As part of the Rock Island Public Library’s commitment to work within health guidelines and help prevent or mitigate the spread of COVID-19,  all Rock Island Public Library locations will be closed to the public from 8:00 pm today, Monday, March 16 through Saturday, April 4.  At the present time, the library plans to reopen to the public on Monday, April 6. This announcement includes routes for our Mobile Library2Go, which will be suspended until the time being.  The book drop will also close for the duration. Please do not return your items to any library. As part of this process, all... Read More

Due to circumstances beyond their control, regarding concerns about the coronavirus, the Elizabeth Cady Stanton performance originally scheduled for Monday at Rock Island Public Library has been postponed. The new date is not available at this time. Please watch for an announcement at a later time. Library officials appreciate your patience with this rapidly changing situation.  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

Spring intersession break for Rock Island/Milan Schools is coming up March 9. If you’re a parent, grandparent or other caregiver looking for some fun ways to keep the kids occupied, the Rock Island Public Library has some free activities for you! The Rock Island Public Library has planned a mix of free scheduled and drop-in activities for school-age children during the two-week period. Scheduled activities include: Roblox Gaming for ages 12 to 18: Tuesday, March 10, at the Rock Island Downtown Library, 401 19th Street. The Library’s Community Room will be open from 3:30 to 5:00 pm for 90 minutes... Read More

Parents and caregivers can create some memories while they build a reader at Hug-A-Book: Create, a free event for two-to-five-year-olds and their families on Tuesday, August 27 at the Rock Island Public Library. The event is part of the library’s ongoing Hug-A-Book early learning programming. Families may drop in to try a variety of creatively messy art projects from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm on August 27 at the Downtown Library, 401 19th Street. Each child receives a Hug-A-Book art apron and a free book to take home. There is no charge to attend and no registration is required. Future events... Read More

So, what are some of the cool and positive things happening in and around the area? Glad you sorta asked! There’s always plenty of good news happening around the Quad-Cities, and here in What’s The Good News?, our cooperative effort with the good folks at KWQC-TV6’s “Paula Sands Live,” we highlight some of the awesome things happening around our area! Have something you want included next time around? Email Sean Leary at Sean@QuadCities.com. We’re happy to help! Now let’s get started in taking a look around the local spots for some positive and upbeat news…   Tripmaster Monkey... Read More

It’s the day after Christmas, and you’re done celebrating. What do you do? Grab that Ugly Sweater for one last wear and enjoy some holiday classics at the library! The Rock Island Downtown Library (401 19th Street Rock Island) is hosting Holiday Movie Marathon/Ugly Sweater day this Wednesday Dec 26 from 9:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. Stop in, enjoy some hot chocolate, watch a few holiday movies and compete in an Ugly Sweater Contest! Movie Schedule: 9:30 – 11:15 a.m.                          Elf 11:30 – 1 p.m.                               ... Read More

There is still time to have a rocking summer at the Rock Island Libraries! Libraries Rock Summer Reading programs, courtesy of the Rock Island Libraries, are in full swing and are helping students realize reading rocks!  Don’t miss out on this awesome summer reading program! Free and open to all ages, these four weekly programs are offered on Monday and Tuesday afternoons from Jun 4 – Jul 10 at the Downtown Library (401 19th Street Rock Island): Carle’s Creators art program is for grades K-3 and provides hands-on art projects inspired by the children’s picture book illustrators... Read More

The Rock Island Library will host an impromptu music performance Friday, when the STEM Ensemble of Valparaiso University drops by. The STEM Woodwind Ensemble of Valparaiso University will drop by the Downtown Library on Friday, March 16. The double quintet will play from the mezzanine of the library from 3:00 to 4:00 pm, providing beautiful music for first-floor patrons to read, browse or study by. STEM Quintet Musicians are Alison Norris, flute; Timothy Henderson, oboe; Monica Lueck, clairinet; Janelle Wiegal, horn, and Sarah Kuchel, bassoon. Additional tour musicians in the STEM wind ensemble... Read More

For nearly two centuries, people have come to the Quad Cities Area from all over the world and from all walks of life. Now, thanks to the Great Quad Cities Listen, the diverse stories from the area are being collected and shared with one another. And they want your story! Multiple recording locations have been set up all over the QCA. Currently, you can save your own recording at the Boys and Girls Club of the Mississippi Valley/Mercado on Fifth, German American Heritage Center, Moline Public Library, Rock Island Public Library and at WVIK, Quad Cities NPR. All interview sessions require two participants,... Read More