FROM THE DIRECTOR

I am so pleased to share that the library has partnered with Transitions Mental Health Services to staff a social worker inside the library on Mondays and Wednesdays from 9am-5pm beginning April 13. The social worker will be helping patrons on a walk-in basis at this time. Below is a list of services the social worker is able to provide on site at the library. If you have additional questions please call the library at 309-755-9614 EXT 106 during the hours listed above after April 13 to speak directly with the social worker. 

• Brief supportive engagement
• Counseling interventions
• Resource navigation
• Referrals to other service providers
• Assistance with government and social services applications
• Crisis de-escalation and coordination with appropriate responders
• Outreach to individuals experiencing mental health challenges, homelessness, or social isolation

The social worker position is being funded entirely by the library as part of our 2024-2026 Strategic Plan Goal to hire a social worker for the library. 

Library Outreach Vehicle Campaign

Thank you so much to our donors! We are moving closer to our goal of $225,000 but still have some road ahead. Please consider supporting the outreach vehicle to help bring the library to the entire community. Scan the QR code to donate! The Library Board has selected Matthew Specialty Vehicles to design our vehicle, and we hope to be on the road by summer 2027. If you have any questions or would like to learn more, please contact me at sierrab@eastmolinelibrary.org or by phone 309-755-9614 EXT 108.

Director’s Bookshelf

My Friends by Fredrik Backman was not as sad as I was expecting it to be. When I started listening to this book, I whispered aloud, "what have I gotten myself into?" However the story resolved quite nicely. I personally really enjoy reading Backman and feel he is very skilled at expressing our deepest emotions in a single sentence. As the title indicates, this is a story about friendship, but it is also about love, grief, loneliness, loss, and survival. I gave this 4 out of 5 stars. 

Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid Well I did it again. I jumped on the bandwagon and decided to read the book everyone is talking about. The story is set in the 1980s and focuses on the love story between two female astronauts. The story agonizingly jumps back and forth in time with all the action being in the story's present day and the reader having to inch along through the back story to find out what happens. I enjoyed learning about astronauts but felt the story was a bit longer than necessary. I gave this 3 out of 5 stars. 

The Correspondent by Virginia Evans I really can't remember why I'm reading this book, but I am enjoying it. The full cast on audio really brings the story to life. The entire book unfolds through a series of letters, emails, and a few texts. This seems like a monumental task for the author, but the story flows nicely. There is a wide range of correspondents the main character writes and receives letters from, and I found myself exclaiming when I recognized the voice of a character I had been waiting to get back to. The main character is a woman in her 70s who has corresponded through letters her entire life. Through these letters, we learn about her current relationships and life history. It has been very engaging and is overall a warm and uplifting story. 

ADULT PROGRAMS

TEEN PROGRAMS (Grades 9-12)

Let's Bedazzle!

Apr 8 | 4-7pm

Join us for bedazzled painting, bring a book to bedazzle, or choose something from our supply closet! Register here!

Teen Casino Night

Apr 15 | 4-7pm

Play poker, blackjack, and roulette using play money! Win tokens for prizes! Sign up here!

Mini-Library Craft

Apr 21 | 5-6pm

Enjoy a fun evening creating your very own mini-library! Sign up here!

TWEEN PROGRAMS (Grades 4-8)

CHILDRENS AND ALL AGES PROGRAMS

For more information on programming, please email outreachandprogramming@eastmolinelibrary.org

NOTES FROM THE FRIENDS

Spring is in the air! After last week's blizzard, how nice to see the sun and the nice temps!

Please remember that on March 31, we have a Godfather's fundraiser from 4-8pm. We made $90 on the Papa John's fundraiser. The money raised goes to the library vehicle. We thank everyone that participated.

Our next meeting of the FRIENDS is on April 16 at 9:30am. If you are a member of this group, you are welcome to attend. I also encourage everyone to attend the many wonderful programs that the library offers.

Happy Easter and Happy Spring!

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