizure, Code and Exposure.

Reichs, who grew up in Charlotte and graduated from Wake Forest University, left a career in the law to write. He lives in Charlotte with his wife Emily and their two children.

The library is located at 201 Worth Street in Asheboro.

Friends Bookshop features end-of-month special

ASHEBORO – An end-of-month sale at the Friends of the Library Bookshop will feature books by Mary Higgins Clark at half price, while supplies last, for the week of June 23.

The bookshop is located at 226 Sunset Avenue in Asheboro. Hours are 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. The shop sells donated used books and discarded library books.

For more information, visit or call the shop during operating hours at 629-1536.

Big Bang Boom to bring rock ‘n’ roll for kids to Asheboro library

Kid-approved, parent-friendly rock ‘n’ rollers Big Bang Boom will perform at 2 p.m. Wednesday, July 2, at the Asheboro Public Library.

The Greensboro-based trio’s live show is high-energy, and both children and parents will find it hard to stay in their seats. From calling kids onstage for the “Spongebob Chorus” to the “Parents vs. Kids Hokey Pokey Challenge,” Big Bang Boom  makes certain that there is no sitting down for their fun and energetic shows.

The performance, sponsored by the Friends of the Library, is free, and all kids and their families/caregivers are invited.

Established in 2007, Big Bang Boom consists of veteran area musicians – and dads – Chuck Folds, Steve Willard and Eddie Walker. They write songs with a pop sensibility by cleverly mixing pop, alternative, hip-hop, country and other genres to create music that parents and children can relate to and enjoy.

For more information about the band, visit bigbangboom.weebly.com.

The show is part of “Fizz, Boom, Read!”, the library’s science-themed Summer Reading Program. For complete details and a full schedule, visit www.randolphlibrary.org/summer.

For further information about the performance, call 318-6804. The Asheboro library is located at 201 Worth Street.

Randolph Reads gets underway with initial Invisible Man discussion

Want to talk about Invisible Man as you read it?

The first book discussion of the Randolph Reads: Invisible Man community reading initiative will take place at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, June 26, at the Asheboro Public Library.

Led by Assistant Library Director George Taylor and English teacher Mandie Edwards, the discussion will focus on the first third of the book but will cover any aspect that participants wish to consider. Discussions about the second and third portions of the novel will take place on the fourth Thursdays in July and August.

Randolph Reads: Invisible Man invites the entire community to read, learn about and talk about Ralph Ellison’s classic novel, and will culminate in September with performances, discussions and other events related to the book. For more information, visit www.randolphreads.org.

For more information about the discussion, contact Taylor at 318-6814.

The Asheboro library is located at 201 Worth Street.

Our State writer to talk about area food day-trips

ASHEBORO – Food expert and Our State magazine assistant editor Jeffrey Turner will share his “Top 10 Food Day-Trips in the Piedmont, Triad and Sandhills” at 6 p.m. Thursday, June 26, at the Asheboro Public Library.

Turner writes a food column and other articles for Our State.

Turner’s appearance, sponsored by the Friends of the Library, is free and the public is invited. It’s part of “Literary Elements,” the Randolph County Public Library’s adult Summer Reading Program (www.randolphlibrary.org/summer).

The library is located at 201 Worth Street in Asheboro.

Asheboro library to host mindfulness training sessions

Join licensed professional counselor Jessica Spence for “Mindfulness Training,” 10:30-11:30 a.m. Thursdays, June 12, 19 and 26, at the Asheboro Public Library.

Spence will offer techniques and strategies for stress management and finding peaceful approaches to our busy lives.

The sessions, sponsored by the Friends of the Library, are free and the public is invited. They are part of Literary Elements, the library’s adult Summer Reading Program.

Call 318-6803 to sign up or for further information.

For more information about summer reading activities for adults, teens and children, visit www.randolphlibrary.org/summer.

The library is located at 201 Worth Street in Asheboro.

