FROM THE DIRECTOR

We are working on shifting our collections around in several areas of the library. In the west wing of the library, we have shifted the fiction collections for easier browsing. We have also added range labels and display shelving to highlight books from the fiction collections. In the front of the fiction room, we have moved new nonfiction and dedicated several ranges to feature nonfiction books from the basement. The large print books will continue to live in the basement, but we have moved all the new large print upstairs to the lobby for easier access to this popular collection. Lighting has also been added to the basement where the large print books are. Our aim is to have as much of our popular collections in the west wing as possible for easier browsing and access.

Next we will be removing some of the shelving on the second floor to create more seating areas. We will also move the children's media to the second floor where the other media is. Once those changes take place, we will begin moving the young adult and children's shelving. We hope to create a young adult space and a story time space.

Director’s Bookshelf

I recently did a little comfort reading, binging one of my all-time favorite series by Holly Black. The Folk of Air Series features three books and a novella about a human who has been raised in Faerie by her mother's murderer, who just happens to be her faerie half-sister's father. Beautifully written with incredible world-building, The Cruel Prince is the first book in the series and is full of spy craft, swordplay, secrets, lies, and love.

I am currently working my way through biographies about the Presidents of the United States. I haven't made it very far but am currently reading Thomas Jefferson and the Art of Power by Jon Meecham. John F. Kennedy once said, "I think this is the most extraordinary collection of talent, of human knowledge, that has ever been gathered together at the White House, with the possible exception of when Thomas Jefferson dined alone." --Remarks at a Dinner Honoring Nobel Prize Winners of the Western Hemisphere. This quote absolutely blew me away and certainly reframed Thomas Jefferson in my mind. I'm looking forward to the rest of the biography.

Next in my book que is The Women by Kristin Hannah. This book is certainly one of the highest circulating books this year so I'm finally going to see what all the fuss is about. Every once in a while, you just have to jump on the bandwagon.

Illinois Libraries Presents

The Magic of

Raina Telgemeier

December 10, 7-8pm

Join us for a night with critically acclaimed comic artist, Raina Telgemeier! Raina is the author and illustrator of the graphic novels Smile, Drama, Sisters, Ghosts, and Guts, all #1 New York Times bestsellers. She also adapted and illustrated four graphic novel versions of Ann M. Martin’s Baby-Sitters Club series, and has contributed short stories to many anthologies. New in 2024, The Cartoonists Club — a one-of-a-kind graphic novel from Raina and Scott McCloud.

Raina’s accolades include six Eisner Awards, a Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor, a Stonewall Honor, and many Best-of and Notables lists. Raina grew up in San Francisco, then moved to New York City, where she earned an illustration degree at the School of Visual Arts. Raina currently lives and works in San Francisco, CA.

The first 20 people to register for our event will receive a free copy of Raina's upcoming book, The Cartoonists Club! Scheduled for release on April 1, 2025, this exciting new title can be yours with an exclusive voucher. Attendees must be present in person to claim their voucher.

Click here to sign up. Please note: this is a live virtual event. Raina Telgemeier will not be here in person. If you cannot attend in person, but you would like to watch the presentation, please register here. To learn more about Raina, visit goraina.com

Illinois Libraries Presents

Little Women: The Musical

December 20, 5-7pm

Louisa May Alcott’s classic story of four sisters growing up in 19th-century Massachusetts made its London premiere in this acclaimed production at Park Theatre. Originally presented on Broadway in 2005 starring Sutton Foster, Lydia White and Savannah Stevenson lead a talented cast in this beloved tale of family, self-discovery, and hope. Little Women at Park Theatre is directed by Bronagh Lagan with set and costume design by Nik Corrall, musical direction by Leo Munby, orchestrations by Andy Collyer, choreography by Sarah Golding, lighting design by Ben M. Rogers, sound design by Paul Gavin and casting by Jane Deitch. It is produced by Katy Lipson for Aria Entertainment, Hope Mill Theatre and Knockhardy Productions, in association with Park Theatre, and co-produced by Bonnie Comley and Stewart F. Lane. Little Women has a book by Allan Knee (Finding Neverland, The Astonishing Times of Timothy Cratchit), lyrics by Mindi Dickstein, and music by Grammy Award-winner Jason Howland.

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

Join us at our Hot Cocoa Kick-Off and sign up for our Winter Reading Challenge! Enjoy a hot cocoa bar, pictures by the fireplace, and crafts for all ages.

