Holiday Closing

Rock Island Public Library locations are closed Monday, January 19 for Martin Luther King Jr Day. Online services will be available. 

Event List

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Escape to Book Island Winter Reading Challenge, cartoon Capybara reading on beach scene

Escape to Book Island Winter Reading Challenge

All Day 1/19 - 1/24
All locations
Program Type:
Reading Challenge
Age Group:
Children, Early Learning, School Age, Teen, Adult, Family, Everyone

Tired of winter? Escape to Book Island with our tropical-themed winter reading challenge! Imagine yourself reading on a beach and escape winter! 

Offsite Event
Library Branch: All locations
Age Group: Children, Early Learning, School Age, Teen, Adult, Family, Everyone
Program Type: Reading Challenge
Event Details:

Tired of winter? Escape to Book Island with our tropical-themed winter reading challenge! Imagine yourself reading on a beach and escape winter! 

Blue goodwill logo

Drop-in Computer Skills & Job Search Assistance w/ Goodwill of the Heartland

Monday, January 19, 2026 at 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Downtown Library
Program Type:
Discussion
Age Group:
Adult

Looking for assistance with computer skills and searching for jobs?

Cancelled
Library Branch: Downtown Library
Age Group: Adult
Program Type: Discussion
Event Details:

Looking for assistance with computer skills and searching for jobs?

storytime

Toddler Tales @ Watts-Midtown Branch

Tuesday, January 20, 2026 at 10:30am - 11:00am
Watts-Midtown Branch
Program Type:
Storytime
Age Group:
Early Learning

Young children and their caregivers are invited to enjoy this story time full of short books, action rhymes and songs.

For ages 0 - 5 years old.

Library Branch: Watts-Midtown Branch
Age Group: Early Learning
Program Type: Storytime
Event Details:

Young children and their caregivers are invited to enjoy this story time full of short books, action rhymes and songs.

For ages 0 - 5 years old.

A flyer that says, "Elementary Afterschool Activity" "January 13&15: National Hat Day, January 20&22: National Penguin Day, January 27&29: Pony Bead Crafts. 3:30-4:30 pm, Tuesdays at Watts-Midtown, Thursdays at Southwest."

Elementary After School Activity @ Watts-Midtown

Tuesday, January 20, 2026 at 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Watts-Midtown Community Room at Watts-Midtown Branch
Program Type:
Special Event
Age Group:
School Age

Fun activities and crafts every week Tuesdays at Watts-Midtown and Thursdays at Southwest!! Come for fun every week for Elementary age kids (K-6)!

 

This week we will celebrate National Penguin Day!

Library Branch: Watts-Midtown Branch
Room: Watts-Midtown Community Room
Age Group: School Age
Program Type: Special Event
Event Details:

Fun activities and crafts every week Tuesdays at Watts-Midtown and Thursdays at Southwest!! Come for fun every week for Elementary age kids (K-6)!

 

This week we will celebrate National Penguin Day!

Five metal dissection tools on a blue background.

Dissection Event

Tuesday, January 20, 2026 at 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Watts-Midtown Community Room at Watts-Midtown Branch
Program Type:
Special Event
Age Group:
School Age, Teen, Adult, Family

Join us for a unique evening of learning about animal biology with science educator Andrea Martinez!

Full
Registration Required
Library Branch: Watts-Midtown Branch
Room: Watts-Midtown Community Room
Age Group: School Age, Teen, Adult, Family
Program Type: Special Event
Registration Required
Event Details:

Join us for a unique evening of learning about animal biology with science educator Andrea Martinez!

Library Board of Trustees Meeting

Tuesday, January 20, 2026 at 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Downtown Community Room at Downtown Library
Purpose of Meeting:

Monthly meeting of the Library Board of Trustees. Open to the public. 

Downtown Library
Library Branch: Downtown Library
Room: Downtown Community Room
Purpose of Meeting

Monthly meeting of the Library Board of Trustees. Open to the public. 

blue and green waves with white text

Midtown Readers Book Club

Tuesday, January 20, 2026 at 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Watts-Midtown: Norm & Janet Moline Conference Room at Watts-Midtown Branch
Program Type:
Book Club
Age Group:
Adult

Join us as we discuss Glassmaker by Tracey Chevalier! Reserve a copy through our library system HERE.

Library Branch: Watts-Midtown Branch
Room: Watts-Midtown: Norm & Janet Moline Conference Room
Age Group: Adult
Program Type: Book Club
Event Details:

Join us as we discuss Glassmaker by Tracey Chevalier! Reserve a copy through our library system HERE.

Disclaimer(s)

Accessibility

The library makes every effort to ensure our programs can be enjoyed by all. If you have any concerns about accessibility or need to request specific accommodations, please contact the library.

storytime

Toddler Tales @ Southwest Branch

Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at 11:00am - 11:30am
Southwest Community Room at Southwest Branch
Program Type:
Storytime
Age Group:
Early Learning

 Children and their caregivers are invited to enjoy this story time full of books, action rhymes and songs. 

For ages 0 - 5 years old. 

