Southwest Library Construction

Please pardon the dust and noise due to HVAC construction at the Southwest Library from Tuesday, April 30th through Tuesday, May 7th. We hope to bring you an improved library facility. Thank you for your patience.

Event List

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US Army Sustainment Command seal/logo

History with the Rock Island Arsenal

Wednesday, July 10, 2024 at 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Downtown Collaboration Area at Downtown Library
Program Type:
Presentation
Age Group:
Adult, Everyone
Event Details:

Join the Army Sustainment Command Historians as they explore the history of the Rock Island Arsenal, the US Military, and the Quad Cities. This year, the lecture series will explor...

Library Branch: Downtown Library
Room: Downtown Collaboration Area
Age Group: Adult, Everyone
Program Type: Presentation
Event Details:

Join the Army Sustainment Command Historians as they explore the history of the Rock Island Arsenal, the US Military, and the Quad Cities. This year, the lecture series will explore the U.S. Civil War at both a national and local level.

Program information for "Bring Back the Pollinators" Presentation

"Bring Back the Pollinators" with the XERCES Society

Wednesday, July 10, 2024 at 5:30pm - 6:30pm
Watts-Midtown Community Room at Watts-Midtown Branch
Program Type:
Presentation
Age Group:
Adult, Everyone
Event Details:

Join us on Wednesday, July 10th, as Becki Wells from The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation presents on the importance of pollinators and how we can restore and maintain ...

Library Branch: Watts-Midtown Branch
Room: Watts-Midtown Community Room
Age Group: Adult, Everyone
Program Type: Presentation
Event Details:

Join us on Wednesday, July 10th, as Becki Wells from The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation presents on the importance of pollinators and how we can restore and maintain pollinator-friendly habitats for the betterment of our world. 

Book cover for How to Say Babylon

Non Fiction Book Club

Thursday, July 11, 2024 at 5:30pm - 6:30pm
Offsite
Program Type:
Book Club, Discussion
Age Group:
Adult
Event Details:

Join us for a group book discussion in one of Rock Island's most beautiful parks, Longview Park! This month's selection is How to Say Babylon by Safiya Sinclair . You can obta...

Offsite Event
Library Branch: Offsite
Age Group: Adult
Program Type: Book Club, Discussion
Event Details:

Join us for a group book discussion in one of Rock Island's most beautiful parks, Longview Park! This month's selection is How to Say Babylon by Safiya Sinclair .

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.

Cover of Never Let Me Go

Coffee Break Book Club

Saturday, July 13, 2024 at 2:30pm - 3:30pm
Offsite
Program Type:
Book Club, Discussion
Age Group:
Adult
Event Details:

Interested in a book club, but busy during the week? Looking to read books that might be different from what you're used to? Join us at Theo's for Coffee Break Book Club! This book...

Offsite Event
Library Branch: Offsite
Age Group: Adult
Program Type: Book Club, Discussion
Event Details:

Interested in a book club, but busy during the week? Looking to read books that might be different from what you're used to? Join us at Theo's for Coffee Break Book Club!

Program information for "Adult Knitting Circle"

Adult Knitting Circle

Monday, July 15, 2024 at 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Downtown Community Room at Downtown Library
Program Type:
DIY
Age Group:
Adult, Everyone
Event Details:

Do you love to knit or crochet? We would love for you to join our Adult Knitting Circle! Whether you are in the middle of a project or looking to start something new, this club is ...

Library Branch: Downtown Library
Room: Downtown Community Room
Age Group: Adult, Everyone
Program Type: DIY
Event Details:

Do you love to knit or crochet? We would love for you to join our Adult Knitting Circle!

Photo of a Rocket train of the Rock Island Railroad

The Rock Island Railroad Video Series #6: Rock Island “Rockets” Defy Discontinuance

Tuesday, July 16, 2024 at 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Downtown Community Room at Downtown Library
Program Type:
Movie
Age Group:
Adult, Everyone
Event Details:

The Rock Island Railroad Line was probably most famous for its line of trains called the “Rockets”. Introduced in 1947, the Golden Rocket promised comfort and luxury. It included d...

