Quad-Cities' First Free Public Library Celebrates Its 150th Anniversary

150 years ago, Rock Island citizens were eagerly awaiting the opening of the community’s first-ever truly free library on November 25, 1872. The Library will celebrate its 150th anniversary as the first library to actually open for business in Illinois with a community birthday party on November 10. The Rock Island Library kicks off a full-year of anniversary celebrations with the free public party from about 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm on Thursday, November 10 on the second floor of the Downtown Library, 401 19th Street. The drop-in event immediately follows the final Frieze Lecture, with speeches... Read More