Library invites teens to build terrariums

Learn how to create a garden in a Mason jar in “Terrarium Building for Teens,” 10 a.m. Saturday, June 23, at the Asheboro Public Library.

The program, open to anyone ages 10 to 18, is free. Registration is required; to register, contact Teen Services Librarian Amy Keith Barney at 318-6824 or akeith@randolphlibrary.org.

Instructions and supplies will be provided. Each participant will be able to complete a terrarium to take home.

A terrarium is a small enclosure or closed container in which small plants and animals may be kept as ornament or for educational purposes.

The program is part of “You Are Here,” the library’s Teen Summer Reading Program. For

Travel writer to suggest close-to-home getaways in library program

Looking for cheap, fun things to do in the surrounding area this summer?

Join travel writer Amber Nimocks for “Destination Triad,” a talk about the best daytrips for couples and families who are on a budget or are looking for something to do close to home, at 7p.m. Thursday, June 23, at the Asheboro Public Library.

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

Nimocks is a contributing producer of WUNC’s “The State of Things” and author of several author of several travel guides includingThe Insiders’ Guide to North Carolina’s Piedmont Triad.

The event is part of “Novel Destinations,” the library’s Adult Summer Reading Program. Between now and August 2, anyone 18 or over can submit a form for each book read, and be entered in drawings for weekly prizes from local merchants and restaurants.

For further information call 318-6808.

Library invites teens on a Geocaching adventure

Learn how to find messages and treasures hidden in public places in Geocaching for Teens, 10 a.m. Saturday, June 18, at the Asheboro Public Library.

Local geocacher Ray Betts will lead participants on a geocaching adventure in the vicinity of the library, explaining how to get started with the hobby. Betts will set up three geocaches on library property for participants to seek, and include a fourth long ago established on the grounds.

The program, open to anyone ages 10 to 18, is free.

Geocaching is an outdoor activity in which GPS devices are use to track down messages concealed in publicly accessible places by other geocachers. Betts, an artist, musician and 34-year Klaussner Home Furnishings employee, began geocaching in 2009 and has found 325 geocaches to date, including at least one in each of 75 North Carolina counties.

The geocaching event is part of “You Are Here,” the teen Summer Reading Program. For further information, contact Teen Services Librarian Amy Keith Barney at 318-6824 or akeith@randolphlibrary.org.

“Didgeridoo Down Under” to kick off library Summer Reading Program

The Australian-themed, educational and entertaining musical presentation “Didgeridoo Down Under” will kick of “One World, Many Stories,” the Randolph County Public Library’s 2011 Summer Reading Program, with performances at all seven libraries June 13-16.

The high-energy show uses books, maps, artifacts, art work, puppets and musical instruments to engage the audience in a program that promotes cultural harmony and ignites excitement about reading, writing, exploring and creating.

The performances are free and the public is invited.

Showtimes are:

• Asheboro Public Library, 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 1
• Archdale Public Library, 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, June 15
• John W. Clark (Franklinville) Public Library: 2 p.m. Thursday, June 16
• Liberty Public Library: 7 p.m. Thursday, June 1
• Ramseur Public Library, 10:30 a.m. Thursday, June 1
• Randleman Public Library, 2 p.m. Wednesday, June 15
• Seagrove Public Library, 2 p.m. Tuesday, June 14.

For more information about “Didgeridoo Down Under”, visit www.didgrevolution.com. For more information about the library’s Summer Reading Program, visit www.randolphlibrary.org/summerreading.html or call 318-6804.

Library invites children, teens and adults to explore “One World, Many Stories” this summer

The seven branches of the Randolph County Public Library will offer over 150 storytimes, performances, movies, hands-on projects, author appearances and other special events now through early August for children, teens and adults as part of “One World, Many Stories,” the 2011 Summer Reading Program.

And all for free.

Originally intended to keep children reading while out of school, the Summer Reading Program has expanded to includes teens and adults. The theme for teens is “You Are Here,” and for adults it’s “Novel Destinations.”

Participants who sign up at any library and report the number of hours, pages or books they have read and will be eligible for reading rewards. Rewards and requirements vary from library to library; for complete details and schedules, visit www.randolphlibrary.org/summerreading.html, call 318-6804 or call your local library.