Asheboro library to host Fault in Our Stars discussion

Read John Green’s popular novel The Fault in Our Stars, see the movie to be released on June 6, and talk about the book in a discussion hosted by the Asheboro Public Library TeenZone at 2 p.m. Thursday, June 12.

The discussion is free and teens who want to talk about the book are invited. Refreshments will be provided.

The Fault in Our Stars follows the experiences of 16-year-old Hazel, who has been diagnosed with terminal cancer, and how her perspective changes when she meets a boy in her cancer support group.

The discussion is part of “Spark A Reaction,” the library’s Teen Summer Reading Program. For a complete schedule of events, visit www.randolphlibrary.org/summer/teens.htm.

The library is located at 201 Worth Street in Asheboro.

“Fizz, Boom, Read!” Summer reading at Randolph libraries gets underway

“Fizz, Boom, Read!” – the Randolph County Public Library’s science-themed 2014 Summer Reading Program – gets underway with performances at all seven libraries by “The Amazing Teacher,” a.k.a. educator/entertainer Steve Somers, and over 160 storytimes, performances, hands-on activities, movies and more for children, teens and adults through June and July.

The program runs June 9-August 1. Children can sign up to tracks books, hours or pages read in return for reading rewards, and teens and adults can register for prizes and other reading incentives.

Schedules and complete details can be found at www.randolphlibrary.org/summer and at your local library.

For children and families, Somers will bring his fast-paced, high-energy reading adventure to all the libraries as follows:

·        Archdale, 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, June 25 (at Archdale Parks & Recreation)

·        Asheboro, 2 p.m. Wednesday, June 25

·        Franklinville, 2 p.m. Thursday, June 26

·        Liberty, 11 a.m. Tuesday, June 17

·        Ramseur, 10:30 a.m. Thursday, June 26 (at the Ramseur Municipal Building)

·        Randleman, 10:30 a.m. Thursday, June 19;

·        Seagrove, 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 17.

In July, Mad Science of the Piedmont will bring highly interactive, action-oriented science demonstrations each of the libraries. In between, all the libraries will offer a range of weekly storytimes, performances and other activities.

Highlights will include Fish the Magish, Big Bang Boom, Snakes Alive with Ron Cromer, Irania Patterson of Criss Cross Mango Sauce, and more. Science activities will include beekeeping, butterflies, crime scene investigation,  spaghetti engineering, meteorology, birds of prey and much more.

In addition, Asheboro library will offer a weekly Summer Science Experience for ages 4-12; Every Child Ready to Read Fridays for children age 0-5 and parents/caregivers; and Lego Free Build Fridays.

Meanwhile, teens are invited to “Spark a Reaction” by submitting book reviews or tracking reading minutes for weekly and grand prizes. Events will include robotics demonstrations, a visit from a NASA ambassador, a talk by author Brendan Reichs, a book discussion of The Fault in Our Stars, and the 6^th Annual Lego Mania competition.

Teens in Randleman can join in weekly Mad Science Workshops to learn about optical illusions, laser light, space, weather and more.

Adults can explore “Literary Elements” and submit brief book reviews for weekly drawings and grand prizes. As Asheboro, guest speakers will talk about the top 10 food destinations in the Piedmont and Sandhills; mindfulness training; and natural supplements and vitamins. Fox 8 meteorologist Van Denton will offer advice on becoming “Weather-Wise.”

Craft programs at Randleman will include bow-making, corn husk angels and book angels.

The Summer Reading Program is primarily sponsored by Friends of the Library with support from the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Cultural Resources, with funding from the National Endowment for the Arts, through the Randolph Arts Guild. It’s part of a national effort to keep children reading during the break from school; research shows that kids who read during the summer do better in school the next year.

Asheboro library to offer computer assistance sessions

Need one-on-one computer help with Microsoft office, surfing the Web, using the library’s electronic resources or downloading ebooks, audiobooks or magazines?

