Rock Island, IL: The world is all abuzz as the newest Star Wars chapter opens. Readers will have a chapter of their own as the Rock Island Library offers Use the Force: READ! winter reading contests in January and February.
The library kicks off winter reading in a galactic way with a special event, Awaken the Reading Force, on Saturday, Jan. 16. Offered during Be a Tourist in Your Own Backyard weekend, the Star Wars inspired experiences include opportunities to play the Jedi Obstacle course, tour the Death Star spacecraft station, fight the dark side, make Star Wars crafts and buttons, and enjoy many other Star Wars activities within the Rock Island Library galaxy. Free family activities, games and fun for children, teens, and adults take place from 2:00 to 3:30 pm in the Rock Island Main Library Community Room, 401 19th Street. Wear your favorite Star Wars garb for extra fun!
Use the Force: READ! Winter Reading forms will be available for pick up at the event and at any Rock Island Library after Jan. 16. Winter reading programs provide a way to fight the dark side of winter by encouraging children, teens and adults to read for fun and relaxation. Readers who reach their goals prove the power of the reading force, and will win prizes or entries into larger prize drawings. The Use the Force: READ mission starts Saturday, Jan. 16 and concludes Saturday, Feb. 27. Reading contests are
free and open to anyone.
Regularly scheduled library programming during the Use the Force: READ Winter Reading contest period includes Toddler Tales story times, Play and Grow events, family craft times,' tween and teen gaming nights, teen anime nights, library book clubs, independent movie nights, adult coloring, and special events focusing on genealogy and the fact and fiction of Sylvan Slough island. Special events planned around the Winter Reading theme include :
Tween Galaxy Scavenger Hunt, Monday, Jan. 25, 6:30 to 7:30 pm, Main Library Community Room and Children's Room. A library scavenger hunt just for kids ages 8 to 12. There's a great disturbance in the force, and it's your mission to fix it by finding all the clues in the library galaxy. Prizes awarded to winners.
Family Movie Fest: Monday, Feb. 15, at 3:00 pm, Main Library. A space-themed family movie
Teen Galaxy Night, Thursday, Feb. 18, 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm, Rock Island Main Library. Teens
All events are free and open to the public, and do not require registration or participation in the winter reading program. But with chances to win prizes and show your Jedi reading skills, there's no reason not to pick up Use the Force: READ entry forms at any Rock Island Library from Jan. 16 to Feb. 27. For more information about Rock Island Library hours, services and programs, visit the library's online branch at www.rockislandlibrary.org, call 309-732-READ, or follow the library on Facebook or Twitter.
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