Event List

Age Group
Age Group
Program Type
Library Branch
Ongoing Events
Registration Type

Primary tabs

This event is in the "School Age" group
This event is in the "Teen" group
This event is in the "Family" group

Dissection Event

Thursday, March 26, 2026 at 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Southwest Community Room at Southwest Branch
Program Type:
Special Event
Age Group:
School Age, Teen, Family

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

Open
Registration Required
Library Branch: Southwest Branch
Room: Southwest Community Room
Age Group: School Age, Teen, 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!

This event is in the "School Age" group
This event is in the "Teen" group
This event is in the "Family" group

KPOP Demon Hunters Craft Night

Tuesday, April 7, 2026 at 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Watts-Midtown Community Room at Watts-Midtown Branch
Program Type:
DIY
Age Group:
School Age, Teen, Family

We heard you loud and clear: you wanted Sussie the bird to go with Derpy the tiger, so come make a bird with us!

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

We heard you loud and clear: you wanted Sussie the bird to go with Derpy the tiger, so come make a bird with us!

This event is in the "Teen" group
This event is in the "Adult" group
This event is in the "Family" group
This event is in the "Everyone" group

Brian "Fox" Ellis presents - Robert Ridgway, Illinois's Bird Man

Thursday, April 9, 2026 at 2:00pm - 3:15pm
Downtown Community Room at Downtown Library
Program Type:
Presentation
Age Group:
Teen, Adult, Family, Everyone

More details will be posted soon.

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

More details will be posted soon.

This event is in the "School Age" group
This event is in the "Teen" group
This event is in the "Adult" group
This event is in the "Family" group

Sew Much Fun

Saturday, April 11, 2026 at 10:30am - 12:30pm
Downtown Community Room at Downtown Library
Program Type:
DIY
Age Group:
School Age, Teen, Adult, Family

Learn the basics of "quilting" by creating quilted coasters. Participants will choose fabrics, measure, cut, iron, pin, and use a sewing machine in this basic tutorial. The outcome?

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 the basics of "quilting" by creating quilted coasters. Participants will choose fabrics, measure, cut, iron, pin, and use a sewing machine in this basic tutorial. The outcome?

This event is in the "Teen" group
This event is in the "Adult" group
This event is in the "Family" group
This event is in the "Everyone" group

The Extraordinary Journey of the Bicycle

Tuesday, April 14, 2026 at 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Downtown Library
Program Type:
Movie
Age Group:
Teen, Adult, Family, Everyone

For 200 years, since the first Draisienne running machine, the bicycle has offered us free climate-friendly travel, in the early days saving us from being over-run in dung, up to today, reducing air pollution. 

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

For 200 years, since the first Draisienne running machine, the bicycle has offered us free climate-friendly travel, in the early days saving us from being over-run in dung, up to today, reducing air pollution. 

This event is in the "Children" group
This event is in the "Early Learning" group
This event is in the "School Age" group
This event is in the "Teen" group
This event is in the "Adult" group
This event is in the "Family" group
This event is in the "Everyone" group

Free Comic Book Day

Saturday, May 2, 2026 at 11:00am - 1:00pm
Watts-Midtown Teen Area at Watts-Midtown Branch
Program Type:
Special Event
Age Group:
Children, Early Learning, School Age, Teen, Adult, Family, Everyone

Join us in celebrating Free Comic Book Day at the Watts-Midtown Branch! Grab a free comic while supplies last, enter our art contest, and enjoy other fun (and free) activities. Also, we'll have snacks!

Library Branch: Watts-Midtown Branch
Room: Watts-Midtown Teen Area
Age Group: Children, Early Learning, School Age, Teen, Adult, Family, Everyone
Program Type: Special Event
Event Details:

Join us in celebrating Free Comic Book Day at the Watts-Midtown Branch! Grab a free comic while supplies last, enter our art contest, and enjoy other fun (and free) activities. Also, we'll have snacks!

