With a State of Illinois Icash event, the return of two popular recurring programs, movie fun, special workshops, and a new book launch from a local author, the first week of December is a real gift for library program guests. 

Free events at Rock Island Public Library locations this coming week include:

Monday, Dec. 2:

Looking for money for the holidays? See if the State is holding money for you with the State of Illinois ICash event at the Rock Island Downtown Library, 401 19^th Street. A representative from the Illinois State Treasurer's Office will be available from 10 am to noon on the library’s ground floor to help you find out if you have unclaimed money or property, and the steps you'll need to take to reclaim it. Free, no appointment needed. For more information, visit https://icash.illinoistreasurer.gov/

Monday also marks the launch of the library’s annual Christmas card making program to benefit homebound seniors. Cardmaking supplies will be available for use at all RIPL locations from Dec. 2 to Dec. 20. Participants of all ages can spread some holiday joy by making holiday cards, which will be delivered by the library to local assisted living centers.

Other events at the Downtown Library on Monday include a meeting of the library’s Alpha Book Club, which will discuss In the Distance by Hernan Diaz at 1pm in the library’s Community Room. The event is free and open to the public.

Tuesday, Dec. 3: The library’s winter/spring Tuneful Tuesday music series returns to the Rock Island Downtown Library Community Room on Tuesday, December 3 at noon. The fun includes a festive holiday concert by the Bucktown Brass Quintet, which consists of Jerry Miller and David Hope on trumpets; Phyllis Miller on horn; Bob Brooks, on trombone; and Bob Fischer, on tuba.

Tuneful Tuesday music performances are offered at noon on the first Tuesday of each month from December 2024 to April 2025.Each free concert lasts for up to an hour, and participants are welcome to bring a sack lunch. The event is suitable for all ages. Tuneful Tuesdays are made possible by the generous sponsorship of James and Carol Horstmann, of Rock Island.

On Wednesday, Dec. 4, the library features two events designed to help participants enjoy a laugh, or learn how to creatively manage stress.

·         Wacky Movie: 5pm, Wednesday, Dec. 4, at the Watts-Midtown Branch, 2715 30^th Street. Enjoy holiday laughs, with a showing of a 2000 family comedy featuring a certain green character who plots to stop Christmas from coming. All ages, free.

·         Journaling for Mental Health: 6 pm to 7:30 pm, Dec. 4, at the Watts-Midtown Branch Norm and Janet Moline Conference Room. Looking for a fun and creative way to express yourself and improve your mental health? Join us for our journaling night at the Watts-Midtown branch! Journaling can help you manage anxiety, reduce stress, and manage life's many ups and downs. Attendees will receive their own paper journal that they can decorate and fill with prompts. Markers, washi tape, stickers and more will be provided to use in house. Registration is not required but encouraged for reminder notifications. Funding for this program is provided from ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) funds designated by the City of Rock Island.

Thursday, Dec. 5: The library’s popular Winter Toddler Playgroup returns to the Downtown Library Children’s Room, 401 19^th Street. The free drop-in event offers relaxing and casual fun for kids 5 and younger with their caregivers, every Thursday from 10am to noon. Toys and activities will be available. The program offers important socialization and connection for both toddlers and their caregivers.

Later that same day, retired judge Walter D. Braud presents his own childhood memories with a book launch event for his memoir, “Bessie’s Prayer.” The book event takes place Dec. 5 from 6 pm to 7:30 pm, at the Rock Island Library’s Watts-Midtown Branch, 2715 30^th Street. Doors open at 5:30 pm. Guests can expect readings, opportunities to ask questions, and light refreshments. The book will be available for sale from the author for signing. The event is free and open to the public.

After retiring at age 80 in 2019, Braud decided to put his life stories to paper. Bessie’s Prayer is a vivid and wondrous memoir of love for family, faith, and adventure, ranging from the Great Migration to life on the south side of Chicago, and Braud’s successful career in law and on the bench. The author resides in Rock Island with his wife of 62 years, Gertrude.

Saturday, Dec. 7: While the holidays can be a time of excitement and joy, feelings of loss can complicate matters. Learn how to navigate and process grief during the holiday season with help from the Sacred Mournings workshop. “Grief and the Holidays.” The free event takes place in the Watts-Midtown conference room on Dec. 7 from 10 am to 11:30 am, and is conducted by Jackie Hauer, of Sacred Mournings. “You are not alone in your feelings, and can find community in this workshop,” says Hauer. To register for the free event, please visit the library website.  

Other weekly events include Toddler Storytimes, offered at 10:30 am Tuesday and Friday at the Watts-Midtown Branch, and again at 11 am on Wednesday at the Rock Island Southwest Branch, 9010 Ridgewood Road. Also occurring weekly are drop-in afterschool activities for older school-age elementary children. Free drop-in fun is available from 3:30 pm to 3:30 pm, Tuesdays at the Watts-Midtown Branch, and Thursdays at the Southwest Branch. New activities are available each week, from crafts to book club discussions. This week, the craft is a handmade ornament.

Library events are always free and open to the public, no library card or residency required!

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.

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