Thanksgiving Holiday Closings

All Rock Island Library buildings will close at 6pm Wednesday, Nov. 27, and remain closed Thursday and Friday, Nov. 28 & 29, for the Thanksgiving holiday. Library2Go routes are also cancelled. 

Stay in touch with our digital services and PrairieCat app! All locations reopen on Saturday, Nov. 20 with normal 10am to 2 pm hours. 

Event List

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Brown background with text reading "Coffee & Conversations Meet Neighbors Create Community" next to a cup of coffee with a heart in the middle. The Rock Island Public Library in the bottom left next to text that reads "2nd & 4th Saturday @10am | Southwest Library"

Coffee & Conversations

Thursday, April 24, 2025 at 10:00am - 12:00pm
Southwest Community Room at Southwest Branch
Program Type:
Mental Health, Discussion
Age Group:
Adult
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 activit...

Library Branch: Southwest Branch
Room: Southwest Community Room
Age Group: Adult
Program Type: Mental Health, 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.

Milan-Blackhawk Area Public Library District Board Meeting

Thursday, April 24, 2025 at 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Southwest Community Room at Southwest Branch
Southwest Branch
Library Branch: Southwest Branch
Room: Southwest Community Room
Black and Blue goodwill logo with white face smiling

Drop-in Computer Skills & Job Search Assistance w/ Goodwill of the Heartland

Thursday, April 24, 2025 at 4:00pm - 6:00pm
Downtown Library
Program Type:
Discussion
Age Group:
Adult
Event Details:

Looking for assistance with computer skills and searching for jobs? Drop-in on Thursday from 4 to 6pm at the Downtown Library for one-on-one assistance from a representative from G...

Library Branch: Downtown Library
Age Group: Adult
Program Type: Discussion
Event Details:

Looking for assistance with computer skills and searching for jobs?

LEAD Fridays@Watts-Midtown Branch

Friday, April 25, 2025 at 12:00pm - 1:00pm
Watts-Midtown Community Room at Watts-Midtown Branch
Program Type:
Tour
Age Group:
School Age
Event Details:

We welcome the LEAD Friday groups from Eugene Field Elementary to the library to learn about library cards, our collection, programs and be reading leaders!

Library Branch: Watts-Midtown Branch
Room: Watts-Midtown Community Room
Age Group: School Age
Program Type: Tour
Event Details:

We welcome the LEAD Friday groups from Eugene Field Elementary to the library to learn about library cards, our collection, programs and be reading leaders!

Patron looking through the pages of a curled book that has the word "Banned" in front of it

Seniors Read Banned Books -- "I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter," by Erika L. Sanchez

Tuesday, April 29, 2025 at 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Downtown Community Room at Downtown Library
Program Type:
Book Club
Age Group:
Adult
Event Details:

This month's banned book selection is "I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter," by Erika L. Sanchez.

Library Branch: Downtown Library
Room: Downtown Community Room
Age Group: Adult
Program Type: Book Club
Event Details:

This month's banned book selection is "I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter," by Erika L. Sanchez.

Outreach ~ United Way/Spring Forward ~ Read with Me

Tuesday, April 29, 2025 at 4:00pm - 4:30pm
Outreach
Program Type:
Early Learning, Outreach
Age Group:
Children
Event Details:

Children's librarian will be at Ridgewood School with United Way/Spring Forward reading with students. 

Offsite Event
Library Branch: Outreach
Age Group: Children
Program Type: Early Learning, Outreach
Event Details:

Children's librarian will be at Ridgewood School with United Way/Spring Forward reading with students. 

storytime

Toddler Tales @ Southwest Branch

Wednesday, April 30, 2025 at 11:00am - 11:30am
Southwest Community Room at Southwest Branch
Program Type:
Storytime
Age Group:
Early Learning
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. 

Library Branch: Southwest Branch
Room: Southwest Community Room
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

Thursday, May 1, 2025 at 9:00am - 11:00am
Offsite
Program Type:
Early Learning
Age Group:
Early Learning
Event Details:

Youth Services staff will be reading and sharing literacy activities with the RIMSD Head Start and Preschool for All classes.

