The Rock Island Public Library will be closed Wednesday, December 31 and Thursday, January 1, for the New Year holiday. Locations reopen on Friday with normal hours, and there's plenty to look forward to!
Upcoming events for the first full week of January 2026 include the following:
In 2026, weekly Drop-in Computer Help from Goodwill of the Heartland moves to a new day and time. The free computer and job search assistance is available on Mondays at 3 pm at the Rock Island Downtown Library, 401 19th Street.
Also on Monday, January 5: Monster Movie Monday, 5:30 pm at the Rock Island Watts-Midtown Branch, 2715 30th Street. Enjoy a contemporary vampire movie and snacks. The movie is rated R for vampire violence/gore.
Tuesday, January 6: Tuneful Tuesday with Grace Notes Flutes, 12 pm to 1 pm at the Rock Island Downtown Library, 401 19th Street. Free noon-time music for all ages, made possible by support from Carol Horstmann and her late husband, James. Feel free to bring a sack lunch and enjoy the live music.
Drop-in storytimes for ages five and under are offered next week on Tuesday and Friday at 10:30 am at the Watts-Midtown Branch, and Wednesday at 11 am at the Rock Island Southwest Branch, 9010 Ridgewood Road. Drop-in Winter Toddler Playgroups also return this January, with the first happening Thursday, January 8 from 10 am to noon in the Downtown Library’s Children’s Room. The unstructured play time provide great opportunities for both parents/caregivers and toddlers to meet new friends.
Also on Thursday, the library’s Coffee and Conversation series for retirees resumes its usual schedule. The events are offered on January 8 and 22 from 10 am to noon at the Southwest Branch, 9010 Ridgewood Road. Any adult can stop by to connect with new people or just get out of the house.
A new Sew Much Fun series for teens and adults starts this Saturday, January 10 at the Downtown Library. While the first January session on basic sewing is already full, interested participants can sign up for the February Sew Much Fun project starting January 19. The monthly events offer simple sewing projects that help participants learn basic skills. More information on the series is available at the library website.
For more events at the Rock Island Public Library, including 2026 offerings, visit the library website, call 309-732-READ, or follow the library’s Facebook and Instagram accounts. ###