Attendees of September programming at the Rock Island Public Library can extend the span of their knowledge about both historic and modern bridges of the Quad Cities.
On Tuesday, September 10 at 2:00 pm, the Rock Island Downtown Library hosts a talk on “Historic Bridges of the Quad Cities” with Curt Roseman and Bob Replinger. Roseman, an expert in urban geography, and Replinger, a local historian, are writing a book on the historic bridges of the Iowa and Illinois Quad Cities, and will share the interesting history of how those bridges came to be, and their role in supporting transportation, settlement and urban changes.
Moving onto the community’s newest bridge, the library will host the “I-74 Bridge Update,” a free talk by I-74 Corridor Manager George Ryan. The free presentation is at 2:00 pm, on Tuesday, September 24, also at the Downtown Library. Whether you’re a construction and engineering buff, or are just curious after driving around and by the construction, the talk is an opportunity to learn more about how they’re building the new bridge and to get an update on progress. Find out how this once-in-a-lifetime project is coming together!
Guests at either presentation can also take advantage of the opportunity to tour the new bridge in virtual reality. The self-guided I-74 Bridge VR tour is at the Downtown library through September 27. To check out the VR headset and remote, visit the first-floor reference desk during library hours. With the virtual reality headset, you'll experience a fully immersive view of the new bridge by air, car, and water.
Last checkout for the VR equipment is 45 minutes before library closing. The VR tour will be unavailable September 21. The I-74 Bridge Experience was created by the Iowa Department of Transportation and Iowa State University.
The Downtown Library is located at 401 19th Street, Rock Island.
For more free events for adults at the library, visit the library website, call 309-732-READ or follow the Rock Island Library on social media.