Rock Island, IL: Want to explore the world and the perspectives of other cultures in 2015? The Rock Island Library's monthly independent film series offers a free way to do that without ever leaving your seat.

Films are shown at no cost on the first Thursday of every month in the community room of the Rock Island Main Library, 401 19th Street. Each showing includes free popcorn and discussion. Movies are not rated and may not be suitable for all audiences.

Upcoming dates and the setting of the next three films in the series include :(Please note: titles are omitted due to the library's film licensing restrictions from filmmovement.com. Full information is available at the library.)

• 6:00 pm, Jan. 8: (United Kingdom) An 11-year-old's carefree life is shattered when she witnesses her angry neighbor beating a young man, and becomes unwittingly drawn into an unfolding family melodrama of violence and illness.
• 5:30 pm, Feb. 5: (Japan) In Japanese, with English subtitles. A case of stolen identity and one determined bride-to-be intersect in this comedic escapade from filmmaker Kenji Uchida. Struggling actor Sakurai is out of work, out of luck, and can't even succeed at taking his own life. When a mysterious man slips and falls at the bathhouse, Sakurai switches locker keys and identities with the man, who turns out to be a hit man. Film starts early due to running time.
• 6:00pm, March 5: (Chad) In French, with English subtitles. Despite a bad leg, 25-year old Grigris has hopes of becoming a professional dancer.  His dreams are tested when his stepfather falls critically ill and he's forced to risk his future by smuggling oil to pay the hospital bills.

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Rock Island, IL: From tracking personal fitness to family budgets, and from games to new photo editors, it seems that there's a mobile app for just about everything.

A new monthly discussion group from the Rock Island Library can help you learn more about what's new and useful in these self-contained computer applications for smartphones and tablets. "APPy Hour" will meet at 7:00 pm on the second Wednesday of each month at Cool Beanz Coffeehouse, 1325 30th Street Rock Island.

The informal gathering gives smartphone and tablet owners to way to learn about new apps and to share their personal favorites with the group. The first meeting is January 14.

APPy Hours are free and open to the public, and will focus on apps of interest to adults and teens. Refreshments will be available for purchase from the coffeehouse.

Additional information about library events and services is available by visiting www.rockislandlibrary.org, following the library's Facebook and Twitter sites, or by calling 309-732-READ (7323.)

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The schedule of classes kicks off on the day after Christmas with a drop-in tech help session at the 30/31 Branch. Class offerings then go on to cover the ins and outs of Apple iPads and iPhones, Android tablets and iPhones, Kindle Fire tablets, and how to use the library's OverDrive service to download free eBooks and eAudiobooks to any device.

The schedule of classes and programs is as follows:

Gadgets and More drop-in help sessions at the 30/31 Branch:

• Dec. 26 from 10:00 am to 11:30 am
• Jan. 2 from 10:00 am to 11:30 am
• Jan. 12 from 2:30 pm to 4:00 pm
• Jan. 15 from 6:00 to 7:30 pm

All Gadgets and More sessions are inside the bookstore at the 30/31 Branch, 3059 30th Street. Participants can bring in their new device and get practical help with learning how to use it. Devices should be charged, with the set-up phase completed.

How to Download eBooks and eAudiobooks classes will be offered:

• Dec. 30 at 2:00 pm, at the Main Library, 401 19th Street;
• Jan. 13 at 6:00 pm, at the Southwest Branch, 9010 Ridgewood Road, and
• Jan. 29 at 2:30 pm, at the Main Library.

The download classes lead attendees through using the library's OverDrive services to check out free eBooks and eAudiobooks. Each session covers all common device types, including personal eReaders, computers, tablets and Mp3 players. Participants should bring their devices.

A Getting to Know Your iPad or Android Tablet class will be offered Dec. 30, at 11:00 am in the Main Library Community Room. The class will cover basic features, tips and settings for users of both Apple-based and Android-based tablet computers and phones. Attendees should bring their devices. Other device-specific classes include :

• ·         Getting to Know Your Android Tablet or Smartphone : 11:00 am on Jan. 7, Main Library Community Room. This class is for Android users.

• Getting to Know Your Apple iPad or iPhone: 2:30 pm on Jan. 8, Main Library Community Room. This class is for Apple users.
• Getting to Know Your Amazon Kindle Fire: 11:00 am on Jan. 9, Main Library Community Room.

The Kindle Fire and the iPad/Android tablet classes will be repeated at the library's Southwest Branch in February. For more details, please see the library's online calendar.

Each device class is free and open to the public, and covers basic functions settings, organizing apps, tips on other uses, and more general information. Attendees should bring their devices along. No registration is necessary.

For more 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.

Rock Island, IL: Teenage fans of a certain time-traveling doctor should set their TARDIS coordinates for 6:00 pm on Thursday, Dec. 18 at the Rock Island Main Library, 401 19th Street.

The library will offer a Teen Doctor Who party with activities based on the popular BBC science-fiction television program. Since its beginnings in 1963, the show about a time-traveling humanoid alien Time Lord named "The Doctor" has acquired a cult television following. The Doctor, played by 12 different actors over the series, explores the universe in the TARDIS, which appears as a blue British police box, righting wrongs and fixing problems with creative thinking and his trusty sonic screwdriver. He often clashes with the Daleks, a race of unfeeling cyborgs bent on dominating other worlds.

Teens will watch a non-BBC movie based on the invading Daleks, create some TARDIS and Dalek crafts, play trivia for fun prizes, and enjoy snacks "fit for a Time Lord."  The event is free and open to anyone ages 12 to 18.

For more events at Rock Island Public Libraries, visit the library website atwww.rockislandlibrary.org, follow the library on Facebook or Twitter, or call 309-732-READ (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.