happy halloween

NaNoWriMo

November is "National Novel Writing Month" (or NaNoWriMo for short).  Each year, thousands of writers try to crank out a 50,000 word novel in 30 days.  They can find tools, web forums, word counters, and more while logging their progress on NaNoWriMo.org.  Let's help promote this wonderful opportunity for creativity by encouraging our patrons to write.  (Oh, and if you're skeptical that a person could actually write a worthwhile book in 30 days, check out a few of the published NaNoWriMo writers). 

halloween at the library

I know many of you may be thinking, "They don't pay me enough..."  While you may be right, we'd still love to have a good showing of costumed staffers for Halloween, which is just a week away!  Let's try to dress up as our favorite book, movie, or famous characters and give our patrons (and co-workers) something to smile about.  For ideas, check out this blog post.  I created "guess who" badges we can wear (above).

thanksgiving hours

Per Gary Page, Rowan County offices will close at 1 pm on Wednesday, November 21st for the Thanksgiving Holiday.  This will represent a five (5) hour workday and employees must work the full five (5) hours (no lunches) to receive credit for the full day.

fall photowalk @ south

A BIG thank you to Joan Cress, Rob Howle, Paul Birkhead, and all RPL staff who helped advertise, answer questions, point people in the right direction, and cover essential duties.  We had 47 participants ranging from age 9 to 90!  Below is a photo album showcasing participant photos.  I will continue to add to this album as I receive photos.

Fall Photowalk

straight from the tap

The following is a list of upcoming programs at RPL:

10/23 | 5:30 pm, Murder Mystery Teen Program @ South
10/25 | 4:15 pm, The World According to Humphrey Book Chat @ South
10/29 | Children's Bookmark Contest begins
10/29 | 5:30 pm, Murder Mystery Teen Program @ HQ

Please help us spread the word!

straight from the tap

The following is a list of upcoming programs at RPL:

10/15 | 7:00 pm, Introduction to E-Mail class @ South
10/16 | 1:00 pm, Introduction to E-Mail class @ East
10/16 | 6:30 pm, Musical Petting Zoo @ HQ
10/18 | 9:30 am, Introdcution to E-Mail class @ HQ
10/20 | 10:00 am, Jackie Torrence Tribute Storytelling Festival @ HQ
10/22 | 6:00 pm, Fall Photowalk: Making Good Photos Better @ South

Please help us spread the word!

workplace violence training

The Workplace Violence training on Wednesday will be held at the Ag Center (2727 Old Concord Road).  Sessions are 9:30-11 and 1-2:30.

This is also a reminder to those who signed up that the training is Wednesday, the 17^th.  If you need a refresher on the session for which you signed up, please contact your supervisor.

-From Melody

flu vaccination

The final day for flu vaccination for county employees covered under the County Health Insurance Plan is Friday, October 12th, from 8:00 am -12 noon.  These will be “walk-in” clinics, and no appointments are necessary.

Each employee needs to print out the form and complete it before they come to receive the vaccine. County insured family members can also receive the vaccine but they also need to complete the form before receiving the vaccine. Vaccine information sheets (VIS) are also attached.

Flu vaccinations are available for ages 6 months and older.  Pneumonia vaccine is available for those age 65 and older or those 2 years and older that have a medical condition for which their physician recommends they receive the vaccine.

united way meeting

We will have a mandatory staff meeting for benefited staff about the county's United Way campaign on Wednesday, October 10th at all locations.

• HQ @ 8:15 am in Hurley Room
• South @ 9:15 am
• East @ 10:15 am

Light refreshments will be served.  Attendance by benefited staff is required.  Part-time staff are welcome to attend.

hunger games programs 10/07 - 10/13

The end is in sight!  The following are the final Hunger Games programs (library events are in bold)...

10/09 | 6:30 pm, Movie Night @ HQ, I am Legend (PG13)
10/13 | 10:00 am, Final Event & Challenge @ Cabarrus Arena

The Final Event & Challenge will include a relay race (for all ages), an awards ceremony for contest participants, a special "reaping" for prizes, and we'll be showing The Hunger Games on the big screen.

Please help spread the word!

straight from the TAP

You may have seen flyers posted in the bathrooms of RPL called straight from the TAP.  These are part of a new marketing strategy inspired by this book.  In all seriousness, the bathroom is the one place we are all guaranteed to visit multiple times a day, so why not use it to our advantage?  If you think of things you'd like to include in straight from the TAP, please e-mail/call/tell April.

halloween challenge

I'm throwing out a plea for everyone to dress up for Halloween this year.  What do you think about dressing up as a literary character, a famous person, or a favorite TV/movie character?  We could wear "Guess Who" badges and give out candy to winning guesses.  We could also take that opportunity to tell people about the book/movie in our collection that inspired our costume.  What are your thoughts?

Book & Movie Costume Ideas 

• The Princess Bride characters
• Paddington Bear
• Anne of Green Gables
• The Paper Bag Princess
• Dr. Suess characters like Blue Fish, Gertrude McFuzz, Horton, the Grinch, etc.
• Curious George
• Madeline
• Angelica Mouse
• Where’s Waldo
• Sherlock Holmes characters
• Man in the Yellow Hat
• Nancy Drew
• Huckleberry Finn / Tom Sawyer
• Captain Underpants
• Ramona Quimby
• Wizard of Oz characters
• Amelia Bedelia
• Laura Ingalls Wilder
• Harry Potter characters
• Pippi Longstocking
• Mary Poppins characters
• Marie Antoinette
• Charlie and the Chocolate Factory book characters
• Hobbit book characters
• Hunger Games characters (if you're not already sick to death of it)

Or you could get really creative and dress up as your favorite book cover…

A team who plays together stays together...

october computer class

Introduction to E-Mail

Mon., Oct. 15th, 7-8:30 pm @ South
Tues., Oct. 16th, 1-2:30 pm @ East Branch (registration required)
Thurs., Oct. 18th, 9:30-11 am @ HQ