Upcoming Events

Featured Events

American Job Center logo

Digital Literacy Class with American Job Center

Wednesday, March 25, 2026 at 10:00am - 12:00pm
Downtown Community Room at Downtown Library
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: 

Five metal dissection tools on a blue background.

Dissection Event

Thursday, March 26, 2026 at 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Southwest Community Room at Southwest Branch
Library Branch: Southwest Branch
Room: Southwest Community Room
Age Group: School Age, Teen, 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!

RIPL Citizen's Academy - Shield with stylized open book and star under text

Library Citizens' Academy

Monday, April 20, 2026 at 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Watts-Midtown: Norm & Janet Moline Conference Room at Watts-Midtown Branch
Library Branch: Watts-Midtown Branch
Room: Watts-Midtown: Norm & Janet Moline Conference Room
Age Group: Teen, Adult
Program Type: Special Event
Registration Required
Event Details:

To kick off National Library Week, we're opening the book on what it takes to run a public library! Join us on four Mondays for the first-ever RIPL Library Citizen's Academy, and become a library expert.

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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.

Sew Much Fun

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

Join us on the second Saturday of each month from 10:30am - 12:30pm at the Downtown Library to learn how to step up your sewing game! 

Library2Go Route - Red Week

All Day 5/11–5/14
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.

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?

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:

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.

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.  

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.

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.

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.

Outreach Skip A Long - Milan - Preschool Visit

9:45am–10:15am
Early Learning
Outreach
Offsite Event
Library Branch: Outreach
Age Group: Early Learning
Program Type: Outreach, Storytime
Event Details:

Miss Ranell will visit Skip a Long preschool for storytime. 

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.

Early Learning Outreach-RIMSD HeadStart & Preschool For All Visits

12:00pm–1:00pm
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.

Medicare 101

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

Prepare to navigate the world of Medicare with confidence!

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: 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
Downtown Library
Upcoming
Registration Required
Library Branch: Downtown Library
Room: Downtown Parking Lot
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. 

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 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?

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:

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

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.