From dust bowl memories, to taking a film journey along the Transcontinental Railroad and trying out the Library of Things collection, you can explore many topics from May 5 to 7 with Rock Island Public Library events.
From dust bowl memories, to taking a film journey along the Transcontinental Railroad and trying out Library of Things collection at a special outreach event, there’s no end of topics to explore at the Rock Island Public Library.
On Monday, May 5, the library’s Alpha Book Club will meet at 1pm to discuss “The Worst Hard Time, the Untold Story of Those Who Survived the Great American Dust Bowl by Timothy Egan. The free book discussion is offered at the Rock Island Downtown Library, 401 19th Street. Meetings are open to all who’ve read the selection. Copies are available from the PrairieCat network of Illinois libraries, and from the Rock Island Library’s eBook and audiobook digital services for RIPL cardholders.
On Tuesday, May 6, the library offers a video travelogue, “The Transcontinental Railroad, and The Workers Who Made It.” The video reveals the rich history of railroads through a 3,000 mile journey, and includes a tribute to the Chinese workers who helped build the railroad under challenging and dangerous conditions. The free history presentation is offered at 2pm at the Downtown Library.
May is National Mental Health Awareness Month. To bring awareness to its growing Library of Things collections for health awareness, the Rock Island Library will bring a number of them to the Rock Island Fitness and Activity Center (RIFAC) for a traveling show and tell. The Library of Things “petting zoo” will be offered from 8am to 10am on Wednesday, May 7 at RIFAC, 4303 24th Street. The RIPL Library of Things collection offers a wide variety of one-time use and “try before you buy” items. Cardholders from PrairieCat member libraries can check them out.
Also on Wednesday, registered attendees can learn how to make a flower bouquet that will never wilt. The Paper Flower Arrangement class is May 7 from 5pm to 7:30 pm at the Rock Island Watts-Midtown Branch, 2715 30th Street. It’s for beginners, with all supplies provided. To sign up for the free class for adults, visit the library website or call 309-732-7341.
Library events are free and open to all. For more information about library events and services, visit www.rockislandlibrary.org, call 309-732-7323 (READ,) or follow library social media pages.