About the Youth Department
The Baby Spot
The Baby Spot is located to the right of the Youth Services Desk and is designed with the youngest patrons in mind. You'll find shorter shelving holding many board books and a rocking chair. It is a cozy place to gather young children in your lap and share a book. They're never too young to hear a story. The Baby Spot is funded by the Bettendorf Public Library Foundation.
Connie's Corner
This multimedia center is located in the Youth Department. Three stations are available for patrons to experiment with a variety of CD-ROM products. The products are selected to be of interest to a wide age range of children and titles are rotated periodically to allow introduction to multiple programs.
Children must be eight years old to reserve time on their own. Younger children are required to be accompanied by an adult while using the computer. Everyone needs to register for computer use at the Youth Desk. This may be done in person or by calling (563) 344-4178. Reservations are accepted for one-hour sessions, on the hour, with a limit of two hours per day. If no one is using a station when you come to the Library and you have some free time, just ask at the Youth Desk if one is available.
No products from home or those available for loan through the Library may be used on these stations. Connie's Corner is named in honor of former Library Trustee, Connie Carlson, who served on the Board from April 1987 until October 1994. This multimedia center is funded by the City of Bettendorf, the Friends of the Bettendorf Public Library and the Kakert Fund.
Reading Encouragement Center
Visitors to the Youth Department will immediately be drawn to the large multi-colored structure located near the picture book bins. Welcome to our Reading Encouragement Center; an environmentally pleasing area that encourages the love of reading and invites adults and children to share books together. The structure includes a couch and steps for children to relax on while listening to a story as well as nooks and crannies they can nestle in to make themselves at home. A collection of books specifically selected for use in the Center are housed on it's small shelves.
The Reading Encouragement Center was funded by SuperTarget, the Scott County Regional Authority, the Riverboat Development Authority and the Friends of the Bettendorf Public Library.
Tours
The Bettendorf Public Library offers age appropriate educational tours with a mutually agreed upon focus. Tours can be designed to meet individual group needs and might include computer instruction, introduction to the facilities, a story, a discussion of book care and information about current programs and services. We ask that group visits be scheduled at least two weeks in advance. Staff members are not available for tours unless prior arrangements have been made. To arrange a tour contact the Youth Department at 563-344-4178.