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.

Early Learning Outreach-RIMSD HeadStart & Preschool For All Visits

Thursday, May 1, 2025 at 9:00am - 11:00am
Offsite
Program Type:
Early Learning
Age Group:
Early Learning
Event Details:

Youth Services staff will be reading and sharing literacy activities with the RIMSD Head Start and Preschool for All classes.

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.

Black and Blue goodwill logo with white face smiling

Drop-in Computer Skills & Job Search Assistance w/ Goodwill of the Heartland

Thursday, May 1, 2025 at 4:00pm - 6:00pm
Downtown Library
Program Type:
Discussion
Age Group:
Adult
Event Details:

Looking for assistance with computer skills and searching for jobs? Drop-in on Thursday from 4 to 6pm at the Downtown Library for one-on-one assistance from a representative from G...

Library Branch: Downtown Library
Age Group: Adult
Program Type: Discussion
Event Details:

Looking for assistance with computer skills and searching for jobs?

LEAD Fridays@Watts-Midtown Branch

Friday, May 2, 2025 at 12:00pm - 1:00pm
Watts-Midtown Community Room at Watts-Midtown Branch
Program Type:
Tour
Age Group:
School Age
Event Details:

We welcome the LEAD Friday groups from Eugene Field Elementary to the library to learn about library cards, our collection, programs and be reading leaders!

Library Branch: Watts-Midtown Branch
Room: Watts-Midtown Community Room
Age Group: School Age
Program Type: Tour
Event Details:

We welcome the LEAD Friday groups from Eugene Field Elementary to the library to learn about library cards, our collection, programs and be reading leaders!

The Free Comic Book Day logo, which reads "1st Saturday in May! May 3, 2025."

Free Comic Book Day

Saturday, May 3, 2025 at 11:00am - 2:00pm
Downtown Community Room at Downtown Library
Program Type:
Special Event
Age Group:
School Age, Teen, Adult, Family
Event Details:

Join us in celebrating Free Comic Book Day at the Downtown Library! Grab a free comic while supplies last, and sign up if you'd like to join our drawing class led by caricature art...

Required
Library Branch: Downtown Library
Room: Downtown Community Room
Age Group: School Age, Teen, Adult, Family
Program Type: Special Event
Required
Seats Remaining: 15
Event Details:

Join us in celebrating Free Comic Book Day at the Downtown Library!

Book cover with image of author

Alpha Book Club

Monday, May 5, 2025 at 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Downtown Community Room at Downtown Library
Program Type:
Book Club
Age Group:
Adult
Event Details:

This month's  Alpha Book Club selection is 2006 nonfiction work, The Worst Hard Time: The Untold Story of Those Who Survived the Great American Dust Bowl by Tim...

Library Branch: Downtown Library
Room: Downtown Community Room
Age Group: Adult
Program Type: Book Club
Event Details:

This month's  Alpha Book Club selection is 2006 nonfiction work, The Worst Hard Time: The Untold Story of Those Who Survived the Great American Dust Bowl by Timothy Egan!

Outreach ~ United Way/Spring Forward ~ Read with Me

Tuesday, May 6, 2025 at 4:00pm - 4:30pm
Outreach
Program Type:
Early Learning, Outreach
Age Group:
Children
Event Details:

Children's librarian will be at Ridgewood School with United Way/Spring Forward reading with students. 

Offsite Event
Library Branch: Outreach
Age Group: Children
Program Type: Early Learning, Outreach
Event Details:

Children's librarian will be at Ridgewood School with United Way/Spring Forward reading with students. 

storytime

Toddler Tales @ Southwest Branch

Wednesday, May 7, 2025 at 11:00am - 11:30am
Southwest Community Room at Southwest Branch
Program Type:
Storytime
Age Group:
Early Learning
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. 

Library Branch: Southwest Branch
Room: Southwest Community Room
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

Thursday, May 8, 2025 at 9:00am - 11:00am
Offsite
Program Type:
Early Learning
Age Group:
Early Learning
Event Details:

Youth Services staff will be reading and sharing literacy activities with the RIMSD Head Start and Preschool for All classes.

