Holiday Closing

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

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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! 

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!

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!

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! 

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!

Full
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!

MagiKids_Magic the Gathering cards, learn how to play at your library

MagiKids (Learn Magic the Gathering and get free cards!)

Wednesday, January 28, 2026 at 3:00pm - 4:30pm
Watts-Midtown Community Room at Watts-Midtown Branch
Program Type:
Special Event
Age Group:
School Age, Teen

This program is brought to you by MagiKids! 

Attendants will be able to open several packs of Magic the Gathering cards, built their decks, and learn how to play. The best part is they will get to keep the cards they choose! 

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

This program is brought to you by MagiKids! 

Attendants will be able to open several packs of Magic the Gathering cards, built their decks, and learn how to play. The best part is they will get to keep the cards they choose! 

Mental Health Spotlight: Seasonal Depression

Thursday, January 29, 2026 at 5:30pm - 6:30pm
Watts-Midtown Community Room at Watts-Midtown Branch
Program Type:
Mental Health, Presentation
Age Group:
Teen, Adult

Have you ever had a case of the "winter blues?" You are not alone!

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

Have you ever had a case of the "winter blues?" You are not alone!

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

Escape to Book Island Winter Reading Challenge

All Day 2/2 - 2/7
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! 

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

Escape to Book Island Winter Reading Challenge

All Day 2/9 - 2/14
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! 

An image of Stack (in red) and Smoke (in blue), the twins from the movie "Sinners."

Monster Movie Monday

Monday, February 9, 2026 at 5:30pm - 7:30pm
Watts-Midtown Community Room at Watts-Midtown Branch
Program Type:
Movie
Age Group:
Teen, Adult

Join us for Monster Movie Monday, where we're showing one of 2025's most thrilling vampire films. Join us for snacks and a monstrous movie!

Note that this film is Rated R for violence and gore.

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

Join us for Monster Movie Monday, where we're showing one of 2025's most thrilling vampire films. Join us for snacks and a monstrous movie!

Note that this film is Rated R for violence and gore.

A light up frame sits on a white table with a black background; for this project, we'll pair this with a metal bookend.

Light Up Bookend Craft

Tuesday, February 10, 2026 at 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Watts-Midtown: Norm & Janet Moline Conference Room at Watts-Midtown Branch
Program Type:
DIY
Age Group:
School Age, Teen, Adult

February is Library Lovers Month, so join us for this creative bookend craft! Design your own light up bookend to take home, and give your bookshelves a literal glow-up.

Upcoming
Registration Required
Library Branch: Watts-Midtown Branch
Room: Watts-Midtown: Norm & Janet Moline Conference Room
Age Group: School Age, Teen, Adult
Program Type: DIY
Registration Required
Event Details:

February is Library Lovers Month, so join us for this creative bookend craft! Design your own light up bookend to take home, and give your bookshelves a literal glow-up.

Black and gray floral shopping tote bag.

Sew Much Fun

Saturday, February 14, 2026 at 10:30am - 12:30pm
Downtown Community Room at Downtown Library
Program Type:
DIY
Age Group:
School Age, Teen, Adult, Family

Expand your sewing knowledge by using a sewing machine to make a simple tote bag. Attendees will learn how to read a pattern, cut fabric, sew straight seams, press fabric, pin, and finish a versatile, reversible, tote.

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

Expand your sewing knowledge by using a sewing machine to make a simple tote bag. Attendees will learn how to read a pattern, cut fabric, sew straight seams, press fabric, pin, and finish a versatile, reversible, tote.

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

Escape to Book Island Winter Reading Challenge

All Day 2/16 - 2/21
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! 

African-American men carrying guns stand in a line in a defensive posture.

"Deacons for Defense" - Remembering Black History

Wednesday, February 18, 2026 at 1:30pm - 3:30pm
Downtown Community Room at Downtown Library
Program Type:
Movie
Age Group:
Teen, Adult, Everyone

Remembering Black history.....

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

Remembering Black history.....

Silent Book Club - Rock Island Chapter logo

Silent Book Club®

Wednesday, February 18, 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!

Rock Island Public Library logo, in which the first two letters and an arrow appear in red, "Public Library" appears in light blue, and the words "Begin Here" are at the bottom.

Teen Advisory Group

Friday, February 20, 2026 at 4:00pm - 4:30pm
Watts-Midtown Teen Area at Watts-Midtown Branch
Program Type:
Discussion
Age Group:
Teen

Looking for volunteer hours? Join us for Teen Advisory Group, and learn about volunteering at the library. At TAG, you will:

Library Branch: Watts-Midtown Branch
Room: Watts-Midtown Teen Area
Age Group: Teen
Program Type: Discussion
Event Details:

Looking for volunteer hours? Join us for Teen Advisory Group, and learn about volunteering at the library. At TAG, you will:

A slice of cheese pizza on a white paper plate sits on a grey counter.

