Welcome! For learning to quilt, as well as the library, there are terrific resources online - lots of you tube videos,
craftsy.com, Quilter's Cache (
http://www.quilterscache.com/QuiltBlocksGalore.html), Quilting Tutorials by Jenny Doan from Missouri Star Quilt Co -
http://quiltingtutorials.com/.
There may be a quilt guild close to you filled with quilters so eager to share their knowledge
As for sewing machine recommendation, any machine with a good solid straight stitch will work. Fancy machines are wonderful, but you will be mostly sewing 1/4" straight seams (a 1/4" foot is great but you can also quickly and cheaply add guides to the machine bed). A walking foot is very helpful - and you can buy a generic one if it doesn't come with your machine. A few decorative stitches are great for finishing the quilt, and a zig-zag or blind hem stitch is good for applique. When you're looking at machines, if you're at a dealer, try to sit down and do some sample sewing yourself to see how they feel. If you're lucky, you'll find a great dealer who will sell you what you need (not what they want to sell), and who will service the machine. Many dealers offer lessons with the purchase of a new machines. And many local quilt shoppes are also sewing machine dealers! Depending on how many dealers are near you, it may be more important to find a great dealer than be set on a specific brand. And lots of dealers sell used machines too. Lots of options!
Good luck, enjoy the journey