If you’re saving pennies on entertainment or just experiencing a bit of a post-holiday activity let-down, the Rock Island Public has a remedy in the form of multiple free events for adults this January.
January lifelong learning programming kicks off with a “Tuneful Tuesday” performance by Chordbusters VLQ (very large quartet) at noon on Tuesday, January 7 at the Rock Island Public Library Downtown, 401 19th Street, in the Community Room. The free event offers live music on the first Tuesday of the month through April, and is sponsored by Carol and Jim Horstmann, The Rock Island Public Library Foundation.
On Wednesday, January 8, the library’s World War II lecture series continues. The 2020 army history series looks at the waning days of World War II and the beginnings of the Korean War with lectures presented by the Army Sustainment Command historians from the Rock Island Arsenal. The January 8 talk on “the reduction of the Bulge and Operation Watch on the Rhine” takes place at 6:00 pm, also at the Downtown Library.
On Thursday, January 9, the library’s SEW Much Fun craft series for adults starts another year with a do-it-yourself headband project. The event takes place from 5:30 to 7:30 pm at the Downtown Library. While the event and materials are offered at no charge, registration is limited and required. To sign up, visit the online calendar or call 309-732-READ.
Events for the second full week of January, include a travel and geography talk by Norman “Norm” Moline, professor emeritus of geography at Augustana College. “A Southern Africa Odyssey: A Mosaic of Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe” will be presented at 6:00 pm on Monday, January 13 at the Downtown Library. Attendees will learn more about the cultural and natural "tiles"' in this mosaic of southern Africa that give this region its sense of place. Moline’s talk is based on a special University of Chicago trip to southern Africa he attended in March 2019.
A two-part Community Conversation on Homelessness starts Tuesday, January 14, with a free screening of a thought-provoking movie, “The Public.” The 2018 Emilio Estevez film will be shown from 5:30 to 7:30 pm in the Community Room of the Downtown Library. The movie, which may not be suitable for all audiences, is a fictional look at what happens when bitter cold leads a contingent of homeless people to stage an overnight sit-in at a public library in Cincinnati. One week later, on Tuesday, January 21, the library and Christian Care Center will lead a community roundtable discussion on homelessness and housing insecurity in Rock Island. The Community Conversation on homelessness is from 6:00 to 7:30 pm in the Community Room of the Downtown Library. Both events are free and open to the public, and are presented in partnership with Christian Care Center of Rock Island.
On Wednesday, January 15, Rock Island Public Library offers a second chance to meet Devin Hansen, author of “Guts: The Lane Evans Story.” The 6:00 pm event is at the Downtown Library. Hansen will discuss his biography of Congressman Evans, who served Illinois’ 17th District in the House of Representatives from 1983-2007. Attendees may share memories of the late Congressman, learn more about him from the author, and obtain an autographed copy of the book.
In personal entertainment and hobbies, additional library programs for January include:
- A “Cinema at Southwest” movie based on the novel, The Art of Racing in the Rain, by Garth Stein. The free movie is shown from 10:00 am to noon, on Thursday, January 16 at the Rock Island Southwest Library, 9010 Ridgewood Road. Light refreshments are provided.
- A “Chocoholic Paradise” talk by local chocolate-maker Randyl Mohr, of Chocolate Manor, Davenport. Offered from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm on Saturday, January 25 at the Downtown Library, the free program includes a talk about the art of chocolate making, and samples that illustrate the wide variety of flavor combinations. This program is open to adults and teens.
- A new year of the library’s “Getting Stitchy With It” series. The series offers a (nearly) monthly get-together for anyone working on a craft that involves stitches. Participants bring their projects and work on them in company with other crafters. Getting Stitchy meets from 2:00 to 4:00 pm on Thursday, January 30 in the Community Room of the Downtown Library. (Due to a library in-service day, there is no meeting on February 27.)
Library programming is offered at no additional charge and are open to the public.
For more information about Rock Island Public Library events and services, visit the library website or call 309-732-READ. Rock Island Library events are also listed on Facebook and at Burbio.com.