The Foundation has been working on signage to allow visitors to understand the extraordinary features of this very special place,  known as Faye’s Field.  The first sign will describe the space, give a brief bio of Faye along with a picture and then also include a sketch of the space showing where everything is located.   The second sign will describe the water features from the Permeable Pavers and Rain Garden to the Riparian Buffer along the creek.  The last large sign will describe the history of the Bettendorf Company Rail car.  In addition there will be 2 small signs by each of the art nodes describing the art as well as the artist/donor.

These signs are being funded by the generosity of Chris and Mary Rayburn, The Community Foundation of the Great River Bend and us, the Bettendorf Public Library Foundation!

The Fountains has a history of helping the Library and this year has been no exception.  Besides sponsoring the Digital Signs in our lobby and at the circulation desk, they are also sponsoring this years’ Adult Winter Reading Program!  We are excited to have the opportunity to partner with the Fountains again.  Last year they helped out with a sponsorship for Doodle Day and the year before they hosted our Wills Seminar.  We are very grateful for the generosity and community spirit of The Fountains!

Bob Fox, Mississippi Valley Fair Manager, graciously agreed this year to have all of the Fair entertainers sign the beautiful guitar that Steve Judge at Griggs was nice enough to donate.  We held a 2 month silent auction here at the library and on December 16, at 5:00,  we closed the bidding.  The winner paid $1,000 for this unique collector’s item!  When Debby Stafford made the presentation, the winning bidder said “I was happy to do it!  My children have loved this library and enjoyed coming here so much.  Though we live in Rock Island, this is our favorite library and my kids adore the Anime Club, so it was a fun way to give back for all the library has given us.”

If you are not familiar with our Rapid Reads cart, you need to be!  You can buy recent best selling hardbacks for $2.50!  If you would like to be on the monthly email distribution list, just call Debby at the Foundation office, 563-344-4182 and she will email you a list on the first of every month.  If you see something you would like, just email back and she will pull it for you and have it waiting the next time you come into the library!

The FRIENDS have always underwritten the costs of our very popular Brown Bag Lunches and Senior Days (See the calendar for what is coming up.) and they generously continue to do that, but THE National  Bank is now our presenting sponsor!  We have always been able to count on the generous support of TNB as they have sponsored QC Spells in the past, but this is the first time they have become involved in these wonderful programs made available every month.  Be sure to check out the upcoming events, we have some terrific programming this year.  Also, thank THE National Bank, their generous donation to the Foundation is very much appreciated.

In September, the Children’s Department started a new program called Eye Opener.  This once per month event (check out the calendar!) is geared to 3-5 year olds and it is a story, activity, and craft that offers hands on learning.   Eye Opener! will continue each month through April.  What a fun, free activity for our patrons and how generous of Eye Surgeons Associates to fund this program that encourages reading, learning, and FUN.

Our Kids’ Experience is scheduled for August 20th and it gets bigger and better every year.  Quad City Bank & Trust is our major sponsor again and we are thrilled to not only have their financial support, but also their participation!  Look for the class on “Money” – it is always a very popular choice for our young participants.

It equals a collection of books about cancer that are geared for children and teens who are affected by cancer, looking for answers, support, and information.

Gilda’s Club contacted Tami Finley, Youth Services Manager, and asked if the Bettendorf Public Library would be interested in helping educate young patrons and their families about cancer and the many related topics.  Through a series of discussions it was determined that the existing book collection needed to grow and be updated.  It only took one phone call to Genesis to get full funding of this collection.  We are so lucky to have the generous support of the Genesis Health System in providing this helpful resource for our community.

The Scott County Regional Authority came through again for the Foundation!  A huge thank you to SCRA for the funding of 8 computers, keyboards, headphones, and software for our new improved Children’s Department!

Although the plans for this huge new renovation project have not been released, we do know that “teching up” the Children’s Area is on the top of our wish list, and SCRA granted our wish!

What do you get when you combine 400 first graders and their adoring family members, 150 pizzas, 7 canisters of pop, and barrels full of stuffed bears?  You get Booker Bear at the Bettendorf Library!

On February 18 and March 5, Ascentra Credit Union sponsored another year of amazing Booker Bear Celebrations.  Both Pleasant Valley and Bettendorf first graders were challenged to read 10 books in a six week period.  This year close to 95% of the first graders met the challenge and came to the library to celebrate. 

This is the 10^th year Ascentra has sponsored this great event to encourage children to read and to recognize their efforts in this fun family event.  Everyone enjoyed the ceremony, had their pictures taken, got a certificate and an adorable stuffed bear.  Anyone who needed to apply for a library card took advantage of the opportunity and over 60 children had the fun of getting their very own card that day as well.  The afternoon was topped off by a delicious Godfather’s Pizza lunch.  Thanks Ascentra!