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Registration now closed

YCNI Journalism Bootcamp

Youth Community News Initiative
2026-08-05 09:30:00 2026-08-05 15:00:00 America/Chicago YCNI Journalism Bootcamp Main Library - RPLF Teen Zone / Active Zone

Wednesday, August 05
9:30am - 3:00pm

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Main Library

RPLF Teen Zone / Active Zone

Join journalism educator Ellen Austin to learn about reporting, interviewing, photography, editing and publishing. No prior experience necessary; supplies provided! Please register to participate.

We are looking for creative teens (ages 14+) to join the Rockford Public Library Youth Journalism Initiative. No prior experience is necessary, and photography supplies will be provided! By registering to be a part of this program, you will:
Attend an exclusive media Boot Camp in the library's Teen Zone led by nationally recognized journalism educator, Ellen Austin. Learn hands-on digital photography, framing, and interview skills. Get your work professionally printed, framed, and displayed in a RPL public gallery. Be the guest of honor at the Humans of Rockford Youth Photo Exhibition! Space is limited to 15–20 participants.  Register to participate. 

TAGS: | Technology | Employability | Arts |

Main Library
info@rockfordpubliclibrary.org
Phone: (815) 965-7606
Fax: (815) 963-7843
Branch manager
Donna Hopson
Hours
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Mon, Jul 27 9:00AM to 8:00PM
Tue, Jul 28 9:00AM to 8:00PM
Wed, Jul 29 9:00AM to 8:00PM
Thu, Jul 30 9:00AM to 8:00PM
Fri, Jul 31 9:00AM to 5:00PM
Sat, Aug 01 9:00AM to 5:00PM
Sun, Aug 02 Closed
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About the library

The 66,000 sq.ft. Main Library opened in spring of 2024 and serves as the Rockford Public Library's main downtown facility. The newly constructed space boasts a 1st floor Children's Area complete with a dedicated computer lab, three program rooms, play structure with slide, and baby garden, a Maker Lab with access to 3D printers and scanners and small board computers, podcasting room, green screen video room, a large Young Adult Zone with gaming center, adult computer lab, local history room, and several meeting and study rooms accommodating groups of 2-8 people. Additional features include a large interactive screen, two roof-top terraces, one of which is available for rent as part of our large event space on the third floor, underground parking, and drive-thru book drop holds pickup!

Upcoming events

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Unearth Your Own Keychain (Teens)
Thu, Jul 30, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
RPLF Teen Zone / Active Zone
Our theme for Summer Reading 2026 is Unearth a Story! Keep track of your reading goals and attend exciting events all summer long!
Disablility Pride Pop-up Storytime with RAMP
Thu, Jul 30, 4:30pm - 5:30pm
Room 206: Group Room A
Join us for book readings followed by an activity highlighting Disability Pride Month !
Chapter by Chapter
Thu, Jul 30, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Rooms 115A & 115B: Activity and Story Time
Listen to a few chapters of a book each week.
Crafternoons
Fri, Jul 31, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Rooms 115A & 115B: Activity and Story Time
Drop in on Friday afternoons to get crafty! Every week, we'll whip up a fun and fresh craft for you to create. All supplies will be provided.
Basic Crochet for Beginners Children
Sat, Aug 01, 9:30am - 11:00am
Room 208: Maker Activity B
Boys and Girls ages 8-12! Whether you’ve always wanted to learn crochet or you already know how, let’s get together and crochet! We’ll help each other out and create something Great!
This event is full
We are Hooked
Sat, Aug 01, 11:00am - 1:00pm
Room 208: Maker Activity B
Love to crochet? So do we! Bring in your UFO stands for "unfinished object". It's a term used to describe a project that has been temporarily or permanently abandoned.
Preschool Power Storytime
Mon, Aug 03, 10:00am - 10:45am
Room 115B: Story Time
Books, songs, rhymes, and crafts for children ages 3-5
Summer Crafternoon Prehistoric Perlers (ages 8-12)
Mon, Aug 03, 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Room 115B: Story Time
Our theme for Summer Reading 2026 is Unearth a Story! Keep track of your reading goals and attend exciting events all summer long! Join us in our Storytime room for a dinosaur inspired perler craft.
Story Clinic
Mon, Aug 03, 5:30pm - 6:30pm
RPLF Teen Zone / Active Zone
Learn and discuss writing skills with local author Rachel León.
RPL Chess Club
Mon, Aug 03, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
WREX Classroom
Come play a relaxed game of chess at the library! Sets and boards provided, all skill levels welcome. We meet every other Monday night.
Musical Munchkins
Tue, Aug 04, 10:00am - 10:30am
Rooms 115A & 115B: Activity and Story Time
Dance and sing the morning away at this active storytime for toddlers and preschoolers.
RPL Sewing Group
Tue, Aug 04, 11:00am - 1:00pm
Room 208: Maker Activity B
Bring in the projects you've started with the RPL sewing group, and let's complete them together!"
Lifescape and Rockford Public Library Present:
Tue, Aug 04, 11:30am - 12:30pm
WREX Classroom
Register for this specialized book club via Lifescape and receive a copy of the book to read from the library.
Pokémon Club
Tue, Aug 04, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Room 115B: Story Time
Pokémon Club attendees can learn, play, and connect through the Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG) and other activities designed for their age range.
YCNI Journalism Bootcamp
Wed, Aug 05, 9:30am - 3:00pm
RPLF Teen Zone / Active Zone
Join journalism educator Ellen Austin to learn about reporting, interviewing, photography, editing and publishing. No prior experience necessary; supplies provided! Please register to participate.
Registration is now closed
Babes and Books
Wed, Aug 05, 10:00am - 11:00am
This interactive storytime for young children from birth to 24 months, focuses on their development, incorporating music, movement, and reading.
Caregiver & New Parent Social Hour
Wed, Aug 05, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Rooms 115A & 115B: Activity and Story Time
Social hour for parents and caregivers of infants and babies! Drop in every other Wednesday from August through October.
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