Keep track of your reading progress using Beanstack! Download the free app here to sign up. You can also register on the website here. Stay tuned for our Winter Reading newsletter coming in January!

Martin Luther King, Jr. Documentary

January 17, 11am

Join us for a showing of I am MLK Jr., a documentary that explores the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his impact on civil rights through present day. Popcorn and water will be provided.

The library will be closed on Monday, January 20 in honor of Martin Luther King Day.

Family Puzzle Race

January 18th (1-2pm)

We are hosting our second Jigsaw Puzzle Competition for families! We will have 12 teams put together the same 500 piece puzzle to see who finishes first! The puzzle design will not be revealed until we say GO! Click here to register your team.

When you sign up, please only sign up one person from your group and write in the notes how many people are in your group. You can have up to four members MAX! Recommended for ages 10 and up!

ADULT PROGRAMS

Monday Morning Yoga

Every Monday 9:30am

Chair Yoga

Every Wednesday 9:30am

Bingo

Dec 3, 2pm

Mystery Book Club

Dec 4, 4pm (First Wednesday, every other month)

Resume Writing Workshop

Dec 9, 6pm

Peaceful Parenting Workshop

Dec 12, 5:30pm

Adult Craft & Movie Night

Dec 17, 5:30pm (Elf)

Jan 21, 5:30pm (The Hobbit)

Sound Healing Session

Dec 19, 6pm

English Learner's Group

Dec 30, 5:30pm

Jan 27, 5:30pm

BHC PaCE Presentation

Jan 14, 5:30pm

Pinterest Craft

Jan 22, 11am

Urban Balance Therapy: Mental Health Presentation

Jan 28, 6pm

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

Dec 11 - Attracting Winter Birds (5:30-6:30pm)

Birds have many adaptations that help them survive the cold winter months. Join the Nahant Marsh to learn which species stick around from the cold months and how you can attract them to your feeder. Click here for more info!

Dec 14 - Cocoa & Canvases (11-1:30pm)

Enjoy an afternoon of cozy drinks & creative canvases! We will be drinking hot cocoa while following a painting tutorial. Not a expert artist? No worries! There will be plenty of time to pause, ask questions, and create your own beautiful masterpiece. Space is limited - please click here to register!

Jan 7 - Podcast Club (6-7pm)

Welcome to the East Moline Library Podcast Club, a lively gathering where curious minds unite to explore, discuss, and connect over thought-provoking podcasts. Each month, we select a theme and dive into a curated set of episodes from different podcasts exploring that theme from multiple angles. Grab your headphones, press play, and join us for stimulating conversations that go beyond the earbuds!

Jan 15 - Tea Blending Workshop (5:30-6:30)

Join us for a hands-on experience where you’ll learn the art of creating your own custom loose leaf tea blends. By the end of the session, you’ll leave with your own personalized blend to enjoy at home!

NEW ADULT PROGRAMS (Ages 18-30)

Broke Holidays: DIY Gifts

December 12 (5:30-7pm)

Get into the holiday spirit and don't break the bank with our DIY Gifts night at the library! Join us for a fun and creative session where you'll learn to make personalized gifts for your loved ones. Sign up here!

Welcome to Forks: A Twilight Celebration

January 24 (5-8pm)

This is the party of a killer, Bella! Celebrate the franchise we all love (or love to hate) with trivia, crafts, a screening of the first movie, and more exciting activities. Click here to register, loca!

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

TEEN PROGRAMS (Grades 9-12)

Teen Library Council

Meets the first Friday of the month 4-8pm

Teen Library Council (TLC) is a group of teens from across the Quad Cities who meet monthly with Teen Librarians to provide input on teen services, programming, material selection, event planning, and more. Play games, win prizes, and make new friends! It's also a fun way to get involved with the library while earning volunteer hours for school, job, or college applications.

Click here for more info!

Teen Casino Night - Dec 4 (4-7pm)

Test your skills at poker, blackjack, and roulette with play money, all in a safe, supervised environment. Sign up here!

Teen Midnight Society

Dec 13 (4-8pm)

The Midnight Society meets every Friday the 13th to tell ghost stories, watch spooky shows, and ghost hunt in the library! Pizza and pop generously provided by Godfathers!

Holiday Movie Night

Dec 18 (4-7pm)

Join us for a screening of the brand new holiday comedy "Dear Santa", and enjoy a delicious hot cocoa bar! Click here to sign up!

