Western Illinois University (WIU) Libraries will hold a virtual presentation of Robert Lopresti’s award-winning book, “When Women Didn’t Count” in March, in recognition of Women’s History Month. Robert Lopresti, a retired government information librarian from Western Washington University, (WWU) will discuss his award-winning book, “When Women Didn’t Count”(Praeger, 2017). The presentation is sponsored by WIU Libraries in acknowledgment of Women’s History Month. It will be held virtually at 6 p.m. Thursday, March 18. Lopresti retired in 2018,... Read More

Join Davenport Public Library the first Friday of every month beginning Friday, February 5th at 2:30 pm to explore and learn about the curious world of archives and manuscripts at the Richardson-Sloane Special Collections Center. Each month, we will cover a different topic relating to the use and study of archives and manuscripts. We will feature collections and examples of relevant materials during each presentation. February’s topic is an introduction to our Archives and Manuscript Collections. We will provide an overview of our archival collection guides along with some tips and explanations... Read More

Hibernate with a good book! Join the Library’s annual all-ages Winter Reading Program for a chance to win prizes this winter. From January 19th through February 27th, participants will receive one grand prize drawing entry for every book you read. Participate on Beanstack at davenportlibrary.beanstack.com or by picking up grand prize entry slips at our Fairmount and Eastern branches. Keep up with our virtual programming on our Virtual Branch Calendar of Events at https://davenportlibrary.libcal.com/calendar/virtual. This event is FREE and open to the public. For more information visit www.davenportlibrary.com... Read More

Since few things go better with cozy wintertime reading than a hot cup of cocoa, Rock Island Public Library will launch its 2021 Books Like Us Winter Reading Challenge with a Curbside Cocoa Kickoff. The free drive-through event for all ages is offered from 4:00 to 6:00 pm on Friday, January 8 in the Curbside pickup lane outside the Rock Island Downtown Library, 401 19th Street. Participants can meet library staff, and pick up a free winter reading kit with cocoa, goodies, details about winter reading, and other Rock Island Public Library services.  The event is free and no registration is required.... Read More

All Rock Island Public Libraries will be closed Thursday, November 26 and Friday, November 27 for the Thanksgiving holidays. All locations are open from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm (noon) on Saturday, November 28. Online services and book-drops are open during the holiday break. RIPL remains open for Grab and Go, Curbside, and Online services in compliance with Tier 3 mitigations in the Restore Illinois Plan. Only quick browsing, material checkout, returns, and limited-time public computer/WiFi reservations are allowed. Tables, chairs, and extended visits are not available.  A maximum of one-hour per... Read More

Howard Wolinsky is a veteran Chicago medical reporter, and he’s spent the past 40 years tracking the tale of a lifetime. His new book, “Contain and Eliminate,” tells the stunning, sprawling true story of how chiropractors – with the help of a Clinton, Iowa native and prominent Chicago patent attorney – took on the powerful American Medical Association (AMA), and triumphed in court. The father of the attorney, George McAndrews, was a chiropractor in Clinton who the local MDs called a quack. George never forgot that, and his brother, Jerry McAndrews, was the former head of Palmer College... Read More

The Western Illinois University Department of English will host a virtual version of the Fred Ewing Case and Lola Case Writers-in-Residence Thursday, Nov. 12. This year’s writers include Tiffany Quay Tyson, Hillary Leftwich and Rebecca Roanhorse. A question and answer session will be held at 3 p.m. over Zoom. To get the event link, email Professor Erika Wurth a et-wurth@wiu.edu. A reading will be held at 5 p.m. via Facebook Live on the WIU Department of English Facebook page. •Tyson is a native of Jackson, MS. She is the author of two novels, “The Past is Never” and “Three... Read More

Families can sign up to pick up a Hug-A-Book: Play kit next week filled with at-home activities to support preschool learning through play. The event kit is available at Rock Island Public Library locations. To sign up for the at-home Hug-A-Book kit, visit the library event calendar at www.rockislandlibrary.org, or call 309-732-7360.  Registered participants may pick up the kit anytime during library hours between September 21 to 26. Pick up is available inside the Rock Island Downtown and Southwest Libraries from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm Monday-Friday, or via Library Curbside pickup Monday-Saturday,... Read More

The official “spokesperson” of National Library Card Sign-up Month is Wonder Woman, who reminds everyone that libraries are wonderful. The Rock Island Public Library is also providing wonderful reasons to celebrate with special prize drawings, yard signs, and new events that help you maximize use of your library card. All new and renewed Rock Island Library card applications received during September will be automatically entered into prize drawings for library gifts, book bags, and prizes. Patrons who already have a Rock Island Public Library card can enter with a Library Card Sign-up Month... Read More

The Davenport Public Library is pleased to partner with the Hoover Museum and Presidential Library for a live webinar on the Women’s Suffrage Movement! This event is part of the 3rd Thursdays at Hoover’s Presidential Library & Museum series. Join us as we explore the 100th anniversary of the Women’s Suffrage movement on Thursday, September 17th at 6:00 pm. To register for the event, please visit: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/5515970772587/WN_O2s1P7_DTyWvrLgczHpbug This year, 2020, marks the Centennial of the ratification of the 19th Amendment, which enfranchised... Read More