With access to a universe of items and services, having any library card is a reward in itself. And now there are few extra rewards, thanks to a first-in-the area program adopted by the Rock Island Public Library.

The Rock Island Public Library is the first public library in the Quad Cities to subscribe to My Library Rewards™, a reading incentive program that promotes literacy, learning, and community engagement. With it, library card holders earn rewards just for checking out items at Rock Island Public Libraries.

Any cardholder over age 12 who uses their card at a Rock Island Library can register for My Library Rewards. (Children's cards can be linked to a parent's account.) Points are automatically awarded for the first few visits. To earn full points, patrons will need to register with a library card number and valid email at the My Library Rewards website. 

"We are so excited to be the first to introduce this new incentive program to the Quad Cities," said Angela Campbell, Rock Island Public Library director. "It encourages people to use our fantastic library resources, and to connect with and use our local merchants. Everyone is a winner with My Library Rewards!"

How it Works: Library patrons automatically earn points for items checked out at a Rock Island Public Library service desk. Cardholders earn 10 points for each item checked out at Rock Island Public Library physical locations, with up to 100 points available per week. Accumulated points can then be redeemed via the My Library Rewards website for special offers from businesses in their community. Patrons have up to seven days to use redeemed coupons.

The My Library Rewards marketplace contains a number of offers from Quad City businesses, as well as gift cards from national merchants. Interested local merchants may contact My Library Rewards via the merchant participation link. There is no additional cost for a business to participate.

The ongoing My Library Rewards program officially launched June 4, just in time for patrons to take advantage of the library's busy Universe of Stories summer programming season and RockTown Reading Challenges. Now when children, teens, and adults take time for reading from June 1 through July 31, they can earn both the summer library incentives AND points for rewards later. By encouraging children, teens, and adults to read for fun, learning and prizes, the Summer Reading Challenge helps avoid summer learning loss, keeping skills sharp and minds engaged.

For more details, and a link to the My Library Rewards site, visit the library website, follow the Rock Island Library on social media, or call 309-732-READ.