Rock Island Public Library reports growth, requests funding to start downtown master plan

The Rock Island Public Library reported significant usage gains and outlined a downtown master‑plan vision during the Feb. 24 council meeting, asking the city to consider a multi‑year contribution toward capital improvements.

The library reported $2.5 million in local tax receipts to date and an additional roughly $375,000 under a contract with the Milan Blackhawk Area Public Library District. Operations expenditures were about $3.1 million, of which roughly $103,000 went to capital in the most recent year. The director said the library circulates more than 302,000 items annually, maintains a collection of about 159,000 items, and has seen large increases in program attendance (summer reading up 43%) and online engagement.

The library board voted to request a 2.815 library tax levy for calendar year 2027 to support wage increases, merit raises and rising insurance and inflationary costs; staff clarified the final tax rate will depend on taxable value (EAV) later this year. On capital, the director said a full downtown master plan could cost about $9.7 million if the city opted to pursue all recommended work; the library requested at least a five‑year commitment from the city of approximately $500,000 per year to get the plan started while pursuing grants and foundation support.

The director highlighted recent facility investments: payoff of debt on the Watts Midtown branch, interior repainting at the Southwest branch funded by Milan Blackhawk, new first‑floor restrooms at the downtown building and accessible renovations. Planned near‑term work includes renovating the downtown children’s restroom for ADA accessibility and launching a Library Citizens Academy in April 2026 to increase transparency about budgeting and collection choices.

Council members thanked the library for the presentation and asked follow‑up questions about plans and funding. The library director said specific engineering and cost estimates remain to be developed and that the library would continue pursuing grants and coordinating with the city on funding options.

What happens next: the library and board will refine cost estimates and coordinate with the city on budget and levy processes later in the year.