FROM THE DIRECTOR

1000 Books Before Kindergarten: We have officially launched 1000 Books Before Kindergarten! This is a reading program for children birth-6 where caregivers keep track of books read through Beanstack and children receive reading rewards for each milestone. Books can be repeated. The goal is to be reading regularly and not necessarily the number of different books read. Anyone who wants to participate will need to make an account for their child on Beanstack to get started. All participants receive a toddler-size tote bag upon registration. The FRIENDS of the Library, East Moline Library, and MercyOne Genesis (Illini Hospital) have partnered so that every child born at the hospital in 2025 receives a free book and tote bag with instructions on how to participate in the program.

Book Ahead: We have also launched a new service for adults called Book Ahead. This service offers patrons the ability to sign up for their favorite authors so that they are automatically put on hold for the newest book. We also have several nonfiction and fiction librarian picks if you have a particular area of interest such as True Crime, Biographies, BIPOC authors, LGBT+ authors, and Historical Fiction. Limited authors are available in large print, e-book, and e-audiobook. Oprah, Reese Witherspoon, and Jenna Bush Hager book club picks are all available in regular print, e-book, and e-audiobook. Visit our library website to sign up.

Director’s Bookshelf

Bits and Pieces, My Mother, My Brother, and Me by Whoopi Goldberg. I was aghast to realize Whoopi had released a biography last summer and I didn't even notice! I was disappointed to see there was a such a long wait for the audiobook on Libby. However I searched on my Boundless app and checked it out immediately! Many library cardholders do not realize they have access to a second reading app through E-Read Illinois. E-Read Illinois uses the app Boundless or you can read/listen online. If you can't find something on Libby or there is a long wait, always check Boundless. Sign in with your library card and start reading! Whoopi's biography was a great read and of course she reads the book herself. One of my favorite things is listening to an audiobook read by the author, especially when that author is a well-known. Usually all celebrities perform their audiobooks. President Barack Obama has won two Grammys and one Emmy for his work recording his audiobooks.

Real Americans by Rachel Khong is a Jenna Bush Hager Book Club pick and I had high hopes. The story Khong tells is interesting, weaving the experience of Chinese Americans with the darker side of the future of genetics. There were so many elements I found engaging, but the telling of the story could not keep my interest. It was a simple, easy read that I believe most readers would enjoy. Goodreads readers have given it a solid 4 stars.

Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros is being released at the end of January. It is the third installment in the wildly popular Empyrean series. This is a Romantasy and includes graphic and violent content. This story takes place in a world where humans are trained to be dragon riders, but becoming a dragon rider is a deadly business. Twenty-year olds volunteer to join the academy and are put through three years of lethal challenges. Most die in their first year--while trying to bond a dragon or falling off the back of one. This story is the epitome of fantasy with immense world-building and a huge cast of characters. I am very excited to read the newest installment!

Illinois Libraries Presents

An Evening with

James McBride

February 4, 7pm

Illinois Libraries Present James McBride, an award-winning author, musician, and screenwriter. His landmark memoir, The Color of Water, was published in 1996 and is considered an American classic, read in schools and universities across the United States. His 2013 novel, The Good Lord Bird, won the National Book Award for Fiction and was adapted by Ethan Hawke and Jason Blum into a Showtime series bearing the same name. His latest, The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store, was named one of the New York Times’ 100 Notable Books of 2023.

In 2016, President Obama awarded McBride the National Humanities Medal "for humanizing the complexities of discussing race in America. Through writings about his own uniquely American story, and his works of fiction informed by our shared history, his moving stories of love display the character of the American family." In 2024 he became the latest recipient of the Library of Congress Prize for American Fiction. A native New Yorker, McBride is a Distinguished Writer in Residence at New York University. Heather Marie-Montlilla of PBS Books will join McBride in conversation.

Please note: this is a live virtual event. Click here to sign up. If you cannot attend in person, but you would like to watch from home, please register here.

Illinois Libraries Presents

Slowing Down with

Amy Tan

February 19, 7pm

National Humanities Medal winner and bestselling author of The Joy Luck Club, Amy Tan joins us to share on her body of work and reflect on the wonder of slowing down and savoring the quiet moments. Her connection to nature is captured in her latest, The Backyard Bird Chronicles, a collection of sketches and essays which debuted at #1 on both the New York Times and the Indie bestseller list.

