Memorial Day Closing

All Rock Island Public Library locations are closed Monday, May 26 for Memorial Day. Please visit us online!

Big News! Downtown Restroom Renovation

1st floor restrooms (on the main floor) of our Downtown Library will be unavailable for a few months due to major renovations.

Ground Floor restrooms (off the accessible entrance and Children's Room) and 2nd floor public restrooms will be available during all library hours. 

Microfilm services will be temporarily unavailable as we relocate these machines from their former location. For questions, please contact Adult Services staff. 

Upcoming Events

Featured Events

Shield and ribbon logo for Retirement University series

Retirement University -- Investments & Taxes

Wednesday, May 28, 2025 at 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Watts-Midtown Community Room at Watts-Midtown Branch
View Details
Library Branch: Watts-Midtown Branch
Room: Watts-Midtown Community Room
Age Group: Adult, Everyone
Program Type: Presentation
Event Details:

This is the second Session of the three session Retirement University, a presentation of SOFA (the Society for Financial Awareness):  Investments and Taxes

A blue dragon curled around a pile of books. Written below, "2025 iRead Summer Reading" and "Level Up at Your Library"

Level Up at Your Library! Summer Reading Kickoff

Thursday, May 29, 2025 at 4:00pm - 6:30pm
Offsite
View Details
Library Branch: Offsite
Age Group: Family, Everyone
Program Type: Special Event
Event Details:

All ages summer kickoff at Quad City Botanical Center. Free, open to all! 

Five metal dissection tools on a blue background.

Dissection Event

Monday, June 9, 2025 at 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Downtown Community Room at Downtown Library
Register Now
Library Branch: Downtown Library
Room: Downtown 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! We'll be dissecting sheep hearts and (very small) lizards: if you're interested in anatomy and physiology, check this out.

Filters
Age Group
Library Branch

Toddler Tales @ Southwest Branch

11:00am - 11:30am
Early Learning
Southwest Branch
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. 

Southwest Book Club

3:00pm - 4:00pm
Adult
Southwest Branch
Library Branch: Southwest Branch
Room: Southwest Community Room
Age Group: Adult
Program Type: Book Club
Event Details:

Looking to join a book club? We would love to have you join our Southwest Book Club! This month, we will be discussing Banyan Moon by Thao Thai. 

Elementary After School Activity @ Southwest

3:30pm - 4:30pm
School Age
Southwest Branch
Cancelled
Library Branch: Southwest Branch
Room: Southwest Community Room
Age Group: School Age
Program Type: Special Event
Event Details:

After school activities every week on Tuesday (Watts-Midtown) and Thursday (Southwest) for school age kids (K-6). 

This week we will be mining for gold!

Toddler Tales @ Southwest Branch

11:00am - 11:30am
Early Learning
Southwest Branch
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. 

DIY Craft: Pressed Wooden Flower Coasters

5:30pm - 6:30pm
Adult
Southwest Branch
Open
Registration Required
Library Branch: Southwest Branch
Room: Southwest Community Room
Age Group: Adult
Program Type: DIY
Registration Required
Event Details:

Join us on Monday, June 9th, to make a pressed wooden flower coaster! All supplies will be provided. 

Registration is required.  

Petite Picassos @ Southwest Branch

11:00am - 12:00pm
Early Learning
Southwest Branch
Library Branch: Southwest Branch
Room: Southwest Community Room
Age Group: Early Learning
Program Type: Early Learning
Event Details:

Do your toddlers love to get messy?  Bring them to Petite Picassos where they can use all of their senses with hands on art.  We will take care of the mess as they create their masterpieces.  

Coffee & Conversations

10:00am - 11:30am
Adult
Southwest Branch
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.

Shadowland Serpentry

1:00pm - 2:00pm
Family
Southwest Branch
Library Branch: Southwest Branch
Room: Southwest Community Room
Age Group: Family
Program Type: Special Event
Event Details:

The Shadowland Serprentry program is designed to captivate and educate audiences.

STEAM on Wheels

3:00pm - 5:00pm
Teen
Southwest Branch
Open
Registration Required
Library Branch: Southwest Branch
Room: Southwest Community Room
Age Group: Teen
Program Type: DIY
Registration Required
Event Details:

Join us for an afternoon with STEAM on Wheels! We'll be exploring various projects and equipment: this STEAM event is for teens 12-17. 

This event is part of our Project Next Generation series.

Reading Revolution Community Book Club

5:00pm - 6:00pm
Adult
Southwest Branch
Library Branch: Southwest Branch
Room: Southwest Community Room
Age Group: Adult
Program Type: Book Club
Event Details:

We are excited to invite you to join the Reading Revolution School Community Book Club as we read and discuss the thought-provoking book The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt.

Southwest Sip & Paint

5:00pm - 7:00pm
Children, School Age, Teen, Adult, Family, Everyone
Southwest Branch
Upcoming
Registration Required
Library Branch: Southwest Branch
Room: Southwest Community Room
Age Group: Children, School Age, Teen, Adult, Family, Everyone
Program Type: DIY
Registration Required
Event Details:

Join us for some painting fun at our Paint & Sip event! We will have painting stations set up for you to create your own masterpiece! This is not a guided class, but there will be projects you may choose from.

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.

Accompanying Adults

This program is designed for children and accompanying adults. Please plan to attend and be engaged with your child for this program. Drop offs will not be permitted.

Toddler Tales @ Southwest Branch

11:00am - 11:30am
Early Learning
Southwest Branch
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. 

Coffee & Conversations

10:00am - 12:00pm
Adult
Southwest Branch
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.

Toddler Tales @ Southwest Branch

11:00am - 11:30am
Early Learning
Southwest Branch
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. 

Petite Picassos @ Southwest Branch

11:00am - 12:00pm
Early Learning
Southwest Branch
Library Branch: Southwest Branch
Room: Southwest Community Room
Age Group: Early Learning
Program Type: Early Learning
Event Details:

Do your toddlers love to get messy?  Bring them to Petite Picassos where they can use all of their senses with hands on art.  We will take care of the mess as they create their masterpieces.  

Coffee & Conversations

10:00am - 12:00pm
Adult
Southwest Branch
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.

Summer Cardmaking Class

5:30pm - 7:00pm
Adult
Southwest Branch
Upcoming
Registration Required
Library Branch: Southwest Branch
Room: Southwest Community Room
Age Group: Adult
Program Type: DIY
Registration Required
Event Details:

Join us on July 14th, as local artist April Greetings leads a summer-themed cardmaking class! This is a guided program and all supplies will be provided. Attendees will leave with several summer-themed greeting cards. 

Toddler Tales @ Southwest Branch

11:00am - 11:30am
Early Learning
Southwest Branch
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. 

Toddler Tales @ Southwest Branch

11:00am - 11:30am
Early Learning
Southwest Branch
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. 

Coffee & Conversations

10:00am - 12:00pm
Adult
Southwest Branch
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.

Toddler Tales @ Southwest Branch

11:00am - 11:30am
Early Learning
Southwest Branch
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. 

Toddler Tales @ Southwest Branch

11:00am - 11:30am
Early Learning
Southwest Branch
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.