Welcome!

Benjamin Franklin once said, “An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest.” The Rockford Public Library Foundation takes this thought to heart. Created in 1989, the Foundation provides financial assistance to support the Library and its mission.

Founded in 1872, the Rockford Public Library has provided knowledge to the citizens of Rockford since before the invention of automobiles, light bulbs or telephones. In fact, when the Library first opened its doors the city had a total population of just over 11,000 people.

Today, more than 130 years later, the Rockford Public Library meets the information needs of 150,000 people in Rockford and checks out more than one million items per year. The Rockford Public Library Foundation seeks to ensure that resources are available to provide for Rockford over the next 130 years and beyond.