What's more romantic than the songs of Nat King Cole? From Mona Lisa to Unforgettable, his songs are part of an enduring songbook. Listen on Tuesday, February 5, as local vocalist Tony Sconyers, accompanied by Iowa City pianist Dick Watson, presents stories and songs from Nat King Cole. The "Tuneful Tuesday" features live music at noon on the first Tuesday of each month in the Rock Island Downtown Library Community Room at 401 19th Street. Participants are welcome to bring a sack lunch and enjoy free music, presented through a sponsorship from Carol and Jim Horstmann through the Rock Island Public Library Foundation.

On Wednesday, February 6, fans of the romance novel genre can join in the library's first Romance Book Swap. The free event at the Rock Island 30/31 Library, 3059 30th Street, gives romance readers a chance to clear off their own bookshelves, make room for new authors, and connect with other readers as you discuss favorite reads. Participants should bring some gently used romance novels that they want to trade to the 6:00 pm event.

See the world through heart-shaped glasses with the library's "Eye Heart You" craft at 6:00 pm on Thursday, February 7, also at the 30/31 Library. Guests will assemble and decorate their own heart-shaped eyeglasses using materials supplied by the library. The free craft is suitable for all ages, and registration is required. Sign up online at at the library website or call 309-732-7369.

Teens love creating, and the Teen You Tube Video Night will helps them use that creativity productively. The free event for teens ages 12 to 18 is from 5:30 to 7:00 pm, Tuesday, February 12, at the Rock Island Downtown Library. Participants will make short videos using library equipment and props, and learn how to upload it for entry into the Teen Video Contest, presented by Quad City Libraries and the Putnam Museum. Teens who enter can see their movie on the giant screen at the Putnam, take part in their own premiere party, and have a chance at winning $100! Entry deadline for the "Libraries are for Creating" Teen Video Contest is March 1.

Also on February 12, you can make something nice for your sweetie with a free craft night for all ages offered on the second Tuesday of each month at the Southwest Library, 9010 Ridgewood Road. The 6:00 pm craft features a Valentine's Pillow Box Craft for storing small treats and candy. To register for the free craft, call 309-732-7338 or sign up online.

Fans of the Korean pop group, BTS, can show their love for the band with a series of BTS events at the Rock Island Library. The first event for the fan base, known as the BTS Army, is the BTS Purple Heart Sticker craft on Wednesday, February 13, from 5:30 to 7:00 pm at the Rock Island 30/31 Library. The purple heart is a symbol BTS uses to represent the bond between their fans and they often hold purple heart themed events at their concerts. BTS songs often features references to literature, and this craft takes place on the anniversary of the band's music video, Spring Day, inspired by a short story from the late science fiction writer Ursula LeGuin. Teen and adult fans can make some crafts while listening to their music right here at the library. Templates will be available to create your sticker or design your own completely from scratch. To register, visit the library website or call 309-732-7369.

Library patrons can "sew" their love on Valentine's Day by making a handy walker tote at the library's SEW Much Fun event on Thursday, February 14. The event for adult crafters is from 5:30 to 7:30 pm at the Rock Island Downtown Library. Walker totes attach to the front of a walker frame to help a senior easily transport items. The walker totes will be donated to Habitat Restore Hearth and Home. Registration is required. To sign up, call the library at 309-732-7341 or sign up at the library website.

To really show that you love your library, get a library card! Rock Island Library cards are available for no additional charge to residents of Rock Island and of the Milan-Blackhawk Area Public Library District. For information about how to apply, contact any Rock Island Library, call 309-732-READ or visit the library website. 

Details about these, and many other reasons to visit a Rock Island Library this February, are available on the library website via either the downloadable newsletter or library events calendar,  on library social media sites, and by calling 309-732-READ.