Rock Islanders were busy founding a new City in 1841, but that wasn’t the only notable event of that year. The 2016 Frieze Lecture Series discussion theme celebrates “1841, the Year That Rock Island Began” and the current events that surrounded its founding. The series of four lectures by Augustana College professors are from 2:00 to 3:00 pm Tuesday, October 18 through November 8, in the Rock Island Main Library, 401 19th Street, in the Community Room. Free coffee,  cookies and conversation are offered after each lecture. 2016 marks the 19th year for annual partnership between... Read More

The freedom to read and access ideas can transform lives – but when books are challenged or banned outright, readers are blocked from seeing all viewpoints and perspectives. That’s one of the reasons why libraries and bookstores focus on the harm of censorship during Banned Books Week, Sept. 25 to Oct. 1, 2016. On Tuesday, Sept. 27, local authors, librarians and other lovers of freedom will stand up for their right to read during a public reading of banned and challenged works at the Rock Island Main Library, 401 19th Street. The free event takes place in the library Community Room,... Read More

If you’ve passed the Fort Armstrong replica blockhouse near the Government Bridge without thinking much about what the structure represents, you can learn more about its place in local history this week at the Rock Island Public Library. As part of the Fort’s 200th anniversary year, Army Sustainment Command Historian George Eaton will speak on the history of Fort Armstrong at 6:00 pm on Wednesday, Sept. 21 at the Rock Island Main Library, 401 19th St. The original Fort Armstrong (1816–1836) was the second in a chain of western frontier defenses erected between St. Louis and Prairie... Read More

Now that the millennial generation has graduated and entered the workforce, what’s next on the horizon? Explore that question at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 7, at a presentation at the Rock Island Public Library from Doug Tschopp, director of the Augustana College Entrepreneurial Center. Tschopp’s lecture on “The Next Generation: Post Millennials” is at the Rock Island Main Library, 401 19th Street. Post or late millennials were born after the millennial generation, usually defined from around 1982 to 2002. Tschopp’s remarks will touch upon current research into what is... Read More

It’s three times the fun for parents and toddlers, now that Rock Island Library has expanded Play and Grow early learning time from one to three events per month. The play group for ages three and under and their parents or caregivers will be offered once per month at each of the library’s three locations. Upcoming dates for the 10:30 am Play and Grow events are: Sept. 6 at 30/31 Branch and Sept. 7 at Southwest Branch. (No September Play and Grow session at Main Library.) Oct. 4 at 30/31 Branch; Oct. 5 at Southwest, and Oct. 7 at the Main Library. Play and Grow uses the Every Child... Read More

A teen gaming night on Thursday, August 25 will allow teens to play Wii, Wii U, Xbox 360 and board games and to learn how to make their video games with Scratch programming. The event is from 5:30 to 7:30 pm at the Main Library. In addition, this month, teens can explore what life after high school could hold for them, with a Teen College & Careers Night on Tuesday, August 30. The event is from 6:00 to 7:30 pm at the Main Library. The event includes tips for teens and their families on planning a path after high school, whether it’s finding a job, learning a trade or heading off to college.... Read More

Stimulate your creative side with two events for adults this month at the Rock Island Public Library. On Wednesday, August 24, the library will host a Recycled Book Page Art session. Participants will add new life to old book pages by embellishing them with colored stamps. Choose from a wide variety of stamps and pages, and create a entirely new piece of art. The free event is from 6:00 to 7:00 pm at the Rock Island Main Library, 401 19th Street. August also marks the continuation of the library’s monthly adult coloring night. Color yourself happy with new coloring pages and bookmarks, and... Read More

Teens can experience the art of anime, play video and board games with other teens, and explore various paths to take after high school with August events for ages 12 to 18 at the Rock Island Public Library. On Tuesday, August 16, the library hosts an anime night for teens from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm at the Rock Island Main Library location, 401 19th Street. The monthly events allow teens to watch anime from Crunchyroll, try Japanese snacks, and write Japanese hiragana characters. A teen gaming night on Thursday, August 25 will allow teens to play Wii, Wii U, Xbox 360 and board games and to learn how... Read More

Playing Pokémon Go? Want to try it? You can catch many of the elusive Pokémon creatures at the Rock Island Library’s Pokémon Go Night on Thursday, Aug. 11, from 5:30 to 7:30 pm at the Main Library location, 401 19th Street. The Main Library, which is already home to a Pokémon Gym and a PokéStop, will offer a night of Pokemon gaming, trivia, and fun for all ages. The library will activate a Pokémon lure and offer a map of PokéStops that are close to the library. Additional activities include Pokémon trivia, snacks and crafts. The event is open to all ages, and is free. No registration... Read More

It’s three times the fun for parents and toddlers, now that Rock Island Library has expanded Play and Grow early learning time from one to three events per month. The play group for ages three and under and their parents or caregivers will be offered once per month at each of the library’s three locations. Upcoming dates for the 10:30 am Play and Grow events are: Tuesday, Aug. 9 at the 30/31 Branch, 3059 30th Street; Wednesday, Aug. 10 at the Southwest Branch, 9010 Ridgewood Road, and Friday. Aug. 12 at the library’s Main Location, 401 19th Street. Sept. 6 at 30/31 Branch and... Read More