With warmer weather and plans for summer outreach in the works, the Rock Island Library2Go mobile bookmobile will roll out a new schedule starting Monday, May 3. The days and times for Mobile Library stops stay the same: Three stops daily, Monday through Thursday, but some locations have changed (see starred routes for changes.) Bookmobile routes through July 29 are as follows: Monday 10:00 am to 11:30 am: St. George Greek Orthodox Church, 2930 31st Avenue, Rock Island 2:30 pm to 3:30 pm: Blackhawk State Park, 4801 11th Street, Rock Island * 4:00 to 5:30 pm: Martin Luther King Community Center,... Read More

Rock Island Public Library and Prairie State Legal Services will host a free virtual presentation on the criminal record expungement process at 5:30 pm on Wednesday, March 3. The presentation will be offered via Zoom, and registration is required. Kevin Hempy, the Equal Justice Works Fellow for Prairie State Legal Services, will provide a brief overview of Prairie State’s service area, types of cases, and how to apply for their services. Attendees will learn about record expungement, sealing of criminal records in Illinois, and other forms of criminal records relief. To register, visit the calendar... Read More

As it looks to revisit a strategic plan changed by COVID-19, the Rock Island Public Library wants to know what you think. The library is currently running a public opinion survey to identify community needs, potential barriers to library use, and opinions on community challenges. “With the numerous changes happening in the world, this is an excellent time to refresh our strategic plan,” said Angela Campbell, director of the Rock Island Public Library. “The answers to our survey will help us ensure our strategies reflect the services that our patrons and the community need. We’re also identifying... Read More

As it looks to revisit a strategic plan changed by COVID-19, the Rock Island Public Library wants to know what you think. The library is currently running a public opinion survey to identify community needs, potential barriers to library use, and opinions on community challenges. “With the numerous changes happening in the world, this is an excellent time to refresh our strategic plan,” said Angela Campbell, director of the Rock Island Public Library. “The answers to our survey will help us ensure our strategies reflect the services that our patrons and the community need. We’re also identifying... Read More

Holiday and end-of-year holiday closures for Rock Island Public Libraries are as follows: Rock Island Downtown and Southwest Library locations will be closed Thursday, December 24 and Friday, December 25 for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Locations are open from 9:00 am to noon on Saturday, December 26. Rock Island Library locations are closed Thursday, December 31, and Friday, January 1 for New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. Library locations are open from 9:00 am to noon on Saturday, January 2, 2021. Mobile Library2Go routes run as scheduled Monday, December 21 through Wednesday, December... Read More

Santa is a busy elf, but there’s still time to get on his mailing list with the Rock Island Public Library’s Letter from Santa program. The library is accepting Letters from Santa requests through Friday, December 18. To participate, just fill out a Letters from Santa request form, and leave it in the mailbox provided. Santa will respond by mail with a personalized letter for the child. “Don’t tell, but other than being a fun and free family activity, participating also supports writing and reading literacy,” said Ranell Dennis, Rock Island Public Library Children’s Librarian. Request... Read More

Rock Island Public Library has changed its policies and procedures to adapt to the changing times with covid. RIPL remains open for Grab and Go, Curbside, and Online services. 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 person, per day is available for either computer or inside WiFi appointments. All library events continue to be offered virtually or on a take-home method. The Mobile Library continues its routes, but there is no on-board entry. Staff... Read More

The 23rd annual Frieze Lecture Series for the Rock Island Public Library takes a deeper look at our reaction to global crises, past and present, in a two-part series presented by Augustana College professors with expertise in history and public health. Free and open to the public, the 2020 Frieze Lectures are offered online at 2:00 pm on two Tuesdays in October 20 and 27. The 2020 series topics include: Tuesday, Oct 20: Why We Forgot the 1918 Flu: A Historian Looks at a Century of Pandemics. Dr. Lendol Calder, professor of history at Augustana College, will consider the global influenza pandemic... Read More

Families can sign up to pick up a Hug-A-Book: Play kit this 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 through September 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, by... Read More

If you’ve been spending some of that social distancing downtime going through files at home, the Rock Island Public Library offers a way next Thursday to safely rid yourself of those excess personal papers. The library’s annual Community Shred Day will be offered on Thursday, September 24 from 9:30 to 11:30 am in the Rock Island Downtown Library parking lot. The event offers free, drive-through drop-off of up to three boxes of paperwork for secure shredding by Shred-It, and is sponsored by a donation from GECU Credit Union. The following procedures apply to this event: To take part in the... Read More