“One World, Many Stories” kicks off with performances at each library of “Didgeridoo Down Under”, and Australian-themed, audience participation musical event, June 13-16. In July, magical storyteller Mark Daniel, a crowd-pleaser every year, returns.

Each library will host one or more weekly programs. The Asheboro library will hold five weekly storytimes – for school age children, families, toddlers, all ages and Spanish-speakers – along with two special events each Wednesday for school-age children.

The Archdale library also will host three weekly storytimes – for all ages, toddlers and twos-plus.

Movies will include Family Movie Fridays at the Asheboro library; Movie & Popcorn on Thursday afternoons at the Randleman library; and a Harry Potter film festival each Wednesday at the Asheboro library, featuring all the movies in order leading up to the July 16 theatrical release of the final installment in the saga.

A sampling of the internationally-themed programs for children includes: “Foods of the World” and the African play “Leopard’s Drum” at Asheboro; Caribbean steel drum music at Archdale; “Local Legends with a Local Lady” at Randleman; “Going on Safari” at Franklinville; “The Gullions, a Chinese Treasure” at the Ramseur library; “Fairy Tales from Denmark” at the Seagrove library; and “Travel Back in Time” at the Liberty library.

Other programs feature origami, animal rescue, fossils, martial arts, reptiles and more.

Meanwhile, teens at the Asheboro library can go geocaching, build terrariums, learn about journaling or container gardening, and compete in Legomania III. At Randleman, teens can track their summer reading and earn a chance to win Books-A-Million gift cards.

For details on teen programs, visit www.randolphlibrary.org/summereadingteens.html or call 318-6824.

For adults, the Asheboro library is offering weekly drawings and prizes, including gift certificates to local merchants and restaurants, as well as three author appearances. Randleman readers can earn a chance for Books-A-Million gift cards for each book read.

For details on the adults program, visit www.randolphlibrary.org/summerreadingadults.html or call 318-6808.

The Summer Reading Program is made possible by the Friends of the Library and by a North Carolina Arts Council Grassroots Arts Grant via the Randolph Arts Guild.

Stoneman’s Raid author Chris Hartley to appear at Asheboro library

Author and historian Chris Hartley will talk about his new book, Stoneman’s Raid, 1865, during a Friends of the Library program at 7 p.m. Thursday, June 2, at the Asheboro Public Library.

The event, part of “Novel Destinations,” the library’s Adult Summer Reading Program, is free and the public is invited.

Stoneman’s Raid, 1865 recounts the massive cavalry offensive led by Union Maj. Gen. George Stoneman through six Southern states, including the North Carolina foothills. Stoneman’s troopers fought fierce skirmishes and destroyed supplies and facilities during the two-month attack.

Hartley’s book covers the planning, day-to-day execution and far-reaching after-effects of the raid. It also tells the story of the citizens in its path, and of the soldiers who covered more than 1,000 miles on horseback.

Wilkesboro native Hartley, who also has written several historical articles and is a frequent speaker on Civil War history, grew up in the shadow of historical markers denoting the largely-forgotten events, and has been chasing its history ever since. He has worked in marketing and communications, and now lives in Pfafftown.

Research for the book took him to 34 repositories in 12 states, and incorporated more than 200 books and newspapers.

“Novel Destinations” continues through the summer and invites readers 18 and over to explore the world through reading. Upcoming programs include Amber Nimocks, author of The Insider’s Guide to North Carolina’s Piedmont Triad (June 23) and coupon guru Angela Newsom (July 11).

Readers also are invited to fill out a form for each book they complete to be eligible in weekly drawings for prizes donated by local businesses. For more information, go here.

Library Movie Monday to screen "You Again"

“What doesn’t kill you… is going to marry your brother” in You Again, the Asheboro Public Library’s Movie Monday, 2 p.m. May 23.

When a young woman realizes her brother is about to marry the girl who bullied her in high school, she sets out to expose the fiancée's true colors in this comedy. The all-star cast includes Kristen Bell, Jamie Lee Curtis, Sigourney Weaver and Betty White.

The movie is free and the public is invited; refreshments will be served. Find our more here or call 318-6819.