R.I. Library Summer Events

Summer Hours start Saturday, May 26 at all Rock Island Libraries. The Main, 30/31 and Southwest Branches close at 1:00 pm on Saturdays, May 26 through Sept. 1.

Rock Island Libraries are closed Monday, May 28 for the holiday. Please have a happy and safe Memorial Day.

Professor and historian Dr. Art Pitz will continue his discussions of the Middle East on May 29 at the Rock Island Main Library. This is the last lecture in the four-part series at the Moline and Rock Island Libraries. Tuesday's topic is: "Can Israel Negotiate with any Palestinian Government?"

The free presentation is at 6:00 pm. No registration is required.

The 2012 series is sponsored by the Jewish Federation of the Quad Cities, the Rock Island Public Library Foundation, and the Friends of the Moline Public Library.

The delicious selection of things for kids to do this summer at the library includes "all-you-can-eat" reading programs that reward entrants as they read. The Reading is So Delicious summer reading club offers reading logs for three age groups: A Read-to-Me club log for ages two to five, the I'm a Reader book club for ages six to eight, and the Ravenous Reader log for ages nine to 11. With each contest, children earn prizes for reaching age-appropriate reading goals at three levels, and an extra chance to win a Movie, Olympic or Outdoor Fun prize basket. Forms will be available at all Rock Island Libraries starting June 4.

Families can also stretch their summer fun budget with free events from June 4 through August 22. Events are free and open to any member of the public, regardless of library card status or participation in the reading clubs. The library offers both weekly events, including storytimes, "book-tastings," and a math munch program with Elizabeth.

Special events and performers include two Friday Fest movies (Ratatouille and Chicken Run) and performances by Niabi Zoo, award-winning ventriloquist Kevin Horner, a birthday bash for library mascot Max Reader Mouse, magician Rick Eugene, Mad Science demos, the Reading is So Delicious puppet show with Rob "Mr. E" Erdmann, and the Incredible Bats show, featuring live fruit bats and education from Daniel and Sharon Peterson, of IncredibleBats.com.

Feed Your Mind- READ is the Teen Summer Reading club theme. Readers ages 12 to 18 turn in a reading card when they complete at least six hours of reading, or a program card for attending any one of 20 events. Participants can enter multiple times, and earn more chances to win books, DVDs, gift cards, or the grand prize, an Amazon Kindle® eReader. Teens can also earn gift cards for attending Iron Chef or Food Jeopardy game programs. Entry boxes and cards will be available at the June 4 Food Myths Kickoff (5:00 to 6:30 pm, Main Library), and at all Rock Island Library locations.

The more than 20 teen events this summer include movie and food craft events, pioneer cooking demos, cupcake and cookie decorating, pizza and international food tastings, Iron Chef and chocolate and food jeopardy contests, and non-food tie-dying and gaming nights. See the library website or pick up a free brochure for details!

Adults 18 and up also have chances to win and take advantage of more free events, with the Books Are Brain Food reading club. The ample list of adult programs this summer include the Stephen Foster music program on June 5,  food and fitness education, OverDrive demos, monthly independent movies, four "recipe club" cooking demos and recipe swaps, and a series of three "dinner and a movie" events, where participants can bring in carry-out food or a picnic while enjoying a food-related movie.

To enter the reading contest, adults fill out an entry form for every book they read between June 4 and July 27. Print, audiobook and eReader formats all qualify. Entry forms and boxes will be available at all Rock Island locations. Top prize is a new Sony® eReader. Entry deadline is July 27, with prizes drawn after Aug. 3.

For a full list of events, pick up the summer program brochure at any Rock Island Library, or visit the library website. Reading logs and entry forms will be available at the Rock Island Main Library, 30/31 Branch and Southwest Branch starting June 4.