Library Branch: Southwest Branch
Room: Southwest Community Room
Age Group: Early Learning
Program Type: Storytime
Event Details:

 Children and their caregivers are invited to enjoy this story time full of books, action rhymes and songs. 

For ages 0 - 5 years old. 

Silent Book Club - Rock Island Chapter logo

Silent Book Club®

Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at 5:30pm - 6:30pm
Watts-Midtown Community Room at Watts-Midtown Branch
Program Type:
Book Club, Mental Health
Age Group:
Teen, Adult

Looking for a book club with no assigned reading or focused discussions? Then joining our Silent Book Club® may be for you!

Library Branch: Watts-Midtown Branch
Room: Watts-Midtown Community Room
Age Group: Teen, Adult
Program Type: Book Club, Mental Health
Event Details:

Looking for a book club with no assigned reading or focused discussions? Then joining our Silent Book Club® may be for you!

Early Learning Outreach-RIMSD HeadStart & Preschool For All Visits

Thursday, January 22, 2026 at 9:00am - 11:00am
Offsite
Program Type:
Early Learning
Age Group:
Early Learning

Youth Services staff will be reading and sharing literacy activities with the RIMSD Head Start and Preschool for All classes.

Offsite Event
Library Branch: Offsite
Age Group: Early Learning
Program Type: Early Learning
Event Details:

Youth Services staff will be reading and sharing literacy activities with the RIMSD Head Start and Preschool for All classes.

Outreach Skip A Long - Milan - Preschool Visit

Thursday, January 22, 2026 at 9:45am - 10:15am
Outreach
Program Type:
Outreach, Storytime
Age Group:
Early Learning

Miss Ranell will visit Skip a Long preschool for storytime. 

Offsite Event
Library Branch: Outreach
Age Group: Early Learning
Program Type: Outreach, Storytime
Event Details:

Miss Ranell will visit Skip a Long preschool for storytime. 

parent and toddler playgroup

Winter Toddler Playgroup

Thursday, January 22, 2026 at 10:00am - 12:00pm
Downtown Children's Story Area at Downtown Library
Program Type:
Early Learning
Age Group:
Early Learning

Relaxing and casual fun for kids 5 and younger with their caregiver.  Toys and activities will be set out from  10 am to noon at the Downtown Library, Children's Room.  

Library Branch: Downtown Library
Room: Downtown Children's Story Area
Age Group: Early Learning
Program Type: Early Learning
Event Details:

Relaxing and casual fun for kids 5 and younger with their caregiver.  Toys and activities will be set out from  10 am to noon at the Downtown Library, Children's Room.  

Early Learning Outreach-RIMSD HeadStart & Preschool For All Visits

Thursday, January 22, 2026 at 12:00pm - 1:00pm
Offsite
Program Type:
Early Learning
Age Group:
Early Learning

Youth Services staff will be reading and sharing literacy activities with the RIMSD Head Start and Preschool for All classes.

Offsite Event
Library Branch: Offsite
Age Group: Early Learning
Program Type: Early Learning
Event Details:

Youth Services staff will be reading and sharing literacy activities with the RIMSD Head Start and Preschool for All classes.

A flyer that says, "Elementary Afterschool Activity" "January 13&15: National Hat Day, January 20&22: National Penguin Day, January 27&29: Pony Bead Crafts. 3:30-4:30 pm, Tuesdays at Watts-Midtown, Thursdays at Southwest."

Elementary After School Activity @ Southwest

Thursday, January 22, 2026 at 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Southwest Children's Room at Southwest Branch
Program Type:
Special Event
Age Group:
School Age

Fun activities and crafts every week Tuesdays at Watts-Midtown and Thursdays at Southwest!! Come for fun every week for Elementary age kids (K-6)!

 

This week we will celebrate National Penguin Day!

Library Branch: Southwest Branch
Room: Southwest Children's Room
Age Group: School Age
Program Type: Special Event
Event Details:

Fun activities and crafts every week Tuesdays at Watts-Midtown and Thursdays at Southwest!! Come for fun every week for Elementary age kids (K-6)!

 

This week we will celebrate National Penguin Day!

Milan-Blackhawk Area Public Library District Board Meeting

Thursday, January 22, 2026 at 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Southwest Community Room at Southwest Branch
Southwest Branch
Library Branch: Southwest Branch
Room: Southwest Community Room
2026 Book Sales January 23 and 24, repeats in April, July, October

Quarterly Book Sale

Friday, January 23, 2026 at 10:00am - 1:00pm
Downtown Community Room at Downtown Library
Program Type:
Book Sale

Quarterly book sale. Bag up great deals on books and other items. Unless otherwise marked, sales are by donation. Fill some boxes or bags and make us an offer! 

Library Branch: Downtown Library
Room: Downtown Community Room
Program Type: Book Sale
Event Details:

Quarterly book sale. Bag up great deals on books and other items. Unless otherwise marked, sales are by donation. Fill some boxes or bags and make us an offer! 

Blonde haired woman sitting in a green chair reading a blue book to five small children

Toddler Tales @ Watts-Midtown Branch

Friday, January 23, 2026 at 10:30am - 11:00am
Watts-Midtown Branch
Program Type:
Storytime
Age Group:
Early Learning

Children and their caregivers are invited to enjoy this story time full of books, action rhymes and songs.

