Calling for Youth Creative Submissions
Rockford Public Library is gearing up this summer for a unique and special project that will bring color, community, and culture to our beautiful city! With the support of The Community Foundation of Northern Illinois, Rockford Public Library has contracted with internationally recognized muralist, Eddaviel (Edison Montero) to work with Rockford youth in creating a public artwork promoting literacy, learning, and community in the heart of Rockford on Madison St, near the YMCA, on the theme Reading Colors Your World.  
 
We are calling for youth contributions of essays, stories, or drawing about how reading colors their world, and our artist will incorporate ideas from these submissions into the design. Find out more about this and other summer activities here
Click here to download the worksheet template to write to us.
 
All children who submit a valid essay or drawing will be included in the book, and all submissions will be read by the artists. 
 
Color your world with RPL!
Off the Chain Crochet Guild

Saturday, May 15, 1 PM - 3 PM
Keeling-Puri Peace Plaza
3780 McFarland Rd
Rain site: Virtual via WebEx
Crochets come and join the fun! We will crochet a bag from a choice of two patterns. This week’s session will be held outdoors at the Keeling- Puri Peace Plaza on McFarland Road, rain site: virtual via WebEx. For more information, click here. 
Open Mic Poetry Slam
Tuesday, May 18, 6 PM - 8 PM
Nordlof Center, 118 N. Main St.

Join us for an evening of performance poetry every third Tuesday of the month. Covid-19 rules apply, masks are mandatory and capacity is limited to 50. Teens and adults welcomed!
The Poetry of Women and Mothers
Virtual Poetry Salon with City of Rockford Poet Laureate

Wednesday, May 19, 7 PM - 8 PM
Online via WebEx
Explore poetry that celebrates women with Poet Laureate Christine Swanberg and Youth Poet Laureate, Jocelyn Kuntz.

Join us to look at poems by and about women as close to home as mothers and as far away as Central America. Join Rockford Poet Laureate, Christine Swanberg, and Youth Poet Laureate, Jocelyn Kuntz, on a poetic journey that will include a little discussion and some mini-prompts for you to take home. Registration is required.

This event is a Live Virtual Event. A link will be sent to your email prior to the event.
Virtual Programs
Wednesdays
Pre-register for RPL'S Summer Reading Challenge Reading Colors Your World

This summer at Rockford Public Library, let reading color your world! Join the Summer Reading Challenge to win great prizes for reading all summer! The challenge is open to all ages. For more information and to pre-register click the link below. Read! Explore! Create!
Looking for something new to read? Click the links below to fill out the form with what you love (and hate) to read. Complete as much or as little as you’d like – keep in mind that the more you tell us, the better we can help you. Our reader’s advisory staff will put together a collection of books selected especially for you. Our Circulation staff will call you to schedule a pickup.

Get the RPL App!

It’s RPL in your pocket! Access all of our digital services, register for events, clubs & challenges, pay fines, and place holds & reserve items for pick-up!
Starting or Growing a Business?

Our library provides access to Gale Business: Plan Builder. Along with easy-to-use tools and templates, this resource features an intuitive dashboard. It walks users through five areas of business planning for help with starting, managing, and growing a business.

Why wait? Access Gale Business: Plan Builder today! Talk to your librarian if you need help getting started.