Rockford Public Library

08/29/2026

Pokémon Club
Mondays: Aug 31, Sep 28, Oct 26, Nov 30
4P-5P
RPL East Branch-6685 E. State St.

Pokémon Club attendees can learn, play, and connect through the Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG) and other activities designed for their age range. *NOT a trading event

The American Association of School Librarians (AASL) and the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) have partnered with The Pokémon Company International to bring Pokémon Clubs to your library!

Pokémon Club programs help students build essential cognitive, academic, and social-emotional skills through activities like deckbuilding, puzzle-solving, and collaborative gameplay. Join us in the RPL Friends of the Library Community Room at 4:00pm on the last Monday of the month!

*Pokémon Club aims to be inclusive and welcoming to all young players, regardless of their skill level or familiarity with Pokémon. Pokémon Club is not intended to be competitive. It will be a space exclusively for casual play and learning. Trading Pokémon cards is not part of this program. RPL is not responsible for lost, stolen, or traded items.

08/28/2026

JOIN US!! Learn how to to be a part of Rockford's Independent Filmmaking Ecosystem! Follow the link to learn about ... Forest City Cinema Community

Neil Bloom, the Rockford Public Library's artist in residence for 2026-2027, wants to create community theater but for film. Here's how he's doing it. See link below ⬇️

📸 Provided by Neil Bloom

08/27/2026

A social hour for homeschool families.

Come join us Thursdays at RPL Main Library, 215 N. Wyman St., from 1P-2P, for a lighthearted hour to meet other homeschoolers with family friendly games available to help break the ice.

08/27/2026

A social hour for homeschool families.

Come join us at RPL Main Library, 215 N. Wyman St., from 1P-2P, for a lighthearted hour to meet other homeschoolers with family friendly games available to help break the ice.

08/27/2026

Leon Smith wears many hats for our Adult Online High School students: enrollment advisor, academic coach, guidance counselor, mentor, and biggest supporter. His passion for helping learners succeed has helped hundreds of adults take the next step in their educational journey. Thank you to WNIJ for sharing Leon's story and the impact of this program.

The U.S. Census bureau reports that more than 14,000 Rockford adults ages 25 and older don’t have a high school diploma. This number includes those with less than a 9th grade education. Some sources report Winnebago county numbers to be more than 30,000. A Rockford Public Library nationally accred...

08/26/2026

Singer. Songwriter. Author. Philanthropist. Literacy champion.

Our newest display at the RPL Main Library honors Dolly Parton and the incredible legacy she leaves behind. Inspired by her father’s inability to read, Dolly founded the Imagination Library, a program that mails free books to young children and has helped millions develop a lifelong love of reading. We invite you to browse our collection and remember a woman who touched countless lives through her talent, generosity, and kindness.

Learn more about the Imagination Library at https://imaginationlibrary.com/

08/19/2026

In this episode of the Rockford Public Library Podcast, Lara Griffin talks with Youth Services Librarian Amy Pfeifer about the surprising ways children begin developing literacy long before they learn their ABCs. From talking and singing to sharing stories and reading together, everyday moments can help build the skills children need to become confident readers.

Amy breaks down what early literacy really means, why it matters, and how parents and caregivers can support a child's development without turning reading into homework. They also explore common misconceptions, choosing books for young children, and the simple things families can do every day to help raise lifelong readers.

Listen here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2448107/episodes/19644056