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An Evening with James McBride

An award-winning author, musician, and screenwrite

2025-02-04 19:00:00 2025-02-04 20:00:00 America/Chicago An Evening with James McBride East -

Tuesday, February 04
7:00pm - 8:00pm

Add to Calendar 2025-02-04 19:00:00 2025-02-04 20:00:00 America/Chicago An Evening with James McBride Illinois Libraries Present James McBride, an award-winning author, musician, and screenwriter. East -

Illinois Libraries Present James McBride, an award-winning author, musician, and screenwriter.

Illinois Libraries Present James McBride, an award-winning author, musician, and screenwriter. His landmark memoir, The Color of Water, was published in 1996 and is considered an American classic, read in schools and universities across the United States. His 2013 novel, The Good Lord Bird, won the National Book Award for Fiction and was adapted by Ethan Hawke and Jason Blum into a Showtime series bearing the same name. His latest, The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store, was named one of the New York Times’ 100 Notable Books of 2023.

In 2016, President Obama awarded McBride the National Humanities Medal "for humanizing the complexities of discussing race in America. Through writings about his own uniquely American story, and his works of fiction informed by our shared history, his moving stories of love display the character of the American family." In 2024 he became the latest recipient of the Library of Congress Prize for American Fiction. A native New Yorker, McBride is a Distinguished Writer in Residence at New York University.

Heather Marie-Montlilla of PBS Books will join McBride in conversation.

This is a virtual event; registration is required.

This event is made possible by Illinois Libraries Present (ILP), a statewide collaboration among public libraries offering premier events. ILP is funded in part by a grant awarded by the Illinois State Library, a department of the Office of Secretary of State, using funds provided by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services, under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA).

ILP is committed to inclusion and accessibility. To request accommodations, please email illinoislibrariespresent@gmail.com

East

Phone: 815-966-2748
Fax: 815-226-1538
Branch manager
Al Carter

Hours
We're closed Friday July 04 due to Independence Day
Mon, Jun 30 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Tue, Jul 01 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Wed, Jul 02 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Thu, Jul 03 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Fri, Jul 04 Closed
(Independence Day)
Sat, Jul 05 10:00AM to 6:00PM
Sun, Jul 06 Closed

About the library

Come visit the East Branch, located in the former Barnes & Noble building on East State St. The East Branch offers a 65-seat meeting room, free Wi-Fi, quiet study rooms, special areas for children and adults, and an expanded collection of books and media, as well as a Friends of RPL book shop.

Upcoming events

Wed, Jul 02, 6:00pm - 7:45pm
Friends of RPL Community Room
Craving some company and conversation while you work your fiber craft? Bring your current project/supplies for some social stitching. All levels. Meets the first nonholiday Wednesday of each month.

Thu, Jul 03, 10:15am - 11:00am
Children's Area
Meet new friends, listen to stories & get moving in this interactive storytime designed to build social, fine motor & early literacy skills. Meets weekly in the Children's Area (except 6/26)

Thu, Jul 03, 4:15pm - 7:00pm
Try our Digital Escape Room, based on popular books. Games will be accessed via public computers that will be reserved for this event. No library cards required. First come first served.

Cancelled
Mon, Jul 07, 10:15am - 11:00am
Stop into the Rockford Public Library's Mobile Library.

Tue, Jul 08, 3:00pm - 3:45pm
Stop into the Rockford Public Library's Mobile Library.

Tue, Jul 08, 6:00pm - 6:45pm
Children's Area
Tuesday evening stories and music topped off with a little coloring time. This weekly storytime meets in the Children's Area (except 6/24).

Wed, Jul 09, 10:15am - 11:00am
Stop into the Rockford Public Library's Mobile Library.