How We Help Protect You and Our Staff
To ensure physical distancing, we encourage patrons to use self-checkout machines at each location. Masked library staff available behind a Plexiglas barrier for library card questions, card renewals, payments, and assistance with hold requests.
We isolate returned items for a three-day period. While we do our best to clean frequently-touched surfaces throughout the day, no public space is completely risk-free. We encourage patrons to:
- Use hand sanitizer wipes at library entrances.
- Place items you've touched, but are not checking out, onto re-shelf carts for proper handing.
- Return checked-out items to designated area for quarantining.
- Use convenient online payment options available through the PrairieCat catalog. Login to your patron record at "My Account."
- Always wear your face covering while inside the library, and respect social distancing requirements. Please ensure your mask covers both your mouth AND nose.
- Self-screen. Do not enter the library if you feel ill, have returned from a known COVID-19 hotspot, or have had a secondary exposure.
With your cooperation, we can continue to move forward!
Curbside Pick-Up
Monday-Saturday, During Building Hours
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Downtown Library (alley along south side)
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Southwest Library circle drive
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Mobile Library (drive-up, staff will run to car. No on-board access during this phase.)
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Please note: Pick up by Appointment only.
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Call us when you receive your notice.
Please be patient and courteous with our staff. We have staff scheduled to work our Curbside doors at specific times, which is why we need appointments.
Your may either place an online hold yourself using our online catalog, or staff can help you:
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Call 309-732-7341, or email RiLibRef@rigov.org, or Live Chat via Ask a Librarian
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Reference staff available 9 am to 6:00 pm, Monday, Friday, and from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm on Saturdays.
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Need some help? Fill out our From the Stacks Personal Shopper Form, and library staff will pick up to five items for you. Please allow sufficient time for us to research, pull, and notify you about your hold
Book Your Pick-up Appointment
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Call 309-732-7323 to book Downtown pick-up, or 309-732-7338 for Southwest.
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We will check your items out to you when we make the appointment, and take a description of your car
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If you are walking or biking, just let us know.
Pick-up!
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Pull into one of the numbered spots at our Downtown or Southwest locations.
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Stay in your car, and call the number on the sign. We will need your name, and may ask what vehicle you are driving.
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Open your trunk. If you need to exit your vehicle to open your trunk or side door, please do so before RIPL staff arrive.
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Show us your library card through your vehicle window.
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Staff will place bagged items in your trunk/vehicle and close the lid/door.
Returns: Please return all items to the book drop, or in designated areas at locations.
STAFF CANNOT ACCEPT RETURNS AT CURBSIDE. Returned items are quarantined. This means that items will stay on your account during the isolation period. All returns are backdated to allow for the isolation period.
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Donations of any kind will not be accepted at either curbside or in book drops
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Staff cannot take payments for fines/library fee charges at curbside
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New Building Hours, Effective November 2, 2020
Downtown and Southwest Library locations
- Buildings open: Monday through Friday: 9am-6pm, AND Saturday, 9am to Noon
- Mobile Library2Go: Curbside pickup, returns, book bundles, & WiFi available via drive-up. No onboard entry.
Material Handling:
- All returned items quarantined for 3 days.Items may stay on your account for up to a week.
- We will backdate check-in to account for this isolation period.
- Fines will accrue if the item was returned late. Return on time to avoid late fees.
- Some materials unavailable.
- Please place all returns in bins, and any browsed items on re-shelf carts so they may be isolated.
Other Services:
- Adult computers available by appointment for one hour per day. Children's computers unavailable.
- Inside WiFi reservations available for one-hour per day. Computer and WiFi appointments may not be combined.
- Outside WiFi signal may be used without appointment or time limits.
- Library programs continue on an online and take-home basis only.
- Printing and photocopies available.
Curbside Pickup and Homebound Resources are also available
- All library programming will be provided virtually. Watch our Facebook page and YouTube Channel for virtual programming, including Online Storytimes at 10:30 am on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
- Residents without cards may also apply for an eCard so that they use digital services. To apply for an RIPL eCard, you must live in the Rock Island Public Library service area. We have temporarily extended the age limit to 14 years of age or older. The online application is available on the library website under Get a Card.
Other ways to use your library:
Where to get facts and help regarding COVID-19
Stay Home: At any sign of sickness, such as cough, shortness of breath, or other flu-like symptoms.
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According to the CDC, the virus is thought to spread mainly from person to person, between people who are in close contact with one another (within about six feet) or through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby, or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.
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High-risk populations are encouraged to stay home if they are feeling ill or are simply concerned about potential exposure.
Thank you for your patience as we work through this developing situation.