Upcoming Events

Featured Events

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
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 2/2 - 2/7
All locations
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! 

QC Chordbusters with bridge and music notes

Tuneful Tuesday Series: QC Chordbusters

Tuesday, February 3, 2026 at 12:00pm - 1:00pm
Downtown Community Room at Downtown Library
Library Branch: Downtown Library
Room: Downtown Community Room
Age Group: Adult, Everyone
Program Type: Performance
Event Details:

Join us for a FREE musical concert with the QC Chordbusters. This concert is suitable for music lovers of all ages. Light refreshments will be provided.

A man resembling Abraham Lincoln posed in front of an American Flag.

An Afternoon with President Lincoln

Wednesday, February 4, 2026 at 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Watts-Midtown Community Room at Watts-Midtown Branch
Library Branch: Watts-Midtown Branch
Room: Watts-Midtown Community Room
Age Group: Adult, Family, Everyone
Program Type: America 250, Presentation, Performance
Event Details:

Meet 16th President of the United States and Illinois's favorite son, Abraham Lincoln! Mr. Lincoln will speak about his life and the impact he made on our country.

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
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 2/16 - 2/21
All locations
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! 

Filters
Age Group

Escape to Book Island Winter Reading Challenge

All Day 1/26–1/31
Children, Early Learning, School Age, Teen, Adult, Family, Everyone
All locations
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! 

Sew Much Fun Encore - Sewing 101

10:30am–12:30pm
Teen, Adult, Family
Downtown Library
Waitlist
Registration Required
Library Branch: Downtown Library
Room: Downtown Community Room
Age Group: Teen, Adult, Family
Program Type: DIY
Registration Required
Event Details:

Due to the overwhelming popularity of Sew Much Fun, the library is providing an encore of its Sewing 101 Class.

Escape to Book Island Winter Reading Challenge

All Day 2/2–2/7
Children, Early Learning, School Age, Teen, Adult, Family, Everyone
All locations
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! 

Alpha Book Club

1:00pm–2:00pm
Adult
Downtown Library
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 Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck! This 1939 classic will be sure to spark a great conversation! All are welcome to join and registration is not required.

Drop-in Computer Skills & Job Search Assistance w/ Goodwill of the Heartland

3:00pm–4:00pm
Adult
Downtown Library
Library Branch: Downtown Library
Age Group: Adult
Program Type: Discussion
Event Details:

Looking for assistance with computer skills and searching for jobs?

Tuneful Tuesday Series: QC Chordbusters

12:00pm–1:00pm
Adult, Everyone
Downtown Library
Library Branch: Downtown Library
Room: Downtown Community Room
Age Group: Adult, Everyone
Program Type: Performance
Event Details:

Join us for a FREE musical concert with the QC Chordbusters. This concert is suitable for music lovers of all ages. Light refreshments will be provided.

An Afternoon with President Lincoln

2:00pm–3:00pm
Adult, Family, Everyone
Watts-Midtown Branch
Library Branch: Watts-Midtown Branch
Room: Watts-Midtown Community Room
Age Group: Adult, Family, Everyone
Program Type: America 250, Presentation, Performance
Event Details:

Meet 16th President of the United States and Illinois's favorite son, Abraham Lincoln! Mr. Lincoln will speak about his life and the impact he made on our country.

Book Signing with Local Author Rita R. Melissano, Ph.D.

4:00pm–6:00pm
Adult
Downtown Library
Library Branch: Downtown Library
Room: Downtown Community Room
Age Group: Adult
Program Type: Special Event
Event Details:

Join us as we celebrate local author, Rita R.

Escape to Book Island Winter Reading Challenge

All Day 2/9–2/14
Children, Early Learning, School Age, Teen, Adult, Family, Everyone
All locations
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! 

Drop-in Computer Skills & Job Search Assistance w/ Goodwill of the Heartland

3:00pm–4:00pm
Adult
Downtown Library
Library Branch: Downtown Library
Age Group: Adult
Program Type: Discussion
Event Details:

Looking for assistance with computer skills and searching for jobs?

Monster Movie Monday

5:30pm–7:30pm
Teen, Adult
Watts-Midtown Branch
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.

Healthy Cents Series

1:00pm–2:30pm
Adult
Downtown Library
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:

n/a - see internal note

2:00pm–3:00pm
Adult, Everyone
Downtown Library
Cancelled
Library Branch: Downtown Library
Room: Downtown Community Room
Age Group: Adult, Everyone
Program Type: America 250, Presentation

Light Up Bookend Craft

6:00pm–7:00pm
School Age, Teen, Adult
Watts-Midtown Branch
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.

Rock Island Arsenal Lecture Series: American Independence

2:00pm–3:00pm
Adult, Everyone
Downtown Library
Library Branch: Downtown Library
Room: Downtown Community Room
Age Group: Adult, Everyone
Program Type: America 250, Presentation
Event Details:

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

Coffee & Conversations

10:00am–12:00pm
Adult
Southwest Branch
Library Branch: Southwest Branch
Room: Southwest Community Room
Age Group: Adult
Program Type: 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.

Sew Much Fun

10:30am–12:30pm
School Age, Teen, Adult, Family
Downtown Library
Full
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

All Day 2/16–2/21
Children, Early Learning, School Age, Teen, Adult, Family, Everyone
All locations
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! 

Adult Knitting Circle

2:00pm–4:00pm
Adult
Downtown Library
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!

Drop-in Computer Skills & Job Search Assistance w/ Goodwill of the Heartland

3:00pm–4:00pm
Adult
Downtown Library
Library Branch: Downtown Library
Age Group: Adult
Program Type: Discussion
Event Details:

Looking for assistance with computer skills and searching for jobs?

Midtown Readers Book Club

6:30pm–7:30pm
Adult
Watts-Midtown Branch
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 Horse by Geraldine Brooks! 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.

"Deacons for Defense" - Remembering Black History

1:30pm–3:30pm
Teen, Adult, Everyone
Downtown Library
Library Branch: Downtown Library
Room: Downtown Community Room
Age Group: Teen, Adult, Everyone
Program Type: Movie
Event Details:

Remembering Black history.....

Silent Book Club®

5:30pm–6:30pm
Teen, Adult
Watts-Midtown Branch
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!

Downtown Movie Club

1:00pm–3:00pm
Adult
Downtown Library
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!