Rock Island, IL: Nationally-touring children's recording artist Laura Doherty will perform a family concert for the Hug-A-Book early learning program on Thursday, Sept. 24 at the Rock Island Library.

The free event for families and preschoolers takes place from 6:30 to 7:30 pm at the Rock Island Main Library, 401 19th Street. Doherty, an award-winning musician from Chicago, will perform sweet, folk-inspired tunes for the whole family. Thanks to funding from the Merrill Harris Memorial, each child may pick out a new free picture book to take home.

Laura Doherty found her place in the acoustic-folk world early on, picking up the guitar at age 16. She came to Chicago after college to join the teaching staff at the Old Town School of Folk Music. She directed the Old Town School's early childhood Wiggleworms program for more than a decade before going full time with her music career in 2009. Doherty has produced two Parents' Choice award-winning albums, Kid in the City (2009) and Shining Like a Star (2011.) Her 2014 CD, In a Heartbeat, is a collection of heartfelt, upbeat children's songs that, true to Laura's folk-pop roots, are filled with acoustic instrumentals.

The event is free and open to the public. Funding is provided by the Merrill Harris memorial fund of the Rock Island Public Library Foundation.

For more information on library events for children and families, contact Rock Island Library at 309-732-READ (7323), visit the library website at www.rockislandlibrary.org, or follow the library's Facebook and Twitter sites.

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Rock Island, IL: Due to road closures for The Rock Island Gran Prix cart races, the downtown Rock Island Main Library at 401 19th Street will be closed on Saturday, Sept. 5. The Rock Island 30/31 and Southwest Branches will be open until 5:00 pm to serve patron needs this Saturday.

All Rock Island Libraries will be closed on Monday, Sept. 7 in observance of the Labor Day holiday.

For more information on library hours and events, contact Rock Island Library at 309-732-READ (7323), visit the library website at www.rockislandlibrary.org, or follow the library's Facebook and Twitter sites.

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Rock Island, IL: The Rock Island Public Library Foundation will host a uniquely wordy fundraiser for the Rock Island Library on Wednesday, Sept. 9, from 6:00 to 9:00 pm at Mama Compton's restaurant in Rock Island. Their first Scrabble Scramble fundraiser will pair teams of one to four players in an evening of "your word against theirs" word games.

The tournament will consist of three 30 minute games for a fast-moving night of wordplay and fun. Players can sign up as a team or as individuals, and be matched with a team if desired, in beginner/intermediate or advanced/expert divisions.

Registration is open to ages 12 and up and is $20 per player. For extra luck, players may buy a peek at a word list, get help from an expert, or purchase a blank tile. Each legal cheat is $5. Players may bring their own Scrabble game, or use a supplied board. To register, call 309-752-2014 or email riplfoundation@gmail.com by Sept. 7.

Mama Compton's, 1725 2nd Avenue, has generously donated the use of their restaurant for the night. Meals and drinks will be available for sale before and during the event.

For more details about the Rock Island Public Library Foundation, and opportunities to give, please call 309-732-7326 or email RIPLFoundation@gmail.com.

For more information about the Rock Island Library, call 309-732-READ (7323), visit the library website at www.rockislandlibrary.org, or follow the library's Facebook and Twitter sites.

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About the Rock Island Public Library Foundation: The Rock Island Public Library Foundation is a 501(c)3 organization that was established nearly 30 years ago to support the valuable extras that go far beyond the library's city supported budget.

About the Rock Island Public Library: Founded in 1872, the Rock Island Public Library provides resources to enhance personal achievement and stimulate the imagination through the Main, 30/31 and Southwest Branches, community outreach efforts, and online opportunities.

Rock Island, IL: The front 19th Street stairs at the Rock Island Main Library location, 401 19th Street, will be closed for approximately three weeks as part of an ongoing stone restoration project. Alternate access to the building is available around the corner, via the South (alley-side) entrance. The Ground Floor entrance is accessible to persons with mobility issues.

Work is expected to last, weather permitting, to sometime around the second week of September. For updates, call the Rock Island Library at 309-732-READ, follow the library's Facebook feed or go to www.rockislandlibrary.org.

The project is included in the City's Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), which is primarily funded through gaming dollars.

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Rock Island, IL: In the late 1890s, Mattie Poole was THE name in hand-painted china. The Moline woman built an enduring legacy from her crowded art store and studio, teaching the art to many local women as well.

Gretchen Small, program director at Deere-Wiman and Butterworth Center, brings Poole's entrepreneurial spirit to life in a free history presentation on Wednesday, August 26 at 6:30 pm at the Rock Island Main Library, 401 19th Street.

Poole was well ahead of her time when it came to both progressive marketing skills and business acumen. Her building on Moline's 5th Avenue still stands today, evidence of her achievements in what was then a man's world. Collectors of Poole china (often marked "Mrs. S.D. Poole" or "M.W. Poole" on the back or underside) are encouraged to bring pieces from their collections to show and discuss.

The presentation in the Main Library Community Room is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Rock Island Library at 309-732-READ (7323), visit the library website at www.rockislandlibrary.org, or follow the library's Facebook and Twitter sites.

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Rock Island, IL: Families can work together to make a small lighted garland at two Family Craft activities at the Rock Island Southwest Branch on Tuesday and Saturday.