Library Branch: Downtown Library
Room: Downtown Community Room
Age Group: Adult, Everyone
Program Type: Movie
Event Details:

The Rock Island Railroad Line was probably most famous for its line of trains called the “Rockets”. Introduced in 1947, the Golden Rocket promised comfort and luxury.

melon string art

Summer String Art Class

Tuesday, July 16, 2024 at 5:30pm - 7:00pm
Watts-Midtown Community Room at Watts-Midtown Branch
Program Type:
DIY
Age Group:
Adult
Event Details:

Join in on some crafty fun in this guided String Art class with High Strung by 3M! Attendees can expect to complete the project in the image above with guidance and supplies. We...

Required
Library Branch: Watts-Midtown Branch
Room: Watts-Midtown Community Room
Age Group: Adult
Program Type: DIY
Required
Seats Remaining: 16
Event Details:

Join in on some crafty fun in this guided String Art class with High Strung by 3M!

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.

Book cover for Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers

Midtown Readers Book Club

Tuesday, July 16, 2024 at 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Watts-Midtown: Norm & Janet Moline Conference Room at Watts-Midtown Branch
Program Type:
Book Club
Age Group:
Adult
Event Details:

Join us as we discuss Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jesse Q Sutano! Reserve a copy through our library system HERE. This group meets at the new Watts-Midtown...

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 Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jesse Q Sutano!

Colorful image reading "Sip & Paint All Ages Painting event w/ soda bar

Sip & Paint

Thursday, July 18, 2024 at 4:00pm - 7:30pm
Southwest Community Room at Southwest Branch
Age Group:
Children, School Age, Teen, Adult, Family, Everyone
Event Details:

Join us for some painting fun at our first Paint & Sip event! We will have painting stations set up for you to create your own masterpiece! This is not a guided class, but ther...

Required
Library Branch: Southwest Branch
Room: Southwest Community Room
Age Group: Children, School Age, Teen, Adult, Family, Everyone
Required
Seats Remaining: 25
Event Details:

Join us for some painting fun at our first Paint & Sip event! We will have painting stations set up for you to create your own masterpiece! This is not a guided class, but there will be projects you may choose from.

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.

Accompanying Adults

This program is designed for children and accompanying adults. Please plan to attend and be engaged with your child for this program. Drop offs will not be permitted.

Deadpool (AKA Wade Wilson) wears his signature red and black suit. He is seated on a couch holding an open book, and next to him is a stuffed Wolverine (the superhero, not the carnivore) toy.

Deadpool and Wolverine Trivia

Friday, July 19, 2024 at 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Southwest Community Room at Southwest Branch
Program Type:
Special Event
Age Group:
Teen, Adult
Event Details:

Guess who has a new movie coming out! That's right: everyone's favorite unkillable mercenary is finally back, and this time, he's brought his pal Wolverine with him. Are they reall...

Library Branch: Southwest Branch
Room: Southwest Community Room
Age Group: Teen, Adult
Program Type: Special Event
Event Details:

Guess who has a new movie coming out! That's right: everyone's favorite unkillable mercenary is finally back, and this time, he's brought his pal Wolverine with him. Are they really friends?

Let’s Talk About Death - Death Cafe

Saturday, July 20, 2024 at 11:00am - 1:00pm
Watts-Midtown: Norm & Janet Moline Conference Room at Watts-Midtown Branch
Program Type:
Discussion
Age Group:
Adult
Event Details:

Conversation Group. No agenda. We gather, we eat cake, and we talk. Discussions include all things related to life, death, and the finality of it. Open, non-judgmental, and ho...

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

Conversation Group.


No agenda. We gather, we eat cake, and we talk. Discussions include all things related to life, death, and the finality of it. Open, non-judgmental, and honest conversation about topics we don’t discuss much.

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.

Portrait of Amber Lowery, today's guest speaker

Genealogy - The DNA Option

Tuesday, July 23, 2024 at 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Downtown Community Room at Downtown Library
Program Type:
Presentation
Age Group:
Adult, Everyone
Event Details:

Details will be added soon.