Born in the U.S. to immigrant parents from China, Tan’s first bestselling novel, The Joy Luck Club, offered a look at the immigration experience from the perspective of mothers and daughters. Other New York Times best-sellers followed, including The Kitchen God’s Wife, The Hundred Secret Senses, The Bonesetter’s Daughter, Saving Fish from Drowning, and The Valley of Amazement. Tan is also the author of two children’s books, a memoir, and other works. In keeping with her love of science and childhood love of doodling, she recently took up nature journal sketching. When she found herself overwhelmed by our increasingly divisive culture, she turned to nature and the world of bird life outside her own window.

Please note: this is a live virtual event. Click here to sign up. If you cannot attend in person, but you would like to watch from home, please register here.

Cozy Up! Winter Reading Challenge

January 11th - February 28th

There's still time to register for our all ages Winter Reading Challenge!

Keep track of your reading progress using Beanstack! Download the free app here to sign up. You can also register on the website here.

ADULT PROGRAMS

Monday Morning Yoga

Every Monday 9:30am

Chair Yoga

Every Wednesday 9:30am

Bingo

Feb 4 & Mar 4, 2pm

Podcast Club

Feb 4, 6pm

Mar 11, 6pm

Mystery Book Club

Feb 5, 4pm (First Wednesday, every other month)

Library E-Content Workshop

Feb 11, 6pm

Cozy Mystery Night

Feb 20, 6pm

English Learner's Group

Feb 24, 5:30pm

Mar 31, 5:30pm

Adult Craft & Movie Night

Feb 25, 5:30pm (?)

Pinterest Craft

Feb 26, 11am

Mar 19, 11am

Sci-Fi/Fantasy Book Club

Mar 5, 4pm (First Wednesday, every other month)

Career Vision Boards

Mar 6, 6pm

Starting a Kitchen Herb Garden

Mar 18, 6pm

Book Tasting

Mar 20, 530pm

For more information on Adult Programming, email adults@eastmolinelibrary.org

Feb 5 - Soup-er Bowl Cooking Class (5:30-7pm)

Join Chef Catalina for a souper

time in the kitchen and leave with new skills and great recipes that are perfect for your Super Bowl spread. Catalina will be sharing her recipes for meatball soup and sopa de fideo. Sign up here!

Feb 13 - Friend Speed Dating (5:30-7:30pm)

Join us for a fun and relaxed

Friend Speed Dating event, designed for people aged 18-30! Whether you're new to town, looking for a new study buddy, or simply hoping to meet others who share your interests, this event is the perfect opportunity to connect. Register here!

Feb 22 - Stop the Bleed Training

(10-12pm)

Join the Under the Helmet Riders foundation to learn important life saving practices and basic first aid skills to help in any situation! To attend and receive a completion certificate, you must register here.

Mar 4 - Henna Workshop (5:30-7pm)

Henna is a beautiful, natural art form that has been practiced for centuries.In our Henna class, you'll learn how to create intricate, temporary designs on the skin using a paste made from the henna plant. Presented by Ranjani Gopikrishna. Sign up here!

Mar 22 - Frida Kahlo Sip & Paint

(11-1:30pm)

Get artistic with us and celebrate the art of Frida Kahlo! We will be serving mocktails and following a painting tutorial inspired by the work of the artist. Register here to attend!

TEEN PROGRAMS (Grades 9-12)

Spring Break Gaming Tournaments!

Winner gets a $20 Gift Card of their choice!

March 19, 1-5pm

Click here to sign up!

March 20, 1-5pm

Click here to sign up!

D&D Info Meeting Feb 4 (3:30-4:30pm)

Are you interested in learning about Dungeons & Dragons? Our current party is eager to welcome new members and grow our D&D club! Come join us to discover what our club is all about!

Teen Potions Lab

Feb 6 (4-5pm)

Join us for a fun-filled afternoon of mixing magical potions! Space is limited - sign up here!

Winter Paint Night

Feb 12 (4-7pm)

Join us for a fun winter paint night! Follow a step-by-step tutorial and create your very own masterpiece. Register here!

For more information about Teen Programming, email teens@eastmolinelibrary.org

Narnia Night

Feb 21 (4-8pm)

Are you a Narnia expert or a huge fan of the series? Join us for a screening of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, a fun craft activity, and an exciting trivia challenge to test your knowledge! Sign up here!