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

Hamilton Party

Jan 16 (4-8pm)

Join us for our annual Teen Friendsgiving! Bring a dish to share, and enjoy an evening of great conversation, fun, and new friendships! Sign up here!

DIY Cricut Mugs

Jan 22 (4-7pm)

Design a one-of-a-kind mug with our Cricut Mug Press! Join us to learn how to create, cut, and press vinyl, turning your custom design into a personalized mug! Sign up is required, click here to register!

Teen Vault Events

Mondays 3:30-5:30pm

Join us in the Teen Vault on select Mondays for different activities! Sign up on our website here!

Dec 2: Connect - Let’s Decorate!

Dec 9: Create - Ornaments

Dec 16: Create - Holiday Art

Jan 6: Enjoy - Games

Jan 13: Create - Gnomes

Jan 27: Learn - Winter String Art

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 will have 10 free books available - first come, first serve (One book per tween).

The books will be available at the front desk starting January 13th and we will have the first book club meeting on Monday, March 10th from 4:30-5:30pm. Book title to be announced soon!

December 3 (4-5pm)

Create bracelets for you and your friends! We have lots of different beads and charms to choose from.

December 5 & 19

January 2 & 30

(3:30-5:30pm)

Join us after school for Tween Gaming!

December 12

January 9 & 23

(3:30-5:30pm)

Join us after school for our Minecraft Club!

December 16

(4-5pm)

You be the judge! Try a variety of flavored candy canes and determine the best kind! Sign up here!

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

Random Fandom:

Tim Burton

December 21 (12-2pm)

Let's celebrate the creative mind of Tim Burton! Enjoy a showing of the movie Nightmare Before Christmas followed by some Tim Burton themed activities. Click here to sign up!

Terracotta Snowmen

January 14 (4-5pm)

Create a mini snowman out of a flower pot! All supplies will be provided. Click here to register!

Cookie Decorating

January 25 (1-2pm)

Put your art skills to the test and decorate some cookies! Register here!

Hot Cocoa Slime

January 29 (4-5pm)

Craft the ultimate cozy hot cocoa slime! Click here to sign up!

CHILDRENS AND ALL AGES PROGRAMS

Noon Year's Eve Party!

December 30 (11-1pm)

Join us for a festive and family-friendly Noon Year’s Eve Celebration! As the clock strikes noon, we’ll ring in the New Year with joyful activities, music, a balloon drop, and plenty of fun. This event is perfect for little ones and those who want to celebrate without staying up late.

Storytime

Every Tuesday at 10:30am

Bilingual Storytime

Every other Thursday at 6pm

(December 6 we will have Therapy Dogs!)

Lego Club

Every other Wednesday at 4pm

Saturday Bilingual Programs

December 7: Poinsettias (1:30-2:30pm)

January 4: Movie & Craft (12-2pm)

Movie Showings (All Ages)

December 27: IF (11:30-1:30pm)

January 2: Tinkerbell (12-2pm)

Family STEAM Lab: Science (All Ages)

January 2 (6-7:30pm)

Imagination Creation

January 3: Penguins (12-1pm)

January 30: Iceberg Maze (12-1pm)

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

Gingerbread Houses

December 2

(6:30-7:30pm)

Come build a gingerbread house! Houses will be put on display in the library following the event to vote on the most festive house!

Here comes SANTA!

December 5 (6-7pm)

EMPL is getting some very special visitors from the North Pole this holiday season! Stop by to meet with Santa & Mrs. Claus!

Secret Santa

December 21 (11-1pm)

Come wrap a gift for a loved one! We will have the room set up with free small gifts and wrapping paper for kids to pick out something to give to a family member or friend this holiday season.

December 23

(5:30-7:30pm)

Parents are you running out of time for holiday shopping? We are having a movie night for your kids while you do your last minute shopping.

NOTES FROM THE FRIENDS

Happy Holidays from the FRIENDS of EMPL! I hope many of you plan to stop by our Holiday Book Sale on November 30th! You can buy wrapped book bundles that many of the FRIENDS board members helped wrap or bag - and a big thank you to all those who helped. They are a great gift - or even just for yourself. (Just in case snow falls and you don't want to go out!) A great New Years Resolution is to join the FRIENDS for 2025! Help support the library! If you are a FRIEND, please remember to join us the 3rd Thursday of the month at 9:30am for our meetings. If anyone is interested in an evening meeting, please leave your name and contact information at the desk at the library. Happy 2025!

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 three different shirt designs.

Click here to shop!