The Asheboro Public Library will offer free weekly, walk-in open help sessions beginning June 12, and free individual assistance by appointment.

Open help sessions will take place from 4-5 p.m. Thursdays. No appointment or registration is necessary, and assistance is available any time during the hour.

Reference librarians will answer questions, troubleshoot and help with specific problems you have encountered.

Library computers will be available, but you can bring your own laptop, tablet, e-reader or other device. If you’re working on a document, feel free to bring the document on a storage device such as a flash drive.

If you cannot attend one of the open help sessions, contact a Reference librarian about scheduling an appointment for a half-hour of one-on-one assistance on a computer or library-related technology topic of your choice, subject to staff availability. Call 318-6824 to make an appointment; when you call, please let the librarian know what your question is and what results you want to achieve.

The library is located at 201 Worth Street.

Talk, performance to explore NC’s role bluegrass music

Tommy Edwards

“North Carolina: The Other Bluegrass State” will be the topic of a talk and performance by Tommy Edwards at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 20, at the Asheboro Public Library.

The show, sponsored by the Friends of the Library, is free and the public is invited.

Edwards is host of “Bluegrass Saturday Night” on radio station Life 103.1, and lead singer and guitarist for The Bluegrass Experience, one of the southeast’s most respected traditional music groups.

Edwards will talk about North Carolinians and their role in establishing bluegrass music, joined by banjo master Stan Brown of the Outliers and bassist LaNelle Davis of the Shelbys to illustrate his talk musically. The group will explore the contributions of Earl Scruggs, Doc Watson, Tony Rice, Bobby Hicks and others through conversation and music.

Edwards, twice named  World Champion Bluegrass Guitarist, has performed professionally for over 35 years. He also served for 30 years as a teacher, coach and administrator in the Randolph and Chatham County schools.

The library is located at 201 Worth Street.

Novelist Wayne Caldwell to keynote Friends of Library event

Wayne Caldwell
(photo by Catherine Ballance)

ASHEBORO -- Asheville-based author Wayne Caldwell will keynote the Friends of the Randolph County Public Library annual meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 8, at the Historic Randolph County Courthouse.

His appearance is free and the public is invited. Refreshments and a book signing will follow at the Asheboro library.

Caldwell is author of the acclaimed novel Cataloochee, about a close-knit community in the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee in the latter half of the 19th century, and Requiem by Fire, which traces the community into the 20th century. In 2013, his work earned him the James Still Award for Writing About the Appalachian South from the Fellowship of Southern Writers.

Born in the Enka community of Asheville, Caldwell earned degrees in English from UNC-Chapel Hill, Appalachian State University and Duke University, and has taught composition and literature at North Carolina Central University and Union College.

Since the mid-1970s, he has worked at Ambiance Interiors, the family interior design business, in Asheville. He has completed a third novel, Memoirs of an Unambitious Lawyer, and is working on a fourth, entitled Shadow Family.

The Historic Randolph County Courthouse is located at 145 Worth Street in Asheboro. The library is located at 201 Worth Street.

Former POW John Borling to share ‘Hanoi Hilton’ poems at Asheboro library

Held in captivity in North Vietnam for more than six years, John Borling kept body and soul together and inspired his fellow prisoners by rapping out poems with his knuckles, in code, on prison walls. Those poems were collected in his book Taps on the Walls: Poems from the Hanoi Hilton, published in 2013.

Borling will share work from his book and talk about his experiences at 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 29, at the Asheboro Public Library. His visit, sponsored by the Friends of the Library, is free and the public is invited.     

A Chicago native and Air Force Academy graduate, Borling served 37 years in the U.S. Air Force and retired as a major general. He earned a Silver Star, two Bronze Stars with V for Valor, and two Purple Hearts.

He was an F-15 Eagle fighter pilot, and commander of the famed “Hat in the Ring” squadron. He also served in various command and planning roles.    

He currently leads SOS America, an organization he founded advocating military service for young men, and serves on several corporate boards.

