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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Digital Literacy Class with American Job Center

Thursday, May 7, 2026 at 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Downtown Community Room at Downtown Library
Program Type:
Presentation
Age Group:
Adult

Join us for a free, basic digital literacy course! Presented by American Job Center, this class will cover the following: 

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

Join us for a free, basic digital literacy course! Presented by American Job Center, this class will cover the following: 

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

Actors performing on stage at the Lincoln Park platform in Rock Island Illinois

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.

Silent Book Club - Rock Island Chapter logo

Silent Book Club®

Thursday, May 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!

Closed for Memorial Day

All Day
All locations

Rock Island Library buildings and bookmobile routes closed for Memorial Day holiday. Visit us online! 

Closing
Branches:
All locations
Description:

Rock Island Library buildings and bookmobile routes closed for Memorial Day holiday. Visit us online! 

Book cover reading "Real Americans" by Rachel Khong, featuring four partial illustrations within an abstract design against a dark green background

Southwest Book Club

Wednesday, May 27, 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).

Milan-Blackhawk Area Public Library District Board Meeting

Thursday, May 28, 2026 at 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Southwest Community Room at Southwest Branch
Southwest Branch
Library Branch: Southwest Branch
Room: Southwest Community Room

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

More detail to be added here.

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

More detail to be added here.

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, June 15, 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, June 16, 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 and blue cover of Tom Lake by Ann Patchett

Midtown Readers Book Club

Tuesday, June 16, 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 Tom Lake by Ann Patchett! 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 Tom Lake by Ann Patchett! 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, June 17, 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!

Closed for Juneteenth

All Day
All locations

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

Closing
Branches:
All locations
Description:

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

Roughly hewn white letters on a black background spell the title of the book

Freedom to Read 'em Book Club -- Crank by Ellen Hopkins

Tuesday, June 23, 2026 at 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Downtown Historical Room at Downtown Library
Program Type:
Book Club
Age Group:
Adult, Everyone

Crank #1 by Ellen Hopkins

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

Crank #1 by Ellen Hopkins

Drawing of a Heider tractor floating in the field

Rock Island Knows Tractors Part 3 -- 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