Library Branch: Downtown Library
Room: Downtown Community Room
Age Group: Adult, Everyone
Program Type: Presentation
Event Details:

Details will be added soon.

Deadpool (AKA Wade Wilson) wears his signature red and black suit. He is seated on a couch holding an open book, and next to him is a stuffed Wolverine (the superhero, not the carnivore) toy.

Deadpool and Wolverine Trivia

Tuesday, July 23, 2024 at 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Downtown Community Room at Downtown Library
Program Type:
Special Event
Age Group:
Teen, Adult
Event Details:

Guess who has a new movie coming out! That's right: everyone's favorite unkillable mercenary is finally back, and this time, he's brought his pal Wolverine with him. Are they reall...

Library Branch: Downtown Library
Room: Downtown Community Room
Age Group: Teen, Adult
Program Type: Special Event
Event Details:

Guess who has a new movie coming out! That's right: everyone's favorite unkillable mercenary is finally back, and this time, he's brought his pal Wolverine with him. Are they really friends?

Book cover art for The Woman They Could Not Silence by Kate Moore

Southwest Book Club

Tuesday, July 23, 2024 at 4:30pm - 5:30pm
Southwest Community Room at Southwest Branch
Program Type:
Book Club, Discussion
Age Group:
Adult
Event Details:

Discussion of The Woman They Could Not Silence by Kate Moore 1860: As the clash between the states rolls slowly to a boil, Elizabeth Packard, housewife and mother of six, is fac...

Library Branch: Southwest Branch
Room: Southwest Community Room
Age Group: Adult
Program Type: Book Club, Discussion
Event Details:

Discussion of The Woman They Could Not Silence by Kate Moore

Program information for "Native Bees" Presentation

"Native Bees: Exploring the Fascinating World of our Wild Pollinators" with Nahant Marsh

Tuesday, July 23, 2024 at 5:30pm - 6:30pm
Watts-Midtown Community Room at Watts-Midtown Branch
Program Type:
Presentation
Age Group:
Adult, Everyone
Event Details:

Join us on Tuesday, July 23rd, to discover the fascinating world of North America's diverse bee species. Led by a local naturalist from Nahant Marsh, participants will explore the ...

Library Branch: Watts-Midtown Branch
Room: Watts-Midtown Community Room
Age Group: Adult, Everyone
Program Type: Presentation
Event Details:

Join us on Tuesday, July 23rd, to discover the fascinating world of North America's diverse bee species.

Words Beneath the Words: A Performance by Deborah Dakin

Wednesday, July 24, 2024 at 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Watts-Midtown Community Room at Watts-Midtown Branch
Program Type:
Performance
Age Group:
Adult, Everyone
Event Details:

"There is no difficulty in finding people determined to tell us the right way to think and what to do. Amid all this noise, how do we listen?" Explore with Deborah Dakin ho...

Library Branch: Watts-Midtown Branch
Room: Watts-Midtown Community Room
Age Group: Adult, Everyone
Program Type: Performance
Event Details:

"There is no difficulty in finding people determined to tell us the right way to think and what to do. Amid all this noise, how do we listen?"

Introduction to the Illinois Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program

Wednesday, July 24, 2024 at 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Downtown Community Room at Downtown Library
Program Type:
Presentation
Age Group:
Adult, Everyone
Event Details:

Join us on Wednesday, July 24th, at 3:00pm for an introductory presentation about the Illinois Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program. This presentation will provide an overview of the m...

Library Branch: Downtown Library
Room: Downtown Community Room
Age Group: Adult, Everyone
Program Type: Presentation
Event Details:

Join us on Wednesday, July 24th, at 3:00pm for an introductory presentation about the Illinois Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program.

Jill Seaholm portrait

Find Your Swedish Ancestry - Jill Seaholm, Swedish Immigration Center of Augustana College

Monday, July 29, 2024 at 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Downtown Community Room at Downtown Library
Program Type:
Presentation
Age Group:
Adult, Family
Event Details:

   The Swenson Swedish Immigration Research Center is a national and international research center for the study of Swedish-American history and relations. They coll...