For ages 0 - 5 years old.

Library Branch: Watts-Midtown Branch
Age Group: Early Learning
Program Type: Storytime
Event Details:

Children and their caregivers are invited to enjoy this story time full of books, action rhymes and songs.

For ages 0 - 5 years old.

2026 Book Sales January 23 and 24, repeats in April, July, October

Quarterly Book Sale

Saturday, January 24, 2026 at 10:00am - 1:00pm
Downtown Community Room at Downtown Library
Program Type:
Book Sale

Quarterly book sale. Bag up great deals on books and other items. Unless otherwise marked, sales are by donation. Fill some boxes or bags and make us an offer! 

Library Branch: Downtown Library
Room: Downtown Community Room
Program Type: Book Sale
Event Details:

Quarterly book sale. Bag up great deals on books and other items. Unless otherwise marked, sales are by donation. Fill some boxes or bags and make us an offer! 

Escape to Book Island Winter Reading Challenge, cartoon Capybara reading on beach scene

Escape to Book Island Winter Reading Challenge

All Day 1/26 - 1/31
All locations
Program Type:
Reading Challenge
Age Group:
Children, Early Learning, School Age, Teen, Adult, Family, Everyone

Tired of winter? Escape to Book Island with our tropical-themed winter reading challenge! Imagine yourself reading on a beach and escape winter! 

Offsite Event
Library Branch: All locations
Age Group: Children, Early Learning, School Age, Teen, Adult, Family, Everyone
Program Type: Reading Challenge
Event Details:

Tired of winter? Escape to Book Island with our tropical-themed winter reading challenge! Imagine yourself reading on a beach and escape winter! 

Blue goodwill logo

Drop-in Computer Skills & Job Search Assistance w/ Goodwill of the Heartland

Monday, January 26, 2026 at 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Downtown Library
Program Type:
Discussion
Age Group:
Adult

Looking for assistance with computer skills and searching for jobs?

Library Branch: Downtown Library
Age Group: Adult
Program Type: Discussion
Event Details:

Looking for assistance with computer skills and searching for jobs?

storytime

Toddler Tales @ Watts-Midtown Branch

Tuesday, January 27, 2026 at 10:30am - 11:00am
Watts-Midtown Branch
Program Type:
Storytime
Age Group:
Early Learning

Young children and their caregivers are invited to enjoy this story time full of short books, action rhymes and songs.

For ages 0 - 5 years old.

Library Branch: Watts-Midtown Branch
Age Group: Early Learning
Program Type: Storytime
Event Details:

Young children and their caregivers are invited to enjoy this story time full of short books, action rhymes and songs.

For ages 0 - 5 years old.

Book cover of some editions of the book, "Go Ask Alice"

Freedom to Read 'em Book Club -- Go Ask Alice

Tuesday, January 27, 2026 at 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Downtown Community Room at Downtown Library
Program Type:
Book Club
Age Group:
Adult

This month's book club title is, "Go Ask Alice," by Anonymous/Beatrice Sparks.

Library Branch: Downtown Library
Room: Downtown Community Room
Age Group: Adult
Program Type: Book Club
Event Details:

This month's book club title is, "Go Ask Alice," by Anonymous/Beatrice Sparks.

A flyer that says, "Elementary Afterschool Activity" "January 13&15: National Hat Day, January 20&22: National Penguin Day, January 27&29: Pony Bead Crafts. 3:30-4:30 pm, Tuesdays at Watts-Midtown, Thursdays at Southwest."

Elementary After School Activity @ Watts-Midtown

Tuesday, January 27, 2026 at 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Watts-Midtown Community Room at Watts-Midtown Branch
Program Type:
Special Event
Age Group:
School Age

Fun activities and crafts every week Tuesdays at Watts-Midtown and Thursdays at Southwest!! Come for fun every week for Elementary age kids (K-6)!

 

This week we will be making pony bead crafts!

Library Branch: Watts-Midtown Branch
Room: Watts-Midtown Community Room
Age Group: School Age
Program Type: Special Event
Event Details:

Fun activities and crafts every week Tuesdays at Watts-Midtown and Thursdays at Southwest!! Come for fun every week for Elementary age kids (K-6)!

 

This week we will be making pony bead crafts!

The cardboard head of a cat resembling the feline from the movie "KPop Demon Hunters" appears on a brown carpet background.

KPop Demon Hunters Cat Craft

Tuesday, January 27, 2026 at 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Downtown Community Room at Downtown Library
Program Type:
DIY
Age Group:
School Age, Teen, Adult

Join us for a fantastic feline craft: make a wall hanging inspired by Derpy from "KPop Demon Hunters." We'll provide the cardboard head, so come ready to paint!

Open
Registration Required
Library Branch: Downtown Library
Room: Downtown Community Room
Age Group: School Age, Teen, Adult
Program Type: DIY
Registration Required
Event Details:

Join us for a fantastic feline craft: make a wall hanging inspired by Derpy from "KPop Demon Hunters." We'll provide the cardboard head, so come ready to paint!