Watts-Midtown Driveway Work

Work begins soon on repairing the driveway leading into our Watts-Midtown Branch and the RI YMCA. When weather allows work to start, please note that there will be only one lane in and out of the parking lot. Please alternate when entering or leaving the lot, and note that there is no left hand turn onto the drive off 30th Street. 

Remember that you can return items to any Rock Island Library, even if it was checked out at the branch. Thank you for your patience as the YMCA repairs this driveway. 

Solar Eclipse Glass Distribution

Dark Gray background, outline of solar eclipse glasses, Title Solar Eclipse Glasses/Viewers distribution starts Monday, March 25 at RIPL locations 2 per family while supplies last

April 8 update: Downtown and Watts-Midtown locations are out of glasses. Our Southwest Branch opens at noon. May the odds be with you! 

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A limited supply of eclipse glasses or eclipse card viewers will be available starting Monday, March 25 at Rock Island Public Library buildings. A maximum of 2 glasses per family will be available while supplies last. 

Distribution will be at the Rock Island Downtown Library Reference Desk, Southwest Branch, and Watts-Midtown Branch. The library will also distribute eclipse glasses while supplies last to attendees of the Astronomy Night on April 4.

A few glasses will be held back for use on Monday, April 8, the actual eclipse day. See below for times in our area. 

The entire Quad Cities area is outside the path of totality. Throughout a partial solar eclipse, there is no time when it is safe to look directly at the Sun without using a special-purpose solar filter that complies with the transmittance requirements of the ISO 12312-2 international standard. Because the full eclipse lasts more than 2 hours, it is possible to take turns and share these free eye protection supplies. Eye Safety information link. 

All Rock Island Public Library locations will show the NASA livestream on the afternoon of Monday, April 8, just in case local weather isn't ideal for viewing. Please feel free to watch it in our community rooms! If you wish to view the eclipse from our library grounds, you may want to bring a chair. 

Solar glass distribution was made possible via a grant from SEAL (Solar Eclipses Activities for Libraries) funded by the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation. Solar card viewer supplies were distributed by the Illinois State Library and RAILS, through the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS.) All library-distributed items were sourced from certified suppliers and meet the ISO 12312-2 international standard. 

Featured Items
picture of attached flyer, How to Safely View the April 8 Total Solar Eclipse

Additional Tips on Safe Eclipse Viewing

Educational Flyer on How to Safely View the Solar Eclipse

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