Upcoming Events

Featured Events

Cherry & Jerry ragtime music

Tuneful Tuesday Series: Cherry & Jerry Ragtime Music

Tuesday, April 7, 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 ragtime concert with Cherry & Jerry! This concert is suitable for music lovers of all ages. Light refreshments will be provided.

Storyteller Brian "Fox" Ellis costumed as Robert Ridgway, Illinois bird scientist and conservationist

Brian "Fox" Ellis presents - Robert Ridgway, Illinois's Bird Man

Thursday, April 9, 2026 at 2:00pm - 3:15pm
Downtown Community Room at Downtown Library
Library Branch: Downtown Library
Room: Downtown Community Room
Age Group: Teen, Adult, Family, Everyone
Program Type: Presentation
Event Details:

Renowned storyteller and author Brian “Fox” Ellis presents a first-person impression of Robert Ridgway and the story of his lifelong work at the Smithsonian Institution.

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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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.

Delacroix and Orientalism (watercolors with Gloria Burlingame)

11:30am–1:30pm
Adult
Downtown Library
Upcoming
Registration Required
Library Branch: Downtown Library
Room: Downtown Community Room
Age Group: Adult
Program Type: DIY
Registration Required
Event Details:

Happy un-Birthday, Gene! (aka Eugene Delacroix)- watercolors with Gloria Burlingame

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.

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.

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. 

Plant a Seed, READ Summer Reading Challenge Kickoff

4:00pm–6:30pm
Family, Everyone
Offsite
Offsite Event
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! 

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.

OUTREACH ~ RIFAC Preschool Storytime

10:00am–11:00pm
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. 

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?

WQPT Summer of Adventure @ Watts-Midtown Branch

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

Young children and their caregivers are invited to enjoy a presentation with WQPT .  

Summer Art Club

2:00pm–3:00pm
Children, School Age
Downtown Library
Open
Registration Required
Library Branch: Downtown Library
Room: Downtown Community Room
Age Group: Children, School Age
Registration Required
Event Details:

Art Series

Four weeks of summer art instruction for ages 8 to 14 with Ms G. Recommended for children entering 3rd through 8th grades. Registration required. Classes fill fast!

Dig into the artistic side of plants with this Plant-A-Seed Read art series. Registering for the first class will sign you up for all four.

Outreach ~ Longview Park

3:00pm–4:00pm
Children, Early Learning, School Age
Outreach
Offsite Event
Library Branch: Outreach
Age Group: Children, Early Learning, School Age
Program Type: Outreach
Event Details:

A Youth Services Librarian and the Mobile Library will be at Longview Park sharing children's stories and an activity.  

Summer Math Club

3:15pm–4:00pm
Children, School Age
Downtown Library
Open
Registration Required
Library Branch: Downtown Library
Room: Downtown Community Room
Age Group: Children, School Age
Registration Required
Event Details:

Math Series

Four weeks of fun math activities and games for ages 8 to 12 with Ms. Elizabeth Russell. Recommended for children in 2 to 6th grades. Keep those skills sharp over the summer! Registration required.

Math is in everything, including the plant world! Dig into fun math games with a look at the real-world use of math concepts. Plant-A-Seed, READ this summer at Rock Island Library. 

DIY: Forever Succulent

6:00pm–7:00pm
Teen, Adult
Southwest Branch
Upcoming
Registration Required
Library Branch: Southwest Branch
Room: Southwest Community Room
Age Group: Teen, Adult
Program Type: DIY
Registration Required
Event Details:

Love plants but not the upkeep? Try a forever succulent! These beauties are made with glass beads and no watering or repotting is required. 

In this DIY session you will make one mini succulent plant. All supplies will be provided.

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. 

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.  

Outreach - Skip a Long - Milan - School Age

1:00pm–2:00pm
School Age
Outreach
Offsite Event
Library Branch: Outreach
Age Group: School Age
Program Type: Special Event
Event Details:

A youth services librarian will be visiting Skip A Long summer camp.  

Amber Lowery - DNA Genealogy

2:00pm–3:30pm
Adult, Family, Everyone
Downtown Library
Library Branch: Downtown Library
Room: Downtown Community Room
Age Group: Adult, Family, Everyone
Program Type: Presentation
Event Details:

The Delaney Dilemma: Breaking Brick Walls with DNA 

Have you submitted your DNA and now wonder how to use it to help in your genealogical research? 

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.

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.

KPop Demon Hunters Cat Craft

5:30pm–7:00pm
School Age, Teen, Adult
Watts-Midtown Branch
Upcoming
Registration Required
Library Branch: Watts-Midtown Branch
Room: Watts-Midtown Community Room
Age Group: School Age, Teen, Adult
Program Type: DIY
Registration Required
Event Details:

Join us for a fantastic feline craft: make a wall hanging inspired by Derpy from "KPop Demon Hunters." We'll provide the cardboard head, so come ready to paint!

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.