There's More to the Story of QC Libraries
National Library Week 2023: There's More to Story is the perfect time for locals and visitors alike to check out our local library locales, including online “branches.” All Illinois Quad Cities public libraries are part of PrairieCat providing access to more than 2 million items from more than 130 libraries. Illinois libraries also honor each other’s library cards. A library card can be used at any of the physical locations and patrons can access their home library’s online e-book collection 24/7. Iowa libraries are part of the RiverShare library consortia of QC Iowa libraries and also honor one another’s library cards.
There's More to the Story at each of the QC libraries listed below.
Bettendorf Public Library
The Creation Studio of the Bettendorf Public Library gives visitors an opportunity to explore ideas and gain knowledge by offering hands-on tool exploration. This designated maker space on the library's second floor provides a wide array of machines, tools, and materials for public use. In celebration of National Library Week, the Bettendorf Public Library is adding to their Library of Things kits that extend the mission of the Creation Studio. These take-home kits allow users to create with such items and methods including tools for the kitchen, gel printing, and crochet.
Davenport Public Library
Davenport Public Library is the first library in Iowa to have its own social worker on staff. The social worker can connect library patrons with community resources and provide referrals to community and governmental agencies, including employment, housing and government benefits.
The Main Library is renowned for its Richardson-Sloane Special Collections Center of local history and genealogy materials. The collection includes more than 50,000 local photographs.
East Moline Public Library
The East Moline Public Library celebrated the grand opening of its new building in September 2022 in a former TBK Bank space. The library adapted the bank vault into a teen area and utilized safety deposit boxes on its donor recognition wall. The library will host a “Get Carded” library card drive event on Thursday, April 27, from 10AM-6PM
Moline Public Library
The Moline Public Library provides a winning trifecta with the Reher Art Gallery Java Lab Cafe, and Friends of the Moline Public Library book sale room. Take your favorite coffee drink for a stroll among the library's more than 50 pieces of permanent art and browse to buy the best book bargains in town at the Friends store, which is open six days a week.
Feel like exploring beyond the QC? The library also serves as an United States Passport Acceptance Facility. Patrons need to make an appointment to apply for a passport.
Rock Island Public Library
The Rock Island Public Library is celebrating its 150th anniversary this year! The new Watts-Midtown Branch opened earlier this year in space shared with the Two Rivers YMCA. Be sure to check out this beautiful location.
During National Library Week, visit the Main Library for a visit by former President Ulysses S. Grant, who was in office when the Rock Island Library first opened its doors on November 25, 1872. In “Unconditional Surrender, Life and Times of US Grant,” historian and first-person performer Peter Grady brings the former president and Civil War general to life at 2:00 pm, Tuesday, April 25, Rock Island Downtown Library located at 401 19th Street.
National Library Week is also a great time for local public library card holders to check with their local libraries to borrow passes for Niabi Zoo, Figge Art Museum, Putnam Museum, and the Quad City Botanical Center and discover more of our Quad Cities story.
Do you have a library card?
Library cards are provided free of charge to all residents of your district. Your card gives you free borrowing privileges. Borrow books, ebooks, magazines, DVDs, CDs, and video games, etc.
Lisa Powell Williams, MLS, is a national and state award winning librarian, who retired after serving QC area libraries for more than three decades.