The library is located at 201 Worth Street in Asheboro.

Historians to talk about new books on local civil war history

Historians Mac Whatley and Brad Foley will present “A Tour of Randolph County’s Civil War Past” at 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 23, at the Asheboro Public Library.

Foley will talk about his recently-published book, Letters Home: The Civil War Correspondence of Alexander C. McAlister, 46th North Carolina Regiment. The letters, between McAlister and his wife Adelaide, are a firsthand account of the war’s impact on one of Asheboro’s leading citizens and his family.

Whatley will explore Civil War in the North Carolina Quaker Belt, the late William T. Auman’s account of seven Confederate military operations conducted against deserters and Unionists in central North Carolina. “The book is the work of Bill’s lifetime, and an important contribution to Randolph County history,” Whatley says.

The event, sponsored by the Friends of the Library, is free and the public is invited. The library is located at 201 Worth Street in Asheboro.

Learn to buy and sell safely on Craigslist in Asheboro library program

Learn “How to Buy and Sell on Craigslist – Safely” with Ron Osborne, veteran user of the online advertising site, and Randolph County Sheriff’s Deputy Bernie Maness, at the Asheboro Public Library.

The program will be offered twice, at 10 a.m. Tuesday, April 15, and again at 6 p.m. Thursday, April 17.

No sign-up is required. It’s sponsored by the Friends of the Library, and the public is invited.

Osborne is a retired MOPAR classic car restorer who started using Craigslist in 2002 and has made many purchases and sales since with great success – and never any problems.

The library is located at 201 Worth Street in Asheboro.

Celebrate spring, Easter at Randolph libraries

Dig out from a long, cold winter with fun and free spring and Easter events for kids and families at Randolph County’s public libraries.

“Celebrate Easter” in fun, family fashion at the Asheboro Public Library, 2 p.m. Thursday, April 17, with stories, songs, games, crafts and a visit from the Easter Bunny! The library is located at 201 Worth Street in Asheboro.

“In a Spring Garden” with Oscar and Elsa Gonzales, dress up your garden with pretty pots during a Ramseur Public Library springtime event. 3:30 p.m. Thursday, April 17. Call 824-2232 to sign up. The library is located at 1512 S. Main St. in Ramseur.

“Get Egg-cited — it’s Spring Time” at the Randleman Public Library, at 3:30 p.m. Thursday, April 17, with stories and activities. Kindergarten and up; call 431-3811 to sign up. The library is located at 122 Commerce Sq. in Randleman.

Archdale Public Library will host an “Earth Day Celebration” for children and their families at 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 22. Enjoy games crafts, stories and refreshments. The library is located at 10433 S. Main St. in Archdale.

Have a “Spring Splash” in an Every Child Ready to Read Family Fun Night, 5:30-6:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 30, at the Asheboro library. Call 318-6804 to sign up.

Counselors, Navigators at library to help with health care deadline

Need to sign up for health insurance before the March 31 deadline?

Healthcare Navigators from Randolph Hospital and Certified Application Counselors from Randolph Family Health Care at MERCE and will be on hand from 1-6 p.m. Monday, March 31, at the Asheboro Public Library, to help individuals and families enroll in health insurance under the Affordable Care Act.

Help will be available on a first-come, first-served basis, and there is no charge. A list of items and information to bring with you for enrollment is available at the library Reference desk.

The library is located at 201 Worth Street in Asheboro.

Edible plants, duct tape and cartooning to kick off library’s Spring Break

Whether you’re out of school or making up snow days, celebrate Spring Break at the Asheboro library with  a variety of events for school-age kids during the week of April 14.

All activities take place at 4 p.m.

On Monday, April 14,  “Grow Your Own Dinner!” Participants will learn about common plants used in their food, identify seeds and watch them grow.

Each child will go home with a seed starter kit of his or her choice, featuring vegetables and herbs we eat daily.