Teen After Hours Event

Friday, February 20, 2026 at 7:00pm - 9:00pm
Watts-Midtown Teen Area at Watts-Midtown Branch
Program Type:
Special Event
Age Group:
Teen

Join us for a night of fun at the Watts-Midtown Branch! We're taking advantage of our extended hours (thanks Bucktown!) to offer a free evening of snacks and entertainment for teens. Join us for retro gaming and pizza in the Teen Space. 

Library Branch: Watts-Midtown Branch
Room: Watts-Midtown Teen Area
Age Group: Teen
Program Type: Special Event
Event Details:

Join us for a night of fun at the Watts-Midtown Branch! We're taking advantage of our extended hours (thanks Bucktown!) to offer a free evening of snacks and entertainment for teens. Join us for retro gaming and pizza in the Teen Space. 

mystic swan lake

Paint Class: Create! Quad Cities

Saturday, February 21, 2026 at 11:00am - 1:00pm
Downtown Community Room at Downtown Library
Program Type:
Mental Health, DIY
Age Group:
Teen, Adult
Mental Health Program ARPA:

This program is made possible by ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) funds designated by the City of Rock Island.

Did you know that engaging in a creative outlet, like painting, can "boost serotonin levels and increase blood flow to the part of the brain associated with pleasure?"(

Upcoming
Registration Required
Library Branch: Downtown Library
Room: Downtown Community Room
Age Group: Teen, Adult
Program Type: Mental Health, DIY
Registration Required
Event Details:

Mental Health Program ARPA

This program is made possible by ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) funds designated by the City of Rock Island.

Did you know that engaging in a creative outlet, like painting, can "boost serotonin levels and increase blood flow to the part of the brain associated with pleasure?"(

An older man (Andy Griffith) holding a distraught teenage girl

Go Ask Alice -- the Movie

Monday, February 23, 2026 at 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Downtown Community Room at Downtown Library
Program Type:
Movie
Age Group:
Teen, Adult, Everyone

Go Ask Alice -- the Movie

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

Go Ask Alice -- the Movie

Still Afraid of the Dark: An Evening with R.L. Stine

Tuesday, February 24, 2026 at 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Online
Program Type:
Presentation, Special Event
Age Group:
School Age, Teen, Adult

More details and registration opportunity to come!

Virtual Event
Library Branch: Online
Age Group: School Age, Teen, Adult
Program Type: Presentation, Special Event
Event Details:

More details and registration opportunity to come!

An image of Pokemon cards appears with only the backs of each card visible: this includes a blue border, the yellow Pokemon logo, and a red and white Poke-ball.

Pokemon Day Craft and Card Swap

Friday, February 27, 2026 at 3:30pm - 5:30pm
Downtown Community Room at Downtown Library
Program Type:
Gaming
Age Group:
School Age, Teen, Adult, Family

2026 marks the 30th anniversary of Pokemon, and we're celebrating! Join us for an afternoon of Pokemon-themed crafts, and you can pick up some free trading cards too: whether you decide to swap any of your cards is up to you.

Library Branch: Downtown Library
Room: Downtown Community Room
Age Group: School Age, Teen, Adult, Family
Program Type: Gaming
Event Details:

2026 marks the 30th anniversary of Pokemon, and we're celebrating! Join us for an afternoon of Pokemon-themed crafts, and you can pick up some free trading cards too: whether you decide to swap any of your cards is up to you.

Three fabric bowls; one in blue, one pink, and one orange.

Sew Much Fun

Saturday, March 14, 2026 at 10:30am - 12:30pm
Downtown Community Room at Downtown Library
Program Type:
DIY
Age Group:
School Age, Teen, Adult, Family

Learn how to make your very own bowl cozy at this event! Bowl cozies can be used to keep your hands safe when removing food from a microwave, or to keep your hands warm when eating a pint of ice cream.

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

Learn how to make your very own bowl cozy at this event! Bowl cozies can be used to keep your hands safe when removing food from a microwave, or to keep your hands warm when eating a pint of ice cream.

Animatronic characters from the Five Nights at Freddy's movie appear bathed in purple light, and all of their eyes glow red.

Five Nights at Freddy's Pizza Party

Tuesday, March 17, 2026 at 5:30pm - 7:00pm
Watts-Midtown Community Room at Watts-Midtown Branch
Program Type:
Gaming
Age Group:
School Age, Teen

Join us for an evening of fiendish fun as we celebrate the FNAF series! Enjoy free pizza while we play video games on the big screen. Can you survive Freddy Fazbear and his fearsome friends?

Library Branch: Watts-Midtown Branch
Room: Watts-Midtown Community Room
Age Group: School Age, Teen
Program Type: Gaming
Event Details:

Join us for an evening of fiendish fun as we celebrate the FNAF series! Enjoy free pizza while we play video games on the big screen. Can you survive Freddy Fazbear and his fearsome friends?

Silent Book Club - Rock Island Chapter logo

Silent Book Club®

Wednesday, March 18, 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!