April 4 through 10^th is National Library Week, when the nation celebrates libraries, library workers, and the use and support of libraries. The 2021 theme is “Welcome to Your Library.”

The Rock Island Public Library kicked off their Grow a Reader giving campaign this week to welcome young users back to the library. Grow a Reader donation “trees” are on display at the Rock Island Downtown and Southwest Libraries. Each display contains tags with an account balance of over $5 or more for an anonymous young person between 6 and 18 years of age with an active library card. Donors can choose to pay part or all of the amount on the bookmark to help crowd-fund a new start back to the library.

Donors can take home a blank Grow a Reader bookmark for donating, and the library will inform the parent or guardian when library privileges have been restored.  The donation drive lasts until May 29.

Rock Island Public Library director Angela Campbell noted that now is a great time to rediscover everything your library offers. “Whether you visit us in-person or virtually, we are ready to help you access the resources and services you need. Through physical collections, technology, digital content, virtual and take-home programs, our staff continues to find innovative ways to deliver library materials and services that help transform your day.”

New services in the past year include the Library2Go bookmobile, Homebound Delivery, Curbside pickup, the Best Sellers Club, Rock Island-Milan School District #41 partnerships, and a number of other ways to connect and use the library, even when staying at home. Cardholders with expired accounts can renew online or in person.

The Rock Island Public Downtown and Southwest Libraries are open for inside browsing and borrowing with a properly-worn mask. Public computers and inside Wi-Fi tables are available for one hour with an appointment.  Library hours are 9:00 am to 6:00 pm Monday-Friday, and 9:00 am to Noon on Saturday. Cardholders with expired accounts can renew online or in person.

To refamiliarize users with the library layout, the library has recorded a number of Welcome to Our Library video tours. They’re available via the Rock Island Public Library YouTube channel.

For more information about Rock Island Public Library events and services, visit the Rock Island Library website, www.rockislandlibrary.org,  or call 309-732-READ. Rock Island Library events are also listed on Facebook and at Burbio.com.

First sponsored in 1958, National Library Week is sponsored by the American Library Association (ALA) and observed in libraries across the country each April. All types of libraries – school, public, academic and special – participate.

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Sean Leary Director of Digital Media

Sean Leary is an author, director, artist, musician, producer and entrepreneur who has been writing professionally since debuting at age 11 in the pages of the Comics Buyers Guide. An honors graduate of the University of Southern California masters program, he has written over 50 books including the best-sellers The Arimathean, Every Number is Lucky to Someone and We Are All Characters.