This event is in the "Adult" group
This event is in the "Family" group
This event is in the "Everyone" group

Rock Island Knows Tractors Part 1 -- Steam to Gasoline, the very beginning

Wednesday, May 20, 2026 at 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Downtown Community Room at Downtown Library
Program Type:
Movie
Age Group:
Adult, Family, Everyone

Rock Island Knows Tractors Part 1: Steam to Gasoline, the very beginning

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

Rock Island Knows Tractors Part 1: Steam to Gasoline, the very beginning

This event is in the "Children" group
This event is in the "Early Learning" group
This event is in the "School Age" group
This event is in the "Teen" group
This event is in the "Adult" group
This event is in the "Family" group
This event is in the "Everyone" group

Genesius Guild Presents

Wednesday, May 20, 2026 at 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Watts-Midtown Community Room at Watts-Midtown Branch
Program Type:
Presentation
Age Group:
Children, Early Learning, School Age, Teen, Adult, Family, Everyone

   Genesius Guild Presents is is a special performance by the Genesius Theatre Guild of the Quad Cities in preparation for its summer season at Rock Island's Lincoln Park.

Library Branch: Watts-Midtown Branch
Room: Watts-Midtown Community Room
Age Group: Children, Early Learning, School Age, Teen, Adult, Family, Everyone
Program Type: Presentation
Event Details:

   Genesius Guild Presents is is a special performance by the Genesius Theatre Guild of the Quad Cities in preparation for its summer season at Rock Island's Lincoln Park.

This event is in the "Adult" group
This event is in the "Family" group
This event is in the "Everyone" group

Amber Lowery - DNA Genealogy

Wednesday, June 10, 2026 at 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Downtown Community Room at Downtown Library
Program Type:
Presentation
Age Group:
Adult, Family, Everyone

The Delaney Dilemma: Breaking Brick Walls with DNA 

Have you submitted your DNA and now wonder how to use it to help in your genealogical research? 

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

The Delaney Dilemma: Breaking Brick Walls with DNA 

Have you submitted your DNA and now wonder how to use it to help in your genealogical research? 

This event is in the "Adult" group
This event is in the "Family" group
This event is in the "Everyone" group

Rock Island Knows Tractors Part 2 -- Rock Island's Heider Tractor

Wednesday, June 24, 2026 at 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Downtown Community Room at Downtown Library
Program Type:
Movie
Age Group:
Adult, Family, Everyone

The Heider Tractor

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

The Heider Tractor

This event is in the "School Age" group
This event is in the "Teen" group
This event is in the "Adult" group
This event is in the "Family" group

Paper Lantern DIY Craft

Tuesday, June 30, 2026 at 3:30pm - 5:00pm
Watts-Midtown: Terrace/Patio at Watts-Midtown Branch
Program Type:
DIY
Age Group:
School Age, Teen, Adult, Family

Looking to make your own summer decor? Join us for this DIY event, where you'll make a paper lantern using pressed flowers and papier-mâché! Please wear clothes you don't mind getting messy and/or bring a smock.

Upcoming
Registration Required
Library Branch: Watts-Midtown Branch
Room: Watts-Midtown: Terrace/Patio
Age Group: School Age, Teen, Adult, Family
Program Type: DIY
Registration Required
Event Details:

Looking to make your own summer decor? Join us for this DIY event, where you'll make a paper lantern using pressed flowers and papier-mâché! Please wear clothes you don't mind getting messy and/or bring a smock.

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.

Attendance

The Rock Island Public Library's policy states that patrons who habitually register but do not attend a program will be considered a “no show” and may be blocked from registering for future programs.

Photo Guidelines

We often take photographs during library events. If you do not want us to take or publish photos of your child, please notify library staff at the program.

This event is in the "Adult" group
This event is in the "Family" group
This event is in the "Everyone" group

Rock Island Knows Tractors Part 3 -- The Oliver tractor

Wednesday, July 22, 2026 at 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Downtown Community Room at Downtown Library
Program Type:
Movie
Age Group:
Adult, Family, Everyone

Oliver tractors

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

Oliver tractors

This event is in the "Teen" group
This event is in the "Adult" group
This event is in the "Family" group
This event is in the "Everyone" group

Feature Film -- "Rock Island Trail"

Tuesday, August 11, 2026 at 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Southwest Community Room at Southwest Branch
Program Type:
Movie
Age Group:
Teen, Adult, Family, Everyone

This movie was a historical event for the City of Rock Island, and is an extra-special feature for our city's entertainment history.

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

This movie was a historical event for the City of Rock Island, and is an extra-special feature for our city's entertainment history.

