Rockford Public Library Foundation

06/11/2026

06/03/2026

“Downtown is a psychology problem.”

That’s Peter Provenzano’s candid take on downtown Rockford’s biggest obstacle on its long journey back.

As a business leader, civic collaborator and force behind transformational efforts like Rockford City Market , Peter understood that rebuilding downtown was about more than infrastructure and buildings. It was residents’ capacity to believe in the heart of their city.

Through collaboration, bold thinking and a willingness to act, Peter helped create and sustain places and momentum that invited our people back downtown.

Join Peter and other transformers June 4 at The RPL Nordlof Center as the 1834 Alliance Honors & Celebration spotlights the power of collaborative transformation.

🎟️ Free Tickets: https://f.mtr.cool/osbbeiewhy

05/19/2026

05/07/2026

05/06/2026

On Saturday, May 16, from 10 a.m. to noon, Rockford Public Library and United Way Rock River Valley are hosting a free family event at the Rockford Public Library Main Branch, 215 N. Wyman St., to launch the summer reading season. Families can sign up for the RPL Summer Reading Challenge, enjoy live...

05/02/2026

Storytime with the Rockford Public Library Begins Wednesday, May 6.

Join us in the East Lot Entrance of the Garden for a free and fun-filled morning featuring stories, songs, and fingerplays led by the Mobile Library staff. Each child will receive a themed Grab & Go craft to take home!

Wednesdays | 9:00–9:45 AM
May 6–Sept 30

Get on board and learn with Rockford Public Library.
Storytime is free and open to all families. Learn more at https://andersongardens.org/story-time-with-the-rockford-public-library/

04/27/2026

We are proud to announce that the Rockford Public Library Foundation is bringing a world-class historical experience to our community this May.

Explore "Freedom: A History of Us," a prestigious pop-up exhibition from the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History. This collection traces the evolving meaning of freedom from the founding of our nation through the Civil Rights Movement, featuring high-quality reproductions of rare documents and photographs.

📅 Dates: May 1 – May 30, 2026
📍 Location: RPL Main, 1st floor gallery, 215 N Wyman St, Rockford
🎟 Cost: FREE and open to all ages!

From the words of the founders to the voices of those who fought for equality, see history come to life through the documents that shaped our world.