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.

Early Learning Outreach-RIMSD HeadStart & Preschool For All Visits

Thursday, May 8, 2025 at 9:00am - 11:00am
Offsite
Program Type:
Early Learning
Age Group:
Early Learning
Event Details:

Youth Services staff will be reading and sharing literacy activities with the RIMSD Head Start and Preschool for All classes.

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.

Brown background with text reading "Coffee & Conversations Meet Neighbors Create Community" next to a cup of coffee with a heart in the middle. The Rock Island Public Library in the bottom left next to text that reads "2nd & 4th Saturday @10am | Southwest Library"

Coffee & Conversations

Thursday, May 8, 2025 at 10:00am - 12:00pm
Southwest Community Room at Southwest Branch
Program Type:
Mental Health, Discussion
Age Group:
Adult
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 activit...

Library Branch: Southwest Branch
Room: Southwest Community Room
Age Group: Adult
Program Type: Mental Health, 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.

Black and Blue goodwill logo with white face smiling

Drop-in Computer Skills & Job Search Assistance w/ Goodwill of the Heartland

Thursday, May 8, 2025 at 4:00pm - 6:00pm
Downtown Library
Program Type:
Discussion
Age Group:
Adult
Event Details:

Looking for assistance with computer skills and searching for jobs? Drop-in on Thursday from 4 to 6pm at the Downtown Library for one-on-one assistance from a representative from G...

Library Branch: Downtown Library
Age Group: Adult
Program Type: Discussion
Event Details:

Looking for assistance with computer skills and searching for jobs?

Outreach ~ United Way/Spring Forward ~ Read with Me

Tuesday, May 13, 2025 at 4:00pm - 4:30pm
Outreach
Program Type:
Early Learning, Outreach
Age Group:
Children
Event Details:

Children's librarian will be at Ridgewood School with United Way/Spring Forward reading with students. 

Offsite Event
Library Branch: Outreach
Age Group: Children
Program Type: Early Learning, Outreach
Event Details:

Children's librarian will be at Ridgewood School with United Way/Spring Forward reading with students. 

Actors presenting on stage at Lincoln Park in Rock Island, IL

Genesius Guild Presents

Tuesday, May 13, 2025 at 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Watts-Midtown Community Room at Watts-Midtown Branch
Program Type:
Performance
Age Group:
Everyone
Event Details:

This is a special presentation by the Genesius Theatre Guild of the Quad Cities in preparation for its summer season at Rock Island's Lincoln Park. The Genesius Guild is a commu...

Library Branch: Watts-Midtown Branch
Room: Watts-Midtown Community Room
Age Group: Everyone
Program Type: Performance
Event Details:

This is a special presentation by the Genesius Theatre Guild of the Quad Cities in preparation for its summer season at Rock Island's Lincoln Park.

storytime

Toddler Tales @ Southwest Branch

Wednesday, May 14, 2025 at 11:00am - 11:30am
Southwest Community Room at Southwest Branch
Program Type:
Storytime
Age Group:
Early Learning
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. 

Library Branch: Southwest Branch
Room: Southwest Community Room
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. 

Rock Island Arsenal Lecture Series: 250 Years of the US Army

Wednesday, May 14, 2025 at 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Downtown Collaboration Area at Downtown Library
Program Type:
Presentation
Age Group:
Adult
Event Details:

This lecture series is commemorating the 250th anniversary of the creation of the United States Army in 1775.  This week's topic is "1917-1918: World War One and the Birth ...

Library Branch: Downtown Library
Room: Downtown Collaboration Area
Age Group: Adult
Program Type: Presentation
Event Details:

This lecture series is commemorating the 250th anniversary of the creation of the United States Army in 1775. 

This week's topic is "1917-1918: World War One and the Birth of the Modern Army".

Early Learning Outreach-RIMSD HeadStart & Preschool For All Visits

Thursday, May 15, 2025 at 9:00am - 11:00am
Offsite
Program Type:
Early Learning
Age Group:
Early Learning
Event Details:

Youth Services staff will be reading and sharing literacy activities with the RIMSD Head Start and Preschool for All classes.

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.