Rock Island, IL: The Rock Island Public Library Foundation will offer guests a walk down the red carpet with the "Lights, Camera . . .Literacy," a Food for Thought celebration on Thursday, Nov. 13. The annual fundraising event takes place from 5:00 to 7:30 pm at the Rock Island Main Library, 401 19th Street.
Lights, Camera . . .Literacy! transforms the library into a star-studded night of dining, socializing and silent auction bidding. Admission includes food stations from guest chefs, complimentary soft drinks, wine and beer, and musical entertainment by the Edgar Crocket Duo and Lee Blackman. Guests will enjoy tastes of Rock Island served at multiple food stations, including selections from Martha Cleaveland of Blue Cat Brew Pub, Eudell Watts, III, of Eudell's Specialty Foods, Chef Craig Joos of Hy-Vee, Chef Jose Zepeda of QC Coffee and Pancake House, Kitchen Express of the Thurgood Marshall Learning Center, and Annette Zapolis of Cool Beanz Coffee House.
Complimentary beverages include soft drinks and coffee, wine tasting selections personally selected by Thad Miller and craft brew samples from Dan Cleaveland of the Blue Cat Brew Pub.
The Main Library will be open to Food for Thought guests only that night, with admission payable at the door by cash, check or credit. Guests who RSVP in advance receive preferred admission prices of $35 per person. To RSVP, please call 309-732-7326 or email riplfoundation@gmail.com no later than Monday, Nov. 10. Walk-in admission without an advance RSVP is $40 per person.
To accommodate the event, the Rock Island Main Library will close at noon to the public on Nov. 13. The Rock Island 30/31 Branch, 3059 30th Street, is open until 8:00 pm that night. The Rock Island Southwest Branch, 9010 Ridgewood Road, is open until 5:30 pm on Thursdays.
The 10th annual fundraiser helps the Rock Island Public Library Foundation fulfill library requests for special programs and projects that are outside the Rock Island Library's standard operating budget. Foundation dollars support special purchases of materials and equipment, programs, beautification projects and building improvements. Rock Island Library literacy projects include introducing the My First Library Card, supporting the Empowering Potential reading program at Thurgood Marshall Learning Center, partnering with HeadStart, and bringing Little Free Libraries to high-need areas. Donations to the 501c3 Rock Island Public Library Foundation are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
For more information about Rock Island Public Library events and services, visit www.rockislandlibrary.org or call 309-732-READ (7323.)
