Library Events

In Japanese Shinto traditions, “seagulls are considered messengers of sea gods, symbolizing safety, guidance, and protection.” These seagulls, on the other hand, are chilling at the pier, dreaming of stealing fries from beach tourists. Good thing we’re gluing these birds down! Limited to 20 participants. Registration is required via Engaged Patrons and is for in-house guests only.
 

Our adult programs tend to fill up, so please contact us to cancel if you can't make it so someone on the waiting list may come. Three no-shows without cancelling will also result in a three-month hiatus from registering for adult programs.

Picture yourself floating in a jellyfish’s garden in the sea… just don’t get stung! Local artist Anna Davis will lead us in creating a jellyfish-themed painting. No experience necessary! Limited to 20 participants. Registration is required via Engaged Patrons and is for in-house guests only.
 

Our adult programs tend to fill up, so please contact us to cancel if you can't make it so someone on the waiting list may come. Three no-shows without cancelling will also result in a three-month hiatus from registering for adult programs.

“The Kid” (1921), a comedy-drama, Charlie Chaplin's first full-length feature. It’s about a little tramp who discovers a little orphan (Jackie Coogan, who would later play Uncle Fester on “The Addams Family”) and brings him up but is left desolate when the orphanage reclaims him. Chaplin directed, produced, starred in the film, and even composed the score. As the opening title card says, it’s “a picture with a smile - and perhaps a tear.” This was the first full-length film to feature Chaplin’s Little Tramp character. It also elevated Jackie Coogan to the status of the film industry’s first child superstar.

Special note: Attend all three of the Silent Summer Cinema showings this summer, and you’ll be entered in a drawing for a chance to win the book Hair Pins & Dead Ends: The Perilous Journeys of 25 Actresses Through Early Hollywood by Michael Ankerich.

Snacks and drinks will be provided. No registration necessary

Remember the PET ROCKS from the 70s? They came with a 20-page instruction booklet and were not the “genuine, pedigreed” rocks they were made out to be. These Pet Rocks are based on your actual pets! Or, perhaps, a pet you would love to have. Paint it to look like your cat, dog, turtle, octopus, etc. You can even paint it to look like your old PET ROCK. Limited to 20 participants. Registration is required via Engaged Patrons and is for in-house guests only.

Our adult programs tend to fill up, so please contact us to cancel if you can't make it so someone on the waiting list may come. Three no-shows without cancelling will also result in a three-month hiatus from registering for adult programs.

Join Catalina as she cooks up a traditional Mexican dish. This time it will be Grains Soups (such as lentils and chickpeas). She’ll be sharing her recipes and showing us how it’s done. Limited to the first 20 participants. No registration necessary. Sponsored by Royal Neighbors Chapter 20167.

“The Flapper” (1920), is a comedy starring Olive Thomas. It was her second to last film. At that time, Thomas was seen as the “quintessential American girl,” and the movie defined the screen image of flappers. In the story, Ginger (Thomas) is sent away to a boarding school for the scandalous reason of flirting with men! She falls for a man who rides past the school every day. After a classmate robs the school’s safe, it’s Ginger who is set up to take the fall for the crime.

Olive Thomas made 22 films in her four-year career. Only 10 of them survive. “The Flapper” was written by Frances Marion, one of the most renowned screenwriters of the 20^th century. During the course of her career, she wrote more than 325 scripts.

Special note: Attend all three of the Silent Summer Cinema showings this summer, and you’ll be entered in a drawing for a chance to win the book Hair Pins & Dead Ends: The Perilous Journeys of 25 Actresses Through Early Hollywood by Michael Ankerich.

Snacks and drinks will be provided. No registration necessary.

The Active Living Senior Fair is focused on how seniors can keep physically, mentally, and socially active. It’s open to anyone in the Quad Cities and beyond. The Senior Fair includes local vendors, raffle prizes, and live music by the Quad City Ukulele Club. Join us for a fun afternoon of meeting vendors and singing along with some classic songs. It’s sure to be a great time!

No registration necessary. The public (from Silvis and beyond!) is welcome.

This month’s book is by John Irving, who studied under Kurt Vonnegut at the University of Iowa Writers’ Workshop. Homer is an orphan in remote St. Cloud, Maine. Never adopted, he becomes the favorite of orphanage Director Dr. Larch, who imparts his full medical knowledge on Homer, who becomes a skilled, albeit unlicensed, physician. But Homer yearns for a self-chosen life outside the orphanage. When Wally and pregnant Candy visit the orphanage, Dr. Larch provides a medically safe, albeit illegal, abortion, Homer leaves with them to work on Wally's family apple farm. Wally goes off to war, leaving Homer and Candy alone together. What will Homer learn about life and love in the cider house? What of the destiny that Dr. Larch has planned for him?

Regular print, large print, and audio books will be available. Ask for a copy at the circulation counter. New members are always welcome!