To promote literacy and the joy of reading, the Bettendorf Public Library hosts several reading programs for all ages throughout the year.
Dance through a world of stories and fun events with this year's Winter Reading Program, Reading Rave! From January 5 to January 31, book lovers of all ages are invited to come groove with us. Complete your challenge and you'll win a prize! You do not need a Bettendorf Public Library card to participate.
1,000 Books Before Kindergarten is just as it sounds: to complete the program, children who have not yet entered kindergarten must listen to 1,000 books before they do. The goal of this program is to establish strong early literacy skills and to encourage parent and child bonding through reading.
One thousand books may sound like a lot, but if you read just one book a night, you will have read 1,095 books in just three years! Rereading titles is allowed and even encouraged, as repetition is crucial for developing brains.
Registration is available online through Beanstack and at the Library’s Youth Services Desk. Be sure to visit us every 100 books to collect a small prize! After completing the program, the child receives a free book.
Commit to reading 100 books before you graduate high school and get a free tote bag, a book, and more! This challenge is for students in middle school and up, and is open to homeschooled students as well. Upon sign-up, you'll receive a tote bag and a coupon for a free vinyl name sticker to personalize your bag in the Bettendorf Public Library Creation Studio makerspace. For every 10 books you read, you'll earn a collectible pin. The one caveat: You must select books that are appropriate for your reading level. Other than that, read whatever makes you happy—non-fiction, graphics novels, and anything inbetween. Once you reach 100 books, visit the library to collect your finsihing prize!
Sign up and track your progress on Beanstack.
Winter Reading ProgramThe Winter Reading Program typically runs from January into February and is open to all ages. Participants must read a set number of minutes or books and/or complete challenges focused on library resources to complete the program and receive a prize. Registration becomes available online close to the start of the program. Once the program begins, you can register online or in person. Track your challenge progress online with Beanstack or pick up a physical log at the library.
The Summer Reading Program typically runs from June to July and is open to all ages. Participants must read a set number of minutes or books and/or complete challenges focused on library resources to complete the program and receive a prize. Registration becomes available online close to the start of the program. Once the program begins, you can register online or in person. Track your challenge progress online with Beanstack or pick up a physical log at the library.
In addition, to provide free and educational activities over the summer break from school, we organize special events for children and teens.
Did you know listening to stories is an essential step in eventually learning to read? Time spent reading together helps children develop a desire to read independently, and beyond reading motivation, listening to stories helps children learn new vocabulary words and helps the language portions of their brain make strong neural connections. Yes, reading to small children physically helps the development of their brains!
That’s why we offer the Toddler Reading Program in October for children ages birth to five who have not yet entered kindergarten. To complete the program and receive a prize, children must listen to a set number of books read by a caregiver. Participants typically receive a small plush animal reading buddy upon registration.
TeenTober is a reading challenge and creative contest for Quad-Cities-area teens ages 11–19. Teens are challenged to read a set number of minutes throughout the month of October and/or submit an original creative work in one of the following categories: film, art, or writing. Winners are announced and awards given out at the TeenTober Red Carpet Awards ceremony in November.
