News & Announcements
Dr. Pitz will provide a balanced, in depth portrayal of the tumultuous history of this region. The series of presentations is free and does not require registration. The schedule is as follows:
Part 1: Late 19th Century to WWI
Monday, August 2nd at Rock Island Main Library,6:00 p.m.
Part 2: WWI to the U.N. Partition Resolution of 1947
Monday, August 9th at Rock Island Main Library, 6:00 p.m.
Part 3: 1948 Israeli War for Independence/Naqba (Catastrophe) for Palestinians to the Six Day War of 1967
Monday, August 16th at Moline Public Library, 6:00 p.m.
Part 4: 1967 to Present
Monday, August 23rd at Moline Public Library, 6:00 p.m.
This presentation is sponsored by the Jewish Federation of the Quad Cities, the Rock Island Public Library, and Friends of the Moline Public Library.
| Last updated July 20, 2010 |
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Professor and historian Dr. Art Pitz will discuss the tumultuous history of the Middle East in his presentation, The Arab-Israeli Conflict: A History in Four Parts. The series will be held at the Rock Island Main Library on Monday August 2nd and Monday August 9th and at the Moline Public Library on Monday August 16th and Monday August 23rd. Each session will begin at 6:00 p.m.
Lil Rev - an award-winning musician, songwriter and music historian - weaves an amazing tale of Jews whose passion, persistence and creativity has filled the American popular landscape with lyric and melody. From ragtime and jazz to the founding of rock and roll, Jewish musicians and songwriters have made major creative contributions to American music. Known as a “protector of old songs, poetry and stories,” Rev has been called a “Wisconsin treasure." Among other achievements, he was Hohner's National Blues Harmonica Champion in 1996 and was voted "best folk singer in Wisconsin" for 2004 by the Wisconsin Area Music Industry (WAMI).The music program in the Community Room is free and open to the public, and is made possible through a partnership between the Rock Island Public Library and the Jewish Federation of the Quad Cities.
| Last updated July 23, 2010 |
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The Rock Island Library and the Jewish Federation of the Quad Cities will partner to host a unique program on Jewish arts and culture, "Lil' Rev presents Jews N Blues" at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 22 at the Rock Island Main Library. “Jews N Blues” combines romping blues instrumentals, a few choice blues covers, Lil' Rev's own compositions and historical anecdotes to provide a new picture of the people at the heart of American music.
Our library mascot's new Max R. (Reader) Mouse! Thanks for your suggestions. Funding for the mascot was provided by the Friends of the Rock Island Public Library. Look for Max Reader at our Hug-A-Book event for todllers and pre-schoolers, on Thursday, August 26. Max will be there to promote reading, along with beloved children's book characters Biscuit, Froggy and Little Nut Brown Hare (from Guess How Much I Love You). Each child attending gets a new, free book to keep, courtesy of the Merrill Harris fund of the Rock Island Public Library Foundation.
| Last updated July 23, 2010 |
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name is officially (pause for drum roll) . . .
Scare Up a Good Book, with these ideas, from Bookletters . . . .
| Last updated July 20, 2010 |
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Free independent movies shown from July 1 through Dec. 2 at the Rock Island Main LIbrary include: Aug. 5, 6 p.m., BE WITH ME (Singapore, 91 minutes) - A tapestry of three stories woven around the Sept. 2, 6 p.m., THE WIND JOURNEYS (Columbia, 120 minutes) Nomadic musician Ignacio Carrillo has traveled the villages of Northern Columbia, playing his accordian, a legendary instrument which many believe to be cursed. AFter the traumatic death of his wife, he vows never to play the accursed instrument again. But first, he must embark on one last journey.
Oct. 7, 6 p.m., TROUBLED WATER (Norway, Sweden, 116 minutes) Jan, recently released from prison after serving time for the murder of a child, is ready to put the past behind him. He's always maintained his innocence. The gifted organist takes a job at an Oslo church under his middle name. His talent and gentle manner earn him respect, but his past is sure to catch up with him sometime.
Nov. 4, 6 p.m., WELCOME (France, 109 minutes) Recent immigrant Bilal has struggled his way through Europe for the past three months, in an attempt to reunite with his girlfriend, who emigrated to England. His journey comes to an abrupt halt when he's stopped on the French side of the canal, at Calais. Left with no other alternative, he decides to swim across the English channel, enlisting the help of a middle-aged swimming instructor with issues of his own.