Hunger Games Celebration

Mar 14 (4-8pm)

Step back into the world of Panem at our Hunger Games celebration! Join us for a screening of The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes and afterwards, test your knowledge with an exciting Hunger Games trivia challenge! As a special bonus, all attendees will be entered into a raffle to win a copy of the brand-new Hunger Games book,

Sunrise on the Reaping. Snacks will be served, costumes are encouraged, and may the odds be ever in your favor! Register here!

Teen Bingo Night

Mar 26 (4-7pm)

Join us for Teen Bingo Night! Lots of cool prizes and themed bingo rounds! Sign up here!

TWEEN PROGRAMS (Grades 4-8)

Book Buddies is our brand new book club for tweens! Tweens (grades 4-8) and their buddies (grownup/older sibling) can read a book together and come in to discuss!

We still have books available - first come, first serve (One book per tween).

The first book club meeting is on Monday, March 10th from 4:30-5:30pm. Book title is Lasagna Means I Love You - click here for more info!

Feb 6 & 20

Mar 6 (3:30-5:30pm)

Join us after school for our Minecraft Club!

Feb 11 (4-5pm)

Using beads and pipe cleaners, you can make snowflakes to decorate for the Winter. Click here to sign up!

Feb 13

Mar 13 & 27

(3:30-5:30pm)

Join us after school for Tween Gaming!

Feb 18 & March 3

(4-5pm)

Enjoy puzzles and hot cocoa! We will have a variety of puzzles and brain teasers for you to solve!

For more information about Tween Programming, email childrens@eastmolinelibrary.org

CHILDRENS AND ALL AGES PROGRAMS

Inside Out Party!

Feb 8 (12-2pm)

Enjoy a showing of Inside Out 2, crafts, and games! This is a fun family event for all ages. Sign up here!

Scavenger Hunt:

Spring Animals

Mar 24-29

Stop by the library for a fun Spring Break Scavenger Hunt! Complete it for a small prize! All ages.

Storytime

Every Tuesday at 10:30am

Bilingual Storytime

Every other Thursday at 6pm

Lego Club

Every other Wednesday at 4pm

Saturday Bilingual Programs

February 1: Loteria Bingo (12-1:30pm)

March 1: Movie & Craft: Selena (12-2pm)

Movie Showings (All Ages)

February 15: Soul (12-2pm)

March 4: Princess and the Frog (3:30-5:30pm)

March 28: Mulan (12-2:30pm)

Imagination Creation

Feb 4: Heart Shaped Animals (3:30-4:30pm)

Feb 18: Rock Painting (1-2pm)

Mar 25: Paper Plate Mini Basket (3-4pm)

Mar 31: Beach Sensory Jar (2:30-3:30pm)

Wreath Craft

Feb 14 (3:30-4:30pm)

Come make a fun Valentine's Day Wreath! Sign up here!

Barbie Watch Party

Mar 8 (12-2:30pm)

Celebrate Barbie with us! We will be watching the new Barbie (2023) movie. Enjoy other fun activities like taking a photo in our life-size Barbie box!

Pot O' Gold Craft

Mar 15 (12-1:30pm)

Join us for a fun St. Patrick's Day craft, turning a mini terracotta pot into a pot of gold! Sign up here!

Seed Bombs

(3-4pm)

Join us to make seed bombs out of recycled paper and wild flowers seeds. Toss them in your back yard for wild flowers to grow! Register here!

For more information about Children's programming, email childrens@eastmolinelibrary.org

NOTES FROM THE FRIENDS

Happy New Year! May it be a year of good health and happiness! Also, a year full of reading many great books. Maybe some of these will be old books and maybe some of these will be new releases! Make a resolution to join the Friends if you aren’t a member already. We meet on the third Thursday at 9:30 am. This is a great way to help support the library. Join in on one of the many great programs that the library is offering. Expand your horizons! May 2025 be your best ever!

Marcia Lintz, President of the FRIENDS of the East Moline Public Library

THE FRIENDS STORE IS LIVE!

The FRIENDS of the East Moline Public Library have partnered with RAYGUN to sell library shirts! Ten dollars of every shirt sold is returned to the FRIENDS to support the library. Choose from four different shirt designs.

Click here to shop!