National Library Week, April 13 to 19, 2014. This year's theme, "Lives Change @ your library," marks the positive impact of libraries on communities across the nation.
"Libraries are great equalizers of knowledge. Lives Change at Your Library is such a fitting theme because our new Rock Island Public Library brand, "Begin Here," recognizes that our libraries are a great place to begin something new," said Angela Campbell, Rock Island Public Library director.
Libraries also provide enrichment, education and entertainment, with free access to books, digital media and online resources, and free public programs. The following types of free events are available next week at Rock Island Public Libraries:
· Free learning opportunities for adults, such as "Getting to Know Your iPad/Tablet" on April 14; How to Download eBooks, and "Celebrate Shakespeare with the Prenzie Players on April 15; Download THIS - Magazines, music and movies on April 16, and Putting Some Herbs in Your Life, on April 17.
· Educational and entertainment events for children and teens, including an evening storytime for all ages, and a Teen Iron Chef program for ages 12 to 18 on April 14; Morning storytimes for ages birth to five on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday; a "Lego Block" club on April 16, a Friday family movie fest on April 18; an Earth Day storytime, and Spectacular Saturday frog party, both on April 19.
· Registration for the free Children's Summer Art program, which features five weeks of art classes for children approaching 3rd to 8th grades, also starts Monday. To sign up for the Paws to Read summer art program, call the library's Children's Department at 309-732-7360. Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis, with limited class openings.
Nationally, the American Library Association will also use the week to release the 2014 "State of America's Libraries Report," which highlights trends in the library world. Recently, the Pew Research Center Internet and American Life Project reported 91 percent of the respondents said that libraries are important to the community, and 76 percent said that libraries are important to them and their families. The report showed that libraries are especially appreciated because people view them as leaders in technology. Seventy-seven percent want libraries to coordinate more closely with local schools, and 77 percent want free early literacy programs for children, and both of these factors are key elements in the Rock Island Library's five-year strategic plan.
To show their support for libraries during National Library Week, area residents can also sign the "Declaration of the Right to Libraries," to be displayed at the three Rock Island Libraries April 14 to 19.The Declaration is an opportunity to make a public statement about the value of libraries to individuals and their communities. The Declaration for the Right to Libraries is the cornerstone document of ALA President Barbara Stripling's presidential initiative, Libraries Change Lives, intended to build sustained support for America's right to libraries of all types.
First sponsored in 1958, National Library Week is an annual observance by the American Library Association (ALA) and libraries across the country each April.
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.
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Events during National Library Week at Rock Island Library locations:
April 14:
Summer Art Program registration begins. All day. Call 732-7360.
Getting to Know Your iPad/Tablet, 2:30 pm at Main Library.
Teen Iron Chef Program, 6:30 pm, Main Library. Ages 12-18.
Evening Storytime, 6:30 pm, at 30/31 Branch. Children of all ages.
April 15:
Morning Storytime, Chicks & Bunnies, 10:30 am, 30/31 Branch, Ages birth to five.
Library How-To: Download Books, 2:00 pm at Main Library.
Celebrating Shakespeare with the Prenzie Players, 6:30 pm at Main Library.
April 16:
Morning Storytime, Chicks & Bunnies, 10:30 am, Southwest Branch, Ages birth to five
LEGO Block Club, 4:00 pm, at 30/31 Branch. Pre-K to 6th grades.
Download This!: How-To On Downloading Magazines, Music, and Movies from the Library, 6:30 pm at Main Library.
April 17:
Putting Some Herbs in Your Life, with Peg Christensen of QC Herbs, 6:30 pm at Main Library
April 18:
Morning Storytime, Chicks & Bunnies, 10:30 am, Main Library, Ages birth to five.
Friday Family Movie Fest, 1:00 pm, Man Library. Rated G. Call library for title.
April 19:
Saturday Earth Day Storytime & crafts, 11:00 am, 30/31 Branch
Spectacular Saturday Frog Party, Stories, games and crafts for all ages, 2:00 pm, 30/31 Branch.
Locations include the Main Library at 401 19th Street, the 30/31 Branch at 3059 30th Street, and the Southwest Branch at 3059 30th Street. More library events at www.rockislandlibrary.org
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.
