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 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! 

Downtown Movie Club

Thursday, February 19, 2026 at 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Downtown Community Room at 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!

An image of Pokemon cards appears with only the backs of each card visible: this includes a blue border, the yellow Pokemon logo, and a red and white Poke-ball.

Pokemon Day Craft and Card Swap

Friday, February 27, 2026 at 3:30pm - 5:30pm
Downtown Community Room at Downtown Library
Library Branch: Downtown Library
Room: Downtown Community Room
Age Group: School Age, Teen, Adult, Family
Program Type: Gaming
Event Details:

2026 marks the 30th anniversary of Pokemon, and we're celebrating! Join us for an afternoon of Pokemon-themed crafts, and you can pick up some free trading cards too: whether you decide to swap any of your cards is up to you.

"Miss Everything (Unsuppressed Deliverance")

"Creating Dimensional Art" with Gloria Burlingame

Saturday, February 28, 2026 at 11:30am - 1:30pm
Downtown Community Room at Downtown Library
Library Branch: Downtown Library
Room: Downtown Community Room
Age Group: Adult
Program Type: DIY
Registration Required
Event Details:

In celebration of Black History month, join artist/teacher Gloria Burlingame to take a look at Black American painter Amy Sherald's life and artwork.

Three fabric bowls; one in blue, one pink, and one orange.

Sew Much Fun

Saturday, March 14, 2026 at 10:30am - 12:30pm
Downtown Community Room at Downtown Library
Library Branch: Downtown Library
Room: Downtown Community Room
Age Group: School Age, Teen, Adult, Family
Program Type: DIY
Registration Required
Event Details:

Learn how to make your very own bowl cozy at this event! Bowl cozies can be used to keep your hands safe when removing food from a microwave, or to keep your hands warm when eating a pint of ice cream.

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:

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. 

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.

Digital Literacy Class with American Job Center

1:00pm–3:00pm
Adult
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: 

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! 

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.

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.

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. 

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.