Rock Island, IL: Coloring for adults is a Big Thing right now, with enthusiasts praising its positive influence on calming anxiety, focusing on the moment, and relaxation.

If holiday shopping rush already has you tied in knots, take time for a free Coloring for Adults program at the Rock Island Main Library on Monday, Nov. 30. Relax and create from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm in the Main Library's Community Room at 401 19th Street. The library will provide a variety of coloring sheets, art supplies, cocoa, tea and a light snack. The event is for adults ages 18 and up and is free.

For more information about Rock Island Library hours, services and programs, visit the library's online branch at www.rockislandlibrary.org, call 309-732-READ, or follow the library on Facebook or Twitter.

(end)

Rock Island, IL: Teens and adults will find plenty of events at the Rock Island Public Library next week. Teens ages 12 to 18 who are fans of the Hunger Games books by Suzanne Collins and the movie franchise based on the books can take part in a free Mockingjay party at the Main Library on Tuesday, Nov. 17. The event will show the first installment of the Hunger Games series finale before the 2nd portion is released next Friday. Teens can catch up on the plot, play for prizes in a Hunger Games scavenger hunt, and enjoy snacks. The event is from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm in the Rock Island Main Library, 401 19th Street.

On Thursday, the library screens a different type of cinema with a Teen Anime Night. The event celebrates the art of Japanese animation with anime showings from the library's subscription to Crunchyroll, lessons in writing Japanese characters and Japanese snacks. The event is Thursday, Nov. 19, 6:00 to 7:30 pm, also at the Main Library. Both teen events are for ages 12 to 18.

Adults can catch a rescheduled presentation next Tuesday on the explosive impact of Albert Einstein's 1915 Theory of Relativity as part of an extended Frieze Lecture series with co-partner Augustana College. Dr. Cecilia Vogel, Augustana College physics department, will discuss the reception to Einstein's theory, how it forever changed our perception of the universe, and new or competing theories that have also arisen. The free presentation takes place at 2:00 pm on Tuesday, Nov. 17 in the Rock Island Main Library Community Room.

A newly added event next Wednesday is a presentation from Dr. Art Pitz on Quad City Jewish Heritage. Offered in cooperation with the Putnam Museum and Science Center's exhibit of the same name, the free program will be offered from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm on Wednesday, Nov. 18 in the Rock Island Main Library Community Room. Participants can also view a traveling exhibit on "A Welcome Place: Quad City Jewish Heritage" in the library's art gallery space next to the Community Room.

For more information about Rock Island Library hours, services and programs, visit the library's online branch at www.rockislandlibrary.org, call 309-732-READ, or follow the library on Facebook or Twitter.

(end)

Rock Island, IL: The Rock Island Public Library Foundation will celebrate the Great American novel with a foodie twist with their Food for Thought "American Classics" fundraiser at the Rock Island Main Library next week. To do that, the Rock Island Library's Main location will close to the public at noon on Thursday, Nov. 12.

Food for Thought guests will get the Main Library to themselves on Thursday from  5:00 pm to 7:30 pm, to enjoy a night of socializing and dining at stations from 10 chefs, beverage providers, and restaurants:

• Eudell Watts, III, of Eudell's Specialty Foods

• Martha Cleveland of Blue Cat Brew Pub

• Annette Zapolis, of Cool Beanz Coffee House

• Kitchen Express program of Thurgood Marshall Learning Center

• Chefs d'cuisine culinary arts program of Scott Community College

• Jose Zepeda of QC Coffee & Pancake House

• Main Street Catering of the Rock Island Holiday Inn

• Mark Mueller of Moe's Burgers and Brews

• Brewmaster Dan Cleaveland of Brew Cat Brew Pub

• Vintner Jennifer Mital of Creekside Vineyards

In addition to dining around the library, wine and beer tastings, and complimentary soft drinks, guests can enjoy musical entertainment by RiverCity6, bid on a wide variety of silent auction items, try their luck in a mystery wine pull of vintages selected by wine distributor Thad Miller, and picture themselves on a Great American Novel, thanks to a donation of a photo booth for the night.

Silent auction offers include the chance to win a Little Free Library for your own front yard, built and donated instructor Jamie Brown of Thurgood Marshall Learning Center. Other packages include free window cleaning, a laser-cut steel Christmas tree from Crawford Company, Theo's Java Club brew basket, overnight stays to Jumer's Casino Rock Island and Holiday Inn Rock Island, tickets to Ballet Quad Cities, Circa 21, the Quad-City Symphony, drive-in theater, Joy Murphy stockings, paintings by Mark Schwiebert and Elaine Rexdale, Vino Van Gogh painting parties, and a variety of signed books.

Admission of $40 per person includes all food and beverages, and is payable at the door by cash, check or credit. To RSVP, please call 309-732-7326 or email riplfoundation@gmail.com. Walk-in admission is also allowed.

The Rock Island Public Library Foundation hosts the annual event to raise funds for books and literacy, as well as awareness of the Foundation's role in enabling special projects that fall outside of the library's tax-supported budget. Additional support for the event was provided by participating chefs, Northwest Restoration, Friendship Manor and Sedona.

While the Main Library will be closed after noon on Nov. 12, the Rock Island 30/31 and Southwest Branches will be open for patrons, as will the library's online branch services at www.rockislandlibrary.org. For more information, visit the library website or call 309-732-READ.

###

Rock Island, IL: The front steps at the Rock Island Main Library, 401 19th Street, will be closed on Thursday, Oct. 29 and Friday, Oct. 30, for the installation of hand-railings. While the steps are closed for work, access the library via the South (Ground Floor) entrance.

The railing installation is one of the last remaining tasks in the library's stone restoration project.

For more free events for all ages, pick up a fall events brochure at library locations, call 309-732-READ or visit the library website at www.rockislandlibrary.org.

# # #