The Friends of Rowan Public Library announced on May 5 that its Second Saturday Bookshop will hold a special bag sale on May 9. The event offers shoppers the chance to fill a provided Thank You plastic bag with books and other items for $5, or purchase a purple Friends of RPL shopping tote for $10 and fill it with as much as it can carry.
The event aims to provide affordable reading options to the community while supporting library programs. According to the announcement, “Tetris-style bag packing is encouraged. On average, if packed carefully, purple bags can hold around 20 medium-sized items and plastic bags can hold around 15.” The typical price per book is $2 or less, except for specialty items, meaning significant savings are possible during this sale.
The Bookshop will be open from 10 am to 3 pm inside the Rowan Community Center at 1935 Jake Alexander Blvd W (formerly West End Plaza Event Center). Both cash and electronic payments are accepted. Shoppers can browse selections including adult fiction and nonfiction, young adult titles, children’s books, DVDs, CDs, and more. Specially-priced items are not included in this promotion.
In addition to the sale, visitors are encouraged to join Friends of RPL by purchasing memberships starting at $10 for individuals or $15 for families. Memberships help support programs such as RPL’s annual Summer Reading events for all ages through sales proceeds and dues.
For further information about the event or membership opportunities, interested parties may visit www.rowanpubliclibrary.org or www.friendsofrpl.org or call 704-216-8240.
Recent data shows that academic readiness among local students remains an ongoing concern: Of senior students taking the ACT in Rowan County school districts during the 2022-23 school year, only about one in eight were considered ready for college in science (12.3%), fewer than one in ten were ready in math (8.5%), while just over one-fifth met reading benchmarks (22.6%). Junior students showed similar trends with slightly lower percentages across these subjects according to the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.
