The Big Backyard Where the Locals Go Our Climate Things To Do Bike Paths Black Hawk State Historical Site City Parks Golf Courses Historic Tours Libraries Quad City Botanical Center RI Fitness and Activity Center Sunset Park and Marina The District Whitewater Junction

Libraries

The Rock Island Public Library reflects the City's fine traditional support for education and quality of life. It is the oldest library in the Illinois, opening in 1872. Since then it has grown in ways the founders could not have imagined.

The 12,546 volumes in 1872 has expanded to almost 212,000 volumes. This fine collection of books and magazines now includes musical recordings, books on tape and compact discs, multimedia kits, educational and entertainment videos, and books in large print format. All ages and interests are represented, nonfiction and fiction, bestsellers, classics, and a full range of materials geared specifically to children, parents and caregivers. The Library offers free public access to the Internet, as well as a number of resources on CD-ROM. The Library is a Wi-Fi hot spot.

The Rock Island Public Library also offers programs for children including story hours and parent/tot programs. In addition, the Library hosts a popular lecture series on authors, displays by local artists, trivia nights, a film series, and a variety of other programs.

The Rock Island Public Library has also grown from the Carnegie-era Main Library to encompass two additional residential branches. The 30/31 Branch was expanded and remodeled to include a computer center, drive-up window, a coffee shop, and booksale room. It offers a selection of materials in all formats and specializes in programs for children. The Southwest Branch expansion and renovation include a much larger collection, expanded computer access, and a community room. Both branches have specialized homework resources and assistance from our Young Adult Librarian.

Rock Island has nurtured the educational and cultural strengths of its residents through over 125 years of strong library service and is continuing that tradition into the future.

Click here to for more information on Rock Island's Libraries, including hours of operation.