This event is in the "Adult" group
This event is in the "Family" group
This event is in the "Everyone" group

Rock Island Knows Tractors Part 4 -- Massey Ferguson

Wednesday, August 19, 2026 at 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Downtown Community Room at Downtown Library
Program Type:
Movie
Age Group:
Adult, Family, Everyone

Massey Ferguson

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

Massey Ferguson

This event is in the "School Age" group
This event is in the "Teen" group
This event is in the "Adult" group
This event is in the "Family" group
This event is in the "Everyone" group

Please Meet Singing Bird (wife of warrior chief Black Hawk) - Kim Sigafus Presentation, Illinois Humanities Road Scholar

Thursday, August 27, 2026 at 1:00pm - 2:30pm
Downtown Community Room at Downtown Library
Program Type:
Presentation
Age Group:
School Age, Teen, Adult, Family, Everyone

Please Meet Singing Bird (wife of warrior chief Black Hawk) - Kim Sigafus Presentation, Illinois Humanities Road Scholar

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

Please Meet Singing Bird (wife of warrior chief Black Hawk) - Kim Sigafus Presentation, Illinois Humanities Road Scholar

This event is in the "Adult" group
This event is in the "Family" group
This event is in the "Everyone" group

Rock Island Knows Tractors Part 5 -- International Harvester

Wednesday, September 16, 2026 at 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Downtown Community Room at Downtown Library
Program Type:
Movie
Age Group:
Adult, Family, Everyone

International Harvestor -- Farmall is Rock Island

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

International Harvestor -- Farmall is Rock Island

This event is in the "Adult" group
This event is in the "Family" group

Retirement University Part 1 - Social Security and Medicare

Tuesday, September 29, 2026 at 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Watts-Midtown Community Room at Watts-Midtown Branch
Program Type:
Presentation
Age Group:
Adult, Family

In Retirement University, Part 1, Financial Advisor, Jaime Ragins will help you to understand your options for Social Security and Medicare.

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

In Retirement University, Part 1, Financial Advisor, Jaime Ragins will help you to understand your options for Social Security and Medicare.

This event is in the "Adult" group
This event is in the "Family" group

Retirement University Part 2 - Tax Planning in Retirement

Tuesday, October 6, 2026 at 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Watts-Midtown Community Room at Watts-Midtown Branch
Program Type:
Presentation
Age Group:
Adult, Family

In Retirement University, Part 2, Financial Advisor, Jaime Ragins, will help to understand the reality of taxes which need to be considered when considering moving from employment to retirement

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

In Retirement University, Part 2, Financial Advisor, Jaime Ragins, will help to understand the reality of taxes which need to be considered when considering moving from employment to retirement

This event is in the "Adult" group
This event is in the "Family" group

Retirement University Part 3 - Financial Estate Planning and Recap

Tuesday, October 13, 2026 at 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Watts-Midtown Community Room at Watts-Midtown Branch
Program Type:
Presentation
Age Group:
Adult, Family

In this, Part 3 of Retirement University, Financial Advisor, Jaime Ragins will speak about what to keep in mind when planning a personal estate.

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

In this, Part 3 of Retirement University, Financial Advisor, Jaime Ragins will speak about what to keep in mind when planning a personal estate.

This event is in the "Adult" group
This event is in the "Family" group
This event is in the "Everyone" group

Common Scams and how to avoid them

Wednesday, October 21, 2026 at 2:00pm - 3:15pm
Downtown Community Room at Downtown Library
Program Type:
Presentation
Age Group:
Adult, Family, Everyone

How can I be scammed? 

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

How can I be scammed? 

This event is in the "Adult" group
This event is in the "Family" group
This event is in the "Everyone" group

Rock Island Knows Tractors Part 7 -- John Deere

Wednesday, November 11, 2026 at 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Downtown Community Room at Downtown Library
Program Type:
Movie
Age Group:
Adult, Family, Everyone

John Deere -- the King of tractor companies.

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

John Deere -- the King of tractor companies.

This event is in the "Adult" group
This event is in the "Family" group
This event is in the "Everyone" group

A 1950s Christmas at the Movies

Wednesday, December 16, 2026 at 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Downtown Community Room at Downtown Library
Program Type:
Movie
Age Group:
Adult, Family, Everyone

Do any of you remember what it was like going to the movies in the 50s? 

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

Do any of you remember what it was like going to the movies in the 50s?