October Brimming with Free Library Fun for Teens and More!

It's TeenTober! Programs for Teens (and More) Light Up October with Science, Ghosts, Writing, and More!

Dissection Gallery Events:

Teens and school age students can register for two free Dissection Gallery events. Sessions are offered Tuesday, Oct. 8, from 5 pm to 6pm at the Rock Island Public Library Watts-Midtown Branch, 2715 30^th Street, and again on Thursday, Oct. 17, also from 5pm to 6pm, at the Rock Island Library's Southwest Branch, 9010 Ridgewood Road. Science educator Andrea Martinez will lead students through the structures of animal anatomy and physiology through a look at several pre-cut specimens. If you're interested in biology, but not a fan of actually cutting into things, this might be for you.

Both events are part of the library's Your Future in STEAM Project Next Generation grant. They are also suitable for upper elementary grades 5 and 6. To register for either session, visit the Rock Island Library website or call 309-732-7315.

Fun and Entertainment:

Teens and adults in search of a good jump scare can show up for the library's free outdoor horror movie on Tuesday, October 15. A PG-13 movie will be shown from 5pm to 7 pm outside the Watts-Midtown Branch at 2715 30th Street. Participants should bring a blanket or two, depending on whether, and lawn chair. The event is free and does not require registration. For title information, contact the library.

Board game fans of all ages, including teens, can stop by the Rock Island Downtown Library, 401 19^th Street, for Board Game Day on Saturday, Oct. 19. The free event is from 10:30 am to 1:30 pm in the library Community Room. A variety of board games for all ages and levels will be available, with some available for check out after the event.

Literature and Writing

Fans of young adult and middle grade writer Jason Reynolds will want to sign up for a free online talk with the author at 7pm on Tuesday, Oct. 22. To receive a participation link by email, sign up via the library website or call 309-732-7341 for assistance. Reynolds "Raise Your Voice" author talk is free and open to anyone who registers through Rock Island Library or any other participating library.

Jason Reynolds' beloved and award-winning youth literature titles include Stamped (with Ibram X. Kendi), Stuntboy, the Track series (Ghost, Patina, Sunny, and Lu), Miles Morales, All American Boys (with Brendan Kiely), When I Was the Greatest, The Boy in the Black Suit, Look Both Ways, Ain't Burned All the Bright, and Long Way Down.

Raise Your Voice with Jason Reynolds is made possible through the library's membership in Illinois Libraries Present, a statewide collaboration of libraries offering high-quality events online.

The library's ongoing Graphic Novel Book Club gives teens a chance to discuss popular picture-based novels for ages 12 to 18. In October, the club will discuss "Bad Dreams in the Night," a collection of illustrated horror stories for teens by Adam Ellis. The drop-in club meets Thursday, Oct. 24 from 5 pm to 5:30 pm at the Watts-Midtown Branch. No registration is necessary. The book is available for checkout through the library catalog.

Teens who want to be a writer themselves can take a free Teen Writing Workshop with the Midwest Writing Center on Saturday, Oct. 26 from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm. The event is held in the Midwest Writing Center office, located on the Ground Floor of the Rock Island Downtown Library, 401 19^th Street.

Young writers will explore story prompts with Ryan Collins of the MWC and get creative. This event is also sponsored through the library's Project Next Generation series.

Thrills and Chills

Just in time for spooky season, the library offers a free escape room for school ages, teens, and adults in October. It's best for groups of 3 to 5 people, so grab a few friends or family members and try your hand at escaping "Creepy Doll's Cabinet of Curiosities." Registration is required so each group has a turn, with time slots available from 5 pm to 8 pm on Oct. 18, 21, and 22. The escape room is located at the Rock Island Public Library Southwest Branch, 9010 Ridgewood Road.

To arrange a time slot, call Youth Services Librarian Emily Tobin at 309-732-7315 or email [email protected]. This event is for school ages, teens, and adults.

If ghost hunting makes you feel good, try the Paranormal Investigation Night at the Rock Island Downtown Library on Tuesday, Oct. 29 from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm.

The free event with QC Haunts and S & S Paranormal Investigations offers an after-hours investigation of the Downtown Library. Participants will learn a few basic techniques and then explore among the library shelves for ghostly readers. It's open to teens and adults by registration only. Sign up via the library website, or call 309-732-7341.

Quad City Libraries unite for "TeenTober"

Teens ages 11 for 19 can take part in special reading challenges and contests sponsored by area Young Adult librarians.

Quad City area teens (ages 11-19) are invited to participate in a reading challenge and contests during the month of October. TeenTober Reading Challenges and TeenTober Contests are available at all area Quad City Libraries. For the contests, teens can create a video, a performance, a piece of writing, or a piece of art that showcases their creativity and connects to the 2024 theme: "The Elements." Grand prize winners and invitations to the TeenTober Red Carpet Awards are available. For more details, visit the TeenTober page at bit.ly/2024teentober or see the Rock Island Public Library calendar.

"TeenTober"is part of a nationwide celebration promoted by the Young Adult Library Services Association every October that celebrates teens, promotes year-round teen services, and highlights the innovative ways libraries help teens learn new skills and explore their interests in and out of the library.

For more information about library services and upcoming events for a wide range of ages, visit the Rock Island Public Library website, call 309-732-READ, or follow the Rock Island Library Facebook and Instagram social media sites .