Rock Island, IL: Summer reading is going out in a super way with eight events next Thursday, Friday and Saturday at various locations of the Rock Island Public Library.
Thursday starts with a bang, with two performances of the Mad Mixtures Science and Nature Show. Free shows will be offered July 16 at 10:00 am at the Main Library, 401 19th Street, and at 1:00 pm at the Southwest Branch, 9010 Ridgewood Road. Presented by Jason Dornbush, outreach coordinator of the Bluedorn Science Imaginarium in Waterloo, the Mad Mixtures show is the best of the center's Super Cold, Combustion, Snakes Alive, and Kitchen Science presentations. With chances to pet a live python to hands-on science experiments involving liquid nitrogen, flash powder and paper, and everyday materials found in your kitchen, Mad Mixtures offers learning fun for students of all ages.
On Thursday night, teens ages 12 to 18 can try their hand at Melted Crayon Art, with a free craft class offered at 6:00 pm at the Rock Island 30/31 Branch, 3059 30th Street. Teens will create unique works of art using melted crayons, so participants should wear old clothing. Creativity is messy! No RSVPs are required for the teens-only event.
Thursday also offers an opportunity for adults to get a little help figuring out to check out free eBooks on their tablets, computers and eReader devices. The library will offer a free class on downloading OverDrive eBooks at 6:00 pm on July 16 at the downtown Main Library, 401 19th Street. Participants who want to try downloading eBooks should bring their device and library card along.
Friday marks a number of events for children at the Main Library, including a toddler storytime on "Heroes at School" at 10:30 am, and the final Read with Rover time at 11:00 am. Both events are in the library's Children's Room. Read with Rover brings in therapy dogs from the QC Canine Assistance Network, who provide a warm, non-judgmental audience for kids' reading practice. Read with Rover is open to kids of all ages.
At 12:30 pm, the library will hold a superheroes costume parade to provide kids with one last chance to wear their capes and masks. The parade will be immediately followed at 1:00 pm by a free family movie featuring a certain superhero who lives in a pineapple under the sea. Both events are in the Community Room of the Main Library.
The superhero theme wraps up with a superhero treat box family craft on Saturday at the Southwest Branch, 9010 Ridgewood Road. The craft starts at 10 am, and reservations are required. To sign up for either the Saturday session or an earlier program on Tuesday, July 14, call 309-732-7338 or select "register" on the library's online calendar.
Entries for library's Every Hero Has a Story contests for children and Escape the Ordinary teen and adult reading contests are due by 5:00 pm, Saturday, July 18. Grand prizes will be drawn following the close of the program, with winners notified by phone or email.
While superhero summer reading contests may be ending, summer events go on through August. For more information about Rock Island Library 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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Founded in 1872, the Rock Island Public Library provides resources to enhance personal achievement and stimulate through the Main, 30/31 and Southwest Branches, community outreach efforts, and online opportunities.
