‘Build a Better World’ during Randolph library Summer Reading

Shana Tucker's "ChamberSoul Cello
Stories" will kick off Summer Reading
at all libraries in June.

ASHEBORO – Join in and “Build a Better World” as the Randolph County Public Library’s 2017 Summer Reading Program gets underway with appearances by musician and songwriter Shana Tucker at all seven libraries, and over 200 more storytimes, performances, hands-on activities, movies, author appearances and more for children,
teens and adults.

The reading initiative runs during June and July at the Archdale, Asheboro,  Franklinville, Liberty, Ramseur, Randleman and Seagrove libraries.

During the summer, children can sign up to track minutes or books read in return for reading rewards. Last year, local children ages 0 thru 12^th grade and their families checked out over 57,000 books and reported reading for more than 778,000 minutes.

Teens and adults can get in on the act too, and keep track of their summer reading for chances to win prizes such as gift certificates to the Friends of the Library Bookshop.

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

The Asheboro library will kick off its summer events from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, June 3, with “Pop-Up Play Daze” outdoors and a “Balloon Magic” performance by Asheboro native Clark Sides. At the Liberty library, aerialist Amanda Finch will perform breathtaking stunts at a Summer Reading Opening Celebration carnival from 10-11:30 a.m. Saturday, June 10.

Tucker, a cellist based in the Triangle, will bring a unique blend of jazz, acoustic pop and folk music to each library in June with “ChamberSoul Cello Stories,”  accompanied by guitarist Emily Musolino. The duo will appear at the libraries as follows:

·        Archdale, 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, June 14;

·        Asheboro, 2 p.m. Tuesday, June 13;

·        Franklinville, 2 p.m. Thursday, June 15;

·        Liberty, 11 a.m. Tuesday, June 13;

·        Ramseur, 10:30 a.m. Thursday, June 22;

·        Randleman, 10:30 a.m. Thursday, June 15;

·        Seagrove, 2 p.m. Thursday, June 22.

In July, Asheville’s Bright Star Touring Theatre will visit all the libraries with “Happily Ever After,” a laugh-out-loud take on Grimm Brothers’ fairy tales that will invite lots of audience participation.

In between, all the libraries will offer a range of weekly storytimes, performances and other activities. Percussive performer The Spoon Man will visit Archdale, Liberty and Randleman libraries; Balloon magician Clark Sides also will appear at Randleman, and Joy the Clown will entertain kids at Randleman and Seagrove. Randleman will host the ever popular “Snakes Alive” with Ron Cromer.

Teens, meanwhile, can build a roller coaster, go on a scavenger hunt, play videogames and take a comic book art class in Asheboro, while in Archdale they can participate in a Summer Pottery Slam and celebrate Christmas in July. In Liberty, they can hang out at weekly “#hangout” maker events and “Get Creative” in weekly craft activities, and in Randleman, engage in some “Mad Science.”

The 9^th annual Lego Mania competition will cap things off on August 11 in Asheboro.

Adults in Asheboro can find out about the exotic ways flowers propagate themselves, hear from poet Barbara Presnell, learn about white lighting in North Carolina and explore the heritage of Cherokee crafts. In Randleman and Liberty, they can enjoy weekly craft events, and in Liberty also attend a computer class series.

The Summer Reading Program is sponsored by Friends of the Randolph County Public 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. 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.

Randolph library Friends, Partnership for Children, launch ‘Books for Babies’ campaign

Shannon McCrary and Frances Jones display the contents
of the Randolph Books for Babies kit.

ASHEBORO – Every one of the 800 children born at Randolph Health (formerly Randolph Hospital) each year will get a jumpstart on reading as “Randolph Books for Babies” swings into action on May 31.

An initiative of the Friends of the Randolph County Public Library and the Randolph Partnership for Children (RPC), the project is aimed at acquainting parents of newborns with the important role they play in their babies’ brain development, and introducing parents to the resources available at their public libraries.

“Reading to babies contributes to the development of their growing brains and gives them a good start towards a lifelong love of reading and good literature,” says Dr. Frances Jones, incoming Friends president.

“When you read to babies it helps speech development as they are taking in information and beginning to learn about speech patterns.”

Jones initiated and developed the project with RPC Literacy Specialist Shannon McCrary and hospital officials.

Trained volunteers will deliver specially designed Randolph Books for Babies kits to newborns’ families at Randolph Health. The kits, packaged in a useful tote bag, will include:

· a board book for the baby;

· a children’s “My First” library card;

· a handmade reading blanket crafted locally by church groups and other volunteers;

· a schedule of storytimes at the seven branches of the Randolph County Public Library and other library information;

· a bibliography of books available at the library that are suitable for each stage of the babies; development from 0 to five months;

· early literacy information from national education associations;

· information about safe sleep from the Randolph County Health Department.

Jones raised almost $10,000 in contributions for the project’s first year. Donors include RPC, the Acme-McCrary and Sapona Foundation, Chris and Stacy Griffin, William and Dr. Frances Jones, Friends of the Library, the Kiwanis Club of Asheboro, and the Sorosis Club of Asheboro.

Fundraising efforts for year two and beyond are underway; for information about making a contribution or further information about the program, call 336-318-6814.

Learn how to ‘check vitals’ in Asheboro library genealogy class

ASHEBORO -- Learn about genealogical and historical information that can be found through vital statistics in “Be Sure to Check their Vitals,” 2 p.m. Saturday, May 20, at the Asheboro Public Library.

The class is free and the public is invited.

Vital statistics are data about populations, such as births, marriages, health and deaths. Librarian and genealogist Ann Palmer will discuss what time periods such records cover, search strategies and how to access the information online, with an emphasis on North Carolina records.

The library is located at 201 Worth Street. For further information, call 336-318-6815.