ROCK ISLAND – To keep students minds engaged and foster creativity, State Senator Mike Halpin is continuing the annual Summer Book Club this year.

“At a time when the future looks uncertain and our young people have to navigate all the modern pressures of life in the 21^st Century, we have a responsibility to teach the value of reading to our students,” said Halpin (D-Rock Island). “With AI tools, misinformation and short form content running rampant, I believe reading is necessary to prepare our next generation not for what to learn, but how to learn. Books foster new ideas, expand a child’s outlook and reinforce the values of education.”

The Summer Book Club requires students to read eight books of their choice during the summer break, record the names of the books on a form, and return the form to Halpin’s Rock Island, Galesburg or Springfield office by Aug. 14. Every child who completes the Summer Book Club will receive a gift card from Halpin. Information forms are available at these local, Western Illinois libraries:

• Rock Island Downtown Library
• Rock Island Library Southwest Branch
• Rock Island Public Library Watts-Midtown Branch
• Macomb Public Library
• New Windsor Public Library
• Clover Public Library
• Galesburg Public Library
• Knoxville Public Library
• Alexis Library
• Warren County Public Library District
• Moline Public Library
• East Moline Public Library
• Silvis Public Library
• Robert R. Jones Public Library
• Colona Public Library
• Roseville Branch Library
• Village of Avon Public Library
• Bushnell Public Library
• Western District Library
• Sherrard Public Library District

Summer Book Club forms are available to download at Senator Halpin’s website. People can also fill out the form online here. People with questions can reach out to Halpin’s office at (309) 558-3612.