From a master of puzzles to a virtual drawing workshop, upcoming online author events from Illinois Libraries Present (ILP) and Rock Island Public Library are an opportunity to sharpen those pencils and follow along from your home computer.
Sharpen Your Pencils for Online Author Events from ILP and Rock Island Library!
Puzzles with Will Shortz and Drawing with Jarrett J. Krosoczka
From a master of puzzles to a virtual drawing workshop, upcoming online author events from Illinois Libraries Present (ILP) and Rock Island Public Library are an opportunity to sharpen those pencils and follow along from your home computer. The events are made possible through Rock Island Public Library’s membership in the statewide collaboration. Nearly 160 Illinois libraries participate to bring high-profile author events to their communities via the Zoom webinar platform.
Free registration for Illinois Libraries Present online events is available now through the Rock Island Public Library website, and through other member libraries. The link to the Zoom webinar is sent after registration. Participants watch via an Internet browser. Upcoming events include:
Secrets of a Puzzle Master: A Conversation with Will Shortz
Tuesday, April 25, 7 pm, via Zoom
Will Shortz, the editor of The New York Times crossword puzzle, and the world’s only academically accredited puzzle master, discusses crossword puzzles. The author/editor of more than 500 puzzle books, Shortz is also the puzzle master for NPR’s Weekend Edition Sunday and the founder and director of the American Crossword Puzzle Tournament, held annually for more than 40 years. Through his championing of puzzles Will has earned admiring fans from all over the world.
In honor of this event, Will Shortz has created a special crossword puzzle highlighting the literary connections of Illinois. This event is offered with remote home access only. Participants can watch via an Internet browser. A Zoom membership or app is not necessary.
Free Comic Book Day: Drawing Comics with Jarrett J. Krosoczka
Saturday, May 6, at 10 am, view via Zoom or at a Library “watch party”
The Rock Island Public Library will celebrate Free Comic Book Day on Saturday, May 6, with a combination of in-person and online events.
Participants have two ways to join the Illinois Libraries Present live, virtual drawing workshop with New York Times bestselling author and illustrator, Jarrett J. Krosoczka. Attendees can register to watch the Zoom webinar via an Internet browser at home, or sign up for the free in-person watch party at the Rock Island Library's Watts-Midtown Branch, 2715 30th Street. The library will show the online webinar on the large screen in the branch’s Community Room and offer clipboards so participants can draw along with Jarrett.
Whether you attend at home or join the watch party, this can’t miss event is offered on Saturday, May 6, from 10 am to 11 am, with registration available via the Rock Island Public Library website. A Zoom membership is not required to watch the webinar at home.
Jarrett Krosoczka is the author and illustrator of more than forty books for young readers, including his wildly popular Lunch Lady graphic novels (Lunch Lady and the Cyborg Substitute,) select volumes of the Star Wars™: Jedi Academy series (Star Wars Jedi Academy: A New Class, 2016, Scholastic) and Hey, Kiddo, which was a National Book Award Finalist. Other works include his first book, Good Night, Monkey Boy, 2001, Max for President, 2004, Random House, Platypus Police Squad: The Frog Who Croaked, 2013, HarperCollins Publishers. For more than 20 years, his books have been favorites due to their humor, heart, and deep respect for young readers.
To register, visit the Rock Island Public Library online calendar or call 309-732-7341 and choose either the virtual or in-person watch party event.
Stay for Free Comic Book Day!
Following the online drawing workshop, the Rock Island Library will host Free Comic Book day at the Watts-Midtown Branch. From 11am to 1pm, attendees can visit the branch to pick up a free comic, and enter the free Comic Book Day art contest.
This event is open to all ages, and a variety of comics will be available. Each comic is clearly labeled with an intended age rating. Rock Island comic shops are also participating in this annual promotional effort by the North American comic book industry. Free Comic Book Day was created to attract new readers to the format and preserve the art of comic books and graphic novels. Usually, the free comic books are the first issues of a new storyline or promote future comic events.
Both the Will Shortz and Jarrett J. Krosoczka events are made possible by Illinois Libraries Present (ILP), a statewide collaboration among public libraries offering premier events. ILP is funded in part by a grant awarded by the Illinois State Library, a department of the Office of Secretary of State, using funds provided by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services, under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA).
For more news about events and services at the Rock Island Public Library, visit the library website, follow library social media, or call 309-732-READ.