Painting at Southwest

Painting is completed at our Southwest Branch, but we're still putting things back! Our Children's Area at Southwest will be unavailable for browsing until Tuesday, Dec. 16. If you need something from that area, please ask staff for assistance. 

Event List

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Image of Grace Notes Flute Quartet

Tuneful Tuesday Series: Grace Notes Flute Quartet

Tuesday, January 6, 2026 at 12:00pm - 1:00pm
Downtown Community Room at Downtown Library
Program Type:
Performance
Age Group:
Adult, Everyone

Get out of the cold and join us for a FREE concert with the Grace Notes Flute Quartet. This concert is suitable for music lovers of all ages. Light refreshments will be provided.

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

Get out of the cold and join us for a FREE concert with the Grace Notes Flute Quartet. This concert is suitable for music lovers of all ages. Light refreshments will be provided.

storytime

Toddler Tales @ Southwest Branch

Wednesday, January 7, 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. 

Brown background with text reading "Coffee & Conversations Meet Neighbors Create Community" next to a cup of coffee with a heart in the middle. The Rock Island Public Library in the bottom left next to text that reads "2nd & 4th Saturday @10am | Southwest Library"

Coffee & Conversations

Thursday, January 8, 2026 at 10:00am - 12:00pm
Southwest Community Room at Southwest Branch
Program Type:
Mental Health, Discussion
Age Group:
Adult

Meet neighbors and create community at Coffee & Conversations every 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month at the Southwest Library! Coffee, light refreshments, and optional activities will be provided.

Library Branch: Southwest Branch
Room: Southwest Community Room
Age Group: Adult
Program Type: Mental Health, Discussion
Event Details:

Meet neighbors and create community at Coffee & Conversations every 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month at the Southwest Library! Coffee, light refreshments, and optional activities will be provided.

Early Learning Outreach-RIMSD HeadStart & Preschool For All Visits

Thursday, January 8, 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.

Cartoon graphic of sewing machine and accessories.

Sew Much Fun

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

We're bringing it back - Sew Much Fun returns to Rock Island Public Library.

Join us on the second Saturday of each month from 10:30am - 12:30pm at the Downtown Library to learn how to step up your sewing game! 

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

We're bringing it back - Sew Much Fun returns to Rock Island Public Library.

Join us on the second Saturday of each month from 10:30am - 12:30pm at the Downtown Library to learn how to step up your sewing game! 

Orange t-shirt with imprint "Your Design Here" in black lettering

Cricut Heat Press DIY Event

Monday, January 12, 2026 at 5:00pm - 7:00pm
Southwest Community Room at Southwest Branch
Program Type:
DIY
Age Group:
Teen, Adult

A Library of Things tutorial! Demonstration of our Cricut Heat Press, which can be checked out with an Illinois library card. Bring a t-shirt or other small fabric item to personalize, and we'll show you how it's done! 

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

A Library of Things tutorial! Demonstration of our Cricut Heat Press, which can be checked out with an Illinois library card. Bring a t-shirt or other small fabric item to personalize, and we'll show you how it's done! 

Beige square with vegetables and text reading "healthy cents series" and the Illinois Extension logo

Healthy Cents Series

Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at 1:00pm - 2:30pm
Downtown Community Room at Downtown Library
Program Type:
Presentation, Discussion
Age Group:
Adult

Healthy Cents Series:

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

Healthy Cents Series:

Bringing History to Life with Jonathan Eig

Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Online
Program Type:
Presentation, Special Event
Age Group:
Adult

More details and registration opportunity to come!

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

More details and registration opportunity to come!

Logo for the new ebook lending program

The Palace Project -- eBooks in a New Way

Wednesday, January 14, 2026 at 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Downtown Community Room at Downtown Library
Program Type:
Presentation
Age Group:
Teen, Adult, Everyone

Boundless / formerly eRead Illinois / is transitioning into the new Palace Project.  Come see what is new, what is now available, and how you can access this new way for our library patrons to read digital eBooks.

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

Boundless / formerly eRead Illinois / is transitioning into the new Palace Project.  Come see what is new, what is now available, and how you can access this new way for our library patrons to read digital eBooks.

Early Learning Outreach-RIMSD HeadStart & Preschool For All Visits

Thursday, January 15, 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.

Downtown Movie Club

Thursday, January 15, 2026 at 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Downtown Community Room at Downtown Library
Program Type:
Movie
Age Group:
Adult

Do you love the smell of popcorn and the thrill of watching movies with others? Join in on the fun and come to our Downtown Movie Club!

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

Do you love the smell of popcorn and the thrill of watching movies with others? Join in on the fun and come to our Downtown Movie Club!

Body Confident Kids: Parental Education Workshop

Thursday, January 15, 2026 at 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Watts-Midtown Community Room at Watts-Midtown Branch
Program Type:
Mental Health, Presentation
Age Group:
Adult

In May 2023 the U.S. Surgeon General issued an advisory about the effects of social media on youth mental health.

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

In May 2023 the U.S. Surgeon General issued an advisory about the effects of social media on youth mental health.

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, January 16, 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:

Bucktown Americana Music Show

Friday, January 16, 2026 at 7:00pm - 9:00pm
Watts-Midtown Community Room at Watts-Midtown Branch
Library Branch: Watts-Midtown Branch
Room: Watts-Midtown Community Room
An inflatable movie screen appears surrounded by darkness with trees and a house in the background, and people in chairs in the foreground.

Teen After Hours Event

Friday, January 16, 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. 

Closed for Martin Luther King Jr. Day

All Day
All locations

Rock Island Public Library buildings and bookmobile routes closed for the holiday. Visit us online! 

Closing
Branches:
All locations
Description:

Rock Island Public Library buildings and bookmobile routes closed for the holiday. Visit us online! 

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!

Open
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.

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 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.

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
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.

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!