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

Distribution looks different this year for the Rock Island Public Library Seed Library. This free resource is still a great way for Rock Island and Milan-area residents and organizations to cultivate their gardens this spring. The Seed Library is a free collection of seed packets suitable for the local Zone 5 growing area. Using the online form on the RIPL website, participants can request one of the following pre-selected packages: ·         Vegetable garden bundle ·         Flower garden bundle ·         Herb garden bundle ·         Grab Bag (mixed bundle) Each... Read More

To help fill the need for digital connectivity while library buildings are closed for COVID-19, the Rock Island Public Library is temporarily repurposing its Library2Go vehicle as a traveling hotspot. Starting Tuesday, May 26, the mobile library will make stops Monday-Thursday in selected neighborhoods to provide mobile WiFi connections for up to 30 devices at a time. The new service assists Rock Island and Milan residents who need an internet connection to fill out the Census, apply for jobs, check on unemployment, or other tasks. There will be no public entry onto the vehicle. Weekly WiFi stops... Read More

The Rock Island Public Library introduced 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 staff will contact the borrower once items become available... 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

Although more than 60 years have passed since the first National Library Week celebration, the original goals of celebrating libraries, promoting reading for leisure, improving incomes and health, and developing strong and happy family life are still relevant today. National Library Week began Sunday, April 19, and though the celebration looks different than in any previous year, the goal is the same: to educate about what libraries offer, and to inspire use. Due to social distancing restrictions, this year’s theme has shifted to “Find the Library at YOUR Place.” That theme recognizes the... Read More

As a result of the Illinois Governor’s extension of the Stay-at-Home order, all Rock Island Public Libraries will continue to be closed through April 30, 2020. Library book drops are closed, and patrons are requested to keep checked-out materials until the library reopens at a date to be named later. PrairieCat is extending due dates as well All due dates for physical materials extended to May 29 Card expirations extended to June 1 Expiration dates for previously placed holds extended to June 12 No fines will be assessed while libraries are closed. Library patrons can continue to use... Read More

Are your kids ready to rock some reading? With distance learning becoming the norm, and more time at home leading to more time for reading, the Rock Island Library is stepping up to help parents and kids with an all-ages online reading challenge that the whole family can do together! The stay-at-home challenge offers six virtual reading badges and six for completing online activities, such as trying World Book online, checking out a magazine from RB Digital, or learning something new with HelpNow or JobNow from Brainfuse. Complete just six badges (you choose which ones) to complete the... Read More

Hey, let’s face it, we all know this is a troubling time. With all of the precautions, panic and precarious situations surrounding the coronavirus, it’s gotten very difficult to maintain a positive outlook. However, no matter how negative things may get, there are always people out there helping, there are always people out there trying to do the right thing, there are always people out there being kind and trying to make the world a better place, and those people and their actions are all the more significant and impactful now. That’s why this column, and the live segment on KWQC-TV6’s... Read More