Dec. 2, 6 p.m., STORM (Germany, Denmark, 103 minutes) Hannah Maynard, prosecutor at the International Criminal Tribunal at The Hague, is leading a trial against a former commander of the Yugoslavian National Army accused of the deaths of dozens of Bosnian-Muslim citizens. When a key witness commits suicide, it appears the case will unravel. But Hannah refuses to give in, travelling to the witness' burial in Sarajevo in an attempt to uncover new evidence.
All of the above movies are free and open to the public. Come for the free movie, popcorn and stimulating discussions with your fellow independent movie fans. Movies are shown in the Rock Island Main Library's Community Room, 401 19th Street. As these movies are not rated, please note that the content may not be suitable for children.
| Last updated July 8, 2010 |
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themes of love, hope and destiny. One of the stories is the real life tale of Theresa Chan, a woman who has been deaf and blind since age 14. Her story reveals how she triumphed over adversity to live an amazing life.
The works of a late Rock Island woman still known in the community for her work with children and Mrs. Watts served on the Rock Island Public Library board (including a term as president) and the Rock Island Human Relations Council. She passed away on May 30, 1976. In keeping with her long-interest in children and education, her family recently decided to establish a permanent endowment in her name with the Rock Island Public Foundation, the Lorene Evans Watts Memorial Fund for Children's Materials. A fundraiser and opening night art reception were held July 3 to kick off contributions to the fund. Our next art exhibit, "Friends and Neighbors," features the works of Rock Island artist Charles White. It opens August 2.
| Last updated July 8, 2010 |
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education is on display at the Main Library through July 30, 2010. Works from Lorene Evans Watts, former St. Joseph's teacher, children's advocate and artist, are on display in the Main Library's 2nd floor art gallery. The various pieces, borrowed from family members, include watercolors, oils, acrylics and mixed media works.
Learn a New Language at Your Library! Choose from Spanish (both
 European and Latin American dialects), English (ESL), French, German, Dutch and Italian! Users get their choice of guidance in Dutch, English, Spanish, French, Italian, Hungarian, Polish, Portuguese, Brazilian Portuguese, Slovak, Thai, Turkish and Russian, making it a perfect choice for the needs of ESL learners. Experience interactive web-based language learning featuring speech recognition, self-assessment, as well as cultural activities! Whether you are looking to enhance your career or for personal growth TELL ME MORE®Language Learning will help you reach your goals!
| Last updated June 14, 2010 |
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A great service for readers, watchers and listeners at the Rock Island Public Bookletters is made possible by the Rock Island Public Library Foundation. Try these tips from Bookletters for summer reading: With the heat of summer at its peak, now is the time to leave the oven behind, get out of the kitchen and get grilling! Barbecued meals don't have to be limited to boring burgers and hot dogs. With cookbooks from the library you can whip up more imaginative charbroiled dishes. Master griller Steven Raichlen's latest cookbook, Planet Barbecue!, offers recipes with distinctly international flavors. Sample one of the 309 recipes in Planet Barbecue! or any of the other titles in our wide variety of cookbooks and be a grilling guru this summer! To get Bookletters in your inbox, start by clicking here!
| Last updated July 14, 2010 |
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Library! Bookletters
For great deals on used books anytime, stop by the Friends of the Rock Island Library bookstore at the 30/31 Branch. The bookstore is always open during regular branch hours - Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. At .50 cents and less per book, the bargains are still pretty great. For those who like to follow the BIG sales (which offer some extra discounts), mark your calendars for Sept. 2, Nov. 4, 2010 and January 6, 2011. Donations of gently used books, magazines and more are welcomed at the 30/31 Branch, in the book sale room. Volunteers are also welcomed. For more information about the Friends of the Rock Island Public Library (including a membership form) click "Support Your Library" on this website!
| Last updated July 20, 2010 |
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Thanks to everyone who stopped by on Feb. 10 to voice your support during Library Snapshot Day. "This library is a vital source of information free of charge – to all the Quad Cities community." And here are some of the results from just one day in the life of our library: Customer Visits: 1,084 Internet/Computer Uses: 213 Circulation Total for Day: 1,226 Item Requests (holds) Filled for Patrons: 125 Number of Reference Questions Answered: 167 Database (online tools): 543 uses Website Page Views: 3,664 To see more Snapshot Day comments, sign up for our Library Facebook page. Just click the link at the bottom or go to www.facebook.com/rockislandlibrary
| Last updated March 30, 2010 |
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