Event List

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Bucktown Americana Music Show

Friday, April 17, 2026 at 7:00pm - 9:00pm
Watts-Midtown Community Room at Watts-Midtown Branch
Library Branch: Watts-Midtown Branch
Room: Watts-Midtown Community Room
A slice of cheese pizza on a white paper plate sits on a grey counter.

Teen After Hours Event

Friday, April 17, 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. 

Library program announcement reading "Adult Knitting Circle" with an image of yarn in various colors and the Rock Island Public Library logo

Adult Knitting Circle

Monday, April 20, 2026 at 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Downtown Community Room at Downtown Library
Program Type:
DIY
Age Group:
Adult

Calling all yarn enthusiasts - we would love for you to join our Adult Knitting Circle!

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

Calling all yarn enthusiasts - we would love for you to join our Adult Knitting Circle!

Library Board of Trustees Meeting

Tuesday, April 21, 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. 

Book cover reading "The Secret Garden" by Frances Hodgson Burnett, featuring a young girl in a yellow raincoat standing within the doorway of a garden

Southwest Book Club

Wednesday, April 22, 2026 at 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Southwest Community Room at Southwest Branch
Program Type:
Book Club
Age Group:
Adult

This afternoon book club meets at the Southwest Branch on the 4th Wednesday* of each month during the spring and fall seasons (club will not meet in January, over the summer, or in December).

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

This afternoon book club meets at the Southwest Branch on the 4th Wednesday* of each month during the spring and fall seasons (club will not meet in January, over the summer, or in December).

Early Learning Outreach-RIMSD HeadStart & Preschool For All Visits

Thursday, April 23, 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.

Author Neil Dahlstrom appears to the left of his book

Rock Island Knows Tractors Part 1 - Special Guest, Mr. Neil Dahlstrom, Author of "Tractor Wars"

Thursday, April 23, 2026 at 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Downtown Community Room at Downtown Library
Program Type:
Presentation
Age Group:
Teen, Adult, Family, Everyone

Neil Dahlstrom is an archivist, speaker, and writer (author of Tractor Wars, The John Deere Story, and Lincoln's Wrath). 

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

Neil Dahlstrom is an archivist, speaker, and writer (author of Tractor Wars, The John Deere Story, and Lincoln's Wrath). 

Milan-Blackhawk Area Public Library District Board Meeting

Thursday, April 23, 2026 at 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Southwest Community Room at Southwest Branch
Southwest Branch
Library Branch: Southwest Branch
Room: Southwest Community Room
Cover from the book featuring actors from the book's movie

Freedom to Read 'em Book Club -- The Perks of Being a Wallflower

Tuesday, April 28, 2026 at 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Downtown Community Room at Downtown Library
Program Type:
Book Club
Age Group:
Adult, Everyone

The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

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

The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

Early Learning Outreach-RIMSD HeadStart & Preschool For All Visits

Thursday, April 30, 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.

Partial Closing for All Staff Meeting

Friday, May 1, 2026 at 10:00am - 12:00pm
All locations

All library buildings will be closed from 10 am to Noon on May 1, 2026 for a quarterly all-staff meeting. Buildings reopen at noon. 

Closing
Branches:
All locations
Description:

All library buildings will be closed from 10 am to Noon on May 1, 2026 for a quarterly all-staff meeting. Buildings reopen at noon. 

Paper Embroidery at Watts-Midtown

Saturday, May 2, 2026 at 10:30am - 12:30pm
Watts-Midtown Community Room at Watts-Midtown Branch
Program Type:
DIY
Age Group:
Adult

Paper embroidery is just what it sounds like! We'll create designs and patterns by stitching thread through paper. Learn the basics of embroidery in this easy to pick up, easy to display format. 

Upcoming
Registration Required
Library Branch: Watts-Midtown Branch
Room: Watts-Midtown Community Room
Age Group: Adult
Program Type: DIY
Registration Required
Event Details:

Paper embroidery is just what it sounds like! We'll create designs and patterns by stitching thread through paper. Learn the basics of embroidery in this easy to pick up, easy to display format. 

book cover for The Frozen River featuring woman running through snow shot from above

Alpha Book Club

Monday, May 4, 2026 at 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Downtown Community Room at Downtown Library
Program Type:
Book Club
Age Group:
Adult

This month's Alpha Book Club selection is The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon! This suspenseful mystery will be sure to spark a great conversation! All are welcome to join and registration is not required.

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

This month's Alpha Book Club selection is The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon! This suspenseful mystery will be sure to spark a great conversation! All are welcome to join and registration is not required.

Early Learning Outreach-RIMSD HeadStart & Preschool For All Visits

Thursday, May 7, 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.

Army Sustainment Command Logo depicting a sword, globe, and grenade and the words "On the Line"

Rock Island Arsenal Lecture Series: American Independence

Wednesday, May 13, 2026 at 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Downtown Community Room at Downtown Library
Program Type:
Presentation
Age Group:
Adult, Everyone

This year's lecture series explores the events surrounding American Independence, from the colonial era to the writing of the Constitution.

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

This year's lecture series explores the events surrounding American Independence, from the colonial era to the writing of the Constitution.

Early Learning Outreach-RIMSD HeadStart & Preschool For All Visits

Thursday, May 14, 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.

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, May 15, 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, May 15, 2026 at 7:00pm - 9:00pm
Watts-Midtown Community Room at Watts-Midtown Branch
Library Branch: Watts-Midtown Branch
Room: Watts-Midtown Community Room
A slice of cheese pizza on a white paper plate sits on a grey counter.

Teen After Hours Event

Friday, May 15, 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. 

Library program announcement reading "Adult Knitting Circle" with an image of yarn in various colors and the Rock Island Public Library logo

Adult Knitting Circle

Monday, May 18, 2026 at 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Downtown Community Room at Downtown Library
Program Type:
DIY
Age Group:
Adult

Calling all yarn enthusiasts - we would love for you to join our Adult Knitting Circle!

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

Calling all yarn enthusiasts - we would love for you to join our Adult Knitting Circle!

The book's cover features a girl sitting while holding her knees.

Freedom to Read 'em Book Club -- Monday's Not Coming by Tiffany D. Jackson

Tuesday, May 19, 2026 at 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Downtown Community Room at Downtown Library
Program Type:
Book Club
Age Group:
Adult, Everyone

Monday’s Not Coming by Tiffany D. Jackson blurb

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

Monday’s Not Coming by Tiffany D. Jackson blurb

Library Board of Trustees Meeting

Tuesday, May 19, 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. 

Green book cover for Bessie's Prayer

Midtown Readers Book Club

Tuesday, May 19, 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 Bessie's Prayer: "I am Walter, Bessie's son": that made all the difference! by Walter Braud with the author!

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 Bessie's Prayer: "I am Walter, Bessie's son": that made all the difference! by Walter Braud with the author!

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.

Men standing between front and back wheels of 150 Case - largest steam driven tractor

Rock Island Knows Tractors Part 2 -- 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 2: 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 2: Steam to Gasoline, the very beginning