Stick around the library on Tuesday, April 15 for “Duct Tape Designs.” Kids, tweens and teens can learn to make useful and fun accessories with the ever-popular household product, duct tape.  Make three or more items including wallets, clutch-purses and cell phone covers. Ages 8-up.

Join illustrator Rich Powell for “Cartooning for Kids” on Wednesday, April 16. Powell will help kids in grades 2-5 who are just discovering their cartooning talent create and make their own kooky characters.

Sponsored by the Friends of the Library, the Spring Break activities are free and the public is invited.

The Asheboro library is located at 201 Worth Street in Asheboro.

Author Saloma Miller Furlong to share Amish experience

Meet author Saloma Miller Furlong, who has documented her break with her Amish community in two memoirs, at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 27, at the Asheboro Public Library

              

Miller’s appearance, sponsored by the Friends of the Library, is free and the public is invited.

Miller is author of Why I Left the Amish and a sequel, Bonnet Strings: An Amish Woman’s Ties to Two Worlds, which was published this month. She also was featured in the American Experience documentary “The Amish,” which aired on PBS in 2012.

Her first book covers her coming of age in an Ohio Amish community, and her departure from it in a quest for freedom and more formal education. Her new book explores her experiences outside the Amish world — and her temporary return when a delegation from the community appeared to take her back.

Furlong graduated from Smith College in 2007. She and her husband David, a toymaker, live in Massachusetts and appear in a new American Experience documentary, “The Amish: Shunned,” airing this month.

The library is located at 201 Worth Street in Asheboro.

Library to offer emergency preparedness program

Learn about how 911 works and how to prepare for an emergency – making your home safe and what you need to do to shelter in place during a disaster – with experts from Randolph County Emergency Services, on Tuesday, March 25 at the Asheboro Public Library.

The program will be offered twice, at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.

It’s free and the public is invited.

The library is located at 201 Worth Street in Asheboro.

Library ‘Pet Party’ to welcome kids, favorite stuffed animals

Bring your kids and their favorite stuffed animals and dolls to a “Pet Party” Family Fun Night, 5:30-6:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 19, at the Asheboro Public Library. Part of the library’s Every Child Ready to Read initiative, the event is for kids age 0-5 and their parents/caregivers, but older siblings are welcome.

The event, sponsored by the Friends of the Library, is free and the public is invited.

The library is located at 201 Worth Street in Asheboro.

Asheboro library to offer ‘E-Stuff’ Open Help Session

Reference librarians at the Asheboro Public Library will hold an E-Stuff Open Help Session at 10 a.m. Thursday, March 6, for anyone who wants to learn how to download free ebooks, audiobooks and magazines from the library’s digital collections.

Bring your tablet, e-reader, smartphone or other digital device for a walk-in, no-appointment-necessary help session. Also bring your library card (or register for one if you don’t already have one), your library PIN, email address and password.

Individual one-on-one help sessions are available at other times by appointment; call the Reference desk at 318-6803.

The library is located at 201 Worth Street in Asheboro.

Asheboro library to offer online genealogy class

Learn how to use the library’s Heritage Quest online resource to learn more about your family’s and your  country’s past in a class at 10 a.m. Friday, March 14, at the Asheboro Public Library.

Heritage Quest is an online treasury of American genealogical resources and is available free through your home computer using your library card.

The class is free but registration is required. Call 318-6803 to sign up.

Heritage Quest is provided to cardholders in North Carolina’s public, university system, community college and private/independent college libraries by NC LIVE, the state’s online library.

The Asheboro library is located at 201 Worth Street.

Bring ‘Angry Birds’ to life at the Asheboro library

Join the Asheboro library TeenZone for a live action version of the Angry Birds video game, noon-2 p.m. Saturday, March 15.

The game will feature a live action slingshot and other opportunities to knock down and rebuild a “piggy fortress.” There also will be Angry Birds themed crafts and additional games

The event, sponsored by the Friends of the Library, is free and teens are invited.