“Charlie Pope trudged down the alley with the empty garbage can on his back, soaked in the stench of rancid meat and rotten bananas and curdled blood and God knew what else, a man whose life had collapsed into a trash pit — and still he could feel the eyes falling on him.”

Yikes! It’s enough to give me the creeps, but it is the opening sentence to a New York Times bestselling author’s series and part of our ongoing contest. The first sentences from five books by the same author are featured on each week’s entry.

Throughout the month of August, if you guess the name of the featured author, you will be entered in a prize drawing. What do books and coffee have in common?

Besides being good to curl up with, a correct guess earns you a chance to win a really nice coffee mug. So if you like to “read a latte” take a minute to enter our contest. While you’re here, check out a good book.

Chess players take note. The library is hosting a chess club on Thursdays from 6 to 8 p.m. Whether you are a chess master or just learning the game, come enjoy some competition.

We will begin offering computer instruction sessions at the Lumberton library in September. Topics will include Introduction to Microsoft Word 2007, Internet Basics, and Introduction to email. Sessions are tailored for individuals with little or no computer experience and are offered to the public at no charge. Class size is limited and registration will be required. Dates and times will be announced.

Beginning the first week in September, story times will be held on the following days:

Mondays in Pembroke at 10 a.m.; Tuesdays in St. Pauls at 11 a.m. and Red Springs at 4 p.m.; Wednesdays in Maxton at 11 a.m.; Thursdays in Fairmont at the Fairmont-South Robeson Heritage Center at 10 a.m. and Rowland at 11 a.m.; and Fridays in Lumberton at 10 a.m.

Enjoy outdoor games and ice cream in the library’s garden on the last Friday afternoon before school starts at the Summer Fun Day! The Summer Fun Day will be on Aug. 24 at 2 p.m. for children ages 3 and older.

Mark your calendar! The annual Robeson County Library Friends of the Library Book Sale is Oct. 11 through Oct. 13. See you there.

Catie Roche is the director of the Robeson County Public Library. You can reach her at croche@robesoncountylibrary.org. Catie is reading “The Snow Child” by Eowyn Ivey.