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Decode Democracy

Demystifying Government Records
2026-09-23 17:30:00 2026-09-23 18:30:00 America/Chicago Decode Democracy Main Library - WREX Classroom

Wednesday, September 23
5:30pm - 6:30pm

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Main Library

WREX Classroom

Archivists from the Barack Obama Presidential Library and an RPL Librarian will explain the publicly available information we can find in the library and National Archives and how to find it.

NOTE THE DATE CHANGE

Archivists from the Barack Obama Presidential Library and an RPL Librarian will explain what the National Archives (NARA) are, what they aren't and how to access various types of personnel files, whether that be for genealogical purposes or personal benefits. Presenting from NARA are Cali Alba, Archivist from the Barack Obama Presidential Library and Michael Lageman, Archivist from the Barack Obama Presidential Library. Librarian Brooke Rastenis will be presenting for Rockford Public Library.

Main Library
info@rockfordpubliclibrary.org
Phone: (815) 965-7606
Fax: (815) 963-7843
Branch manager
Donna Hopson
Hours
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Mon, Sep 14 9:00AM to 8:00PM
Tue, Sep 15 9:00AM to 8:00PM
Wed, Sep 16 9:00AM to 8:00PM
Thu, Sep 17 9:00AM to 8:00PM
Fri, Sep 18 9:00AM to 5:00PM
Sat, Sep 19 9:00AM to 5:00PM
Sun, Sep 20 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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Babes and Books
Wed, Sep 16, 10:00am - 11:00am
This interactive storytime for young children from birth to 24 months, focuses on their development, incorporating music, movement, and reading.
Stroller Social: an Hour for Community and Connection
Wed, Sep 16, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Room 115B: Story Time
Social hour for parents and caregivers of infants and babies! Drop in every other Wednesday from August through October.
Cancelled
Decode Democracy: Demystifying Government Records
Wed, Sep 16, 5:30pm - 6:30pm
Archivists from the Barack Obama Presidential Library will explain what kind of publicly available information we can find in the National Archives (NARA) and how to find it.
Teen Poetry Club
Wed, Sep 16, 5:30pm - 6:30pm
RPLF Teen Zone / Active Zone
Create poems and have the opportunity to share them with your peers.
Coffee with Jean: Celebrating America's 250th
Thu, Sep 17, 10:00am - 11:00am
Local History Room
Jean returns to RPL after retirement as a featured speaker!
Homeschool Recess
Thu, Sep 17, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Rooms 115A & 115B: Activity and Story Time
A social hour for homeschool families.
Women's Baseball World Cup Volunteer Debrief
Thu, Sep 17, 6:30pm - 7:30pm
WREX Classroom
RSO SoundBites at RPL
Fri, Sep 18, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Ahlstrand Family Foundation Craft Room
Join Rockford Symphony Music Director Yaniv Attar as he discusses life and music with our featured Guest Soloists the day before the Masterworks concerts.
Crafternoons
Fri, Sep 18, 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.
Friends of Rockford Public Library Book Sale
Sat, Sep 19, 9:00am - 3:00pm
Get ready to discover an amazing assortment of quality used books, graphic novels, DVDs, and much more.
LGBTQ+ Book Club
Sat, Sep 19, 11:00am - 12:00pm
WREX Classroom
Come join us for a monthly discussion of LGBTQ+ books. For September 2026 we will be discussing Oye by Melissa Mogollon.
Preschool Power Storytime
Mon, Sep 21, 10:00am - 10:45am
Rooms 115A & 115B: Activity and Story Time
Books, songs, rhymes, and crafts for children ages 3-5
Hand-knotted Bracelets
Mon, Sep 21, 5:30pm - 6:30pm
RPLF Teen Zone / Active Zone
Learn and make fiber arts of your own!
Digital Detox Series: Intro to Journaling
Mon, Sep 21, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
WREX Classroom
Come join us for an overview of the types of journals, how to start one, and a few tips for keeping up with the habit! Participants will get to take home a small journal to test out different methods.
Musical Munchkins
Tue, Sep 22, 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.
Hobbit Day Slime
Tue, Sep 22, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Rooms 115A & 115B: Activity and Story Time
Celebrate Hobbit Day and the beginning of fall at this slime workshop! Please register each child so we can have a proper headcount for the event.
This event is full
Creatively Coastin'
Tue, Sep 22, 5:30pm - 6:30pm
RPLF Teen Zone / Active Zone
Make coasters from your own art, printed photos, your favorite fandom, or pictures of your pets!
Babes and Books
Wed, Sep 23, 10:00am - 11:00am
Rooms 115A & 115B: Activity and Story Time
This interactive storytime for young children from birth to 24 months, focuses on their development, incorporating music, movement, and reading.
Colorín Colorado Bilingual Storytime
Wed, Sep 23, 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Rooms 115A & 115B: Activity and Story Time
¡Únase a nosotros una vez al mes para un tiempo divertido de cuentos bilingües para niños y sus cuidadores!
We are Hooked
Wed, Sep 23, 4:30pm - 6:30pm
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.
Decode Democracy
Wed, Sep 23, 5:30pm - 6:30pm
WREX Classroom
Archivists from the Barack Obama Presidential Library and an RPL Librarian will explain the publicly available information we can find in the library and National Archives and how to find it.
See all events