Today's hours
We're open 9:00AM to 8:00PM
We're closed Wednesday September 24
To promote literacy and the joy of reading, the Bettendorf Public Library hosts several reading programs for all ages throughout the year.
For ages birth to five. Registration is available in person starting October 1.
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 young 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 20 books read by a caregiver. Participants receive a small plush dragon reading buddy upon registration and a book once they finish the program.
The Toddler Reading Program is funded by the Friends of the Bettendorf Public Library.
Quad Cities teens aged 11-19 are encouraged to particpate in the Teentober Reading Challenge and Creative Contests October 1-31. All participants are invited to the Teentober Red Carpet Awards Event at the Putnam Museum and Science Center's theater on Thursday, November 13, 2025. Attendance is encouraged, but you do not need to be present to win.
Read at least 1,000 minutes and be entered into the QC grand prize drawing for a chance to win a $50 Visa gift card! Track your reading through Beanstack or pick up a physical log at the library starting October 1. Winners will be announced at the Teentober Red Carpet Award Event.
Create a work and/or works that showcase your creativity and explore the 2025 theme: One of Us is Lying. Who said that?! Who is the liar? Am I the liar?! What is the lie? We have so many questions! We want to see mystery. We want to see horror. We want to see romance. We love a nonfiction piece. We are here for silliness and whimsy. We applaud passion and earnestness. We want to see what your mind creates from this theme.
Each entry will include an artist's statement of up to 150 words where you can explain how and why you created the work and how it fits the 2025 theme.
Tip: If the theme has you stuck, take a moment to think about your favorite book, movie, or piece of art. What do you like about it? How can you take the thing you like and connect it to the theme?
One entry per contest category, for a total of three entires, is allowed. Fill out this form for each entry. Winners will be announced at the Teentober Red Carpet Award Event.
All entries should be "rated" PG-13 or under and be appropriate for general audiences. Submit original work and do not use copyrighted work or characters.
Short films and music, dance, and spoken word performances must be under 5 minutes and submitted digitally. Teens can work on their own or in teams of up to 5 members.
Entries must be submitted digitally through the online form. Libraries will not accept physical pieces of art for this contest. However, your librarian can help you photograph or scan your work.
Entries must be 1,000 words or less.
All entries must be submitted by October 31, 2025.
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.
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 and reading logs are available at the Library’s Youth Services Desk at any time. 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.
