It’s Library Card Sign Up Month, and lifelong learners will find a wide variety of educational and entertaining activities to enjoy at the Rock Island Public Library. Improve job search skills, try a new craft, meet new people, explore new subjects!
Learn new skills and explore new ideas this September with events for adults at Rock Island Library
It’s Library Card Sign Up Month, and lifelong learners will find a wide variety of educational and entertaining activities to enjoy at the Rock Island Public Library this month. Adults looking to improve job search skills, try a new craft, meet new people, or simply explore new subjects will find the following free events at the library this month:
- Cinema at Southwest movie for grown-ups: 6:00 to 8:00 pm, Sept. 6, Rock Island Southwest Branch, 9010 Ridgewood Road. Free popcorn and movie based on Stephen Chbosky’s book, The Perks of Being a Wallflower.
- Job Skills Series: How to Create a Resume: 4:00 to 5:00 pm, Sept. 8, Rock Island Downtown Library, 401 19th Street. This free class offers tips from Angela Striegel, of Black Hawk College Career Services, on creating a professional-looking resume that will help you get noticed. Registration is requested, but not required. To sign up, visit the event on the library calendar or call 309-732-7341. How to Search for Jobs will be offered from 4 to 5 pm Oct. 6, by the same speaker. See library calendar to register.
- Buzzfeed Unsolved Fest: 5:00 to 6:00 pm, Sept. 8, Downtown Library. For teens and adults. Participants will watch episodes of Buzzfeed Unsolved, and learn about the upcoming book, Buzzfeed Unsolved, Supernatural.
- Rock Island Arsenal History Series: Production by the Numbers: 2:00 to 3:00 pm, Sept. 14, Downtown Library. To spin off this month’s holiday of American labor, Army Sustainment Command historian Mark Struve looks at the production contributions of Arsenal workers. The series celebrates the 160th anniversary of the Rock Island Arsenal.
- Banned Books Week Read Out with the Midwest Writing Center: 5:30 pm entry, Sept. 21, Downtown Library. In this special after-hours event, volunteer readers will celebrate their freedom to read by reading passages from works that have either been banned or challenged. Participants must arrive by 6 pm, which is when the library closes. Readings may extend from 6pm to 8pm. To volunteer to read, call the Midwest Writing Center at 309-732-7330. Though open to all, content may not be suitable for all ages.
- National Hobbit Day Wreath Craft: 4:30 to 6:00 pm, Sept. 22, Downtown Library. Adults will make a door wreath that looks like the round hobbit door. All materials are supplied for the free craft, and registration is required. To sign up, visit www.rockislandlibrary.org or call 309-732-7341.
- Star Wars Trivia (for everyone): 5:00 to 6:00 pm, Sept. 27, Southwest Branch. Fast-paced trivia game for all ages. Free, no registration required.
For avid readers, three September book club discussions are also available. See library calendar for details. And though its membership in Illinois Libraries Present, Rock Island Library will also offer an online conversation with Oscar winner, author, and activist Marlee Matlin. Her free presentation, "From Oscar to the West Wing and Beyond" is at 7:00 pm on Sept. 14. This virtual event will be offered via Zoom in ASL and translated though an interpreter. Registration is required. Sign up via the link on the library’s event calendar or call 309-732-7341 for assistance
All library events are free and open to the public, and no library card is ever required. (Though if you live in Rock Island or the Milan-Blackhawk Area Public Library District, you can apply or renew a library card online or in-person.)
Every September, the Rock Island Public Library joins the American Library Association (ALA) in reminding learners of all ages that signing up for a library card is the first step on a path to academic achievement and lifelong learning. Since 1987, Library Card Sign-up Month has been held each September to mark the back-to-school season.
In addition to offering library card sign up online and at library locations, the Rock Island Library will also offer special community card drives with the Library 2Go bookmobile at several public events, including the Rock Island Independents Vintage Football game on Sept. 10, the Greek Fest on Sept. 16, and the Rock Island High School home football game on Sept. 30. Bring a photo ID with your current address, and sign up whereever you see the Library2Go bookmobile!
For more information about library events and services, visit the library website, call 309-732-7323 (READ,) or follow library social media pages.