Begin Reading Here - With My First Library Card!

Rock Island, IL: Great beginnings start with reading, and to help children build the habit, the Rock Island Public Library has rolled out a brand-new library card just for children under age 6.

My First Library Card acts like a library training card, introducing children ages birth to six to the wide variety of library materials that help develop their reading skills. Research shows that reading to children actively builds brain cells, strengthening existing connections, and adding new ones.

"We know that reading, and being read to, builds brain development, especially in the first five years," says Susan Foster, Rock Island Library Children's Services director. "Getting books into the hands of children is critical to their healthy development, and to their later capacity for reading and learning."

The card features the image and shape of Rock Island Library mascot Max Reader Mouse, and includes built in limits to help parents control use and teach good library habits. Children can use the card to check up out up to 10 children's items at Rock Island Library locations, with no overdue fines. "The limit helps parents keep track of what their children have checked out, and to help teach children how to take care of library items. Having your own library card is a simple way to build both responsibility and the love of reading at a young age," adds Foster.

The card is available to children ages birth to six living in the Rock Island Library service area, which includes residents of Rock Island, and of the Milan-Blackhawk Area Public Library District. To apply, a parent or guardian must sign for the child and present a photo ID and proof of residency. Lost or damaged items will be billed to the parent or guardian.

Due to the fine forgiveness feature, My First Library Card may be used by the child only at Rock Island Main, 30/31 or Southwest Branches, for Rock Island items. The card automatically expires on the child's sixth birthday, at which time the child will be invited to apply for a "big kid" library card.

Before the introduction of My First Library card, cards were only available for ages six and older.

For more information about Rock Island Library services and programs for children, teens and adults, visit the library's online branch at www.rockislandlibrary.org, call 309-732-READ (7323) or follow the library on Facebook or Twitter.

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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"In the Footsteps of History" to highlight Harkin's partnership with Iowa communities through the years

DES MOINES - Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) announced today that his office is launching a summer tour of all Iowa counties aimed at highlighting his partnership with Iowa communities through the years, which include efforts to keep Iowa communities healthy and safe, keep communities thriving through targeted education, research, and economic development projects and promote local agriculture and conservation, while mitigating disasters.  The tour begins May 1 in Shelby County and will run through July.

"One of Iowa's many strengths is its communities, which are strengthened by investments that create jobs, foster economic development, and improve the health and wellbeing of its residents," said Harkin. "Local economies are stronger with these investments.  I am proud of every project I have worked on that has invested in Iowa communities and I look forward to revisiting the progress that has been made over the years."

The kickoff event for the "In the Footsteps of History" tour will be at the Danish windmill in Shelby County, where Harkin's State Director, Rob Barron, will return exactly 38 years to the day that Harkin as a new Congressman helped in the reconstruction of the windmill.  Harkin was invited to help in the project after he successfully got the windmill released from New York, where it was being held due to import levies.  Then-Congressman Harkin not only got the windmill released, but worked to see that the community received a refund for the levy.  The windmill stood on Danish soil for 127 years before it was purchased by the Elk Horn community in 1976.  (Click here for a photo of Harkin working inside the windmill and here talking to Iowans after its reconstruction.)

Each summer, Senator Harkin's staff visits each Iowa county to talk to Iowans about the issues impacting them and their families.  Staff will then post information on their visits on Senator Harkin's web site (http://harkin.senate.gov/)

A full list of events for this year's tour is still coming together, but all events will be advised to media by county. 

Best-of-Seven Series Starts Friday in Texas

Mallards Host Games Three and Four April 23 and 25;

Game Five, If Necessary, April 26 at iWireless Center

RAPID CITY, S.D. (April 16, 2014) - The Quad City Mallards tonight defeated the host Rapid City Rush 3-1 in the seventh and deciding game of the opening round of the Central Hockey League President's Cup playoffs to advance to a best-of-seven CHL semi-final match-up with the Allen Americans that will begin Friday night in Allen.

After opening the second round at the Allen Event Center Friday night, the Mallards and Americans will meet in game two next Sunday afternoon in Allen.  The series will shift to the Quad Cities for game three next Wednesday night, April 23 and game four next Friday evening, April 25.  Both of those contests will face off at 7:05 p.m., as would a potential fifth game which, if necessary, will be played next Saturday, April 26 at the iWireless Center.  Should a sixth game be required, the series would move back to Allen on Tuesday night, April 29.  If the series goes the distance, the Americans would host the seventh and deciding game on Wednesday evening, April 30.

Jordan Mayer and Thomas Frazee tonight provided a goal and an assist apiece and Thomas Heemskerk made 26 saves to propel the Mallards to their first playoff series win since 2003.

Mayer gave the Mallards a 1-0 lead with a wrist shot from the right wing boards at 1:33 of the second period.  Frazee broke in alone to double the advantage at 7:01 of the second.  The Rush trimmed the gap to 2-1 just over two minutes later with Winston Day Chief's net-crashing power play goal.

The Malllards protected the one goal lead deep into the third period before Vladimir Nikiforov one-timed a power play goal from the slot to finish off the Rush with just 1:41 remaining.

The Mallards and Americans split four regular season meetings.  The Mallards went 1-1-0 on home ice against the Americans and 1-1-0 in Allen.

Tickets for Mallards home playoff games can be purchased in person at the iWireless Center box office, online at ticketmaster.com, at Ticketmaster outlets or through Ticketmaster charge-by-phone toll free at 1-800-745-3000.  The ticket office is open weekdays from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and on game days from 10:00 a.m. until the start of the second period.

About the Quad City Mallards
A proud affiliate of the National Hockey League's Minnesota Wild and the American Hockey League's Iowa Wild, the Quad City Mallards are in the midst of their seventeenth season their fourth in the Central Hockey League.  One of the winningest teams in all of minor league hockey, the Mallards competed in the United Hockey League from 1995 through 2007 and in the International Hockey League in 2009-10.  The Mallards' proud history has seen them capture the UHL's Colonial Cup Championship three times (1997, 1998, 2001) and secure that league's Tarry Cup four times (1998, 2000, 2001, 2002) for the best overall regular season record.  In 2001, the Mallards made professional hockey history, recording their sixth consecutive season with 50 or more wins, a feat that has yet to be matched.  The iWireless Center provides a unique environment for hockey and features one-of-a-kind seating areas such as the Nest for groups and functions and the exclusive Drake Club.  For more information on the Quad City Mallards or for Mallards tickets go to www.myqcmallards.net.  Fans can also follow the Mallards via Twitter at twitter.com/myqcmallards and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/quadcitymallards.

Quad City Mallards vs. Allen Americans - Central Hockey League President's Cup Semi-Finals

Game One: Friday, April 18 @ Allen, 7:05 p.m.

Game Two: Sunday, April 20 @ Allen, 4:05 p.m.

Game Three: Wednesday, April 23 @ Quad City, 7:05 p.m.

Game Four: Friday, April 25 @ Quad City, 7:05 p.m.

Game Five*: Saturday, April 26 @ Quad City, 7:05 p.m.

Game Six*: Tuesday, April 29 @ Allen, 7:05 p.m.

Game Seven*: Wednesday, April 30 @ Allen, 7:05 p.m.