The 27th Annual Frieze Lecture Series partnership with Augustana College takes its inspiration from current events with the 2024 theme of "Democracy in America." In four non-partisan lectures by Augustana College professors, the series takes a look at ideas about the American practice and history of the democratic process.
Lectures take place on the last two Thursdays of October and the first two Thursdays of November: October 24, 31, November 7, and 14 at 2:00 pm in the Rock Island Downtown Library Community Room, 401 19th Street. All are free and open to the public, with complimentary refreshments served.
The 2024 schedule
- October 24: Transpacific Perspectives on American Democracy, presented by Dr. Liza Lawrence, assistant professor of history.
- October 31: Teaching (and Living) Democracy on a College Campus, presented by Dr. Andrea Talentino, president of the College and professor of political science.
- November 7: Unpacking the 2024 Election, presented by Dr. Paul Baumgardner, assistant professor of political science.
- November 14: Abraham Lincoln and A House Divided, presented by Dr. Lendol Calder, professor of history.
The Frieze Lecture Series was created in 1998 by the late library board member Ruth Evelyn Katz to celebrate the 125th anniversary of the library's founding. With the first opening day of November 25, 1872, he Rock Island Public Library is widely believed to be the first public library in Illinois to open after the passing of the 1872 Local Library Act. RIPL observed its 150th anniversary from 2022 to 2023.
The Frieze Lecture name comes from the architectural feature iof the Downtown Library, which opened Dec. 15, 1903. 12 author names (Dante, Homer, Longfellow, Emerson, Virgil, Hugo, Shakespeare, Goethe, Burns, Hawthorne, Tegner, and Bancroft) are carved into the sandstone around the top of the building. Though not well known today, the names of Tegner, a Swedish poet, and Bancroft, a naval historian, would have been familiar to 1903 residents.
Time is allowed for questions and answers and discussion following over coffee, tea, and cookies.
The Rock Island Public Library is a non-partisan organization that supports free and open access to information and full participation in civic life. Views expressed during the lectures are those of the speakers and participants.