“Party Hard with Your Library Card” This September – And All Year!September is National Library Card Sign up Month, and the Rock Island Public Library’s “Party Hard with Your Library Card” slogan reminds you that having fun isn’t hard when you have a library card. 

Library Card Sign Up Month is the perfect time to discover the incredible resources and opportunities available both online and in person at Rock Island Public Library locations.

As a Library Card Sign Up Month special, the library has added a Party Hard with Your Library Card shirt to its online store hosted by RayGun. The shirt is $20 in adult sizes small to 3X, with $5 per shirt benefiting library programs and services. To order, visit the Library Store.

RIPL patrons can also pick up a free giveaway tin of mints at Rock Island Public Library locations while supplies last, and enter the Library Card Sign Up Month drawing. The prize drawing is open to all current and new Rock Island Public Library cardholders. To enter, visit any Rock Island Public Library service desk. Prizes include a Whitey’s gift card and a craft Tie-Dye Kit.

Another way to celebrate is to try something new at your library. From the latest in new reading (print, digital and audio) to job search preparation, online tutoring to creative crafting, after-school programs to toddler storytimes, there’s always something new at your library.

Curious about exploring a new hobby? Rock Island Library’s newest online resource, Creativebug for Libraries, has you covered. The online resource is free to use anytime with your Rock Island Public Library card. It offers access to 1,000s of classes and training videos for both adult and kid crafters.

Or, check out the Rock Island Public Library’s unique Library of Things items. From golf clubs to STEAM kits, social media “influencer kits” to bubble machines, craft items to yard games, there’s something for almost any unique need or interest.

Want to kick back and enjoy movies or relaxing music? Party on with that library card! From streaming movies and TV to traditional DVDs, your library card is a one-stop entertainment pass. And whether you prefer to check out music albums with Hoopla, or take advantage of thousands of free streaming or download options with Freegal Music, your library card can help you cut your subscription bills.

If you’re looking for ways to catch up on your reading, try out the library’s first ever “Silent Book Club,” Sept. 19 at 5:30 pm, Rock Island Public Library Watts-Midtown Branch, 2715 30^th Street. The event offers an hour of silent reading, with no need to keep up with assigned reading lists. After the hour, attendees are welcome to talk books – or keep reading!

Join us at Rock Island Public Libraries throughout September for other free events, including:

·         Journaling for Mental Health event on Sept. 9, 6pm at the Southwest Branch, 9010 Ridgewood Road. Made possible with ARPA funds designated by the City of Rock Island. 

·         Guided Bird Walk on Sept. 14, 8 am, at Blackhawk State Park Historic Site. Register to attend.

·         Teen Coding Night, 4:30 pm to 6pm, Southwest Branch, and Teen 3D Printing, 4pm to 6 pm, Sept. 20 at Downtown, Sept.23 at Watts-Midtown, and Sept. 30 at Southwest.

·         Buzz, Flutter, and Crawl bug program, Sept. 18 at 5:30 pm, Watts-Midtown Branch

·         Read with a Dog, Sept. 21 from 10 am to 11 am, Downtown Library

·         Rock Island Trail movie showing, Sept. 23 at 2pm, Downtown

·         Freedom to Read event, 6pm, Sept.24, Watts-Midtown Branch

·         Southwest Branch Open House, Sept. 25 from 10:30 am to 4 pm, Southwest Branch

·         Songs and Stories with Forrest McCurren. 1 pm, Sept. 26 at Watts-Midtown Branch

For more details about any of the above events, visit the library calendar. 

Visit the Rock Island Public Library this September to sign up or renew your RIPL card and discover all that your library has to offer. Whether you want to enhance your skills, apply for jobs, find valuable information, relax with a craft, or connect with fellow avid readers, a library card unlocks a world of possibilities.

To sign up or renew a Rock Island card, you’ll need to live in either Rock Island or the Milan-Blackhawk Public Library District service area. Apply in person with photo ID/proof of residence, or online for address verification by mail. For Rock Island patrons who have misplaced their card and need a new one, the library will waive the usual $5 replacement fee in September. (Renewals of expired cards are always available at no-cost.) For questions, call the library Circulation desk at 309-732-READ or visit the library website. 

For more information about library services and upcoming events for a wide range of ages, visit the library website, call 309-732-READ, or follow the Rock Island Library Facebook and Instagram social media sites.