January is a great time for new beginnings, and your Rock Island Library is a great place to begin a new interest, deepen your knowledge, or simply get out of the house! 

Have you resolved to . . . 

• Learn more about your family history? Try "Using Google for Genealogy," Monday, January 7, 1:00 to 2:15 pm, Rock Island Downtown Library. Learn how to discover historical detail about your family with a video tutorial, "Using the Google Goldmine for Genealogy," with James Tanner. The Brigham Young University Family History Library video will show how Google search engines and apps can help with family research, at no charge to anyone with a Google account or Gmail address. Presenter James Tanner, BA, MA, JD, is a retired trial attorney from Arizona and current volunteer with the BYU Family History Library in Provo, Utah. He's the author of two popular genealogy blogs, and has authored or co-authored 25 books on genealogical research
• Enjoy more arts and culture events in your community? Try a "Tuneful Tuesday," January 8, 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm, Rock Island Downtown Library. Bring a lunch and enjoy live solo and ensemble musical performances by a Quad City Symphony Orchestra horn, bassoon, cello, and piano quartet. Tuneful Tuesdays repeats at noon on the first Tuesday of each month. January's event is offered with support from the Quad City Symphony Orchestra, along with funding from Carol and Jim Horstmann through the Rock Island Public Library Foundation.
• Learn more about history? Try "The NEXT War, World War II," Wednesday, January 9 at 2 pm, Rock Island Downtown Library. 1st Lt. Kevin Braafaldt, First Army, will discuss the Philippine Campaign and the Battle of Bataan. The Battle of Bataan represented the most intense phase of Imperial Japan's invasion of the Philippines during World War II. The World War II lectures are offered on the second Wednesdays of January, February, March, May, June, July, August, October, and December at the Rock Island and Davenport Libraries. See library websites for times and topics.
• Understand yourself or a loved one better? Try "The Truth About Adult ADHD," Thursday, January 10, 6:00 to 7:00 pm, Rock Island Downtown Library. Katherine Kolodzie, Affiliate Group Coordinator of Just ADD Friends, will speak on what Adult ADHD (Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) is and isn't. The local support group is an affiliate of CHADD of Iowa, which stands for Children and Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder.
• Understand technology or to research other topics? Try "Book-A-Librarian," offered three times each month at Rock Island Public Library locations. Library patrons may book time with a Rock Island Reference Librarian on the second, third, and fourth Fridays of each month at the Downtown, 30/31, and Southwest Libraries. Appointment slots are available from 9:00 am to 10:30 am for individual help with technical questions, library online resources, or other matters. To book a time slot for Jan. 11, 18, or 25, call  by the Thursday before each date.
• Get out of the house and meet other adults? Try free monthly movies at the library. "Coffee and a Movie Morning" is offered at 9:30 am on Monday, January 14 at the Downtown Library. A new "Cinema at Southwest" series starts at 10:00 am on Thursday, January 17 at the Rock Island Southwest Library, 9010 Ridgewood Road. See library website for more details.
• Finally finish that craft project? Try "Open Sew Saturday," January 19, from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm, Rock Island Downtown Library. Library sewing machines and ample working space will be available in the Community Room for people who want to finish a t-shirt quilt or other sewing project. No registration is required. Participants may need to share sewing machines.

All of the above events are free and open to the public.For more information about Rock Island Library services, events, and more, visit the library website, call 309-732-READ, or follow the library's social media sites.