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

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?

DIY: Plantable Seed Paper

3:30pm–5:30pm
Teen, Adult
Downtown Library
Library Branch: Downtown Library
Room: Downtown Community Room
Age Group: Teen, Adult
Program Type: DIY
Event Details:

More details to come!

Button Making DIY

10:00am–12:00pm
School Age, Teen
Watts-Midtown Branch
Library Branch: Watts-Midtown Branch
Room: Watts-Midtown Teen Area
Age Group: School Age, Teen
Program Type: DIY
Event Details:

We've got a new button maker! Stop by the Watts-Midtown Branch and create a pinback button by drawing your own design, or choosing from pre-printed art.

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.

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.  

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. 

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.  

Silent Book Club®

5:30pm–6:30pm
Teen, Adult
Watts-Midtown Branch
Library Branch: Watts-Midtown Branch
Room: Watts-Midtown Community Room
Age Group: Teen, Adult
Program Type: Book Club, Mental Health
Event Details:

Looking for a book club with no assigned reading or focused discussions? Then joining our Silent Book Club® may be for you!

KPop Demon Hunters Cat Bag

5:30pm–6:30pm
School Age, Teen, Adult, Family
Downtown Library
Upcoming
Registration Required
Library Branch: Downtown Library
Room: Downtown Collaboration Area
Age Group: School Age, Teen, Adult, Family
Program Type: DIY
Registration Required
Event Details:

Make your own KPop Demon Hunters-inspired tote bag, and learn to use our Cricut Heat Press. We'll provide the vinyl design, the bag, and the Cricut Heat Press: all you have to do is show up ready to create!

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.

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.

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.

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.  

Anime and Manga Trivia Night

5:00pm–6:00pm
School Age, Teen, Adult, Family
Southwest Branch
Library Branch: Southwest Branch
Room: Southwest Community Room
Age Group: School Age, Teen, Adult, Family
Program Type: Special Event
Event Details:

Summer may be winding down, but that means that a new season of anime is on the horizon! Test your knowledge of popular anime and manga series with five rounds of five questions. 

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, Discussion
Event Details:

Join us as we discuss Mrs. Christie at the Mystery Guild Library by Amanda Chapman!

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. 

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. 

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.  

Rock Island Knows Tractors Part 3 -- The Oliver tractor

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:

Oliver tractors

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.

Quarterly Book Sale

10:00am–1:00pm
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!