Learning And Craft Programs And More Available At Rock Island Library
Summer 2020 looks a lot different, yet the Rock Island Public Library is still offering readers of all ages plenty of ways to immerse themselves in a story through special summer reading events from June 1 to July 31.
The Library has transformed its Imagine Your Story summer reading challenges and events into online, virtual, and take-home offerings. Most programs require registration, for ease in contacting participants about picking up kits via Curbside.
Incentive-based reading challenges are available for children, teens, and adults. Participants can read anything they like, track it, and earn prizes or prize entries for meeting their reading goals. Participants may enter and track anytime through July 31 with the Library’s Beanstack online reading program. Using either the online or mobile version, parents and grandparents can log for themselves, and for several children or grandchildren attached to their account. (Printable forms are also available via the Library’s website.)
For reading ideas, the library offers Children’s Online Book talks with suggestions for ages 7 to 12, every Friday at 10:30 am, and Teen Book talks for ages 12 to 18 every Monday at 1:30 pm. Both are on Facebook Live. The library also offers blogs on Tumblr for adult and teen book reviews and suggestions.
Summer reading is a proven way for families to beat summer learning loss, which may be more pronounced this year given COVID school closings. Full reading program details for all ages available at https://www.rockislandlibrary.org/How-Can-We-Help/Summer-Reading-Challenge.aspx
Registration Open for Learning and Craft Programs for School-Age Kids
From June 16 to July 14, the library offers the Carle’s Creator art program for ages 6 to 8, the Imagine Art Series for children entering 3rd through 8th grades, and Math Club, for ages 7 to 12. Each week features an online demonstration paired with an at-home kit of supplies so participants can complete the project at home.
Additional activities for school-age kids and families this summer include Take and Make Crafts and Take Write Now Wednesdays. Each offers a different project each week, with registration due by the preceding Friday. Kits may then be picked up via Curbside the next week.
· Take Home and Make crafts are offered June 8 to July 21, with projects ranging from Origami to Colored Rice Flowers.
· Take Write Now Wednesdays offers writing prompts and fun, from June 10-July 22. Projects range from lunchbox jokes to writing a letter to a pet, and are suitable for ages 6 to 12.
· Absolute Science, June 11 – July 30. View-on-demand summer science fun! Register for one of seven science and magic shows on video, and the library will provide a private YouTube video link to view at home! Topics include the science educator’s popular Fire and Ice, Laser, Magic, and Bigger Bang Bubbles show.
The Library also plans to offer a special online music performance, Mr. Taylor Sings, at 10:30 am on June 24.
Keeping Little Ones Learning and Growing this Summer
Virtual and take-home programming for ages five and under this summer includes:
· Virtual Storytimes, 10:30 am, Tuesdays and Thursdays, Facebook Live
· Virtual Play and Grow Baby Lapsit: June 3 and July 1. 10:30 am, Facebook Live, or watch later. Each event features board book reading, bouncy rhymes, and fingerplays, plus tips and book suggestions in comments.
· Take and Make Petite Picassos, June 15, July 13. Register to pick up supplies, and do the projects on your time!
· Virtual Big Screen Stories: Register, pick up a craft kit, and watch the animated story, available for at no charge to Rock Island Library cardholders through RIPL’s Kanopy Kids digital video service. The library will feature Click, Clack, Moo, Cows that Type, by Doreen Cronin, on June 16, and Mother Bruce, by Ryan T. Higgins, on July 16.
· Ready, Set, Kindergarten: Worksheets, small paperback, and an at-home activity to help you prepare your child for kindergarten. Pick-up dates include June 29, July 6, 13, 20, and 27. All kits are the same. Register via calendar.
To register for any children’s event, visit the library’s online events calendar at www.rockislandlibrary.org or call 309-732-7360.
More activities for teens ages 12 to 18 and adults ages 18 and up are also planned, including a Teen Animal Crossing Event on June 10, and online scrapbooking parties for teens from 2:00 to 3:00 pm on June 22 and 29. Adults can take advantage of “Take-it Tuesday simple crafts, including making DIY cleaner, upcycled bird feeder, and a patriotic popsicle garland. Registration for each week’s crafts opens at 8:00 am the preceding Friday, with pick-up available the next week. A quick video tutorial will be linked to each craft. To register, visit www.rockislandlibrary.org or call 309-732-7341.
For additional details, visit www.rockislandlibrary.org, call 309-732-READ, or follow library social media channels on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube. All activities are provided at no extra charge.
