Looking for more incentive to read over the summer? With the touch of their magic wand, the Rock Island Library’s Imagine Your Story summer reading program has transformed into online, virtual, and take-home offerings. Most programs require registration, for ease in contacting participants about picking up kits via Curbside. To keep everyone motivated to read, challenges are available for children, teens, and adults. Here’s how it works: Read anything you like, track it, and earn prizes/prize entries for meeting reading goals. Enter and track anytime through July 31 with our Beanstack... Read More

If you’ve been spending time stress cooking or baking during the COVID-19 quarantine, the Rock Island Public Library wants your recipes. In partnership with libraries throughout the Quad City area, the Rock Island Public Library is collecting recipes for a Quad City Quarantine Cookbook. Contributors are encouraged to share what they’ve been making or baking to document life during the historically-significant pandemic of Covid-19. “People have been quarantining themselves with their families, cooking from their pantries, and limiting trips to the grocery store. We believe it’s important... Read More

Rock Island Library is offering curbside service! The Rock Island Public Library will introduce contact-free curbside pick-up for library materials beginning Tuesday, May 26. There will be no public access to library buildings during this phase of the library’s gradual reopening plan. Curbside pick-up will be available during limited hours by appointment only at the Rock Island Public Library Downtown and Southwest locations. Materials must be requested in advance, either through the Library’s online PrairieCat catalog, or with staff help via phone, email, and Ask a Librarian chat. Library... Read More

Rock Island Public Library Buildings are still closed for the Governor’s Executive Order but the Library Services Go On in a Virtual Way. Late last week, the Illinois Governor revised and extended his Executive Stay-At-Home executive order to May 30. For details, see this page from the Illinois Department of Public Health As a result, all Rock Island Public Library buildings remain closed until further notice. The library is working on a phased plan for re-introducing library services to our community, which includes a gradual reopening. This gradual reopening will most likely include... Read More

QuadCities.com proudly presents the third installment of our new feature, FUN10, a list of the top 10 things to do in the Quad Cities this week, and every week! Every Sunday, we’ll drop a new FUN10, to give you a head start on your week and a heads up on what’s going on over the coming seven days. Check out FUN10 every Sunday for the details on ten awesome events happening around town. It’s a cool read, and a great way to get started planning your entertainment for the week. Due to the cancellation of so many regularly scheduled events in the Quad Cities – with more coming in every hour... Read More

The Rock Island Library is reviewing all library programming for the next two to three weeks and expect to make an announcement after Tuesday’s board meeting in regard to postponement or cancellation. If you are registered for a program, you will receive an automatic email from our online registration system if it is cancelled. If the program does not require registration, watch for email updates from us. We also recommend checking our online calendar. Please stay tuned for updates by email and social media. Older adults and those with chronic illnesses are more at risk for COVID-19... Read More

The Rock Island Library continues its summer of space with a view of the stars at the John Deere Planetarium at Augustana College on June 17. Rock Island Library is  hosting a free presentation by Dr. Lee Carkner, director of the John Deere Planetarium, at 10:00 am on Monday, June 17 at the planetarium on the Augustana College grounds. The free Universe of Stars presentation features a guided tour of the night sky on the planetarium’s new digital projection system. It is best suited for ages adult through 3rd grades. Both the planetarium and Apollo 11 moon landing are observing their 50th... Read More

The Rock Island Public Library will introduce the works of award-winning writer Jason Reynolds to readers via two book talk discussions before the writer visits the Quad Cities in person in late March.  Library staff will host informal discussions on Tuesday, February 19, starting at 5:30 pm at Rozz-Tox Coffeehouse, 2108 3rd Avenue, Rock Island, and again on Tuesday, March 19, also starting at 5:30 pm, at Cool Beanz Coffeehouse, 1325 30th Street, Rock Island. Guests can purchase a coffee or beverage and learn a little about Reynolds’ books or share thoughts about ones they’ve... Read More

Developing the next stage of reading is the goal of a Rocket into Reading event for ages 5 through 8 at the Rock Island Public Library onThursday, September 27. The free event is 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm at the Downtown Library, 401 19th Street. Rocket into Reading is aimed at the learning needs of children in Kindergarten through 3rd grades. Launch the reader in your home with super sports-themed fun and the gift of a free book and sports bag. The event includes free sports games, crafts, and activity stations designed to improve skills and interest in reading. Rocket into Reading is the next stage... Read More

The Rock Island Public Library’s Hug A Book program series will offer a special early learning art event  this Thursday for ages five and under. Hug-A-Book, Make Some Art offers a story and several related art projects designed for children ages to five. The free event is at 6:00 pm on Thursday, Aug. 31 at Rock Island Downtown Library, 401 19th Street, in the second-floor Community Room. Each child receives a free book and an art apron, courtesy of the Merrill Harris Fund of the Rock Island Public Library Foundation. The Hug-A-Book event  serves as the preview for a new art monthly program... Read More