Library Branch: Downtown Library
Room: Downtown Community Room
Age Group: Adult, Family
Program Type: Presentation
Event Details:

   The Swenson Swedish Immigration Research Center is a national and international research center for the study of Swedish-American history and relations. They collect, preserve and make available archival and library materials, pr

The Wright Cycles logo features the word in "Wright" in large black cursive letters, while "Cycles" is in all caps in a smaller font (also in black). Both words are on a white background.

Wright Cycles Bike Clinic

Tuesday, July 30, 2024 at 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Watts-Midtown Community Room at Watts-Midtown Branch
Program Type:
Presentation
Age Group:
Teen, Adult, Everyone
Event Details:

Join us for a bike clinic with Wright Cycles! Learn the basics of bike repair, and tips for keeping your bike in the best shape to ride all summer and fall. 

Library Branch: Watts-Midtown Branch
Room: Watts-Midtown Community Room
Age Group: Teen, Adult, Everyone
Program Type: Presentation
Event Details:

Join us for a bike clinic with Wright Cycles! Learn the basics of bike repair, and tips for keeping your bike in the best shape to ride all summer and fall. 

Polymer Clay Workshop

Wednesday, July 31, 2024 at 5:30pm - 7:30pm
Watts-Midtown Community Room at Watts-Midtown Branch
Program Type:
DIY
Age Group:
Adult
Event Details:

Join us on Wednesday, July 31st, for a polymer clay workshop! This is a guided program and all supplies will be provided. Attendees will leave with a beautiful clay pendant! Reg...

Required
Library Branch: Watts-Midtown Branch
Room: Watts-Midtown Community Room
Age Group: Adult
Program Type: DIY
Required
Seats Remaining: 16
Event Details:

Join us on Wednesday, July 31st, for a polymer clay workshop! This is a guided program and all supplies will be provided. Attendees will leave with a beautiful clay pendant!

Child peering through curved book pages stamped with 'Banned'

Seniors Read Banned Books -- Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe

Monday, August 5, 2024 at 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Downtown Community Room at Downtown Library
Program Type:
Presentation, Discussion
Age Group:
Adult
Event Details:

Senior citizens and any interested adult library patrons are invited to today's book discussion about books that have been banned from or relocated to different shelves of school a...

Library Branch: Downtown Library
Room: Downtown Community Room
Age Group: Adult
Program Type: Presentation, Discussion
Event Details:

Senior citizens and any interested adult library patrons are invited to today's book discussion about books that have been banned from or relocated to different shelves of school and public libraries in many communities.

Book cover of The Wager

Non Fiction Book Club

Thursday, August 8, 2024 at 5:30pm - 6:30pm
Offsite
Program Type:
Book Club, Discussion
Age Group:
Adult
Event Details:

Join us for a group book discussion in one of Rock Island's most beautiful parks, Longview Park! This month's selection is The Wager: A Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny and Murder by Davi...

Offsite Event
Library Branch: Offsite
Age Group: Adult
Program Type: Book Club, Discussion
Event Details:

Join us for a group book discussion in one of Rock Island's most beautiful parks, Longview Park! This month's selection is The Wager: A Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny and Murder by David Grann, author of Killers of the Flower Moon.

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.

Seal of the Illinois Secretary of State Office

Investment Scams and Fraud

Thursday, August 8, 2024 at 6:30pm - 7:45pm
Watts-Midtown Community Room at Watts-Midtown Branch
Program Type:
Presentation
Age Group:
Teen, Adult, Family
Event Details:

Details soon forthcoming.

Library Branch: Watts-Midtown Branch
Room: Watts-Midtown Community Room
Age Group: Teen, Adult, Family
Program Type: Presentation
Event Details:

Details soon forthcoming.

Seal of the Illinois Secretary of State Office

Investment Scams & Fraud

Friday, August 9, 2024 at 11:00am - 12:30pm
Downtown Community Room at Downtown Library
Program Type:
Presentation
Age Group:
Adult, Family
Event Details:

Details to be announced soon.

Library Branch: Downtown Library
Room: Downtown Community Room
Age Group: Adult, Family
Program Type: Presentation
Event Details:

Details to be announced soon.