Upcoming Events

Featured Events

Smiling spokesperson Mychal Threets, National Library Week April 19-25, Find Your Joy!

National Library Week - Find Your Library Joy!

All Day 4/24 - 4/25
All locations
Library Branch: All locations
Age Group: Everyone
Event Details:

National Library Week is a GREAT time to visit your library and explore all we have to offer. While you're here, fill out a "joy note" and let us know what delights you about using your library! 

 

April Book Sale Fourth Friday and Saturdy, 24 and 25, Downtown Library

Quarterly Book Sale

Friday, April 24, 2026 at 10:00am - 1:00pm
Downtown Community Room at Downtown Library
Library Branch: Downtown Library
Room: Downtown Community Room
Program Type: Book Sale
Event Details:

Quarterly book sale. Bag up great deals on books and other items. Unless otherwise marked, sales are by donation. Fill some boxes or bags and make us an offer! 

Filters
Age Group

Toddler Tales @ Watts-Midtown Branch

10:30am–11:00am
Early Learning
Watts-Midtown Branch
Library Branch: Watts-Midtown Branch
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.

Broadway Historic District Walking Tour

12:00pm–1:00pm
Adult
Offsite
Open
Registration Required
Offsite Event
Library Branch: Offsite
Age Group: Adult
Program Type: Tour
Registration Required
Event Details:

Join us on Friday, May 15th, for a daytime walking tour in the Broadway Historic District in Downtown Rock Island!

Disclaimer(s)

Attendance

The Rock Island Public Library's policy states that patrons who habitually register but do not attend a program will be considered a “no show” and may be blocked from registering for future programs.

Photo Guidelines

We often take photographs during library events. If you do not want us to take or publish photos of your child, please notify library staff at the program.

Teen Advisory Group

4:00pm–4:30pm
Teen
Watts-Midtown Branch
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

7:00pm–9:00pm
Watts-Midtown Branch
Library Branch: Watts-Midtown Branch
Room: Watts-Midtown Community Room

Teen After Hours Event

7:00pm–9:00pm
Teen
Watts-Midtown Branch
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. 

Paint Class: Create! Quad Cities

11:00am–1:00pm
Teen, Adult
Downtown Library
Full
Registration Required
Library Branch: Downtown Library
Room: Downtown Community Room
Age Group: Teen, Adult
Program Type: DIY
Registration Required
Event Details:

This program is made possible by ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) funds designated by the City of Rock Island.

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.

Attendance

The Rock Island Public Library's policy states that patrons who habitually register but do not attend a program will be considered a “no show” and may be blocked from registering for future programs.

Photo Guidelines

We often take photographs during library events. If you do not want us to take or publish photos of your child, please notify library staff at the program.

Library2Go Route - Blue Week

All Day 5/18–5/19
Everyone
Library2Go Mobile Library
Offsite Event
Library Branch: Library2Go Mobile Library
Age Group: Everyone
Program Type: Outreach
Event Details:

We're back in the swing of things and we look forward to seeing you at our current lineup of alternating route stops.

Adult Knitting Circle

2:00pm–4:00pm
Adult
Downtown Library
Library Branch: Downtown Library
Room: Downtown Collaboration Area
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?

Reading the Rock Island Public Library

3:15pm–4:45pm
Adult, Everyone
Downtown Library
Library Branch: Downtown Library
Room: Downtown Community Room
Age Group: Adult, Everyone
Program Type: Presentation, Special Event
Event Details:

Join students in Augustana College's History Research Methods course, a class for history majors with a focus on the Midwest, as they explore the library's place in the community.

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.

Toddler Tales @ Watts-Midtown Branch

10:30am–11:00am
Early Learning
Watts-Midtown Branch
Library Branch: Watts-Midtown Branch
Age Group: Early Learning
Program Type: Special Event
Event Details:

Young children and their caregivers are invited to enjoy this story time full of short books, action rhymes and songs.

For ages 0 - 5 years old.

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

2:00pm–3:00pm
Adult, Everyone
Downtown Library
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

Afterschool Activity @ Watts-Midtown

3:30pm–4:30pm
School Age
Watts-Midtown Branch
Library Branch: Watts-Midtown Branch
Room: Watts-Midtown Community Room
Age Group: School Age
Program Type: Special Event
Event Details:

Fun activities and crafts every week Tuesdays at Watts-Midtown and Thursdays at Southwest!! Come for fun every week for Elementary age kids (K-6)!

 

This week we will be making homemade fidget spinners from resin! 

Library Board of Trustees Meeting

5:00pm–6:00pm
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. 

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 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.

OUTREACH ~ RIFAC Preschool Storytime

9:45am–10:30am
Early Learning
Outreach
Offsite Event
Library Branch: Outreach
Age Group: Early Learning
Program Type: Storytime
Event Details:

Miss Ranell will visit RIFAC preschool for storytime. 

Toddler Tales @ Southwest Branch

11:00am–11:30am
Early Learning
All locations
Offsite Event
Library Branch: All locations
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. 

Rock Island Knows Tractors Part 1 -- Steam to Gasoline, the very beginning

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

Rock Island Knows Tractors Part 1: Steam to Gasoline, the very beginning

Genesius Guild Presents

6:00pm–7:30pm
Children, Early Learning, School Age, Teen, Adult, Family, Everyone
Watts-Midtown Branch
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.

ILP Event: Babel-On with R.F. Kueng

7:00pm–8:00pm
Adult
All locations
Offsite Event
Library Branch: All locations
Age Group: Adult
Program Type: Special Event
Event Details:

Babel-On with R.F. Kuang

Disclaimer(s)

Illinois Libraries Present Registration Limits

This program made possible through Rock Island Public Library membership in Illinois Libraries Present. By Illinois Libraries Present policy, registration is limited to cardholders of the Rock Island Public Library, or to residents of Rock Island or the Milan-Blackhawk Area Public Library District without cards. ILP events are not available to patrons of non-member libraries.  If you are not a RIPL cardholder or resident of our two service areas, please check to see if your home library is an ILP member. 

Early Learning Outreach-RIMSD HeadStart & Preschool For All Visits

9:00am–11:00am
Early Learning
Offsite
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.

Early Learning Outreach-RIMSD HeadStart & Preschool For All Visits

12:00pm–12:30pm
Early Learning
Offsite
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

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! This month's selection is an 2025 Oscar nominated film about the life of Shakespeare and his wife Agnes.

Afterschool Activity @ Southwest

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

Fun activities and crafts every week Tuesdays at Watts-Midtown and Thursdays at Southwest!! Come for fun every week for Elementary age kids (K-6)!

 

This week we will be making homemade fidget spinners from resin!