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.