This month's free craft involves making a small lighted garland out of cups, fabric and a light string. Families can register for the 6:00 pm session on Tuesday, August 11 or the 10:00 am session on Saturday, August 15. Both sessions are offered in the Community Room of the Southwest Branch, 9010 Ridgewood Road. The event is free and materials are provided.

To sign up, call 309-732-7338 or use the online registration system on the library calendar at www.rockislandlibrary.org. The Southwest Branch hosts a new craft on the second Tuesday and following Saturday of each month.

For information on other free events, contact Rock Island Library at 309-732-READ (7323), visit the library website at www.rockislandlibrary.org, or follow the library's Facebook and Twitter sites.

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Rock Island, IL: If you've pinned craft ideas on the Pinterest social media site, you can try out one of the crafts yourself at a Pinterest Night next week at Rock Island Library.

Participants can make customized photo coasters at 7:00 pm on July 30 at the Rock Island 30/31 Branch Library, 3059 30th Street. Attendees can use photos from Instagram, bring 4 -inch square photos, or use other designs for their coaster.

The event is free and materials are supplied. Enrollment is limited. To sign up, choose 'register" on the event listing at www.rockislandlibrary.org or call 309-732-7369.

For more upcoming library events, visit library locations or the website at www.rockislandlibrary.org, follow Rock Island Library on Facebook or Twitter or call 309-732-READ (7323).

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Calendar of library programs: http://rockislandlibrary.evanced.info/signup/eventcalendar.aspx

Rock Island, IL: A Rock Island Public Library event for teens, ages 12 to 18, will explore the world of Cosplay, a hobby where participants dress up as characters from movies, books, and video games.

The library will host an "Epic Cosplay Night," on Thurs, July 30 from 6:00 to 7:30 pm at the Main Library location, 401 19th Street. At the event, teens can wear costumes and take pictures with friends in the library photo booth. Attendees who are new to Cosplay can learn more about it, discover how to make costumes and accessories, and watch videos on the hobby.

A performance art originating in Japan, Cosplay is a combination of the words, costume and play. Cosplay events are common at fan conventions, with costumes ranging from simple to elaborate recreations of characters from Japanese manga and anime, science-fiction, movies, video games, TV, books and more.

The event is free and is for teens ages 12 to 18. For more information and additional events, visit the library's online branch at www.rockislandlibrary.org, call 309-732-READ, or follow the library on Facebook or Twitter.Printed event calendars are available at the Rock Island Main Library, 30/31 or Southwest Branches.

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Rock Island, IL: A Rock Island Public Library event for teens, ages 12 to 18, will explore John Green's best-selling teen novel, Paper Towns, just in time for the upcoming movie release.

For more information, visit the library's online branch at www.rockislandlibrary.org, call 309-732-READ, or follow the library on Facebook or Twitter.

Thursday, July 23: Paper Towns Party, 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm, Rock Island Main Library. Celebrate the upcoming release of the movie based on John Green's bestselling book, Paper Towns, with crafts and snacks based on the film, and showings of YouTube videos by the movie's actors, and by the vlogbrothers team of John and Hank Green.

Based in a fictional suburb of Orlando, Paper Towns is the story of Quentin's search for the adventurous Margo Roth Spiegelman, who disappears after involving Quentin, or "Q," on an ingenious night of revenge. Paper Towns is taught in many high school and college curriculums, often in conjunction with Walt Whitman's Leaves of Grass, which is an important text within the novel. (http://johngreenbooks.com/paper-towns/)

The event is free and is for teens ages 12 to 18. For more free programs, visit www.rockislandlibrary.org or pick up a summer reading brochure at the Rock Island Main Library, 30/31 or Southwest Branches.

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Rock Island, IL: A July series of tech help classes at the Rock Island Library will help participants learn how to get maximum use out of the library's mobile content services and how to use smartphones and tablets.

"Download This," a class on using free library content services such as hoopla, Flipster, and Freegal Music, will be offered at 6:30 pm on Monday, July 20 at the Main Library. Participants can bring their devices and Rock Island Library card and try out the services, which currently include hoopla digital for movies, music, comics, and audiobooks, Flipster for popular magazines, and Freegal Music.

Library guests can also take advantage of free classes with information on using Android, Apple, and Kindle Fire devices. The "Getting to Know your Device" classes cover basic functions, settings, organizing apps, tips, and more general information. Participants should bring their devices. Classes include :

  • Getting to Know Your Android device: 6:30 pm, Monday, July 27, Rock Island Main Library Community Room, 401 19th Street.
  • Getting to Know Your Apple device (iPad/iPhone): 6:30 pm, Tuesday, July 28, also at the Main Library.
  • Getting to Know Your Kindle Fire tablet: 6:30 pm on Wednesday, July 29 at the Main Library.

No registration is necessary for any of the above programs.

To check upcoming events at Rock Island Public Libraries, visit the library website at www.rockislandlibrary.org, follow the library on Facebook or Twitter, or call 309-732-7323.

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Founded in 1872, the Rock Island Public Library serves the area through three locations, which include the Main, 30/31 and Southwest Branches, community outreach efforts, and online opportunities that provide resources to enhance personal achievement and stimulate the imagination.

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