Mission: The Rock Island Public stronger by freely connecting p
Begin Here.
developed our 2025-30 strategic plan:
1 Library projects
5 TREES Value of library services = In 2024 Saving our community AGREAT RETURN! $5,610,368 $2,735,491 857,833 Total services used = Transformative*Relevant*Equitable *Engaged*Sustainable
Featu 2
Marked National Library Week in April by installing a QC Pastports history sign at the Downtown Library.
Celebrated 50 years at Southwest Mental Health Programs & Comfort Carts
Partnered with RIFD to mark the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Southwest Branch & Fire Station #2 on Sept 25, 1974!
Project Next Generation grant funded science & art for teens.
In partnership with the City of Rock Island, started the ARPA-funded 3-year project to raise mental health awareness Quote from SW anniversary banner
School
In a pilot project with RIMSD#41, we registered 168 freshmen for high school student eCards, giving access to homework help!
FACILITIES
2024 capital projects included 10-year stone stabilization work on the exterior of our Downtown Library and preparation for a 2025 bathroom project.
STAFF
2024 promotions: Susan Young (Circulation), to Southwest Branch Manager. Sue also manages Library2Go bookmobile routes, including special stops 2x/month for Rock Island Academy classes.
Trees replaced at our Southwest Branch, just in time for the 50th anniversary!
August All-Staff Development Day. The Downtown, Southwest, Watts-Midtown Branch, Library2Go, and online “branch” faces that make library services possible! Not all staff present for photo
RIPL Youth Services
Librarian Emily Tobin was named as a 40 under 40 award honoree by the Quad City Business Journal in Sept. 2024.
New digital services in 2024:
Card drives, grant-funded billboards, and mailings raised awareness of library cards & services.
Library card sign-ups increased by 12%!
Physical materials owned: 160,504
Physical Materials Circulated: 148,139
E-Materials Circulated: 123,477
EContent platforms: 8
Library of Things checkouts: 505
Total circulation: 271,616 (up 2%)
Almost 3,700 solar eclipse viewers supplied to Rock Island patrons, agencies, & schools!
Community Comforts Drive generated 1,400 donations for the Rocky Resource Room & Heart of Hope pantry (right.) + 32% increase in inhouse use!
250+hotspotcheckoutspermonth,onaverage. 4,363 packets distributed!
Did you know?
Library staff deliver about 150 items each month to 50 homebound patrons living at home & in assisted/group housing.
Reading minutes
198,611 winter
478,475 Summer
677,086 total
Volunteer Hours = 201 Onsite, offsite, and virtual Program attendees 59,883 on-site Programs 739 - UP BY 17% Bythenumbers schools, daycares, camps Off-site Programs 249
“The adult craft programs are fun, fun, fun! Thank you for a great service.”
Rock Island Rotary grants funded STEAM kit collections and sensory stations 123,477
Mark and Kim Mayeski honored Mark’s late parents with a gift to create the “John & Fran Mayeski Reading Garden” at the RIPL Watts-Midtown Branch.
Foundation PALS (People Advocating for Library Services) book sales raised more than $7,000
We partnered with the Rock Island Parks & Recreation Department to host the 2nd Annual Lighted Lantern Walk RIP&R also donated golf clubs and suggested sports equipment for the Library of Things.
& research
2024 outreach at offsite locations brought library information, reading, & fun to more than 10,000!
$2,807,777
$67,100
The library carefully manages its tax-supported budget. Operational costs and capital projects are affected by inflation, requiring additional funds each year to preserve our resources, staff, and facilities. Our Watts-Midtown Branch partnership facility continues to offer substantial cost-savings.
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