Due to the adverse weather conditions in January, the library has extended the deadline for its Winter Reading Challenge to Saturday, February 9. Forms and online entries should be in by 5:00 pm to qualify for either the children or teen reading challenges.

Also on Saturday, February 9, Rock Island offers two free events at the Rock Island Downtown Library for reading and learning needs of school-age children. Bookstem Buddies Book Club is a monthly book club based on children's books featured in the Illinois Bluestem Awards list. The group will discuss What Was the Great Chicago Fire? by Janet B. Pascal at 1:00 pm in the Library's Children's Room, 401 19th Street. The Illinois School Library Media Association Bluestem Awards list is for students in grades 3-5 who are ready for longer titles, but not quite ready for more advanced Rebecca Caudill award titles.

Immediately following the book club in the Children's Room, the Rock Island Library offers a Saturday STEAM-Azing event for children in grades K-6. Each STEAM-Azing features a hands-on project that builds interest in Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, or Math. The 2:00 pm event features fun and learning with electrical circuits. To sign up for the free project, call 309-732-7360 or visit www.rockislandlibrary.org. Both the Bluestem Book Club and STEAM-Azing are offered on the second Saturday of each month.

Families can also sign up for a free craft night for all ages offered on the second Tuesday of each month at the Southwest Library. The 6:00 pm craft is offered on Tuesday, February 12, and features a Valentine's Pillow Box Craft for storing small treats and candy. To register for the free craft, call 309-732-7338 or sign up online.

Events for little ones at Rock Island Libraries in February include: 

Play and Grow, a structured play group for ages three and under, on Tuesday, February 5 at 10:30 am at the Rock Island 30/31 Library, 3059 30th Street. Each Play and Grow event offers play and early learning based on the "Talk, Sing, Read, Write, Play " education model. Little ones and their caregivers hear stories, sing songs, move and play together. Play and Grow is offered monthly at alternating Rock Island Library locations.

Putnam Preschool, science activities presented by a Putnam Museum STEM instructor that are designed to spark curiosity in ages five and under. On February 6, the H2WHOA program is at the Rock Island Southwest Library, 9010 Ridgewood Road. On February 12, the program is "Making Sense of our Five Senses" at the 30/31 Library. "Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle" is February 22 at the Downtown Library. Each 45-minute session starts at 10:30 am, and does not require registration.

Two Putnam Preschool programs previously cancelled have been rescheduled. "I am not a Robot, but are you?" is now March 22 at the Downtown Library, and "Kitchen Chemistry" is now April 2 at the 30/31 Library. Both also start at 10:30 am.

Toddler Tale Storytimes: Stories and learning activities for ages 5 and under at three Rock Island Library locations. Storytimes will be offered at 10:30 am, Friday, Feb. 8 and 15 at the Downtown Library; Wednesday, Feb. 20 at the Southwest Library, and Tuesday, Feb. 26 at the 30/31 Library. Each free storytime features new stories and activities, and no registration is required.

Petite Picasso art and story learning are also for ages five and under. They are offered at 10:30 am on Wednesday, Feb. 13 at Southwest Library, Tuesday, Feb. 19, at 30/31, and Friday, March 1 at the Downtown Library. Each Petite Picasso event features a hands-on art project and a story. Participants should dress for messy fun.

To really show that you love your library, get everyone in the family a library card! Rock Island Library cards are available for no additional charge to residents of Rock Island and of the Milan-Blackhawk Area Public Library District. For information about how to apply, contact any Rock Island Library, call 309-732-READ or go to the library website. 

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.