Two Weeks to Go! Level Up July with Learning and Fun for All: Mid-July is famous for hot temperatures, but there’s always something cool going on at your Rock Island Public Library. With just two weeks to go in the Level Up At Your Library summer reading challenges and events, there’s plenty of summer fun and learning left.

RIPL events for the Week of July 14 to 19 are as follows:

Tuesday:

Optimizing Physical Function: How to Maintain and Improve Your Stamina as You Age, Tuesday, July 15, 2 pm, Rock Island Watts-Midtown Branch, 2715 30^th Street. Rock Valley Physical Therapy presents tips on how improving strength and stamina can help seniors and retirees live a high quality, independent life. This free event is presented by Kristin Czuba, PT, DPT, GCS, CEEAA, and includes a brief workout after the presentation.

Midtown Readers Book Club, Tuesday, July 15, 6:30 pm, Watts-Midtown Branch, discussing "Clark and Division," by Naomi Hirahara. 

Wednesday:

 A River Runs Through It, The History of Steamboats in America, 2 pm, Wednesday, July 16, Rock Island Downtown Library, 401 19^th Street. One in an ongoing series of video history documentaries on river history, this video features a 1992 PBS documentary narrated by the late actress Loretta Young.

Thursday:

Downtown Movie Club, July 17, 1 pm to 3:30 pm, Downtown Library. Free showing of a 2024 historical fiction movie based on the Colson Whitehead novel, Nickel Boys. Free refreshments and move. Rated PG-13, 140 minutes.

Nutrition and Wellness Series with Illinois Extension, Eight Dimensions of Wellness, 2 pm, Thursday, July 17, Watts-Midtown Branch. Wellness is about more than just diet and exercise. Find out all the ways you can live a healthy, well-rounded life.

Silent Book Club, July 17, 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm, Watts-Midtown Branch. Read whatever you want, silently, in the company of others. After an hour, you’re free to discuss or keep reading!

Saturday:

Living with Loss, Grief Reflections with an EOL Doula, July 19, 11 am to 1 pm, Watts-Midtown Branch. Formerly known as the Death Talk café, this event features open, non-judgmental conversations about a broad range of topics surrounding loss and grief.

Rock Island Library events from July 21 to 26 include Adult Knitting Circle on Monday, July 21 and Seniors Read Banned Books on Tuesday, July 22, both at the Downtown Library, Family tie-dye event on July 22 and the Reading Revolution Book Club on Wednesday, July 23, both at the Watts-Midtown Branch, Coffee and Conversations, Thursday, July 24 at the Southwest Branch, a two-day book sale on Friday, July 25 and Saturday, July 26 at the Downtown Library, and an outdoor Petting Zoo at Longview Park on Saturday, July 26. All are free and open to the public. See the library website for times and details.

The Rock Island Library's summer art exhibition, Explorations, continues to be open for viewing during library hours at the Watts-Midtown Branch through July 31. This project is supported by Quad City Arts, through the Arts Dollars re-granting program. 

While you’re at the library, make sure you’re registered for the all ages Level Up at Your Library Summer Reading Challenge – or claim your prizes if you’re already entered! The reading contest offers rewards for reading by minutes and completing library activities. Registration, halfway, and finishing prizes are available at all age levels. To sign up and participate, use the library’s Beanstack app/website, or ask for a paper reading log at any Rock Island Library.

For more free events and services at your Rock Island Library this summer, visit the library website, call 309-732-READ, or follow Rock Island Library on Facebook and Instagram.

Library summer reading programs keep skills sharp and reduce summer learning loss, by motivating people of all ages to level up their reading. Jump to any Rock Island Public Library this summer for reading, great all-ages fun, and free experiences for all ages. Level Up at Your Library summer reading challenges and 150 free events run through July 31.